Chasing Life (2014–2015): Season 1, Episode 9 - What to Expect When You're Expecting Chemo - full transcript

Previously on "Chasing Life"...

- I think you should take it.
- You'd really be cool

- with me leaving for that long?
- I took the job.

So you wanna take a break?

I just don't want us to start
resenting each other, you know?

Boyfriend, girlfriend...
should we make it official? Or not?

I don't think that I'm ready
for that yet.

I was driving.

You cannot keep carrying
that weight around.

It'll crush you.

I'm not getting the surgery
to try and remove the tumor.



So "Mr. you gotta live" is just giving up?

Do you really think I would do well

as a brain-dead hospital patient?

What you're doing is quitting.

I'm gonna fight.

I was supposed to start chemo today,

but I saw a fertility doctor instead.

So tell me more about the trip to Florida.

What's the Eco Club like?

Kinda what you'd expect.

Littering bad, recycling good,

global warming's gonna kill us all.

A couple of weeks ago
Pearl said she thought global warming

was a conspiracy.



Never came so close to
punching someone over 80.

Well, I'm glad you've
joined a club at school.

I guess we have your new friend
to thank for that.

When are we gonna finally meet Greer,
anyway?

Hey, would she like to
join us for dinner tonight?

Uh, maybe.

Don't get me wrong,
I love your other friends, too.

By other friends you mean Ford.

Who is lovely, it's just...

it just seems like this girl is giving you

a whole new perspective.

Like, really encouraging you to try
new things.

Hey, you're just in time.

How would you like your eggs?

Uh, frozen, perhaps?

Mom!

Uh, actually, they said I shouldn't eat

till after the procedure,
'cause of the anesthesia.

Are you nervous about your
"eggs-traction" today?

Brenna...

Mom, it's fine.

We've gotta have some fun with this.

I only have two days until I start chemo.

So I wanna just try and live normally.

Granted, getting my eggs harvested

at 8:00 am is a little weird.

But other than that, I, um...

I want to spend these last 48 hours

just being me.

Not cancer me, just regular me, okay?

Okay, I think we can all handle that.

Just... try looking

on the sunny side of all this.

Hey, what do you think about having
a little party tomorrow night?

Your last night before chemo,

could be nice to be
around family and friends.

I'd take care of everything.

That sounds good. Let's do it.

Why haven't they called me yet?

I wish you'd started your sick leave now,

instead of working up until the second
you're going to the hospital.

That's just because the governor's debate

is tonight and I have to cover it,

assuming they ever get
these eggs out of me.

Your eggs clearly take after you.

Here comes the labor story.

I was nine days past my due date,

Dr. Levin was pressuring me to induce.

And then right there, in his office,

- my water broke.
- Your water broke.

I loved being pregnant with you.

I wasn't even anxious for
that part to be over with...

knowing that you were with me every minute,

and I could protect you.

You're gonna be an amazing grandma.

Someday, just give me a couple more years.

At least five.

April Carver?

S01E09
What to Expect When You're Expecting Chemo

There was crazy

turbulence on the flight back.

There were even a couple of people crying.

Sounds like the trip was
a disaster all around.

Well, this will cheer you up.

I got us tickets to this
awesome concert next week.

It's these guys who do
all the instrument sounds

with their mouths... and before you say,

"hostage situation," I've seen them,
and they're actually rad.

I don't know, April's going to be
in the hospital then.

Oh, man.

April's cancer is really getting in the way

of our social life.

Sorry, that was...

that was a really stupid thing to say.

It's fine.

Let me make it up to you.
Can I take you out tonight?

I was gonna hang out with Greer.

Who you just saw all day in school
and went to Florida with.

Is something up with us?
You didn't text me at all

while you were gone.

Okay, listen...

And when someone starts with listen,

it's 'cause they know you don't want to
hear what they're about to say.

What don't I want to hear?

Are you dumping me?

No! No, I really like you.

