Chapter 732 Unwilling to Accept Treatment
Pearl's frown deepened.
RavenWing's behavior today was just too strange. She remembered the last time she and Oscar planned to leave Emily with RavenWing for a few days, but he had turned them down, saying he had other commitments.
Pearl hadn't thought much of it then. It was normal for elders to have their own lives. But now, after today's phone call, she couldn't help but think more about it.
On the phone, Pearl kept her doubts to herself. "Emily's asleep now. How about we visit you this weekend when Christopher doesn't have school?"
"Sure, come over whenever you can," RavenWing said, putting down the phone.
He let out a long sigh.
Just then, the door to the hospital room opened, and the attending doctor walked in. "I'm here to give you your IV. Have you thought about what we discussed?"
RavenWing shook his head.
Logic told him he should accept treatment. Late-stage liver cancer patients typically have a life expectancy of six months to a year, but with aggressive treatment, that could be extended.
However, chemotherapy would bring a host of new problems—hair loss, aging and so on. He didn't want Pearl to see him in such a miserable state.
"I advise you to undergo treatment. While late-stage liver cancer can't be cured, treatment can extend your life by several years. I can tell you want to live, so why not go through with it?" the doctor continued to persuade.
If it were a matter of limited resources or inability to afford treatment, it would be understandable to give up.
But he wasn't short on money. The funds in the hospital account were more than enough, and he didn't want to die.
The doctor could sense RavenWing's desire to live.
So what was he hesitating for?
"I don't want my daughter to see me in such a pitiful state. Doctor, I know you're looking out for me, but I need to think this over," RavenWing said, clearly unwilling to discuss the matter further.
When he was first diagnosed with late-stage liver cancer, he didn't want to believe it. He went for test after test, dragging it out for a long time.
During that time, he was too preoccupied to have Pearl, Emily, and Christopher visit.
As time passed, he began to accept it.
Birth, aging, illness, and death are natural parts of life. No one can escape them, no matter how powerful or wealthy.
Rather than wasting the little time he had left on pointless thoughts, he decided to do something meaningful.
He couldn't be there to watch Emily and Christopher grow up, but he could spend more time with them now. That way, even after he was gone, they would have memories of him.
The doctor, unable to persuade him further, administered the IV and left.
Meanwhile, Pearl was determined. Since RavenWing wouldn't talk, she would investigate herself.
"Mom, the school is having an emergency drill tomorrow morning. After that, we can go home early. Can you pick me up?" Christopher knocked on the door, then stood on tiptoe to open it, peeking his head in.
Pearl walked to the door and picked him up. "Of course. I don't have anything planned for the afternoon. How about we visit Grandpa at the hospital? Would you like that?"
"Yes!" Christopher nodded enthusiastically.
Since RavenWing had moved back to Willow Creek with them, he had been very attentive to Emily and Christopher. Even though Christopher was young, he could sense RavenWing's kindness.
Their relationship had grown stronger, and Christopher enjoyed spending time with him.
"Hey, Mom, I finished my homework. Can you check it for me?"
Pearl smiled and nodded. "Sure thing, buddy."
Kindergarten homework was simple, and Christopher had done it well, with hardly any mistakes. She finished checking it quickly.
Christopher put his homework away and ran downstairs to watch TV, while Pearl played with Emily nearby.
The doorbell rang, and the delivery person handed over a package.
Pearl hadn't ordered anything recently, so she assumed it was something Oscar had bought. She opened it and found several bottles of medicine and a letter.
Pearl unfolded the letter and recognized the sender immediately after reading the first line.
Who else but Jeffery would call her Carol?
In the letter, Jeffery mentioned that he had opened a new hospital in Willow Creek and planned to develop it further. The medicine was a new supplement he had developed, which was very beneficial for health, and he had sent it to Pearl to try.
Pearl sent him a thank-you message and put the medicine away, appreciating his thoughtfulness.
Given Jeffery's expertise, the supplements were bound to be effective.
When Oscar came home, Pearl mentioned the supplements, and the family enjoyed their time together.
The next morning, Pearl took Christopher to school, then went home to pack Emily's diapers, bottles, and formula. When the time was right, she went back to pick up Christopher.
The three of them headed to the hospital.
RavenWing hadn't expected them until the next day and was unprepared. The report confirming his late-stage liver cancer was right on the bedside table.
When the nurse came in to deliver his medication, she saw the report immediately.
Her father was around RavenWing's age and also had cancer. Seeing RavenWing, she couldn't help but say, "You shouldn't give up on treatment. My dad didn't want to either, but we convinced him, and now he's lived a year longer than expected."
Even though late-stage cancer meant death was near, the exact timing could be altered.
As children, everyone hoped their parents can live a bit longer, even if it was just a few more months.
"You don't need to persuade me. I'm a doctor myself; I understand all this," RavenWing said. He had spent the previous night thinking it over again.
He still decided on conservative treatment, taking medication and seeing how long he could last.
He couldn't bear the thought of looking so pitiful.
The nurse hesitated but finally sighed and left.
As she walked out, she ran into Pearl, who was bringing Emily and Christopher. Their eyes met, and the nurse's lips moved, but she said nothing.
After all, it was a family matter.
As a healthcare professional, she could only advise. The final decision was up to the patient and their family. She couldn't overstep her bounds.
"Mom, is Grandpa sick?" Christopher asked, looking at the nurse's cart with curiosity.
Pearl's expression grew more serious.
Could it be that RavenWing was hiding an illness from her?
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