Beginning in early childhood, Catherine's fear of medical personnel leave her parents perplexed. Without understanding the reasons for it, they believe her behavior foolish and feel she could change it, or at least control it. The simple suggestion of a visit to a doctor or dentist throws her into anxiety that won't abate, causing her to faint when the actual appointment comes to fruition. Catherine does well in school, has many friends, and especially enjoys sports. As she grows older, the phobias become full-blown. Her parents, steadfast in their assessment of the situation, insist that she keep quiet about her problems. If she discloses them she will become an embarrassment to herself and her family and, in all likelihood, plod through life alone and lonely. Confused by her parent's attitude, largely because these 'events' do not occur on a daily basis, Catherine learns to keep her mouth shut about them. Otherwise, for the most part she manages to lead a normal life. However, struggling through her twelfth summer, due to losing two of her friends to drowning accidents and three times narrowly escaping drowning herself through the pranks of others, a new terror grabs her: fear of water. Now almost thirty, divorced, and on her own she gets a job and takes care of her kids. Over the next several years she takes steps to conquer the monster in her head that controls her fears. Nothing seems to help. Time passes. Catherine is diagnosed with Stage Three cancer and is told "if you don't have surgery in three months, you won't live four." Christmas-time looms. She delays facing her choice by not canceling a cruise that had been planned and paid for months before. The trip is marred with weakness and continual pain. She returns home to make her final or fatal decision.