Good, I really like you, too.

But I want to be totally honest with you.

I'm sort of...

having feelings for someone else, too.

Uh, who is he?

Actually, it's...

Greer.

Uh... girl Greer?

So wait, are you with me as like a cover?

'Cause you don't want
to be a full-on lesbian?

No. No, I don't know what I am.

And I'm not even into labels, anyway.

You know that, and so does Greer.

Have you like...

Have you done stuff with her?

- Kieran...
- Have you gone further with her than me?

No, and it's not like a contest.

I really like you both.

I know that sounds weird,
but is there any world

that you would be cool
with me dating both of you?

I mean...

Yeah, I can try.

If I can watch sometime.

Shut up.

You can always stay home.

I mean, you've had anesthesia.

You might feel nauseated
for a couple of hours.

I don't want to stay home.
I want to go to the debate.

Is it really about the debate?

Or is it about seeing Leo?

I mean, can't it be both?

It's weird.

He hasn't shown up to the support group

and he's been ignoring my texts.

- We haven't talked once since...
- You hooked up.

Oh, which I still feel terrible about.

I can't stop thinking about Dominic.

My God, stop it.

You guys are on a break.

Yeah, and it only took me 48 hours
to hook up with someone else.

Kind of a cliche, by the way.

You know, having sex after a funeral.

Even a fake one.

You're okay?

Do you need this?

No, I'll be fine.

This just sucks,

it's like I have morning sickness

without even being pregnant.

It's not exactly the best shape to be in
to see Leo.

I have to get this thing
with him resolved before I go

into a chemo prison for a month.

Why don't you just let me come with you?

Pretend I'm your assistant,

and your assistant's job
is to carry a barf bag.

- That would make me a pretty crappy boss.
- I've had worse.

She's with me.

And there he is.

You're good. You're good.

Maybe he didn't see you.

He saw me.

Hey, look,
I'm going to go and get you a water, okay?

No. No, I'm okay.

Go in and watch the debate.

I have to check in and get to work.

I thought the whole point
was me staying with you.

I know, but it's gonna look weird

if you come in with me,
like something's wrong.

Something is wrong.

Please, just go. I'll find you after.

And I play second singles.

Kaitlin, who plays first singles,

she's graduating. So I'm hoping

to get bumped up next year.

You know who's not bad at tennis...

I learned that the hard way.

Mom, aren't you staying for dinner?

We ordered Chinese.

I've got a little shopping
to do with Gertie,

for April's party.

No, I can do that or I can drive you.

I've got it, I've got it.

That was weird.

I'd say that was her regular weird.

So, Greer...

Class president, tennis captain,
Eco Club president,

how do you manage everything?

I have a twin.

And a sense of humor.

I like this one, Brenna.

I think that's the food.

Mom, can I have your card?

I can cover it. My parents left me money

for meals when they're out of town.

No,
you are not paying for food in my house.

But thank you for offering.

Here you go.

How long are your parents gone for?

About three quarters of my life so far.

Aw...

But just a couple days this time.

Well, you know you're welcome to spend
the night here if you want.

Thanks.

Hola.

What are you doing here?

The same thing I'm doing here
every other time I come over...

I'm raiding your fridge and
watching bad TV with you.

Is that cool?

Uh, yeah.

Greer's here.

Is there an emergency eco club meeting?

Are the dolphins okay?

No, we're just hanging out.

Okay, um... I don't want to interrupt.

No, you're not. Come in.

My Uncle's coming over,
we just ordered Chinese.

And you should hang out with Greer,

I think you guys might
actually like each other.

Ladies and gentlemen,
can I have your attention, please?

You're here.

I said I would be.

You weren't in the office today.

I thought maybe you started

your leave of absence early.

Nope.

What's wrong with you again?

Nothing you need to worry about.

Oh, I wasn't gonna worry.

I understand that you debated

in college like your father.

Yes, I did.

