“But how? I don’t understand. Cancer of any sort was never a worry......not a concern in either of our families! How does she have it? Take another blood test. Do something. Anything! I don’t care what you do as long as you do something!” ChiChi cried out.
“I know. Cancer may be said to be ‘in the genes’ and yes, that is true for some. There is a good chance for someone who has had a history of it in their family to also suffer from the disease, but Mrs. Son, that’s not always the case. We all have cancer cells. They grow in some people and they don’t in others. We don’t know why and we don’t know how to stop it. I’m sorry.” Doctor Ameria tried explaining, as ChiChi stood crushed, completely speechless. There had to be something the hospital could do, they weren’t just going to let her daughter die. They couldn’t. She wouldn’t let them. Although she was bubbling with questions it was impossible to form words with her mouth. Luckily, Gokou managed to find his voice.
“What can you tell us, if there’s anything you know right now?” He asked.
“We don‘t know much at the moment, but I‘ll gladly tell you everything we do. If you would please sit down I’ll.......” she cut off, noticing all the people seated in the waiting room, staring at her. “Would you like to go into my office or would you be comfortable talking in front of everyone?”
“We’ll stay here, we’re all family.” he replied, directing ChiChi to a seat. Dr. Ameria nodded and sat beside them.
“Now, there are over 200 types of cancers and all are classified into categories. Leukemias are classed as malignant, or cancerous and resisting treatment, growths and is acquired, not inherited. This cancer targets the body's blood-forming tissues, which also includes the bone marrow and lymph system.”
“The lymph system?”
“It’s a major component of the body's immune system. That explains why Kione has been sick so often. Because her illness affects what the body needs to fight off infection and bacteria, there aren’t enough fighting white blood cells to kill what’s invaded the body, leaving her prone to sickness.” she explained as Gokou nodded. “From what we can determine, she’s had this disease for a while but it went unnoticed because whatever symptoms she had shown resembled those of the flu or other common illnesses. What’s amazing is for the time she’s gone untreated, she’s in better condition than most patients. By now, most people would be close to death.”
“So she’s going to be ok?” ChiChi asked hopefully.
“We don’t know. No matter how strong someone may be, they can’t fight Leukemia alone and your daughter needs treatment right away. To pinpoint exactly which type your daughter has, she’s going to need to stay with us overnight. I know this is very sudden, but for us to be able help, we need to know every single problem.”
“We understand. But will you tell us what you’re going to do to her?” Gokou spoke before ChiChi could protest.
“Of course. We’ll be running a series of tests, which we will need to begin as soon as possible. We’ll be performing an Immunophenotyping, which enables us to determine the type of disease your daughter has and a Cytogenetic examination of tissue, which is an analysis of the number and shape of the chromosomes of Kione’s cells. By tomorrow, we’ll also have the results of the bone marrow examination and more useful information. I suggest you should all return home to get some rest and something to eat, but if you want to stay here, I understand.”
“ChiChi, you guys can stay at our house. I’m not letting you sleep in a chair, worrying all night. Please come home with us?” Bulma asked. After a few minutes, she was finally able to convince the Son family to stay with them for the night. Before leaving, all went in to see Kione.
“Kaasan!” Kione said happily and sat up once she saw them enter the room.
“Hi sweetie.” ChiChi answered, pulling her daughter a tight hug. Kione blinked in surprise to see Trunks and his parents follow behind. She didn’t expect to see them here nor did she expect them to know she was even there in the first place. A glance at Goten provided the answer, his face had guilty written all over it and he gave a sheepish grin after meeting his sisters eyes. Kione smiled, happy they were there, but realized it meant they all knew about her sickness. She decided not to mind so much, everyone would know sooner or later.
“How are you doing?” Gohan asked, running a hand through her hair.
“Oh, I’m fine. What about you guys? I was worried.”
“About us?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s our Kino, always thinking about everyone but herself.” her older brother said, ruffling her hair again.
“Are you staying for a little while?”
“We’d like to hon, but the doctors said they needed to begin testing as soon as possible.” Gokou answered sadly.
