Lung Cancer: A Short Story

My father was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer almost a year ago. Immediately my mother decided that he would move in with us. My mother, brothers, and I all took care of him and made sure that in his last few months he would be surrounded by people who cared about him. The cancer had already metastasized to his brain, so I was forced to accept that there would be one day where he would no longer recognize or remember me. There was so much I wanted to tell my dad. Months before then I could always speak to him about anything and everything. However, when he became sick I was petrified. I was scared that I would lose one of the most important people in my life. My fear caused me to shut out all the people close to me. I focused on everything

I had grown accustomed the routine. Life became three words for me: school, home, and homework. School was a chore. I’d come home exhausted after hours of unsuccessfully attempting to pay attention in classes. My homework would pile up as I spent hours trying to focus, ignoring the cacophony that went on outside my door. The house was teeming with differing noises from the television, as well as constant talking. I had stopped talking to everyone else in the house and spent a majority of my time attempting to decipher my homework. I still couldn’t bring myself to speak more than a few words to my

She grabbed my hand and squeezed it lightly. She said,”Aicha, are you alright?”

“Yes,” I muttered. She shot me a disbelieving glance. “I was just thinking,” I insisted. I hoped she didn’t keep asking me what was going on. Instead of pressing the issue my mother gave me a hug.

“Come with me,” my mother instructed. She led me out of the quiet waiting room. The halls were as silent as the waiting room but smelled slightly of lemon scented disinfectant. Moments later we were in front of the door to my father's room where my family stood. “We’ll be in the waiting room,” my mother started. She paused for a moment, and then stated,” Talk to him, Aicha.” She and my brothers turned and walked down the hall in the direction of the room. My mind was racing as I stepped into the room. My dad's somber expression changed as soon as he saw me. His eyes lit up, and a small smile spread across his face. He looked exhausted. I took a seat in the chair next to his bed and attempted to think of something to