As my mom can attest,

Bruce and I had

a few pretty intense,
verbal jousting matches.

Thanksgiving 2011 comes to mind,

turkey feathers flew.

What was the topic of debate?

You know, I don't think that the...

- Excuse me?
- Leo...

Oh, no. April. Excuse me.

Can you move back, please?

- Excuse me.
- Beth!

Oh, my God, April!

I heard this commotion and I
thought something happened to you.

No, no, I'm fine, it's Leo.

He had like, a stroke or something.

I don't know what it was, but I need to...

Please, everybody.
Everything is fine.

Stand back.

Give them room.

- Mom, I'm fine.
- No, you're not.

We are taking you to the hospital now.

Bruce...

We can't leave before the debate. Listen...

Don't let him leave.

No, look... please, I don't need...

I can walk on my own, all right.

I'd say it's probably one of
the most beautiful countries

I've ever been to.

Well, I don't meet very many people
who have been to Nicaragua.

You two probably actually
have a lot of overlap.

You won't meet many people
more well-traveled than George.

- Did you zip-line while you were there?
- Oh, no, no, no.

But did you hike
Mombacho Volcano?

My dad and I did.

Well, Brenna's dad and I did.

We're doing Guatemala in August.

Maybe you can come with us, bren.

Brenna and I don't really do places

where the main tourist
attraction is poor people.

I don't know, I...

I think there's a lot more to it than that.

I think it would be cool to see
such a different culture.

Well, look at that.
Maybe Brenna's got the carver wanderlust.

Oh, God help me.

I'm gonna clean up.

Thank you, Ford.

- I can help, too.
- I got it.

I know where everything goes.

As someone who knows firsthand the value

of a public school education.

I will make it my priority
when I am elected governor.

Mr. Hendrie, two minutes.

Thank you. My opponent didn't use

the word elitist in describing me,

although it was clearly implied.

And to that I say, I strongly believe
that all children...

all children...

I'm sorry.

There's only one child
that matters to me now.

And I need to be there for him, right now.

I'm sorry.

You can't hide from me forever, Sanya.

We're gonna have to talk at some point.

Were you and Leo Hendrie close?

No. I've met Leo, but...

That's not why I'm upset.

My best friend is sick, too.

Thank you.

It's leukemia.

And you know, before she got sick,

when I'd see her name on caller ID,
I'd be excited.

You know,
I'd be like what bar are we hitting?

Or what happened with that
guy that she was crushing on?

And now I see it, and...

I'm...

I just think like, oh, God,
what's wrong now? You know?

I'm just... I'm scared all of the time.

And of course, I mean,
I can't tell her any of that.

'Cause I just...
I just want her to get better.

And she's supposed to
start chemo this week.

I don't know what I'd do if I lost her.

I'm... I'm sorry.

But, you know, whoever wrote that book

"be your own best friend,"

they had a point.

April, hey!

Hey.

He's not answering.

About time...

Oh, you're not the radiologist.

How are you feeling?

Popular.

A video of my little gibberish episode

is trending on Twitter,
hashtag death's doorstep.

So that's a lot of fun.

Leo...

Please have the surgery.

And here we go.

I'm sorry, but your whole argument

about how life is better without it,

how is that true after tonight?

It doesn't hold up.

How is this your business?

Because I'm your friend

and we slept together.

Oh, so because we hooked up,

you get a vote?

I made this decision long before you.

And I'm sorry, but honestly,
I don't need you in my life

if you're on a mission
to make me rethink that.

Fine.

But if you're not gonna have the operation,
then this is it.

I can't see you again.

Because I'm about to go fight for my life,

and I can't be around someone
who has a chance to do that

and won't even try.

And yet, who's chasing who right now?

Goodbye, Leo.

Have a nice life.

And I'll have a nice death.

Wow, look who's fashionly early.

I was visiting a friend.

Well, while I have you,
can I give you a preview

of where you'll be spending the next month?

