wiping her cheeks.Dr. Malcolm put one hand on her bed’s edge.“Your mother is also unaware of one aspect of today.”Except for me, everyone in that room seemed to know there was more to come.I gripped the bedrail tighter.“What section? What’s going on? Is Alice alright?Dr. Malcolm’s face relaxed.All of a sudden, the costumes were irrelevant.Because Alice’s birthday celebration had nothing to do with what happened later.Spending her seventh birthday in the hospital didn’t have to feel like another item that cancer had stolen, as I had been trying to persuade myself three hours prior.For nearly a year, Alice had been battling leukemia.Chemotherapy, needles, nausea, blood tests, and days when sitting up required more energy than she wanted anyone to witness were all part of the experience.She was still, for some reason, the child who was fixated on making other people smile.Superheroes were her other obsession.Before each treatment, she selected one from a row of small figures that she kept next to her bed.“Chemo buddy,” she would say.Spider-Man was attached to her IV pole that morning.I had brought a little cake and placed paper stars across the space.Alice glanced at the décor before turning to face me.“You took on too much.”“You have a birthday today.”“Mom, you brought candy canes for everyone and said that about Christmas.”“You only get to be seven once.”After grinning, she fixed her gaze on the birthday balloon hanging over her bed.“Do you think I’ll also celebrate my eighth birthday here?”I immediately reached for her blanket.“First, let’s get through seven.”Alice nodded too readily.She had complained about being exhausted prior to becoming ill.I had put the blame on education.Then there were bruises.I put the blame on the playground.Nothing had appeared frightening until all of a sudden.I would never be able to forgive myself for missing the start.I’ve now noticed everything.I could tell whether Alice was rubbing her eyes.I could tell if she was eating less.I could tell if she became quiet.I had made it my full-time job to observe her.A nurse from Alice’s class brought in a huge birthday card that morning.Stickers, love, images of superheroes, and names scribbled in every hue were all over it.Alice read them all.I did as well.There was one missing name.Sophie.Sophie had essentially lived at our place prior to treatment. She and Alice got into arguments over dinosaurs, movies, and the strongest superhero.Alice looked at the card once more.“Perhaps she forgot.”“She would remember your birthday.”Alice gave a shrug.“Mom, I haven’t attended school for nearly a full year. If Sophie has other pals, that’s acceptable.“I could ask your instructor.”Her gaze jerked in my direction.“Please don’t.”“I just want to know if everything is alright.”“I don’t want you to.”I gave a nod.“All right.”Then I sent the message even though Alice was watching TV.“Are things going well between the girls? Alice saw that Sophie had neglected to sign her card.I told myself I was helping at the time.Dr. Malcolm arrived later that morning.For the most of the year, he had taken care of Alice. He never spoke around her as if she weren’t there, which is why I trusted him.He gazed at her superhero figures after checking on her and asking how she was feeling.“Who is at work today?”Alice gestured at Spider-Man.“Today, he is my chemotherapy partner.”“A wise decision.”
Every Doctor Treating My 7-Year-Old Daughter for Cancer Dressed as Superheroes
