Abby was asked by her doctor to keep a journal documenting her daily activities, feelings, and any unusual bodily changes. Her last medical checkup results were concerning enough that only her parents were asked to attend. Though initially reluctant, Abby records that the doctor said she had a "false diagnosis" and only needed calcium supplements, relieving her fears that she had cancer. She celebrates being healthy with a promise to eat ice cream. However, her next entry expresses frustration at having to cancel plans to go to the mall for another doctor's appointment.

1. June 7, 2008
Dear Journal,
My doctor told me to record things that happened to me everyday; unusual things
that go on in my body, daily activities, and how I’m feeling. So here I am writing to you in
this journal.
So…what to say…the doctor said I shouldn’t stop writing. It makes me feel like
I’m writing for English or something like that. Results from my last checkup are coming in
tomorrow and my doctor asked just my parents to go. I guess it’s a really big deal. Sigh. I
don’t know what to say. I’m not really the writing type of person or in the writing type of
mood. I guess I’ll end my entry here.
Sincerely,
Abby
Dear Journal,
I just realized I didn’t write about anything I needed to write in my first entry.
Forgetful me, yes I know. I haven’t really realized anything unusual about my body. If
anything, I guess you could say my coordination is a bit off now. That’s probably the only
difference. But I don’t think it’s anything major or anything like that. It’s probably ‘cuz I
stopped piano last month after my teacher moved to Canada.
Alright, I’m done writing for now. I need to finish my homework. Finals are next
week.
Sincerely,
Abby
June 8, 2008
Dear Journal,
So apparently it was a “false diagnosis” and I just needed to eat some pills every
morning before breakfast and every night after dinner because my bones just needed some
rest. You don’t know how relived I felt; if I had to eat pills every hour of every day, I
wouldn’t mind, as long as I didn’t have cancer.
I should’ve figured that I didn’t have anything. I’m perfectly healthy; I eat fruits
and vegetables every day, milk in the morning, and I’m on the varsity tennis team. Jeez, I
should’ve expected that. How could I have had cancer? I’m not even like those kids in
school who are out like once a month ‘cuz they’re sick. The most I skip is one day in the
whole school year.
As “obvious” as it should’ve been that I wasn’t sick, I’m still very relieved. I’m
going to celebrate with ice cream! WOOHOO!
Sincerely,
Abby
Dear Journal,

2. ARGHS! I have to go to the doctor’s in li e a minute. I don’t know why, but I think
k
its stupid. I’m perfectly fine but my mom still wants me to go. Actually, I should say, she
“strongly suggests,” meaning she’s not going to let go until I agree to go. Why couldn’t I
just go another time? I had plans to go to the mall with Kate.
I don’t even know why I’m still writing in this stupid journal. The doctor is asking
me to still write in it. What does writ ng in this journal have anything to do with giving my
i
bones rest, if anything, isn’t it the opposite? I’m not going to write anymore for today, I’m
still angry about not going to the mall.
Sincerely,
Abby