My Sister’s Keeper
TUESDAY SARA
by Picoult, JodieThe chapter opens with Sara’s reflection on the unsettling yet oddly comforting atmosphere of the oncology wing, where she and her family await Dr. Chance. The sterile environment and the shared experience of other families provide a strange sense of belonging. Dr. Chance’s initial cold demeanor worries Sara, but his unexpected act of drawing a face on Kate’s rubber glove balloon reveals a kinder side, offering a glimmer of hope in their daunting medical journey.
Sara then shifts to recounting her strained relationship with her sister, Suzanne, who embodies success and perfection. Despite their close bond in childhood, their lives diverged sharply, with Sara’s choices—marrying young and prioritizing family over career—leading to mutual estrangement. Suzanne’s achievements cast a long shadow, making Sara feel inadequate, though she admires her sister’s strength. The emotional distance between them is palpable, highlighted by their infrequent and awkward phone calls.
The narrative returns to the hospital, where Sara and Brian receive a grim diagnosis for Kate: acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The medical team explains the aggressive treatment plan, including chemotherapy’s harsh side effects and the uncertain prognosis. The nurses’ patience contrasts with the doctors’ detachment, emphasizing the emotional toll on the family. Sara’s heartbreak over Kate’s impending hair loss symbolizes the visible markers of her illness, making the diagnosis painfully real.
The chapter concludes with the doctors outlining potential future treatments, including bone marrow transplants, and questioning whether Kate’s brother could be a match. This sparks a new wave of fear and uncertainty for Sara, who grapples with the overwhelming reality of her daughter’s illness. The medical jargon and bleak outlook leave the family reeling, yet Dr. Chance’s earlier kindness offers a fragile thread of hope amid the despair.
FAQs
1. How does the narrator describe her initial impression of Dr. Chance, and how does this impression change?
Answer:
The narrator initially has reservations about Dr. Chance due to his delayed arrival and his surname, which she finds off-putting. She observes his cold demeanor when he frowns at Kate’s improvised balloon and worries about his ability to guide them through Kate’s treatment. However, her impression shifts when Dr. Chance unexpectedly draws a face on the balloon, mirroring his own glasses, and hands it back to Kate with a smile. This small act of kindness transforms him from seeming coldhearted to approachable and compassionate, easing the family’s anxiety.2. Analyze the relationship between the narrator and her sister Suzanne. What factors contribute to their strained connection?
Answer:
The narrator and Suzanne have a complex relationship marked by admiration, comparison, and distance. Suzanne, the older sister, served as a role model—intelligent, successful, and seemingly perfect—which created pressure for the narrator. Their rift stems from differing life choices: the narrator married a man without a college degree and prioritized motherhood over a high-powered career, which Suzanne may view as failures. Despite their love for each other and Suzanne’s affection for her niece and nephew, their philosophical differences and unspoken judgments led to dwindling communication. The narrator’s hesitation to call Suzanne highlights the emotional weight of their strained bond.3. What are the key medical challenges and treatment plans discussed for Kate’s APL diagnosis?
Answer:
Kate’s acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) presents significant challenges due to its chemoresistant nature, meaning treatments may lose effectiveness over time. The medical team outlines a multi-phase plan: an initial week of chemotherapy to induce remission, followed by consolidation therapy and maintenance treatments. Side effects include hair loss, nausea, developmental delays, and infection risks. If remission is achieved, an autologous harvest (using Kate’s own cells) or an allogeneic transplant (using a donor’s marrow, possibly her brother’s) may be options. The lack of guarantees and the need for vigilance against relapse underscore the gravity of her prognosis.4. How does the setting of the oncology wing contribute to the narrator’s emotional state?
Answer:
The oncology wing initially offers the narrator an unexpected sense of comfort through shared experience. The kindness of the parking attendant and the sight of other children with similar struggles create a feeling of solidarity—”safety in numbers.” However, this environment also heightens her awareness of the daunting journey ahead. The juxtaposition of mundane details (like a dying spider plant) with life-altering medical discussions amplifies her anxiety, reflecting the surreal tension between normalcy and crisis in such spaces.5. Reflect on the significance of the glove balloon scene. What does it reveal about coping mechanisms in the face of adversity?
Answer:
The glove balloon scene illustrates how humor and creativity can serve as vital coping tools during distress. The narrator uses the balloon to distract Kate, defying hospital rules to maintain a moment of joy. Dr. Chance’s participation—turning the balloon into a playful likeness of himself—shows how small gestures can humanize medical professionals and alleviate fear. This moment highlights the importance of finding lightness in dark situations, as well as the power of shared laughter to forge connections between caregivers, patients, and families.
Quotes
1. “THERE IS AN UNEXPECTED COMFORT to being at the oncology wing of the hospital, a sense that I am a member of the club.”
This opening line powerfully captures the paradoxical sense of belonging that arises in the face of shared trauma. It introduces the chapter’s theme of finding solidarity in suffering, setting the tone for the family’s medical journey.
2. “She was smart and beautiful and always knew what to say at any given moment. She could take any catastrophe and find the logical antidote to cure it, which is what made her such a success at her job.”
This description of Suzanne reveals the narrator’s complex relationship with her sister, highlighting both admiration and unspoken rivalry. It underscores the theme of perceived personal failures that runs through the chapter.
3. “The thing about leukemia is that we haven’t even inserted a needle for the first treatment when we’re already thinking three treatments down the line.”
This quote from the nurse encapsulates the relentless, forward-looking nature of cancer treatment. It represents a key turning point where the family begins to understand the long, uncertain battle ahead with Kate’s APL diagnosis.
4. “At this, a tiny cry escapes from me. This is such a small thing, and yet it’s the banner that will let others know what’s wrong with Kate.”
This poignant moment about hair loss reveals how seemingly minor physical changes become significant markers of illness. It highlights the visceral parental pain of watching a child’s visible transformation through treatment.
5. “She is the person I ran to when I got my period; the one who helped me knit back together my first broken heart; the hand I would reach for in the middle of the night…”
This emotional recollection of Suzanne’s past support contrasts sharply with their current estrangement. It represents the chapter’s exploration of fractured relationships and the instinct to return to foundational bonds during crisis.