Date: Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:19:49 -0500
From: jacobmillertex@aol.com
Subject: Jacob Finding His Way: Chapter 6

{Jacob Finding His Way, is based on true events in my life. As I am writing
this story, I am above the age of 21. Any similarity to any other events,
names, or life events is pure accidental. If you are a underage, (according
to your state laws as a minor), if this literature is offensive to you or
to anyone around your viewing area, or it is illegal for you to view such
content where you are reading it, stop reading the story.  This story
cannot be distributed in any way, shape or form without my expressed
consent. Written by J.P.G.}


				 Chapter 6


Marie, Ms. Hernandez, and I just sat in the cold, very bright, quiet
waiting room on the surgical floor, not speaking a word to one
another. Ms. Hernandez finally stopped crying, her face was blank, drained
of all color but as well as emotion, it just seemed as if one of the
reasons she was put on this earth for, was being taken away from her.

For the first time since we had been on the fifth floor, I saw the
television. It was on a news channel, the volume was turned down low, I
couldn't hear what they were reporting, but they had the front of our high
school. "Scene of a Gang Battle". To tell you the truth, I just felt as if
the whole world came crashing down on me.

When Dr. Mitchell first came out to brief us on Jake's condition, he had
been already in surgery for over five hours. It was almost nine then, now
we are approaching midnight, and I can't believe it's been that long
already, almost eight hours already into the surgery.

Finally around two in the morning, Dr. Mitchell came back out to let us
know what was happening with Jake.

"Ms. Hernandez, I know it's been a long day for you. I have kids of my own;
I surely don't ever want to be in any parents shoes, waiting for news of
their kids. That's why, no matter what the news is I will report it to
you."

"Dr. Mitchell, please just let us know how my son is doing."

"Again Ms. Hernandez, I still don't have good news for you. We are not even
near half way in the surgery. It seems as we fix one thing in your son's
chest, another problem arises.

We have fixed several of the arteries in which the bullet went through the
lung, now we are working on the heart. Besides the spinal cord, in which we
haven't even begun looking at that, the heart is the most important organ
at this time that needs to fixed.

Normally we leave it alone, but the way the bullet went through, we need to
try to fix as much as we can with your son's heart. If no other problems
come up, we will be going after the bullet in the spinal cord next."

"Dr. Mitchell, I could one individual bullet do this much damage to so many
different organs in the body?"

"Ms. Hernandez, we at first thought your son was shot only twice. I can
tell you this; we have already removed two other bullets from your
son. This tells us, the person or people that shot up your son's school,
used an automatic weapon of some short. That's the only way in the short
period of time; your son could have been shot this many times."

"Now knowing that, what are my sons' chances?"

"Well there are things you should be aware of first, we don't like to keep
anyone in surgery for a long period of time. The reason for that is the
body cannot take that much stress. Your son went into surgery at four ten
yesterday afternoon, it's already after two.

Second, your son lost a lot of blood before he got to us, as we said
earlier. During surgery, we put blood into the patient, but it makes it
harder when the patient comes in already with a loss of blood.

Third, if we are success with fixing the arteries that were damaged that
are near the lung, and the heart. We still have to tackle the spinal
cord. That's one area of the body we don't really like messing with. It
controls all the nerves of the body, a slight error creates a possibility,
your son could not walk again, even worse, death.

So as you can see, we still have a lot of hurdles to overcome. I still want
you to know, your son is still very critical, and his chances of living are
slim, they are sitting at about twenty percent."

"Dr. Mitchell, please bring my son through this. Do what you can to keep
him alive."

"We are doing our best Ms. Hernandez. I will be back when I know more."

Dr. Mitchell left us, and we just sat there quietly. I wondered if Jake
knew what was going on. I truly hoped he wasn't feeling a thing in there.

I tried to get some sleep, but couldn't. Looking at the clock, it was
almost nine in the morning; I went over to Ms. Hernandez.

"Ma'am, do you want me to grab you something to drink or eat?"

"No Joey thanks though."

"Ok, just let me know if you want anything."

"Thank you Joey. But you guys haven't had anything to eat yet. Why don't
you guys go down to the cafeteria and grab something eat? You guys didn't
eat dinner last night."

"That's ok Ms. Hernandez, I don't feel like eating. I want to stay here and
wait."

"You and my son have become very close friends?"

"Yes ma'am. Jake has been there for me through some trying times
already. He even stood up for me a couple of times at school."

"That's what close friends are supposed to do for one another."

As we were talking, Andy came running off the elevator. He looked over at
me and Marie, then his mom.

"Mom, what happened to Jake?"

"Andy, your brother has been shot, the doctors say at least three times."

"Why? He is going to be ok isn't he?"

For the first time since I have known Andy, I have never seen him cry; now
he just broke down crying at his mother's side.

"Andy he got shot just being at the wrong place at the wrong time, that's
all. He has been in surgery since yesterday."

Andy got up and sat by his mother. Then Jason, Jeff, and Chase came off the
elevator. Came over, greeted Jakes mom, and asked what was going on with
Jake. Ms. Hernandez repeated what she said just moments ago. They sat down
in silence.

