They don't know for sure but they definitely think it is the worst.
I did not know they would give her that information on this visit, and certainly not with me there. Beth, her pastor, is probably her closest friend and we all thought Beth would be the one with her when the good/bad news came in.
I did everything in my power to stay positive.... not sure I've been thru a more difficult experience. As for Regina, (my cousin)...
When they told her they suspected it to be cancer there was a moment when she nearly broke down... but it was only a brief moment. I was astounded by how quickly she recovered, put on her game face, and became resolute that it would turn out not to be cancer. She convinced herself.
She's going to have the kidney removed, and the tumor attached to it of course. She didn't waver... they said they could do more tests to know for sure but Regina was adamant... "Let's just do it. Take it out".
On the drive home I did all I could think of to stay upbeat, hopeful, and tried to take her mind off it even though I suppose that may have been a foolish attempt on my part. But I didn't know what to do, what to say. I got lucky.....
Regina and i have next to nothing in common... but I knew she loved her old TV shows so I asked if she had seen anything good lately.... and in that conversation we stumbled upon "General Hospital"... I have never seen General Hospital but when she mentioned it I saw her face light up, somewhat... so I pressed it...
I learned that Regina has seen every episode of General Hospital since 1979. EVERY episode.... she has never missed a single episode. And so... for most of the trip home, (one hour), she filled me in on all the characters, plots.... and during the telling she smiled, became exuberant.... we didn't mention the doctor visit again until we arrived home when we had to decide which day I will take her in for a chest X-Ray needs pre-surgery.
I was not the best person to be with her during the visit... that's a certainty... but as hard as that was, and trust me, it was excruciating... I'm glad I was there. - JamesJM