“So, that means you have to go now?”
“We don’t want to, but I don’t think we have a choice.”
“It’s ok; you all must be tired anyway. And hungry too, I bet.”
“We wanted to see you before we had to leave.”
“I’m glad you did, I hated being alone in here. I wasn’t sure if they were going to even let you in.”
“Of course they let us in, and if they didn’t they’d have your father to deal with.” ChiChi answered. The smiles disappeared when a nurse popped her head in.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but the doctors need to get started. I’m afraid it’s time to go.” ChiChi frowned and nodded.
“We’ll be here tomorrow morning to pick you up.” Gokou said as he hugged his little girl, “Be brave, everything will be ok, you‘ll see.” he whispered after he saw Kione’s face take on a nervous look. The rest of her family crowded around, hugging and kissing their Kino good night. Bulma and Trunks wished her luck with warm hugs and before they all left, surprisingly, Vejita gave her a soft pat on the head. Goten stayed behind in the room as he saw one of the doctors walk up to his parents again.
“I thought they’d never leave. Now I can finally complain.” Kione said exasperatedly as Goten laughed. “I just didn’t want them to hear....”
“I know. Lay it on, I’m ready.” He replied, gripping the hospital bed rail. Kione smiled and sat up.
“First of all, they stuck so many needles in me I felt like a voodoo doll. They probably took enough blood to supply about forty people. I can’t tell you how many times I thought of Tousan when they brought out syringe after syringe.” Goten chuckled and that caused Kione to giggle. The one thing that could strike fear into their fathers heart, no matter how great of a hero or how strong he was, was a needle. Once needles were even mentioned he became a basket case. How he was in the hospital without being paranoid about them was a shock.
“How did you stand so many?”
“When they brought out the first one all I wanted to do was cry, they didn’t say anything about stabbing me with them again. But, they calmed me down and after a while....it was no big deal. I mean, they’re going to be a big part of my life now, I might as well get used to them.” she answered sadly.
“They won’t be for long. You’re going to beat this thing into the ground, I know you will. There’s no way Gokou’s daughter will be beaten by a stupid sickness. He beat his heart disease didn’t he? Who says you can’t win too?” Goten said firmly, keeping his voice steady.
“Nobody. And nobody’s gonna stop me from trying.”
“Right. People beat this thing all the time and you’ll be one of them.” he responded. Kione smiled and her blue eyes sparkled again. It had been a while since they had done that. “They better take care of you while we’re gone.”
“They promised to get some color back into my cheeks.”
“That’ll be good to see again.”
“Yeah.” she said, smiling a little. Goten looked over his shoulder and saw his parents waiting.
“I better get going....”
“I know. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You bet. And remember, I’m always with you. Your reflection isn’t the only thing that will tell you that though,” he said, tapping his sisters chest, “your heart knows it too.” he added softly. Kione flung her arms around her brother and kissed his cheek. He smiled at her tight grip, feeling her strength again, and kissed her back.
Walking away from her was difficult and once he was out of the room, the door shut and there was no going back in. The Son and Vejita family left the hospital and made their way back to the home they would all be staying in and it was decided Goten and Trunks wouldn’t go to school the next day. The boys sat in the living room while their parents stayed in the kitchen talking. Goten sighed.
“You need to try and relax Goten, you’ll feel better if you do.”
“I know I know, but I can’t. I just keep thinking and worrying and freaking out, it’s like I can’t do anything else. I just feel so helpless. There’s gotta be something I can do to help her.”
“You already are. Every hug, word of encouragement, smile, anything, As long as it comes from you, it helps her stay strong. The minute she saw you, her face lit up and any pain she felt went away and vice versa. It’s like you two are one person, you feel pain when the other cries and you smile when the other laughs. You guys have something no one else can.” Trunks said, hoping to make his friend feel better. Seeing Goten hurting only made himself feel worse. “Maybe you should get some rest?”
“I can’t....”
“Get your ass over to an extra room and take a nap.” Trunks interrupted.