We all just sat there, waiting for any news. Close to twelve, Dr. Mitchell
and several other doctors came walking out. I had a very uneasy feeling at
this point, why all the doctors. I was worried to say the least.

"Ms. Hernandez, we have done all that we could do for your son at this
time. We had to close him up. He had been in surgery for almost twenty
hours. We were successful in fixing the lung, even his heart. The heart
took us the longest.

We decided to leave the bullet that is lodged in your son's spinal cord
alone. It is too risky, and if we start digging in there, we could do more
damage than good.

Again Ms. Hernandez I have to remind you, your son seems to want to live
but he is in critical condition in the ICU. His vitals are weak, but there
are function in heart, lungs, kidney and brain.

When you walk into the ICU, he is connected to several machines. He needs
them right now, don't be alarmed."

"Are you planning to go back in at a later time and take out the bullet
from my son's spinal cord?"

"No Ms. Hernandez we are not. It does not look like it broke the spinal
cord, but it did nick through some nerves near the spinal cord. We are
worried about that. If he wakes up, and its still and if, it's what we are
hoping for at this moment. Then we can see if he can still walk, talk, and
eat by himself. I am not trying to scare you, just prepare you for the
worse. He was without blood for a long time.

Ms. Hernandez you got to understand this, he isn't out of the woods by a
long shot. He is alive, but barely. We have machines doing the work of
breathing, cleaning his blood, they are what is keeping him alive right
now. All we can do now is wait and see point."

"Thank you Dr. Mitchell. When would we know more either way?

"Next twenty four hours are crucial."

"Ok then, we will wait and see. Where's the ICU ?"

"Down the hall to your right. Only two at a time can see him. Please be
quiet for the others in the ward."

"Thanks again Dr. Mitchell."

We all headed down the hall, all pretty worried, but wanting to see
him. Ms. Hernandez took Andy in first and then came back for Marie right
after. The rest of us stayed in the ICU waiting room. I sat there in
quietly, wanting to cry, but trying my hardest to hold it in. Then Marie
and Andy walked in, and I went out for my turn.

I walked into a room, no larger than a walk-in closet. Jake was in a bed in
the middle of the room, there were tubes coming out of his mouth into some
kind of machines. As well as wires connected all over Jakes body going into
different machines. There were two seats in the room, one on each side of
the bed. I took the seat on the Jake's right side.

Looking over to Jakes face, it just didn't seem to look like Jake at
all. No life in him, he always was laughing, no matter what the situation
was. Talking all the time, at times it bothered me, but today all I wanted
was Jake to talk, I didn't care what he talked about, but just talk.

I started to cry, I couldn't hold it in any longer. Jakes mother looked
over to me, reached for my hand, in which, I had on top of Jake's hand that
I was holding. She held my hand until I stopped crying, it felt good.

I got up, went over to Jake's mom, bent down and kissed her on her
forehead, and left. Went back into the waiting room, then Chase and the
other guys went in one at a time. About four that afternoon, Chase, Jason,
and Jeff had to take off. Said their goodbyes, and left. Marie, Andy, and I
went in to sit with Jake and his mother in turns.

Andy took off, came back with tacos and sodas from Taco Bell. We sat there
eating, and chatting about the stupid things Jake had done. Man has Jake
done some stupid things.

Sunday rolled around, we did the same routine. About eight in the evening,
Ms. Hernandez decided that Marie and I had to go. Andy wanted to stay with
Jake, and if anything happened, he would call Ms. Hernandez wide away.

On the drive home, it was quite, nothing was said. Ms. Hernandez dropped me
off in front of my apartment, and went home. I got in, Fran, my mom and
father was there, and asked me if I was ok, and what happened.

I told them the whole story, and what has happened to Jake. Went to my
room, took off the bloody clothes I was still wearing, went and took a
shower. I laid on my bed, and I was out like a light. Didn't even wake up
again until morning.

Got ready for school, my mom drove me to school. On the way, we picked up
Chase. When we got to school, other students were just looking at us. We
went in for breakfast, students I didn't even know or Jake either, came up
asking me to give their best wishes to Jake. Asking if they could do
anything for him or his family.

We came to find out; Jake was not the only one that had been shot last
Friday. Other students got scrapes, but three other students got shot. The
shots were mostly flesh wounds, only one of the other students had a
through and through and that was in the arm.

Those who were thought to be the targets were not evening in front of the
school last Friday.

When I was rushing to the nurse's office, Brian and a couple of the
football players stopped me. Asking how Jake was, and if they could do
anything for him. I told them, that right now nothing can be done, but wait
and see, that's all.

Irene was sitting at the desk when I entered the office; she got up and
hugged me. It looked like she had been crying.

"I wanted to go and see how Jake was doing, but I didn't want to be in the
way."

"No worries Irene. He is no way out of the woods yet but he would love it
if you would visit him."

"I will stop by today and see how he is doing."

At that moment the monitors turned on, and the principal appeared on the
television.

