by Lori Beery
“Well, I’m glad you feel that way,” I responded, surprised by her trust. “We think we have measures in place to limit your energy consumption for tomorrows healing. – That is if you are willing to ‘image’ for me?” I asked.
“Yes! I am willing,” she responded enthusiastically.
“Excellent!” I replied. “But first you will need to get some more sleep,” I told her.
“Will I get another ‘healer special’?” she asked with a yawn.
“Of course,” I replied. “First you need to sleep. She settled and fell into deep slumber. After running a quick scan, I went back to the common room.
When I entered the room, they gave me their attention. Smiling, I said, “She is improving. She will need five or six more ‘healer specials’, dinner and sleep. Then she should be ready to help us in the morning.”
“That’s wonderful,” Beltrain responded. “After dinner would you like me to take over? I would be happy to give her the ‘healer specials’.”
“Thank you, that is very kind of you,” I replied. “But–”
“But nothing,” Marleah finished for me. “We need you to be well rested for tomorrow. So after dinner, Beltrain will care for Lucera and you can go to bed.”
“So, that means you are all ready for the healing in the morning,” I stated. They all nodded their heads. “There are no questions?” I asked. Amid the shaking heads, Jacarr and KwinJai each raised a hand. I nodded to Jacarr.
“What should we do with the crystal?” he asked.
“For the time being we will leave it under the light with the light on,” I answered, nodding to KwinJai.
“So when and where are we having dinner?” he asked.
“That depends,” I said. “We could eat replicated food or we could go out.”
“It’s too late for the dining hall,” supplied Marleah.
“Then let’s go down to deck 2 and see what’s open,” suggested Dulain. So, we opted for dinner out. When we returned, we brought back a meal for Lucera. She ate it with great relish and promptly went back to sleep. Shortly after that I turned in.
Chapter 9
The appointed time came. Simone arrived in the company of her son and daughter-in-law. I got them settled in the common room. I seated Simone in the same chair she was in for her deep scan, with Phillip and Mary on the settee next to her. I stood to Simone’s other side.
“Simone,” I said softly. “We will be beginning in just a few moments. Before we start I would like to introduce my Hexacle to you. They will be helping me take care of you.” I proceeded to introduce my companions. Once done, I inquired, “Do you have any questions?”
“You said yesterday that I would feel sick. How sick?” she asked nervously.
“You will not wish to do much more than sleep. You will have a fairly high fever,” I responded.
“No… nausea?” she posed.
“That should not be an issue,” I answered. “But, if you feel that, please let me know.” Looking toward Phillip and Mary, I asked, “How about you? Do you have any concerns?”
“I’m assuming there will be little for us to observe,” stated Phillip.
“That is true,” I said. “If you need anything, please let Jacarr and KwinJai know.” They each raised a hand when I named them. “Anything else?” I asked. They all three shook their heads. “Alright let’s get started,” I suggested. “The first thing is for you to relax and go to sleep,” I told Simone. “So get comfortable.” She shifted around a little and then settled. “Okay, now start breathing deeply. Take a slow breathe in. Release it. Good. Try to go a little slower. That’s it. Inhale. Exhale. Keep doing that.” As I coached her, her body relaxed. I reached into her mind and triggered her sleep center. I gently nudged her into a deep, dreamless slumber. ‘Stations everyone,’ I called mentally. Marleah, Dulain, and Lucera joined me near Simone’s chair. Jacarr stood beside the crystals that rested on the dining table. KwinJai waited behind Mary and Phillip. Beltrain stationed himself behind Lucera. ‘Let’s build the shelf between Simone and the chair’, I suggested. We did that so we could lift Simone’s sleeping form. We moved her up and away from the furniture. We placed her so we had room to move around her and she was at a convenient height for us. ‘Dulain, Marleah start monitoring. Please give vitals when you first establish connections. Then, give them every five minutes. Please feed me temperature readings as they change. Remember we want to keep them under 40 C.’ Marleah sent me the first set of vital readings, shortly followed by Dulain’s temperature information. I turned to Lucera. ‘Ready?’ I asked her.
‘I am,’ she responded with excitement. She had awakened this morning rejuvenated. Her personal energy levels were right where they were supposed to be.
