My parents abandoned me in a hospital at 13 because my ca.nc.er treatment was “too expensive.” 15 years later, hearing I was the Valedictorian of Columbia University College, they demanded VIP tickets

My parents abandoned me in a hospital at 13 because my ca.nc.er treatment was “too expensive.” 15 years later, hearing I was the Valedictorian of Columbia University College, they demanded VIP tickets

me my anchor. When the medication made me sick, she held my hair back. When my hair began falling out, she made me laugh by showing me photos of her terrible high school perm. My biological parents never visited. Not once.

My social worker, Denise, eventually told me the truth. Karen and Richard had signed the final surrender papers.

They had legally erased me.

On day twenty-eight, I was in remission. Dr. Collins came in smiling.

“You’re responding beautifully,” he said. “We can move to outpatient care soon.”

“Where will she go?” Megan asked immediately.

Denise looked at her clipboard. “Foster care. I have a family experienced with medical needs.”

My stomach dropped.

Then Megan said, “I want to take her.”

Everyone turned.

“I want to foster her,” she continued. “I’m already approved. I completed the state training two years ago. I can do this.”

Denise looked concerned. “Megan, this is not temporary babysitting. She has years of treatment ahead.”