Chapters 17 through 20 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 17

Tuesday, September 28

The day before Kelly had taken eighteen pills. Her side effects were ranging everywhere from nausea to runaway infections. Each side effect could be treated by medications which caused their own side effects. She had completely forgotten her mother's sixty-fifth birthday but her mother understood. Kelly felt gratified when she was able to comfort Claire through a rough night of teething. She hadn't been able to devote much attention to them since she was usually sleeping or drowsy. Kelly was experiencing severe bone pain and nausea in the mornings. There was an outbreak of West Nile virus and with her weakened resistance she feared she would contract it. Edward reminded her that she would be done with chemo by Christmas.

Chapter 18

After her adventure abroad, Kelly returned to the family home. She had gone parasailing in...