Poppy's PoV

It was weird, entering this local hospital as a patient and not as a nurse. I didn't hate it, but it also didn't feel quite like home. I used to feel fine walking into any hospital just because, despite differing countries and languages, most of the tools and procedures were pretty much the same. Calum had gone all out though and hired me a doctor who would oversee my care. He was a specialist and would use the places we were and the staff there to assess the situation and carry out my tests. It was weird that the band's nurse had her own doctor but hey, I suppose I would have to get used to it.
The band were due to perform tonight, so my appointment was the last thing I had scheduled before we went to the arena, ready to rock out with Prague. So far, my journey had been interesting. Since my diagnosis, I had numerous tests and scans to get a full understanding of my condition and the best way to treat it, and now this appointment was going to be the big one - they were going to tell me my treatment plan and get it all underway. This was the calm before the storm.
Nervously, I walked in with my doctor, Dr Sam Forrester, and sat down in an office, where another doctor greeted him happily and they exchanged details then with a glance, I knew it was time.

I sat alone, my hands between my thighs as I awaited the news. In my mind, I thought back to the conversation I'd had with Calum and how he'd so desperately wanted to come with me. He had to do a soundcheck though and I had to convince him of that. Now I wish I'd let him come. Sam noticed my angst and offered me a comforting hand on my arm.

"Poppy, of all people I thought being in here wouldn't make you that nervous." He let out a soft smile, trying to lighten the mood. I let out a small laugh but my legs still shook underneath me. Now that the moment was here, I was terrified.

"Pardon me, Miss Knight. My name is Dr Patel. It's really nice to meet you." He smiled as he held out his hand. I shook it as confidently as I could, holding in a nervous breath. "The tests have come back good." Dr Patel flicked through some papers in a file before clicking different tabs on his computer screen. "It appears to be a relatively small papillary carcinoma. I'm confident that we can remove the cancer by doing a thyroidectomy." I nodded, taking in all the heavy hitting news without so much as a blink. Dr Forrester continued.

"Now with your job and your time scale, our best chance to operate would be when we arrive at the next city in a couple of days time. The surgery will remove the cancerous part of your thyroid gland and you will need to stay in the hospital for a day or so. After that there is a very strict policy on recovery and not overdoing it." He offered me a glare as if to say he knew I probably wouldn't pay attention to it. Once again, I just nodded.

"If needed, following surgery we will do a course of radioactive iodine treatment which would mean that you consume some iodine to kill the remaining cancerous cells. You would, however, become slightly radioactive so we would need to keep you in for a further few days with complete isolation." Dr Patel offered me a couple of leaflets that had the treatments on them, with happy looking people on the front. This was hardly a happy time.

"Right. Okay." I said, barely able to take in everything they said. I'd be having surgery in a few days? This doesn't give me much time to prepare. Will Calum be working? Will I be alone?

"Okay, if you're happy with the plan I will get the paperwork sent over to the treating hospital for them to prepare for you. I wouldn't worry too much though, Poppy, this cancer is in such early stages I'm very confident that this will be a success." A smile grew on my face at the idea of being cancer free, despite only just getting my diagnosis recently.

"That would be great. Thanks doctor."

"Any questions?" My hands were sweaty where they'd remained squished in between my thighs.

"No, I don't think so. Thanks very much for your time." I stood up with my new leaflets and held my free hand out to shake the doctors. He gladly accepted as he wished us good luck and we left the office. We walked out and straight into our car, the driver leading us to the arena for my next shift as the bands nurse. It was silent in the car, other than the radio playing quietly in the background. Sam was the first to break the silence.

"You're allowed to freak out a bit. Or ask questions. Or, you know, anything that acknowledges what you're about to go through." I could tell he was worried about me even if he didn't quite go the right way about it. I shot him a look that silenced him.

"I will, once my shift has finished." I smiled, looking back out the window at the passing streets and people who were all getting on with their lives, no idea what was happening to strangers around them.

"I'm watching you, Poppy. I know you think you need to be strong all the time but that won't always work. Sometimes you need to let those feelings out." I rolled my eyes.

"Yes, thank you Oprah." I giggled, receiving a playful slap in the arm from Sam. He straightened his blazer and looked back out of his window, watching as the arena finally came into view.

"Any last words before you go to work?" Sam quizzed as I opened the door and hesitated to get out. Finally thinking of something so good that a smile grew on my face.

"Let's kick Cancer's ass."