"Hello panthers, last Friday our school saw for the first time the ugly
side violence that has taken a grip on our inner city's schools and around
the nation. The feeling of being safe and secure in our own school
something as staff and students, we are so use to, was broken last week,
and now it is no longer there. We are no longer safe in our own school,
when gangs use automatic weapons against their fellow man. where is the
justification in hurting the innocent, what did our students do? One of our
students is in critical condition, might not make it. He was minding his
own business, heading home. He never did wrong to these people, to anyone
for that matter. But he got shot anyways. To some of you might not know
this student, his name is Jacob Hernandez. He is not just a good student,
but a good man. I ask that we bow our heads at this moment in silence for
Jacob and his family.

Until the shooters are caught, and those in which were the real targets
turn themselves in, there will be uniform police officers posted at the
school during school hours and events. I will not have this happen again at
this school, I promise you that. The students of this school should be able
to come to school and be safe, not walk out and get shot in front of the
building.

If anyone that has information about the shooters and/or who they were
after, please let me or my staff know. My door is always opened. Thank
you."

The rest of the day went by fast, but I felt all alone. I wanted my Jake
back, but he wasn't here. I really wanted to go and see him, but my parents
wouldn't let me until the weekend.

So every evening I would stop by Jake's house, and ask how Jake was
doing. Nothing had changed, at least nothing in the good or bad has
happened.

I went to school faithfully each day waiting patiently to spend the
weekends with Jake. Did this for three weeks. Then on the fourth Monday of
Jake being in the hospital, I was pulled out of math class. I went down to
the front office, and there was Andy standing there. I heart sunk the
moment I saw him. I looked at him trying to figure out what was going on, I
was scared.

"Andy is everything ok?"

"Joey, everything is good, He did it, he woke up about an hour ago."

I was so happy; I went over and hugged Andy.

"Joey! Your parents called and gave permission for me to take you up and
see Jake. So grab what you need."

"Ok, I will be right back."

I went running back to class, I grabbed all my stuff, went to my locker,
and threw it in. Then grabbed my backpack with my homework but quickly
returned it, deciding not to take it after all. Headed back to the office
where Andy was waiting. I got into the car with him, and we headed to the
hospital.

I was excited and nervous at the same time the whole ride over to the
hospital. He woke up, he woke up, is all I could think at that moment. Man
did I really want to see him.

(FROM JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)

My eye wouldn't open, I could hear voices all around me, I could feel
something stuck in my throat, but I can't open my eyes to see what it
was. I told myself to keep trying, the voices were becoming clearer now; I
don't recognize any of them. My eye lids cracked open, I could see figures,
blur figures around me, and I didn't know who they are.

One of them grabbed my wrist, held it, and said some numbers. Who are these
people? Why are they in my house?  Why can't I open my eyes more or even
talk?

Finally my eyes opened, and began to focus on the figures in front of
me. An older gentleman was standing at the foot of the bed, blocking the
view of the others. It looks like there's maybe four other people in white
coats.

Wait this wasn't my room, where was I? I looked to my left and saw machines
and tubes connected, coming somewhere from my body, look to my right, more
machines, more wires and tubes. The room was white, not that very large.

I tried to move my hands, but no luck. The people that were standing in
front of me, started to walk out, when one of them finally saw my eyes
open.

"Dr. Mitchell look, the young man's eyes, they are open!"

The older doctor turned around, looked, and came to the bed. Grabbed a
small flash light out of his jacket, turned it on, and flashed it in my
eyes. Grabbed my wrist again, read some more numbers out.

"Jacob can you hear me son? Just nod your head up and down."

I succeeded in nodding my head up and down.

"Jacob you're at Providence Hospital, you were hurt. Do you understand what
I am saying?"

I nodded again.

"My name is Dr. Mitchell; I am your main doctor. The other doctors you see
here are med students."

I just looked, not responding to what he was telling me.

"Your mother isn't here, she is at work. Your brother Andy went down to get
something to eat."

The doctor looked over at the monitors where several wires and tubes were
connected. He kept pushing buttons, and then turned back to me.

"Your oxygen readings are looking good; I would like to see if I could pull
the tube that's down your throat right now. Would you like that?"

I nodded my head. Thinking of course I want this thing out of my throat, it
hurts and I cannot swallow.

"Ok Jacob, I am going to do a couple of things to prepare the removal of
the tube. When I count to three, I want you to breathe in and hold it. When
I start to pull out the tube, you are to breathe out slowly as I am doing
it. Do you understand?

I nodded my head.

"Ready, one, two, and three..."

As the doctor was pulling out the tube from my throat, it hurt, I felt like
I was choking on it. I did as he told me, but it hurt. When the tube
finally was out, I coughed a lot, grasping and rubbing my throat. At first
it was hard to breath, but as I relaxed, the breathing became easier.

"Jacob I need you to relax, lie back, and don't try to talk. You throat is
dry and it's going to take a while for you to get use to breathing on your
own. Here are some ice chips, chew on them for bit, they will help."

At that moment my brother Andy came in, and then ran to my bed. Happy as
could be.

"Jacob your awake, thank god you are awake."

Tears started to stream down his face, but he had a big smile across it. He
looked over at the doctor.

"Dr. Mitchell what does this mean, is Jake ok? Can he talk?"

"Andy first thing is first. It is a positive thing that your brother woke
up and we were able to remove the tubes that helped him breath. Jacob is
breathing on his own now. His throat is sore, and it will be a few minutes
before he can talk. but even that will be at a whisper."

