Adam was devastated. His dream of having a
perfect wife, perfect family, perfect home and perfect life was totally
shattered. For Adam and Annika, the family plan of their dreams
immediately flew out the window, when Annika was diagnosed with a terminal
illness on her first post-marital doctor's visit.They were both in a state of shock, as they had hoped to be able to tell their
parents and grandparents that Annika was pregnant. That would have explained
her untoward symptoms. No one would be expecting this kind of horrific news.
"We have only been married six weeks," Annika said to her physician, tearfully. "And we wanted so much to have a family immediately. Is there anything that you can possibly do?"
"How much time do we have?" Adam asked the doctor while Annika was getting dressed.
"The reality in a situation like this is such that we don't really know for certain. Life often takes some unexpected turns," the doctor had replied. "You will have to be strong for your wife's sake. Be prepared for anything."
"But, I am not strong," thought Adam, who did not know whether to laugh or cry, at that moment. A million thoughts were streaming through his head. More than anything else, he wanted to run away from the harsh reality that he was facing head on.
"God, I don't want to lose my wife," he pleaded, silently. "You are stronger than I ever was, or ever will be, right, darling?" he said to her gently, as he helped Annika get into their RV.
She nodded. "I wish.
"We have only been married six weeks," Annika said to her physician, tearfully. "And we wanted so much to have a family immediately. Is there anything that you can possibly do?"
"How much time do we have?" Adam asked the doctor while Annika was getting dressed.
"The reality in a situation like this is such that we don't really know for certain. Life often takes some unexpected turns," the doctor had replied. "You will have to be strong for your wife's sake. Be prepared for anything."
"But, I am not strong," thought Adam, who did not know whether to laugh or cry, at that moment. A million thoughts were streaming through his head. More than anything else, he wanted to run away from the harsh reality that he was facing head on.
"God, I don't want to lose my wife," he pleaded, silently. "You are stronger than I ever was, or ever will be, right, darling?" he said to her gently, as he helped Annika get into their RV.
She nodded. "I wish.
"We will have to be strong
together."
"Can we go to the park and talk for a while?" Annika asked Adam. "Maybe go for a walk?" Perhaps exercise, sunshine and fresh air would help them to cope with the disastrous reality of their day.
"Are you up to it?"
"We need some time to figure out how we are going to tell everyone."
Adam realized that this was true.
"You mean we have to figure out another different kind of family plan?" he said, trying his best to keep Annika's spirits high.
"Family plan, that is not even funny!"
"I know. I wish it was me instead."
"Oh, Adam, don't even think like that!"
He remained silent for a long time with his arm around Annika, as they walked along.
Suddenly, a chipmunk appeared out of nowhere and scurried past them, up a tall, oak tree. Peeking out from behind the trunk, he watched them, cautiously. The momentary distraction broke their silence.
"He is so cute!" exclaimed Annika. "It's all right, little fellow," she called out to him. "You don't have to be afraid."
Adam hugged her gently, trying to hold back his torrent of tears.
"Adam, life will go on whether I am here or not."
"Can we go to the park and talk for a while?" Annika asked Adam. "Maybe go for a walk?" Perhaps exercise, sunshine and fresh air would help them to cope with the disastrous reality of their day.
"Are you up to it?"
"We need some time to figure out how we are going to tell everyone."
Adam realized that this was true.
"You mean we have to figure out another different kind of family plan?" he said, trying his best to keep Annika's spirits high.
"Family plan, that is not even funny!"
"I know. I wish it was me instead."
"Oh, Adam, don't even think like that!"
He remained silent for a long time with his arm around Annika, as they walked along.
Suddenly, a chipmunk appeared out of nowhere and scurried past them, up a tall, oak tree. Peeking out from behind the trunk, he watched them, cautiously. The momentary distraction broke their silence.
"He is so cute!" exclaimed Annika. "It's all right, little fellow," she called out to him. "You don't have to be afraid."
Adam hugged her gently, trying to hold back his torrent of tears.
"Adam, life will go on whether I am here or not."
Adam was suddenly overwrought with grief.
Tears streamed down his face.
"How can I go on alone?"
"You can and you will."
Over the next hour or so, Annika and Adam gradually worked out the details of how they were going to discuss her diagnosis with their families. They would tell Annika's parents first, and then Adam's parents.
"We have to do this immediately. According to the doctor, I don't have much time."
"You are a truly amazing woman!" replied Adam, smiling at her. "Of course, that is why I married you."
"We can deal with this," Annike replied.
"And we will," replied Adam.
"How can I go on alone?"
"You can and you will."
Over the next hour or so, Annika and Adam gradually worked out the details of how they were going to discuss her diagnosis with their families. They would tell Annika's parents first, and then Adam's parents.
"We have to do this immediately. According to the doctor, I don't have much time."
"You are a truly amazing woman!" replied Adam, smiling at her. "Of course, that is why I married you."
"We can deal with this," Annike replied.
"And we will," replied Adam.
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