As I lay in bed, my thoughts began to wander, and I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of anticipation.

"Alright," Richard said gently, "Is your stomach still hurting? Maybe we shouldn't wait until Saturday—how about we go to the hospital tomorrow?"

"No need; it's nothing serious."

The pain had almost completely subsided since I started the medication, and there was no spotting. I was confident that sticking to the doctor's scheduled follow-up would be fine.

Hearing ...