How to Break the News "Lets just wait and see." - Dad
We sat down at the dinner table. I cut the silence and pulled out the reports."Mom thinks I have cancer."
"What?" He looked at mom. She explained the situation.
"What's a biopsy?" My dad asked, fishing through the report.
"They take a piece of my liver with a needle and analyze it. It's more accurate. But look at the reports," I said "it doesn't mention anywhere that I have cancer. The doctor wants to do a biopsy to know for sure."
My dad reached for his glasses. He began reading the report. “Juxtapleural? Intraheppatic? Nephrolithiasis? Geez, you need a dictionary just to figure this out!”
My mom flipped the page. “Right here,” I knew where my mom was going to point “suggestive of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. That’s liver cancer.”
“That’s in the impression section,” I shot back. “He’s a radiologist, not an oncologist. He’s just guessing. Look at the wording: suggestive.” My mother covered her face with both hands. “Let’s see here,” my father said in an effort to ease the tension “we have two MBA’s and a Bachelor’s at the table…and we still can’t figure this out!” His belting 'HA' preceded his smile. He's always enjoyed making himself laugh. I must have gotten my comical side from him. The world gave me the sarcasm.
The room fell silent. “When do you get your needle biopsy?” Asked my dad. “This Friday." My dad took a deep breath. “Well…let’s just wait and see," he said, concluding that conversation. That was easier than I expected. For once, the answer to this question was better unknown.
"So, are you going to tell Dawn?" Mom asked.
"I don't know," I responded realizing the familiarity of that question. I had been asking myself the same question in the car. "What should I tell her? I can't lie. Should I prepare her for the worst? Should I wait?"
"Just tell her they need to do more tests." My dad suggested.
My phone rang. I had to make a decision.
“Hey babe,” I answered concealing the concern in my voice.
“Hey,” she replied “Where are you?”
I cleared my throat. “I’m at my parents. I'll be heading home soon.”
“Did you get the results?” Should I tell her now?“Yeah, we got the results.” My mom shook her head.
“And…”
“And…it's not so good.” My mom suddenly turned into a couch umpire, signaling an emphatic safe call three times, only her lips read Oooooo. "Don't tell her over the phone" I heard her whispering.
“What do you mean?” Dawn continued.
“I mean, it's not bad, they just need to do more tests. I’ll tell you when I get home”
“OK, do you want anything for dinner?”
"I just ate earlier. We'll eat later tonight."
I tried getting more advice from my parents that night, but realized this decision could only be mine to make. Answers to tough questions are never black and white, just different shades of gray. As I walked outside, I looked up at the sky. It's orange and yellow shades in the horizon were poisoned by a purple hue as the sun bowed to darkness rising.