"But the rest Dr. Mitchell, what about that?"

"We are going to have to wait and see. We need to run more tests, then look
at many other things before we could say anything either way."

At that point, I was able to talk, with a scratchy whisper, but talk none
the less.

"Dr. why can't I move my arms, legs or feet?"

"Jacob good to hear you son. Right now we can only wait and see. One of the
injuries you got was in your spine. We do not know how bad it is."

"When do you think we will know?'

"You will know before we do."

I looked away, and just sat there. The doctor told my brother in a few
minutes I will be taken for several tests. He should take this time and
inform our family. The doctor left, Andy turned to me.

"Bro it is so good to have you back. I need to call mom and let her know. I
will be here for sure when you get back ok. Please don't go or do anything
stupid now that we have you back."

"I won't I promise. I can't move a thing, so where am I going, and how will
I do manage anything stupid."

We both laughed, and then Andy left. A few minutes later nurses came in,
and rolled me down to x-ray. Man was this room cold; I couldn't believe how
cold it was. Several nurses kept picking me up, putting me on the table,
moving me different positions, like I was a piece of meat.

They finally put me back in the bed, and moved me into another room, with a
big machine. They put me on a bed, and it moved into the machine. I heard
was humming sounds. I must have fallen asleep while I was in the machine,
next thing I knew I was back in my bed.

I dozed off again. I started to hear voices far away, and then they started
to become louder and clearer. I knew it was my family, I recognized the
voices. It was my mom, sister, and brother. I didn't want to open my eyes,
then I heard the voice I so longed for, it was Joey.

I opened my eyes and my sister saw, and yelled, he is awake. They hovered
around the bed, just looking, and finally my mom spoke up.

"Jake, how are you feeling hun?"

"I feel good mom, I just don'tunderstand why I am here."

"There was a shooting at the school, it happened just about you were
heading home." My sister replied.

"How bad is it?"

"The doctors didn't think you were going to live, and here you are, talking
to us."

My mother said, breaking down crying. I felt so bad I was putting her
through all that pain.

"Mom I am sorry, please don't cry!'

"Jake, why are you sorry for. You didn't ask to be shot. Those sons of
bitches shot you."

That was the first time I heard my mother use curse words in my life. She
stopped crying, and grabbed my hand.

We just started talking, but stayed away from the subject of me being where
I was. I then noticed I wasn't in the same room, they had moved me. It
looked like a regular room, with two beds. Although the bed next to me was
empty.

As we were talking, Joey came up to me, and grabbed a hold of my arm. He
had tears in his eyes, I really wanted so much kiss him, tell him I loved
him so much, but couldn't. I just stared at him, hoping my expression on my
face was enough to let him know. It looked like it was; Joey smiled at me,
and then winked.

The arm Joey was holding onto, I started to move it. It was slow, but I
moved my arm so that i could use my hand to grab Joey's, and hold
onto. Joey started to tear up again.

"Look Ms. Hernandez, Jake is moving his arm and hand."

Everyone looked down, and saw I indeed was moving my arm and hand.

"Andy go and get the doctor. Let him know what is going on."

My mother instructed my brother. A few minutes later, my brother returned,
with a weird look on his face.

"Mom Dr. Mitchell is in a meeting, but will be here as soon as the meeting
is over."

"Ok then, we will wait for him."

We started talking again, there were several different topics being talked
about, in different groups. Joey and I were discussing school, classes, and
what the principal said.  An hour later Dr. Mitchell came in, but this time
he didn't have his students with him, he had other doctors.

"Good to see the whole family here enjoying themselves."

We all just laughed and agreed.

"Can I have just the immediate family for a few minutes, please?"

"Doctor whatever you have to say, you can say to all of us." Surprising my
mom said.

"Ms. Hernandez, I can't. I would rather speak to the family first, and then
you all decide to talk with the others."

"Ok then Dr. Mitchell. Andy and Marie stay, Im sorry but could the rest
please step out for a second, and we will call you in shortly."

At this point I was getting nervous. I didn't understand why Dr. Mitchell
wanted just the family in the room. Pretty much every one that was in the
room knew about my injuries. It just confused me.

"Jacob, I know it's been a trying day for you. You just woke up after three
weeks, and you didn't even know if you could move anything from the neck
down. I heard that you got some movement in your arm and hand; we will be
looking at that. I need to know, before you were shot, did you have and
pains on your sides, stomach, or chest?"

"No Dr. Mitchell. The only problem I had is throwing up my breakfast in PE
class, that's all."

"What do you mean throwing up? Did you eat wide away then go to class? When
you were throwing up, did you throw up blood or it went into dry heaves?"

"I don't think I throw up blood, but yes the last time I couldn't stop
throwing up, even when my stomach was empty, it kept going. Now on the
eating, I got to the point of not eating breakfast before PE class. I just
thought my stomach didn't digest the food before I had to run the
bleachers."

"Ms. Hernandez, Jake, Andy, and Marie, the reason I am asking these
questions, is that something has come up in the testing we did earlier
today. I called in the experts in that field to look at what we were
seeing, either to confirm or deny it. I would like to let Dr. Whitmore
speak to you all on what we saw."