You got a minute?

Sure.

You A.M.L. folks really get the short end
of the stick when it comes to chemo...

having to be stuck here for so long.

But on the bright side,
the more we can monitor you,

the more we can protect you.

Have you started to pack?

Not yet.

I have patients showing up with
two or three trunks worth.

I mean,
of course we have our standard issue

ugly-ass hospital gowns,
but I'm sure you'll feel

more like yourself in your own PJ's.

Maybe some decorations,
something to make the room more personal.

And you might want to think about this,

some of the patients like to
shave their heads beforehand.

Just to beat the chemo to the punch.

Here we are.

If it's not this room,
it'll be one just like it.

All of our accommodations
are equally luxurious.

One month, huh?

Girls, I just wanted to say goodnight...

Yeah, come in.

Greer...

Um, maybe you should sleep
downstairs on the couch.

Okay.

There's a throw down there, a blue, um...

I think it should be warm enough,
it's like a wool blend.

- You're not allergic, are you?
- No.

Goodnight, Dr. Carver.

- Night.
- Night, Bren.

I want to choose my words carefully...

Please... don't make this a thing.

I won't, but we should talk about this.

So...

Have you always had feelings for girls?

I don't know.

I never have before.

And does this mean that you've split up
with Kieran?

No.

Oh, so you're seeing them both?

Honey, just remember hearts
are tender at your age,

at any age really.

They bruise easily.

Hmm... okay.

Mom, you okay?

You have a weird look on your face.

It's just...

There's a...

Another time.

How was your night?

Oh, another time.

I have like fifty thousand things to do

to get ready for the hospital.

I just hope work tomorrow is uneventful.

I would hate for a big story
to break on my last day.

Morning, Mal. How's it going?

Here.

You go ahead.

- You sure?
- Yeah.

Yeah, you go ahead of all of us.

Uh... thanks.

Hey, April.

I'm covering the political
ramifications of Hendrie dropping out,

you do the...

touchy-feely bit for section "b,"
the family stuff.

Hopefully you can finish
before your vacation.

I really wish I had had more notice

about you taking off,
I could have started training someone.

Not that what you've been
doing is rocket science.

Raquel, you know I'm sick, right?

I mean, that...

I have cancer.

Yeah.

Hey, I thought I might steal you for lunch.

They know.

They know what?

Everyone here knows about me.

You think it was Danny,
and he's just not telling me?

I mean,
he's always like going through my desk.

But I didn't leave anything in my desk

or on my computer.

Oh, maybe someone knows someone

at the pediatric hospital. Or someone...

Okay, stop. I have to tell you something.

What?

I know how they found out.

So, you remember at the debate

when I thought that you
were the one that collapsed,

and I was freaking out?

Yeah.

Well, I went to the bathroom
and I had like a panic attack.

- I'm sorry.
- No, I'm sorry, because...

See, there was this girl in the bathroom

and I kind of cried on her shoulder,

and I told her that my friend was sick.

And I really thought that she
was just some random stranger,

- but it turns out...
- Who was it?

I don't know her name but I
just saw her in your office.

Long, brown hair, kind of exotic looking

in an ambiguous way, like me.

Raquel!

Oh, God, that was Raquel?

How could you do that?

I didn't know who she was.

So what,
you just decided to tell a random stranger

in a bathroom about me?

At a work event for me?

You thought that was a smart idea?

This was my last day, Beth.
I had one more day.

One more day and I was just gonna go away,

handle this in private,
and come back to work in a month...

What, you didn't think that
people were gonna find out?

You didn't think people
were gonna ask questions

about your medical leave?

Come on, April, you work with reporters.

Who all see me differently now, thank you.

Is that the worst thing in the world?

This was my business, okay?

It was up to me if I told people,

and you just took that away from me.

April, I'm sorry.
What can I do to make this okay?

Nothing, it's done.

April, please...

Anything... just tell me what to do,

I want to fix this.

