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Gabriella flopped down on the bed. A blue sheet with a small star motif was perfectly arranged under two pillows and a bolster beside the woman. There was no place more comfortable than a soft bed after work. Gabriella took a deep breath, then exhaled heavily before finally pulling her cell phone from her blazer pocket.


She ignored the several notifications that appeared on the pop-up balloon on the screen. Instead, Gabriella opened the search page and typed 'blood cancer' into the field.

Brain cancer is a malignant growth of abnormal cells in the brain. Brain cancer can be primary brain cancer that originates from the brain's own cells, or secondary brain cancer that originates from the spread of cancer in other parts of the body (metastasis).

Gabriella's thumb moves the screen upwards, making the text she has finished reading move up.


Symptoms of brain cancer tend to vary, depending on the size, location of the cancer cells, and the severity and progression of the tumor. Symptoms can occur as the growing tumor presses on other parts of the brain, interfering with its function or taking up space in the head cavity.

Both of the woman's eyebrows furrowed, Gabriella who was previously just idling to fill her free time, was now seriously observing every sentence on her cell phone screen. The woman hadn't even changed her clothes when she got up and sat on the edge of the bed, while leaning her back with a pillow.


Again, Gabriella raised the screen up, changing the content topic of her search results on the search engine.

Some of the measures doctors take to treat brain cancer include:

Surgical procedures

Performed to remove as much tumor as possible and relieve symptoms of brain cancer, using craniotomy, neuroendoscopy, or transsphenoidal surgery.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is done using anticancer drugs, to kill cancer cells. It can be done after surgery to prevent the tumor from reappearing, as well as extending the life expectancy of the patient.

Radiotherapy

Uses high-energy rays directed at the tumor site, to stop the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells. Radiotherapy is done to remove tumors that cannot be removed by surgery, as well as to lower the risk of tumors recurring.

Physiotherapy

Usually performed after undergoing surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy procedures, to restore body functions that are impaired due to brain cancer. Commonly impaired bodily functions include the ability to move, speak, see, or think.

Gabriella took a deep breath, before pressing the back icon in the bottom corner and making the woman see the initial view of the search engine again. She pursed her lips, then ventured to type the keyword in the white column in the middle of the page.

So, how much does brain cancer chemotherapy cost in New York? Based on Minister of Health Regulation number 52 of 2016, chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients in New York is as much as IDR 4,520,000 for mild chemotherapy to IDR 11,515,700 for severe chemotherapy. This cost is only for the chemotherapy treatment given. However, it does not include the cost of care while in the hospital.

"Not including the cost of care while in the hospital?" Gabriella's eyes bulged, looking incredulous. She then felt a strange sensation throughout her body, like something made her shudder and fear at the same time. "If this cost is for one chemo, how much do I have to prepare to get my father cured?"

Drrt! Drrt!

An incoming call made Gabriella gasp. She raised both eyebrows for a moment, before finally accepting the video call that appeared on the screen.

"Hello, Wen?"

Wendy seemed to advance her face to the camera, so that it filled the screen of Gabriella's cell phone. While enjoying the drink in her hand, Wendy said, "How was it, Elle? Did you have a good day? Didn't Ken bother you at the restaurant?"

The woman chuckled amusedly and then shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "I don't know."

"What the heck? The answer is so ambiguous," Wendy protested from the other side. The woman with short hair seemed to have placed the cell phone on something behind her, so Gabriella could see Wendy's free hands. Gabriella raised one eyebrow when Wendy finally continued her curiosity. "Ken has a crush on you, how come he didn't approach you there at all?"

"I don't understand what you mean by hooking up by the way, but everything's fine. I also enjoy doing my job, Ken doesn't comment too much either."

The mumbling sound coming from Wendy became an opportunity for Gabriella to correct her sitting position. "Are you just thinking about work? What do you think Ken is lacking, Elle?"

Gabriella rolled her eyes lazily before raising her eyebrows. "I'm there to work, to earn money, not to find a mate, Zeyenk."

"Yeah, still. Even though he's annoying, Ken is pretty good looking and suits you."

"Dih, what's the match?" replied Gabriella unhappily.

"Well, both of you like to work," said Wendy frivolously. She then laughed, before continuing. "When you have a day off, you spend it doing things that don't do any good. Ken likes clubbing and you like to do random things."

"Watching Korean dramas is better than going to clubs. I'd rather stay in bed all day eating instant noodles mixed with a warm egg omelet than go to a club and be labeled a wild girl. Right?"

Wendy laughed again. Instead of being satirized, she made a joke of herself. "Are you insinuating me again?"

This time Gabriella also laughed back at Wendy. She was sure that Wendy would not be angry or offended at her, so the woman felt it was okay to discuss it with her at this time. "Yes, this is my principle, people's principles are different. It can't be compared."

"Haha, yes, it's okay if you take a break now and just drive. I just want to make sure that you are safe and enjoy your new job, just watch out for Ken if he dares to mess around, I'll make him chicken salad later."

Gabriella smiled and nodded. "Don't forget the pepes."

"Yes, boss. Hahaha, I'll turn it off. Have a good rest, my dear Gabriella."

"Bye, Wen."

Click.

The video call on the screen was cut off. The happy face that Gabriella had deliberately displayed faded quickly. There was no more smile on her pale and tired face. The woman took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Her thin hands moved to place the cell phone on the nightstand, before Gabriella took off the blazer she had been wearing since this morning, leaving the white tanktop inside freely exposed.

Click.

The woman pressed the button of the star-shaped lamp on the nightstand, making the previously bright room quite dark. She laid down, then pulled the bolster that was quite far away from her closer.

While stabilizing her heavy breathing, Gabriella forced herself to close her eyes. Leaving all the fears and worries that shackled her heart that night behind.