Now I was really getting scared, what the hell is going on here, and why
can't Dr. Mitchell just come out and tell us? The new doctor, Dr. Whitmore
introduced himself, and started to tell us what was going on.

"Son, you have had a hard three weeks, plus an injury you have that still
has not been settled on what to do with it. In several of your scans Jacob,
spots appeared on your chest and several organs. We took a piece of each
organ we found the spots on and sent them in to get examined. We also took
more detail scans and x-rays of your chest and other parts of your stomach.

I went back and looked at the surgery; one thing that kept popping out at
me is the blood count. Dr. Mitchell wasn't looking for anymore problems, so
he most likely it was due to the loss of blood you had experienced. But it
wasn't that, your body just couldn't produce enough white blood
cells. That's a red flag for me.

On top of the surgery notes, the x-rays, other tests we ran, which came
back positive, I am going to blunt, you have cancer."

You could feel the oxygen go right out of the room when the doctor said
that. My mother fell on the chair, stunned looks on my brother and sister's
face.

"We are in trouble here. The cancer isn't in just one part of the body; it
has spread to many different organs. The only way on stopping the spread
any further right now is more surgery. We will have to cut away the cancer
cells, in some cases, depending how bad it may be, we might have to remove
the organ. Then chemotherapy. And lots of it."

"I know this might sound like a stupid question, but I need to ask. We
don't have insurance; we don't even know how we are paying for the bill up
to now. We can't pay it, so how can we pay for this?" My mother asked, with
a worry look on her face.

"I can't say.  I don't know what is happening about the bill as up to now,
I can find out. I can tell you this Ms. Hernandez, if we don't start
treatment on this now, your son may not live to see next year. The cancer
has spread, and we need to get in there, now. The good that has come out of
this bad situation, is that we found the cancer, we still have time to fix
some of the damage."

"Please Dr. Whitmore and Mitchell, just give us time, let me think, let us
all think, please. There is just too much happening."

"Ms. Hernandez we will leave and let you think about what I have just
said. But please don't take too long, and I will see about the bill in
question."

The doctors left the room; we just looked at each other. I can say this
much, if it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all. My mom
started crying along with my sister, my brother went over to try to console
them.

For me, I was shocked, numb, I really don't know what to think anymore. The
cost of this was going to be way too high, I will become a burden, and I
might not even survive the surgeries anyways.

"Mom, let's not think about this right now."

"Jake we have to, you heard the doctors."

"Even if we don't have to pay for the bill up until now, for sure we have
to pay for the treatment. That will run into a lot of money. I must have
had this for a while, because it has spread, and I am alive still. Just let
me walk out of this hospital, and if I am not to see the next year, then
that is what's in the cards for me."

"Jake don't say that, never say that again. We will take things just a day
at a time."

"Andy could you call in Dr. Whitmore for me please." I asked

My brother went out, came right back with the doctors.

"Dr. Whitmore, we don't have the insurance to pay for this, or the
money. Let's just get me well enough to get out of this hospital. The
cancer, well I will deal with it, that's how it's to be played out."

"Jake you have to understand, if you don't have the surgeries or the chemo,
you will more than likely die within the next several months. You may not
even leave this hospital as you say it. Don't do this son."

"I have no choice in the matter. I want more that anything to leave this
hospital, so if you think I have only months, please let me go home now, I
don't want to stay here in the hospital."

"Son give me a couple of days please; let me see what I can put together
for you. In the mean time, Dr. Mitchell will continue to work with you on
your injuries. Ok?

"Ok Dr. Whitmore, a few days."

The doctors left the room, and Joey, Chase and Fran came back in. They
looked at us, we just told them it was about my spine, and left it like
that. It was getting late, so everyone said goodbye, and left.

As I sat there on my bed, alone in the dim lights, I started thinking. I
really don't want to die, but I need to be strong for my mom. I can't put
this burden on her; the cost alone would bankrupt her and my family. By the
sounds of it, the cancer has spread, I heard once that when that has
happened there's no way coming back from it.

I just don't want to die, why is this happening to me? Why did I get shot?
Why am I sick? I just wish it was all over, none of this ever happened. I
couldn't believe it. I started crying, sobbing louder and louder. I
couldn't move I couldn't grab a pillow to cover my face, or turn over onto
the pillow. I couldn't stop crying like a kid. I cried myself to sleep that
night.

I was awake by nine, and Dr. Mitchell and his students already came by. I
didn't eat any breakfast; didn't have to they are giving me nothing but
clear fluids to eat. Most of the day I sat in my bed, dozing on and off.

It was already six, still no visitors. I dozed off again, when I awoke, it
was after ten. I started thinking again, wishing the doctors would just
give me meds to sleep. I couldn't stop thinking, and once again I cried
myself to sleep.

Wednesday rolled around, I got a visit from my brother in the morning, but
we didn't talk about much of anything. That evening my mom and sister
stopped by for a couple of hours. As they left, my mother told me they
wouldn't be able to get down until Saturday for another visit.

As the nights before, I cried myself to sleep. Thursday went by in a blur,
Friday morning I was visited again by my brother, as before we didn't talk
much, and he left. Dr. Whitmore came in soon after.

"Jake I have good news for you! Sorry it took me longer than i thought."