“Well, if you put it that way....” Goten mumbled. His friend nodded and shut the door when Goten disappeared into the room. He then went into the kitchen.
“Where’s Goten?” Bulma asked.
“I put him to bed.”
“You what?”
“I told him to go take a nap, he needs one.”
“Very kind. And since you’re not busy, mind taking Bra for a little?”
“No. Not that I have a choice or anything....”
“Thanks, honey.” Bulma answered as Trunks walked off, waving his sister around like she was an airplane. The rest of the day passed steadily and soon, all were back at the hospital, waiting eagerly. Doctor Dryden lead the Son family to his office and sat at his desk. Bulma, Vejita, and Trunks waited outside.
“Good morning, we have all the results I’m sure you’ve been waiting to hear. Kione has acute myeloid leukemia, or AML. It’s a rare type and occurs in about 15% of all leukemia patients. She’s very ill and has been under constant care since last night. However, not all hope is lost because of it. Besides chemotherapy, there is one other thing we can try.”
“What is it?” Goten impatiently shouted instead of asking. “Sorry...” he apologized a second afterwards as the Doctor nodded..
“A bone marrow transplant. And you,” he said, pointing to Goten, “are the one most likely to have your sisters type.”
“Me?”
“Yes, twins often have similar bodies and at times they‘re complete replicas of one another. Even though you two aren’t identical in everything, there’s still a chance you are carrying the same type of marrow as Kione.”
“What about the rest of us?” ChiChi asked.
“You’ll all be tested as well just in case, providing you agree to this operation.”
“If it will save her, then yes, we do.” ChiChi answered, taking hold of Gokou’s hand. He nodded in return.
“I’m not saying it will Mrs. Son, but there’s always a chance.”
“Right, and if this works?“
“You’ll have the same healthy Kione as you had a year ago.”
“But what if it doesn’t?”
“Then she will die.”
“How long do we have?”
“A year. Two at most.” the doctor answered. ChiChi sucked in her breath and closed her eyes, hating the answers she was being given and almost began to panic.
“What if none of us match? What then?” she asked with a frightened, shaky voice.
“We’ll have to look for a donor. Though....the chances of finding one are not high. But, if needed, we’ll look. Do you all want to be tested now?” he asked. They all agreed and once explained to their friends waiting outside, disappeared down a hall. Sometime later they returned, wheeling Kione with them. She was free to go home and would be receiving a call as soon as the results were in. Doctor Ameria stopped them before they left and asked ChiChi to bring Kione into a room. Once inside, she took out a bottle with a clear liquid inside.
“This is going to be one of your new medicines. It’s going to help keep your white blood cell count normal.” she said, taking an orange and proceeding to show her how to inject it. “The side affects you might experience will be a fever and shivering. But remember, it’s helping you, you’re not putting anything bad into your body so it’s all right.”
“Yes, thank you.” Kione replied.
“You’re welcome, dear. Take care.” she answered. ChiChi put the bottle and packet of syringes into her bag and left the room. Goten sprang at his sister the minute she was close enough.
“They did give you your color back!” He said, sliding his hand over her cheek.
“I told you they would.” Kione answered.
“I’m glad, pale is definitely not you.” Trunks said, leaning over her, sticking his face in front of hers. The wheel of the chair caught his foot and he almost fell over. Luckily, Kione grabbed his arm and pulled him back so hard that he fell into her lap.
“Baka.” she said with a smile.
“Yeah, I know.” he answered and wiggled around, getting comfortable.
“Would you like a pillow?”
“Ah, no thanks, this is just fine.”
“I’m so glad.”
“I knew you would be.” Trunks answered and remained in her lap until they reached the car, smiling the whole time.
Once home, Kione sat playing with Bra while the boys asked about her stay at the hospital. All would jump at the sound of the telephone and around 7:30, they finally got the call that brought news worth celebrating. Although no one’s was the exact match, both Gohan and Goten’s were close enough. They would try the operation after a few weeks of chemotherapy. At last, there was hope.
