Chapter
30
The next day, Dr. Seber took out the breathing tube so Brian could talk
again. The guys had sent representatives from their management to hold a quick
press conference and announce that the rest of the concerts for the tour were
cancelled.
When Brian found this out, he couldn't help but feel guilty. Deep down,
he knew this wasn't his fault. It had happened, and there was nothing he could
have done to prevent it. But still, he felt like he was letting the group and
the fans down. This was the third set of concerts they had had to postpone.
As Brian realized this, another disturbing thought made its way into
his mind. This was the third time he had gotten sick. It hadn't even been a
year since he had been diagnosed with cancer, and he had already had two
relapses. He vaguely recalled hearing that with every relapse, cancer got
harder and harder to cure. He hadn't been completely alert when he was brought
in the day before, but he did know now how close he had come to losing his
life. He prayed to God that the worst was over, and that once he achieved
remission again, it would last, and he would be cured.
***
Dr. Seber got a hold of Dr. Benson back in the U.S. so they could
discuss Brian's treatment options together. They decided to use more radiation
to try and shrink the remaining part of the tumor. Dr. Seber got Brian started
on radiation right away.
Brian's parents arrived the next day. They had spent the entire plane
trip to Germany in fear, not knowing the condition of their son. Once they got
to the hospital though, everything was explained to them, and they were
relieved to see Brian conscious and talking. Brian just wanted to know when he
could go home. Dr. Seber said he would be there for at least another week to
recuperate from his surgery. After that, he could fly back to the U.S. to
continue to recover and receive his radiation treatments.
***
A week later, Brian, his parents, and the rest of the Boys were on a
flight back to Florida. Since Brian's left lung and heart were still weak from
the surgery, Dr. Seber had ordered that he remain on a portable oxygen tank, at
least while he was traveling. Brian felt very self conscious having to walk
through an airport hooked up to an oxygen tank. He could only pray that he
wasn't recognized. Luckily, the Boys had their bodyguards with them, just in
case.
***
Once Brian was home, he spent most of his time in bed. He was still
weak from the surgery, and plus, the radiation made him tired all the time.
Leighanne had heard about all that had happened and had convinced the
director of her new movie to let her take a weekend off to come down and see
Brian. She had been very worried about him, but when she got to Orlando, she
found that he was recovering nicely. After the weekend, she reluctantly flew
back to California.
***