"What's going on Dr. Whitmore?"

"I was able to talk the hospital in to allowing me to do the surgery and
the recovery here at pro bono to you. I will be doing the work at no
charge. Bottom line Jacob, we can start the surgery this afternoon, with no
worry of cost. How does that sound to you?"

"Are you sure Dr. Whitmore?"

"Positive, it took some doing, some begging, but I got it done for you."

"Let's do it, since you went through all the trouble to get it done."

"Jake I am not going to lie to you; it's going to be hard. You will be
sicker than you ever have been in your life.  It will get worse before it
gets better. What I do promise you right now, I will do everything in my
power that you walk out the door of this hospital."

"Thank you Dr. Whitmore, I believe in you sir."

"Ok then, in a couple of hours some of my nurses will be up here to get
you. Let's beat this thing son!"

"Yes sir!"

I was so happy, I wanted to call my family and let them know. More so, I
really wanted to talk to Joey, I wanted him with me.

True to his word, Dr. Whitmore's nurses were at my bedside a couple of
hours later. They rolled me out, into the elevator, into a surgery room. I
was out like a light moments later.

A sharp pain was shooting up from my stomach, that jolted me awake. I
couldn't stand the pain it was so bad. I kept hitting the call button for
the nurses, finally a nurse came in.

"What's wrong sir?"

"The pain, I can't stand the pain, please give me something for the pain."

"Here you go sir, whenever the pain gets out of control, all you have to do
is touch this button, it will send the pain meds right into your body."

"Thank you ma'am, thank you!'

I touched the button several times, and i was out again. When I woke up, it
was morning, I couldn't see clearly yet, but I knew someone was in my
room. Within a few minutes, I was able to focus; it was Joey standing at my
bedside.

He came over to me; put his hand on my forehead, brushing my hair
back. Then leaned in and kissed me, first on my forehead, then on my
lips. I felt bed, my breath and the taste in my mouth had to be bad, but
Joey still kept kissing me. We broke the kiss

"Jake, I love you so much; I can't tell you how much I do in words. I love
you more than the air that I breathe, more than life itself. I love you
Jake, PLEASE, don't leave me now."

"I love you to Joey, more than anything..."

The pain started shooting up again; I hit the button to give me meds for
the pain. I was out once again.

(FROM JOEY'S POINT OF VIEW)

I was sitting there in Jake's room, more confused than before. They changed
his room to a single, plus he looked worse off now than he did when I saw
him on Monday. They now have him on some kind of pain medicine, and for
what.

As I was sitting there, the door opened, and Jake's mom and sister came
in. Looked down at Jake, then over to me.

"Joey when did you get here? And how?"

"Ms. Hernandez my mom brought me. I got here around seven this morning. I
thought something was wrong when I didn't find Jake in his room, then I
found out they moved him. Ms. Hernandez, what is going on? Please tell me,
he looks a lot worse than he did on Monday."

"Joey, we didn't tell you the truth on Monday. You remember when the
doctors were here?"

"Yes I do!"

"Well it wasn't for his spine, he is a lot sicker then we let on."

"How bad is it Ms. Hernandez?"

"They found that Jake has cancer, and has spread too many of his
organs. That's why he was having stomach problems earlier in the year."

To say the least, I was stunned. I couldn't believe what I was hearing; I
walked out of the room. Went down to the stair way, and started crying, why
did this happen to Jake, why. He is a good guy, he stands up for people
that are wronged. He doesn't hurt anyone. I sat down on the stairs, and
just cried.

(JAKE'S POINT OF VIEW)

The next time I woke up, my mom and sister were in the room, Joey as
well. I looked up at them, and tried to smile, my mom smiled back at me,
with tears rolling down her face. Marie just stood there, with a long face.

The pain was getting bad, but I didn't want to use the meds yet. But at the
same time, I couldn't hear what they were talking to me about. The alarms
went off, the nurses came running in.

"Jake your heart rate is way too high, please use the pain medicine."

The nurse grabbed the button from my hand, pushed it, and I was gone. I
woke up again; Joey was asleep with his hand in mine, his head on my
leg. With the glare that was coming in from the window, I saw that Joey
must have fallen asleep crying, there were streams of tear drops from his
eyes down his face.

I really wanted to touch and feel Joey so bad, with all the will power I
had, I was able to move my right arm, slowly towards Joey's head. When I
reached, my hand kind of just fall on top of his head.

It woke him up; he looked up at me, and smiled.

"Joey please lay with me for a little while."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"You can't hurt me anymore then I am. You will have to scoot me over a
little so you can fit."

"Ok, just promise me if I hurt you in anyway, you will tell me."

"I promise, scout's honor!"

Joey got up, gently moved me more to my left. That's where the machines
were, mainly the med machine. Joey took off his shoes, laid down beside me
on my right side. Put his arm around my upper body, then leaned in and
started to kiss my neck. He made his way to my lips, w just kissed as if
there wasn't anything else. I started moaning in pain; Joey broke the kiss,
lad back down, and hugged me.

I pressed the button for the meds, went to sleep happier then I have been
for a while. Joey, the love of my life was with me, more so, asleep on my
side.

