Free Season of Blessing by Beverly LaHaye Page A

our walk. Thanks for coming with me.”
    â€œAnytime.” Annie gave her a hug. “I’ll be praying for you today.”
    â€œThank you.”
    Sylvia watched as the girl tromped across the yard and headed home.
    Somehow, she didn’t feel the heaviness she had felt earlier that morning. She felt equipped now for the wait that lay before her, because she knew that one of God’s favorite children was praying.

    It was after lunch before the phone finally rang. Sylvia snatched it up. Her hand trembled as she tried to punch the “on” button. “Hello?”
    â€œMrs. Bryan, this is Dr. Phillips’ office.” The woman spoke in a flat monotone. “Dr. Phillips would like to speak to you. Could you hold a moment, please?”
    â€œOf course.” She held her breath as her doctor came to the phone.
    â€œSylvia, hi.” His voice was low, serious.
    She swallowed. “Hi, Al. Any news?”
    He sighed. “I’m afraid the mass in your breast is malignant.”
    It was as if she sat in an echo chamber, and that word reverberated around her. Malignant. Malignant. Malignant .
    She tried to center her thoughts back on his words. Something about getting her an appointment with the surgeon, about possible mastectomy, about radiation and chemotherapy, but none of it registered. The word still rolled around in her head trying to plant itself. Malignant. Malignant. Malignant .
    â€œSylvia, are you listening?”
    She cleared her throat. “Yes. What’s my next step?”
    He seemed to understand that she hadn’t heard a word he’d said. “I’m making you an appointment with Dr. Jefferson. You remember Sam, don’t you?”
    â€œYes, I remember him.”
    â€œHe specializes in breast cancer surgery, Sylvia. He’s the best in town. I’m going to try to get you in for tomorrow. As soon as I tell them who you are, that you’re Harry Bryan’s wife, I’m sure they’ll get you right in.”
    â€œYes. Thank you.”
    â€œSylvia, I recommend that you go to the bookstore and get some books on this, try to understand what your different options might be so that when Sam recommends them you’ll understand. And remember that breast cancer is usually pretty slow-growing, so you have time. You don’t have to make a decision in the next few hours. You have time to get Harry home and to talk things over with him and get some second and third opinions.”
    The thought of telling Harry snagged her mind. He would have questions. He’d want details. What would he want to know? “Al, can you tell how bad it is?”
    â€œI can tell you that the tumor looks to be about three centimeters. That’s larger than I would have liked. It has poorly defined margins, which is also not a very good sign. I’ll know a lot more when we get a pathology report on the tumor itself after it’s removed, and Sam will probably want to take some lymph nodes.” He paused. “Sylvia, are you all right?”
    She ran her fingers through her hair, trying again to focus. “Yes,” she said, “I’m fine. Thank you for calling, Al.”
    â€œNo problem. Sylvia, I’ll call Harry if you want me to. I can explain things to him.”
    â€œNo, that’s all right. I’ll do it. I just don’t want him to rush home. His work there is so important.”
    â€œSylvia, he needs to come home. How much surgery you have is up to you and the doctor, but I wouldn’t go through this alone. Harry wouldn’t want you to. Tell him everything, Sylvia. Don’t hold it back.”
    Her eyes stung with tears by the time she got off the phone, and she sat there staring into the air. Moments ticked by, and she didn’t move.
    The phone rang again, startling her.
    â€œHello?” It didn’t even sound like her voice.
    â€œSylvia, it’s Al again. I just wanted to let you know that Dr.