Chapter 3 - THE SURGERY
Lillian’s thyroid cancer was discovered after a routine examination found a neck nodule.
Testing followed.
Then surgery.
The prognosis was favorable but not casual.
She underwent thyroid surgery with lymph-node evaluation.
Her voice afterward was weak and rough because of swelling and irritation around the laryngeal nerves.
Doctors expected improvement.
No guarantee on the exact timeline.
She was discharged with:
wound-care instructions,
lifting restrictions,
medication,
calcium monitoring,
and follow-up appointments.
She was not mentally incompetent.
She was not sedated into confusion for weeks.
She was tired.
In pain.
Quiet.
Marcus treated quiet as surrender.
The first day home, he answered every question for her.
“What does Lillian want for lunch?”
“She won’t eat much.”
“Is she comfortable?”
“She’s fine.”
“Does she want Noah in the room?”
“She needs rest.”
Lillian tried to correct him.
Her voice failed.
Marcus smiled at visitors.
“She needs to save her voice.”
May you like
It sounded caring.
That was the problem.