The next couple of days were the worst, I went through four more surgeries,
then started the chemo. When I was awake, I was throwing up, and in
pain. It was even harder for me due to that I couldn't really move.

Somehow I got through it. On the weekends, from Friday night till Sunday
night, Joey was with me. He held my head as I was throwing up, and then
cleaned me up. When the nurses were too busy, he gave me a sponge bath. We
both enjoyed those moments. During the week, I was depending on the nurses
to help me out. That wasn't fun.

My family visited me as much as they could, I did understand that my mom
had to work and my sister had to go to school. So the couple of days in the
week when they did visit, they only spent a couple of hours. Same on the
weekend.

Andy became scarcer then before. I was lucky I saw him once a week, if at
all.

Irene came a lot to visit me. It made me really happy to see her, to see
that she likes me enough to visit me in the hospital. Chase as well came
when he could or was able to get a ride.

I had a tutor come in twice a week with my assignments, that way I didn't
fall behind in my courses. The principal and the district set that up for
me. They felt bad I was in the hospital.

During the weekend, Joey and I took every chance we had to steal a kiss, to
cuddle, just to be with one another. As the weeks wore on. We got closer
than any two people could have got.

Finally on the fourth week from the first surgery, Dr. Whitmore ran a
battery of tests. Once they were done, I waited in my room with my family,
Joey, Chase, and Fran for the results. Dr. Whitmore came in shortly before
five.

"Jacob, after five major surgeries, either by taking out a organ or piece
of them, and the weeks of chemo, I am proud to tell you that yesterday the
dose you received will be your last. As of now, we got it all."

Everyone in the room jumped for joy, shaking Dr. Whitmore's hand and
thanking him. I was so happy, I couldn't believe it. Everyone came over to
me and hugged me.

"Jake we are still not out of the woods yet. You will need to stay for a
while, where we can make sure you are healing well from the surgeries you
had. You body went under a lot of stress; you will have pain for a long
time to come. We would need to move you to pain pills from the machine, and
make sure we have the right doses.

Plus you need to get use to the one lung you have, you will be prone to get
sicker faster. With only one lung, you really cannot afford to get even a
cold. Your blood count is low, due to the chemo, so we need to get that up.

At the same time, you need to be on Dr. Mitchell's service as well. The
spinal cord injury must still be looked at, plus we must make sure you walk
out of this hospital, not wheeled, as I promised.

You understand everything I have told you Jake."

"Yes sir I do and I will follow whatever you and the other doctors tell me
to do,"

"I know you will you're a strong boy, a will to live. Never lose that,
never give up. I am so proud of you Jake, you did it, and you made it to
the other side."

"Thanks to you Dr. Whitmore, thank you. If you didn't do what you did, I
wouldn't have gotten the help I needed. Thanks I will never forget you or
what you did for me."

Dr. Whitmore came over to my bedside, and held my hand. The hand that I
could move and grasp things with. I shook his hand, and the doctor
left. Shortly after he left, my family and friends left as well. I watched
a little television, and then went to bed.

I started physical therapy the very next week. Dr. Mitchell decided it was
best to leave the bullet in my spine. It would be more harmful to go in
after it, then to just leave it there. It's incased in my muscle around my
spine; he believes it won't move at all.

By the second week, I was able to move both arms and hands, and to tell you
how that felt was great. I was able to feed myself again, button my
clothes, turn the channel, just do things we take for granted each day.

As before, Joey stayed the entire weekend with me. I don't know if people
were catching on, but I didn't give a damn if they were. Joey had been with
me since the beginning, I would never give him up. I want to spend the rest
of my life with him.

By the time I was released from the hospital, two weeks later, I was able
to walk out of there like Dr. Whitmore said. I wobbled like a duck, but i
was still able to walk out. The day I was released, all the doctors,
Mitchell and his students, Whitmore and his team, as well as all the nurses
on staff, were there to see me off.

I was a miracle they said. From the gun shots I came in with, I shouldn't
have survived the surgery that day, to the cancer, and the five surgeries
to take care of it. Many times, I should have not made it, but I did. They
clapped for me, giving me get wells cards and balloons. Patting me on my
shoulder as I went by.

When I reached the elevator, Dr. Whitmore was there holding out his hand to
shake it. I turned and asked the nurse to stop; I got up from the wheel
chair, walked over to Dr. Whitmore, and hugged him.

I was crying I didn't want to let him go. I whispered in his ear.

"Thank you, I owe my life to you Dr. Whitmore. I will never forget what you
have done for me, never!"

"Jake you owe me nothing. All you need to do is pass it on. Whenever a
chance comes up, a person in need, give that person the helping hand he or
she needs. That's the only pay I want."

I sat back down wiping the tears from my eyes and face. I was wheeled in
the elevator, my family and friends came in, and the door shut. Now I was
going home alive and well. For that reason, I was a happy man.

I knew I was far from being done; I still had a long road ahead of me. Like
I said before, I could move my arms, hands, and legs. But I could not stand
for a long period of time, or walk without an assistance of a walker. Even
with the walker, I couldn't walk that long.

In a week's period, I am to return to school, I surely don't want to walk
in there with a walker or a wheelchair. So at that point, I had to work my
butt off to get to a point that I would not need to use the walker or
wheelchair.

