Jane the Virgin

Friends, let's start with some happy news.

Jane and Rafael were finally together.

And even more exciting? Jane had a writing breakthrough.

I want to write about my mom. Our relationship.

Oh, and her father Rogelio had a breakthrough too.

His American remake of The Passions of Santos

got the green light when superstar

River Fields agreed to costar.

And, honestly, I didn't think she'd say yes,

especially after...

I know! Straight out of a telenovela

remade for American audiences, right?

Well imagine this.

Petra was under investigation

for her sister's death,

so she hired a lawyer, Jane Ramos, aka J.R.

And then this happened.

And Petra was super into it.

- Only problem? - It was a one-time thing.

But it seemed like maybe Petra

was having a hard time letting go.

J.R., wait! You left your pen.

Yikes.

Oh, and one more thing I can't forget, friends,

even though I've tried...

The biopsy came back positive.

I have breast cancer.

Which is where we left off.

When Xiomara Gloriana Villanueva

was 4 years old...

Mommy, I don't feel good.

Fortunately, Alba always knew

just what Xo needed to feel better.

Come, let me rub some Vivaporú on your chest.

What is that stuff, even?

A magical, healing potion passed on

from one generation of Villanueva women to another.

And, friends,

whether it was a cold or a skinned knee,

Alba's magical potion always worked.

Until one day, it didn't.

You okay? Should I get the Vivaporú?

Don't bother.

I'm pregnant.

And, alas, all the Vivaporú in the world

wasn't going to help with this.

You have Stage III invasive lobular carcinoma.

At least, it appears to be Stage III

from what we can see in the imaging.

Unfortunately, this strain is rather sneaky

and doesn't present well in scans.

Is there any involvement in her lymph nodes?

As far as we can tell, no.

Which is a good thing.

- So... - So, um,

what are her treatment options?

We'll go straight to surgery and then we'll use chemo

as a systemic treatment later.

As for surgery, you have some choices.

You can have a lumpectomy, a mastectomy,

or you can have a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy...

Both breasts removed... out of an abundance of caution.

All have about the same odds of survival.

Survival? Who was talking about survival?

- What do you recommend? - It's up to the patient.

Some patients like to preserve

breast tissue, while others choose

a double mastectomy for peace of mind.

Though your other breast is perfectly healthy.

It's your choice, but I'd like to get

the cancer out as soon as possible.

Yes. O-Okay.

Let me think about it.

*JANE THE VIRGIN* Season 03 Episode 14

Episode Title : "Chapter Seventy-Eight "

You okay?

Yeah.

That was your agent.

I'll call him back. You're in pre-production.

- I'm pushing the pilot. - No, you're not.

Life has to go on.

I mean it. It has to.

Of course.

We all handle crisis differently.

I have nothing quippy to add, it's just a fact.

Jane, of course, has her...

Research. That's what I'm focused on.

Research and organization.

My mom's so overwhelmed,

I just want to make things as clear

- and easy as possible. - Right.

Well let me know if you need anything.

Oh, would you mind telling Petra?

She knew we were waiting for the results.

Sure .

And could you also let her know

that I'm going to need a few days off?

Of course.

Hey, where's Mommy?

- In her room. - In her room.

Jane, I'm calling because...

well, the truth is, I like you.

More than I want to admit.

So let's go on a date.

I know this is terrible timing,

given everything that's going on with your mother

and, well, everything else.

But I have to speak my truth because, well,

Oprah says it's the most powerful tool we have.

Oprah. What am I doing?

Jane, I have unexpected and strong

romantic feelings for you.

You know what, just text.

That's all?

Come on, Petra, you can do better than that.

Oof.

Hey. When'd you get here?

- Just now. - Oh. What's up?

I came here to talk to you about Jane,

who, as you know, I'm dating, romantically.

Yes, I know.

What is it?

Xo's test came back.

She has cancer. Stage III.

Oh, my God, no.

Poor Xo.

And Jane.

What?

You know, I may not show it,

but I care about Jane very deeply.

What does she need?

Just fewer waitressing shifts.

And space. Plenty of space.

Hey.

You're early for dinner.

I wanted to talk to you first.

Mm.

I know, after the doctor's office,

you probably came straight home

and started researching,

making color-coded lists and spreadsheets...

I mean, for a writer, she really is a whiz at Excel.

I mean, very simple spreadsheets.

Just don't bombard your mom with that stuff at dinner.

You can't overwhelm her right now with facts and binders.

Like I was gonna bring a binder to dinner.

Okay, I won't bring the binder,

but she has to make a decision.

And she will. But she needs time.

Well that's the one thing what she doesn't have, Dad.

If she waits, the cancer can spread to her lymph nodes,

and then we'll have more to worry about.

Honestly, I think she should get a double mastectomy.

No breast tissue means it's less likely to come back.

I actually agree but we have to let her

come to her decision on her own.

Let's just try to have a nice, normal dinner.

Ah, here we are...

A nice, normal dinner.

Can I have some chicken? Sure.

Thigh, breast...

Wing. Breast-wing.

Come on, Ro,

this is no time to act like a boob.

So, Dad, how is work?

Good. Everything's going as planned.

Of course, River's being a diva.

She is so high-maintenance. Literally,

the makeup lady has to stand on a stool

just to glue on her prosthetic brows.

Okay, let's just talk about it.

I don't know what to do.

Where's the binder?

In my room.

Honestly, I think double mastectomy.

The cancer's aggressive.

This way, you won't worry about recurrence.

Really?

Preventative surgery?

Yes.

Dad agrees with me too.

You do?

But it's your choice.

And I won't pressure you either way.

We can't tiptoe around this.

We have to talk about these things.

Jane's right. What do you think?

Surgery is very hard. Recovery is very painful.

But of course, it would be a relief

to know it could never come back.

So everyone thinks I should have a double mastectomy?

We do.

Okay, then...

I'll schedule the surgery.

I guess I'll take two breasts.

Ugh,

why couldn't it have been pasta night?

There is something to be said for making a decision.

Certainly if you're Jane.

I'm Dr. Park.