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Connor looked up at Dr Vera Mulholland, his oncologist, as relief coursed through his veins, just as the chemo had for the last two months. He was still unsettled from talking to Emma.
‘So, it’s looking very good, Connor. We are very pleased with your response to the chemo and the prognosis is excellent. There’s no need for surgery; we got it early enough.’
‘Thank you, doctor. What do I do now?’
‘I’ll sign the discharge papers and once the nurse removes the cannula you’re right to go. I’ll write a prescription for some tablets that I’d like you to keep taking for the next month, but apart from that life goes back to normal for you. I’ll get you to come in for some blood tests in three months, but I’m expecting those results will be good.’
‘Thank you. And thank you for looking after me so well. I truly appreciate it.’
‘I don’t want you to worry, Connor. Your blood results are really good. I’m quite confident that we won’t have to do any more treatment.’
Connor’s hand shook, as he held it out to the doctor, and her hand closed firmly over his.
‘This is one of the best parts of being in oncology when we have a response like yours,’ Dr Mulholland said.
‘I’m sure it does,’ Connor said. ‘It makes me want to rethink my career choice.’
‘What do you do, Connor?’
‘I have a security firm. My partner and I specialise in industrial espionage.’
‘I’m sure you sometimes get results that make a difference in people’s lives.’
Connor grinned. ‘It’s how I met my wife.’
‘Well, there you go. Worthwhile.’
‘Yes, but I’ll be having a look at what I do. This has been a huge wake-up call for me. It’s made me rethink several aspects of my life.’
Dr Mulholland raised her eyebrows. ‘You’ve been given a great chance to make any changes that you think will make a difference.’
‘As soon as this drip’s out, I’ll be making the first one, doctor. My wife is down in the maternity ward and I have some things I need to tell her.’
Before she moved across to the other patient Dr Mulholland smiled at him. ‘All the best, Connor. See you in three months. My office will contact you with an appointment time.’
Connor waited patiently for the nurse to come and remove the cannula; the half-hour felt like three hours before the male nurse came from the nurses’ station.
‘Time for you to go home.’ He deftly removed the cannula and put a circular Band-Aid on his wrist. ‘Are you right to walk? Do you need us to call the wardsman with the wheelchair or have you got someone coming to get you?’
‘I’m fine, thank you, Brett. I have to go and visit my wife in maternity.’
‘Oh, are congratulations in order? A new bub?’
‘On the way,’ Connor said with a smile. He hadn’t allowed himself to think of the new baby while he’d been going through the treatment. And no matter what Emma’s thoughts were, he’d saved Dru from that same worry. He’d had some pretty dark days wondering if he’d be around to see Ruby and the new baby grow up.
‘You feeling good?’ Brett stood back and removed the gloves with a snap and dropped them in the bin.
Connor couldn’t help the smile on his face. ‘You’ve got no idea how good I’m feeling. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this good in my entire life.’
Once Brett had gone, Connor opened the small cabinet next to his bed and removed his clothes and went into the bathroom. Once he was dressed, he leaned over the basin, sluiced his face, patted it dry and then flicked some water through his hair in the absence of a comb.
He needed a shave, but he wasn’t going to waste time. He wanted to get to Dru and stop her worrying. He only hoped she’d be pleased to see him.
His hand shook a little as he picked up his bag, but Connor knew the shakes had nothing to do with the treatment; he was feeling strong physically. The news that the doctor had given him made him feel as though he could face the world.
His smile widened. He could even face Dru; he knew how scary she could be when she was worked up. The three nurses said goodbye as he walked past the nurses’ station. ‘No offence, but I hope I don’t see you guys for a long time,’ he said.
‘All the best, Mr Kirk. Great news.’
