𝐅𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐁𝐎𝐘 𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 彡 𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐙

4.5 • death seems like a better option

Hongjoong sat in the wooden
chair, he hated. Here he was
back again.

As a child, Hongjoong used to
get very sick, which is why
his parents became very health
conscious, not allowing him to
even eat food from outside.

And then it started.

Hongjoong used to have a lot of
pains, persistent coughing, shortness
of breath. But he didn't tell anyone.

DOCTOR:
“hongjoong, nice
to meet you.”

HONGJOONG:
“nice to meet you too.”

DOCTOR:
“where is your mother?”

HONGJOONG:
“i told her to sit this one
out.”

DOCTOR:
“rightfully so.”

DOCTOR:
“you have been experiencing
chest pain, persistent coughing
and that too with blood, absolute
shortness of breath, is that correct?”

HONGJOONG:
“yes.”

DOCTOR:
“weight loss?”

HONGJOONG:
“eight kilograms in a week.”

DOCTOR:
“right.”

DOCTOR:
“and since when have
you been having these
symptoms?”

HONGJOONG:
“last month or so but
they've gotten worse with
time.”

The doctor fell silent. 

HONGJOONG:
“just give me the news doc.”

HONGJOONG:
“i know you know.”

DOCTOR:
“well, with all the scans
we've run– it's stage
four of lung cancer.”

DOCTOR:
“stage four of small cell
lung cancer which is
very rare but it accounts
for thirteen percent
of all lung cancers.”

DOCTOR:
“its very aggressive in
nature and the cancer
cells spread more quickly.”

HONGJOONG:
“any cure?”

DOCTOR:
“its not curable.”

DOCTOR:
“i would offer palliative
care options but we can
also try chemo.”

DOCTOR:
“since chemotherapy is the
primary treatment for
small cell lung cancer.”

DOCTOR:
“we’ll need to start chemo
immediately because
it spreads much faster
and can be fatal with in a
few weeks.”

HONGJOONG:
“how much time do I get
with chemotherapy?”

DOCTOR:
“its stage four cancer.”