You know what, Beth? I can't worry about
what you need right now.

Danny...

Oh, look,
Raquel's doing her midday office stretches.

I'm on a deadline.

Yeah, so am I.

- Hey.
- Hey.

The fact that you just
started a conversation

with me, makes me feel like
there's hope for the middle east.

Yeah, totally.

So... how did you turn Brenna?

You know that's not how gay works, right?

But I guess she told you
we're seeing each other, huh?

And I'm really glad it's out there.

And I just want you to know,

that I totally respect
your friendship with Brenna

and I'd never want you to
feel like the third wheel.

Actually, I have this great
guy I want to set you up with,

his name's P.J. He's really cute,
for a boy.

Um... yeah, cool, maybe.

Are you coming to Brenna's tonight,

for April's party?

So you're invited to everything now?

I mean, we're dating,
that's kind of how it works.

Look, Ford,

we can be friends,

I know we can.

Even if it kills us.

It might.

Is that your stapler,
or are you stealing our office supplies?

It's mine.

Just checking.

You know, Raquel,
you're the only person here

who knows I have cancer and
didn't treat me any differently.

I mean, you treated me badly, but still...

At least it was normal.

That's what I'd want
people to do if I was sick.

Way to make my cancer about you.

Watch,
you're gonna get a book deal out of this.

And every time someone has cancer
and writes a book about it,

it's like a bestseller.

I'm not saying you're lucky, per se.

What are those little, pink blobs?

They're hearts.

- Don't they look like hearts?
- Nah, kidneys.

Oh, no, don't... kidn...

Beth, help me.

- What's up?
- I'm not doing this right.

I've got too much stuff.

These are so cheesy, she's gonna love it.

I feel like I'm in kindergarten.

I'll get it.

- Hi.
- Hey.

I wanted to drop something
off for your sister,

I felt bad after I made that stupid joke.

I know it's kind of lame, but...

No, it's great. She'll love it.

Looks like you got something going on.

I didn't think you would want to come,

Greer's here.

Her parents are out of town,
so she's been staying over.

I don't mind seeing Greer,
if you don't mind me seeing her.

Oh, that's cute. Great.

- George, George.
- What?

Oh, no, please. Okay.

Oh, that's good.

Oh, April!

There she is.

Oh, thanks, you guys.

Sweetheart, I know you think
you have a lot to do tonight

to get ready for tomorrow,
but you would be wrong.

Allow me to direct your
attention to exhibit a,

hospital wardrobe,
custom made by Beth and her minions.

- That would be us.
- Oo-oh...

And my goal was to make you
the hottest girl in the cancer ward.

Germfree, nonperishable flowers

to make your room pretty.

And a photo album

of all of us to keep in your room.

- What is that?
- And Brenna...

I packed your bag. I put boggle in it,

some fuzzy slippers,

and...

For annoying nurses.

Thank you, guys.

See, you're all set.

Now all you have to worry
about tonight is having fun.

Is that...
is that what you were doing here?

This weird for you?

I said I was cool with this,
but I don't know,

maybe I'm not.

Come with me.

Can I just say one more time,
I am so, so sorry about...

No, no, no, I'm sorry.

I think you did me a favor.

You don't have to say that.

No, I'm not just saying it.

This is happening to me
whether I like it or not.

And being sick, I'm starting to realize,
let's me see things

in a way that most people can't.

That's what I ended up
writing my article about,

how this is kind of, weirdly, a gift.

A gift I would totally return
for a full refund in two seconds

if I could, but I can't.

So, I gotta own it.

Attagirl.

I just wish I could get a hold of Dominic.

I've been trying to call him all day,

I don't want somebody from
the paper to tell him,

or for him to like read about it first.

Hey, there's one more thing
I want to do for you tonight.

Come on.

What the hell?!

What? I thought we weren't exclusive.

Yeah, what do you need him for? Or me?