When I woke up the next morning, the house was quiet, no one was home. It
felt so good to be back home in my bed. Not having the nurses come in every
thirty minute checking on me and waking me up.

I went to the restroom; it was hard to get my walker through the
door. Knowing I was still too weak to stand up and use the restroom, I
decided to sit down. When I was done, I tried to get myself up; I didn't
have the strength in my arms and legs to do so. Then I reached for my
walker, the restroom was so small, I couldn't get the walker in right. So I
figured it was in enough, grabbed onto it. As I went and tried to put my
entire weight on it, it fell forward taking me with it.

When I hit the ground, I hit it hard; my face hit the cabinet of the sink
as I went down. Man was I in pain, and to top it off, no one was home, and
my shorts were down, I was bear butt mooning the world.

Trying to get the walker to stand it up, I couldn't. I didn't have the
strength to push myself off the floor, on top of all that, there wasn't
anything for me to grab onto. So I just laid there in the pain and
embarrassment I caused myself.

There was noise at the front door, I didn't know who it was, or how long I
was on the floor, and I actually slept on the floor. Then I heard the front
door open then shut. Someone was in the apartment, I yelled out.

"Who's here?"

"It's me Jake, where are you at?"

"Joey my man, I am on the floor in the bathroom."

"What happen? Why are you on the floor?"

"Please help me up, and I will tell you everything."

Joey wrapped his arms around me, and picked me up. Sat me back on the
toilet, boy was I embarrassed to say the least. I pulled up my shorts; Joey
helped me out of the room, to my walker. We then walked to the living room.

"Man I have been laying on the floor since I got up. I thought I was going
to be there all day."

"You fell in the restroom?"

"Yes, I was trying to get to my walker; it didn't fit into the restroom all
the way. So when I put my body weight on it, it fell forward."

"Jake don't keep doing this to yourself. If you saw that the walker didn't
fit in the door of the restroom, you should have just not gone in."

"I know, sorry."

"No need to be sorry. I bet you are hungry."

"Yes I am, very hungry."

Joey got up and went to the kitchen. He made us sandwiches, grabbed the bag
of chips, and a soda each. We sat there and ate together, enjoying each
other's company. After when finished eating, Joey cleaned the mess, came
back to the sofa, and kneeled between my legs looking up to me.

I leaned down, our lips touched; it was electrifying, a feeling passing
through my body I can't explain, while we kissed. Joey grabbed onto my
neck, and we just went into full make out session. He was touching up and
down my chest, as I was to him. I popped a boner, and you could notice
it. I was horny, it's been a while, and boy do I want Joey to go down on
me. We kept kissing then Joey broke the kiss.

"Jake I got to get going back to school, I wish I could stay and be with
you."

He looked down to my lap, smiled at me.

"And that mister, save it for later, we will take care of it."

Joey laughed, I know I turned red. When he got up I saw he was as well
sporting a woody. He was wearing snug Levis as always, and I do love him in
them. I got up, and kissed Joey, first on the forehead, then his
lips. Afterward we kissed for another couple of minutes, Joey left for
school.

The week went by fast. The physiotherapist spent several hours a day with
me, getting me use to walking and depending on assistance from others. In
the evening Joey would come over, and we would spend them in my room, not
practicing on my walking.

By the time Friday rolled around, I was walking mainly with the walking
stick. At times when I was tried, I did still use the walker, but I mainly
used the walking stick.

I spent the entire weekend with Joey and most of that we were in my room. I
wish we were going at it, but no such luck. We made out, and cuddled the
whole time. Joey was afraid it was still too soon to do anything more than
that. I think so to, as long as I had Joey with me, that's all I wanted.

Monday arrived, not only was I nervous, but I was scared at the same
time. I got up, and got ready for my return to school. Ate my breakfast and
headed out to Joey's. When I got there, Joey and his mother were already in
the car waiting for me.

I greeted Mrs. Alvarez and Joey. We went and picked up Chase. Man did I
miss my friend. We talked all the way to school, mostly playing around. As
we drove up to the school, there was a huge crowd in front of the building;
it looked like the entire student body.

As I got out of the car, everyone at the same time started to clap as I was
making my way through the students to the front door. As I reached the
front door the principal was standing opening the door to greet me.

I felt like a movie star or something like that, it was embarrassing, but
it felt good. As I walked through the door, more students lined the
hallway, giving me the same greeting. I wonder what the day is to bring me.

TO BE CONTINUED...

{Hey guys, I just finished up my sixth installment of the story, hope you
are enjoying the story. I am having fun writing the story, what I went
through. It is bringing back very good memories. I have been getting very
good feed back of the story so far. I will try to post one or two chapters
a weak, but if I get busy, please understand. In case if I do get busy, I
will do my best to get at least a chapter out a weak. If you want me to
send you an email when I post the next chapter, let me know, and I will
begin a list of emails, and send out a general email when I post. I hope
you keep reading the future installments. It is based on my life in high
school, just the names and a few other things were changed, but the
location is pretty much the same. So remember, this story is more about
finding true love, then anything else. Keep reading the future chapters,
and enjoy, please email me and let me know how I am doing at
jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks!}

:) :D