“The treatment will be intense,” Dr. Collins continued. “We’re talking about two to three years of chemotherapy. The first month will be induction therapy, and Emily will need to stay in the hospital for most of that phase. After that, we move into consolidation and maintenance.”
“How much?”
That was the first thing my father said.
Not, Is she in pain?
Not, Will she survive?
Not, What can we do?
Just, How much?
Dr. Collins paused, clearly thrown off. “With your insurance, you may be responsible for roughly twenty percent of the total cost. Over the full treatment plan, that could mean sixty to one hundred thousand dollars. But there are payment plans, financial aid programs—”
My father laughed once, harsh and empty. “So we’re supposed to pay a hundred grand because she got sick?”
“Richard,” my mother murmured, still not looking at me.
Dr. Collins’ face tightened. “I understand this is overwhelming, but Emily’s prognosis is very good. If we begin treatment immediately, she has a strong chance of recovering and living a normal life.”