You have Greer, she's your lover and your
new best friend all rolled into one.

I'm not like replacing you with Greer.

Whatever, you didn't even tell
me you guys were hooking up.

I had to friggin' guess.

I didn't know how you would react.

Yeah, well, if you want to be all,
"hey, look at me, I'm bi," awesome.

But dude, she's so lame and you know it.

Oh, and hooking up with
other people's boyfriends,

- that's not lame?
- Boyfriend?

Isn't that a label?

She doesn't know what she wants, clearly.

You know, I don't need this from someone

who's supposed to be my best friend.

Maybe I'm not so into that label anymore.

I thought I can deal with this, I'm sorry.

I just... I can't.

I don't want to be one of the people

that you're seeing,
I want to be the person.

And maybe she's cool with you dating

a bunch of people at once, you know.

But...

What's going on here?

You're just in time,
Brenna was about to tell me which one of us

she wants to be with.

Greer's never asked me to pick.

I mean, I really like you,

but I don't think I can keep doing this
unless it's for real.

I'm sorry.

Three,

two, one.

Oh, my God.

See? What'd I tell you,

I knew you'd still be gorgeous bald.

Wow.

Look at that.

How...

I mean, it's not... horrible, right?

Right. Now you know.

See, we're gonna get you through this.

- Goodnight.
- No, no, hang on.

- What?
- My gift for you.

And I added a little extra something

to help you with the nausea.

Did you make me pot brownies?

Um, I plead the fifth.

But where did you get the...

Gertie and I hit the streets of somerville.

It only took us about an hour to score.

No, I'm kidding,
she has a prescription... glaucoma.

I love you.

Hey, it's Dominic. Leave a message.

Hey, Dominic, it's me.

Um...

Listen, there's gonna be a
story in the paper tomorrow,

that I wrote...

And I didn't want you
to find out like this,

but every time I tried to tell you
we just kept missing each other.

And it just kind of happened that it's
in there, what I wanted to tell you.

That was like the longest sentence ever.

Listen, just read it

and call me.

Just call me back, okay?

Hey, do you need any help?

- Uh, I'm good.
- Yeah?

You know what I was thinking about?

That house-warming party
that you and Thomas had,

where you conned everybody
into painting and wallpapering.

Remember that?

The Brookline place,
I loved that little house.

We didn't con anybody.
They were our friends, they wanted to help.

You spiked the lemonade.

Never been proven.

How about when you climbed
onto that step ladder

and you were singing
that Joni Mitchell song,

what was it? You hit some crazy notes.

Yeah, well, there's the proof.

Oh, my gosh, to be that young again.

Even for five minutes, especially now.

You know,
I can't even remember the last time

I did something that dumb and impulsive.

I... I should get going.

You know, 'cause I have to...
I gotta check in with Hamburg

- and make sure...
- Right, okay.

- ...everything's set for tomorrow.
- Sure.

All right.

- All right.
- Have a nice night.

Yeah.

As I watched Bruce
Hendrie at the debate the other night,

I didn't see a wealthy business man

or a candidate seeking
office standing before me.

I saw a father.

And I recognized that look in his eyes,

that terrible fear.
Because I've seen that same fear

in my own mother's eyes,

and my grandma's eyes,

and my baby sister's eyes

because I have cancer, too.

And let me tell you, it's a bitch.

And it's an equal opportunity offender.

No amount of money in the world,

no amount of privilege,
can make you exempt.

Look at Leo Hendrie.

And when it chooses you,
you're suddenly thrust

into a club that you didn't ask to join.

You're shipped off to war

even though you never enlisted in the army.

But you have to put on your armor anyway,

and know that if you're lucky,
you'll discover new sides of yourself.

Like a will you never knew you had.

And you'll get to see
new sides of the people

who matter the most to you in the world,

as they wrap you in their love
and lend you their strength

when yours is running low.

And then you go off and you fight.

You fight like hell.

Because really...

what other choice you have?