Journal One Revealed: A Narrative Fiction

“I am not too sure,” she said quietly. “I have not been able to examine her or speak to her about that.”

“I’ll do an ultrasound and get a good reading but as much as I hate to say it, taking this baby is probably their best shots.”

“We can’t tell at this point, but she will have to be coming to the hospital for awhile now.” the doctor says

Two years ago was when everything changed. Katherine’s Grandma passed away suddenly due to an undetected heart failure, and Grandpa became depressed.

Her kids would have the time of their lives growing up with such a fun and loving mother. Then Maggie got diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Throughout her treatment she never made it sound like she was struggling with anything. This was confusing for me at the time because my mother was giving me a totally different feel for what was going on when we would talk about her. Maggie still acted the same around me and I didn’t think anything of her new haircut. Unfortunately in 2007 Maggie passed away. At the time, I was very upset that I would never see my idol again. Now that I’m older I know that she is in a better place and I will hopefully see her again.

Twenty years ago today, God gave me my second child. She has come to have many nicknames from my gift from God, my Angel of Jesus, to my Princess. Lauren Bailey, you have developed into a beautiful young lady, who is head strong and always knows what she wants. Even as a baby you knew what you wanted and how you were going to do things. When the doctors told me that they needed to take you away as soon as I had you, I lost a piece of me, because I did not know what to expect especially after your first surgery at five days old, but you showed your dad and I that you were strong and willing to live. You have shown so much courage, even at 9 years old, when you had your open heart surgery and you told me “Mom if God wants me to be with him, I

And even though the situation is not in her favor, she perseveres. And I respect that, regardless of all the bad choices, all the things life threw at her, she grew up and kept trying because she had someone to support. And when she learned her time was growing near, she didn’t just sit back and die in regret. She tried her very best to fix things.

“There are a couple different treatments we could do, however I personally think that the chemo is our best option. There will be a long hard road ahead of us, but I think we can do it! Now your cancer hasn’t spread yet and that’s why I think it is best to start as soon as we possibly can. Here’s what we can do…” the doctor went on and on and on. It was so hard to (even (omit)) grasp what he was saying. So much was running through my head. I was beginning to cry again, but this time I in a private room instead of in front of a waiting room full of people. “Why don’t we go for a little walk. Maybe to get a snack or something.” Caleb thought it was a good idea because he figured I needed to just get away from all the talk of chemo and treatments and well, cancer. He could see the fear in my eyes. “I’m so scared.” I thought I was crying as hard as I possibly could but boy was I wrong. “I know you are, and you have the right to be, it’s a scary thing. But you know that I will be here for you through everything, okay. I’m not going anywhere.” The doctor said I needed a good support system, and man did I have the

Demry was 15 when she passed away. A tragic accident it was that took away the lives of two innocent children that could have helped change the world someday. Demry was proceeding to work to go to college to become an RN so she could work up enough money to help me and her father. At least that’s what she told me. She was very devoted and determined to achieve this goal.

The zoo is an oasis in the middle of Warsaw, Poland. Antonina relaxes in an elegant armchair in her dark yet tranquil bedroom. Gentle waves of music hum in the background. Two floor length, rectangular windows let in the natural light. White, sheer curtains hang delicately from the windows. Two golden throw pillows lay opposite of one another, unkempt on a small couch, with creases from the last person who sat there. Family pictures hang across from each other on the brown walls. The atmosphere is dim and peaceful, giving the whole room a calming presence. Her son, Rys, and two lion cubs lay sound asleep in an unmade bed (00:01:43). Antonina kisses both of them and precedes to float over to the door to the balcony. The balcony has a view of

The doctor walked in to a room filled with zoo animals and pastel colors at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Already in the room were two parents whose faces were ridden with fear, even though words of encouragement to their child spilled out of their mouths and one terrified fifteen-year-old who sat on the edge of the cold, hard hospital bed. The doctor however was very optimistic, showing no sign of alarm. I remember him shaking our hands, while introducing himself. He was a very kind, soft spoken doctor. However, after he told me what the diagnosis was I do not recall much information. I was in shock and anxious of what the future may bring.

A scream resonated down the hallway. My 6 year old mind was overwhelmed- a man wanted to put some instrument in my throat and ears, a woman wanted to give me shots, my mother looked worried behind that stern loving face and I’m supposed to be a brave girl?! I could not even fake a stomach upset for these well-child hospital visits!

All the positive words have been such an inspiration to Lexi’s family and have been such an amazing thing for everyone in our community to come together and help.

She allowed me to get to know her better and allowed me to know more about her crazy life. I find her very inspirational because it doesn’t matter how bad of a day she was having, she always had a smile on her face and was trying to make the best of it. Lexie always had something going on in her life, but she didn’t allow it to consume her and she didn’t let it ruin the rest of her day. I learned a lot from her, I learned not to give up or get down on yourself when something doesn’t go your way. I also learned from Lexie that you need to appreciate everything in life. Lexie allowed me into her life and told me everything about herself without holding anything back which I enjoyed hearing. She has three sisters, so I think she isn’t listened to at her house so she feels comfortable talking with me because she knows that I am there to listen and to pay attention to her. I am grateful for the time spent with Lexie over this year and it will be sad having to say goodbye to

The next visit was a couple weeks after, the overall vibe was different. The vibe from walking in, her parents, the nurses…something was different. I couldn’t figure it out, and I didn’t figure it out until I got into Hunter’s room. I walked in to see her standing there, waiting for me with a warm and bright smile on her face. My smile grew so wide my cheeks hurt, and tears of joy ran down my cheeks. I ran over to her and pulled her into a hug, and for that moment, everything instantly became better.