Abilene's Story

by Elysia in oz

The cold, cruel line between life and death crept its way into Abilene's life more than one way. First, came her cancer, then came her transplant, and soon she was diagnosed with tuberculosis.

She stared coughing a week before her birthday, May 9. Her and her mother tried homeopathic remedies, none of which worked. Then her cough worsened, to a dry, dull sound.

This cough annoyed her teachers at school, so they always sent her to the nurse. Soon after she was at the nurse she would go home. Abilene never made it through a whole day of school, and missed tons of work.

Still, she continued to go to school. At her doctor appointment, the doctors said it was just a cold, and didn't give her medication. She seemed fine to everyone, until she went to the hospital for two tests.

Abilene had her chest x-rayed and a sample was extracted from her nose for further testing. Surprisingly, Abilene barely coughed at the hospital. She awaited the news of her tests with anticipation.

A call from the hospital came the next day. The doctor speaking to Abilene's mother on the phone had a grave voice as he announced the terrible news.
"Your daughter has tuberculosis." he said.

Abilene was admitted into the hospital for examination and operation. The doctors were sure she'd live through this, like many others.

Her mother cried and cried over Abilene's disease. A week later, they found out Abilene would die.

(end of part 1)