“Does your husband know you’re here?”
“No.”
She paused before answering.
“Are you afraid of what he might do if he finds out?”
I looked up at her.
“Yes.”
She explained that we could arrange a private conversation about my safety and that I did not have to confront Michael alone. She also assured me that she would not contact him without my permission, except where the law required otherwise.
Then she examined my abdomen.
The examination was uncomfortable, and she immediately arranged further investigations, including an ultrasound.
When the results came back, she asked me to sit down.
“Sarah, the scan shows a large ovarian cyst.”
I stared at her.
“A cyst?”
“Yes. It’s a fluid-filled growth on your ovary. Some ovarian cysts are harmless, but because yours is large and you’re experiencing pain and abdominal swelling, it needs further evaluation. We may need additional imaging, blood tests, and a consultation with a specialist.”