‘Good,’ I commented. I adjusted the view of Simone’s body. It now resembled the body scan I had made of her yesterday. Again, I colored each of the tumors white. Then, I magnified the tumor in her brain and began coloring the unique binding sites pink. Once I finished, I constructed the image in my mind. It was just like the one I had used in our practice yesterday except the colored area was pink. ‘Lucera take the image from me and hold it in your mind,’ I instructed. She did so. ‘Okay, Jacarr activate the crystal. Lucera, once its energy stabilizes, begin drawing on the crystal. Make a nice fine thread just like yesterday. Whenever you are ready execute the process.’ They did what I asked. And just like the day before, I missed the actual event, but the protein was attached to the pink area of each binding site on the cancer cells. ‘Excellent! First step is accomplished! How are you, Lucera?’ I asked concerned.
‘I’m fine,’ she responded after a short pause.
‘Wonderful,’ I replied pleased. ‘Please let Beltrain feed you a ‘healer special’. And, do go have a seat.’
‘Okay,’ she acquiesced. ‘I really like that drink.’ She moved away and let Beltrain walk with her to the table. He had a drink ready for her.
‘Jacarr, how’s the crystal look?’ I inquired.
‘It is glowing. Just like when I activated it,’ he answered.
‘Good,’ I responded. The next set of vitals showed an increase in heart rate and temperature. Looking at the brain tumor, showed white blood cells at the site. They were destroying the cancer cells! Presently, antibodies appeared on site to aid in the battle. The tumor visibly started shrinking in size. To keep the rate of destruction constant, I broke down freed antigens, pyrogens and dead cells. This would help to keep Simone’s vitals even, although elevated, and easier to regulate. Within two turns, the tumor was gone. I carefully checked for normal cell damage. There was a place where the tumor had grown through some tissue. I repaired it. ‘Time check?’ I asked.
‘It’s the eighteenth turn,’ Beltrain responded.
‘Okay, let’s take a short break and then work on the lung tumors,’ I suggested. I checked on Simone’s status. She was running a thirty eight C temperature. The reading indicated it was on the way down. Everything else looked good. I withdrew from her except for a small tether. It would allow me to continue monitoring her.
“We are going to take a short break and get a bite to eat,” I told Mary and Phillip. “Simone is doing well. We have eliminated the brain tumor. After our break, we will start on the tumors in her lungs. When we have finished with those, you can take her to her quarters. Please see that she eats and gets plenty of sleep.”
“What can I get you to eat?” asked KwinJai of them.
“A roast beef and sauerkraut sandwich would be nice,” answered Phillip.
“I’d like a grilled cheese sandwich and some tomato soup,” said Mary
“Coming right up,” replied KwinJai. He went over to the replicator and ordered the food. When it materialized, he and Jacarr carried the food to the couple. They accepted it with thanks and began to devour it.
The rest of us each ordered a ‘healer special’. Apparently, Lucera’s love of it made the others wish to try it. As we all consumed our drink, there were appreciati
ve murmurs. My Hexacle liked my ‘healer special’. I could not help but smile.
Soon we were ready to begin working on Simone’s lung tumors. We resumed our places around her floating body. Marleah and Dulain began reporting vital and temperature data. I magnified the lungs so we could easily view the tumors within. I started coloring the binding sites of the tumor located in the upper lobe orange. Afterward, I created the proper image, with the binding site orange this time. Lucera ‘imaged’ the orange site connected to the protein. She accomplished this feat with negligible effects to herself. The sites of the tumor reflected her work. And, it triggered the immune system. Tumor destruction progressed at a slightly faster rate since the body already had antibodies for the fibrous protein. I had to start clearing away the pyrogens much quicker to keep her fever under the required forty degrees C. I also broke down the freed antigens and dead cells to help control the cancer kill rate. As the tumor shrank, I checked the area for damaged tissue repairing it as needed. Before too long, the tumor was gone.
We moved to the second mass and repeated the same process. This time I painted the sites yellow. Everything proceeded as before. The only difference was that Simone’s immune system responded just a little faster with the antibodies. When this tumor was gone, I repaired the damaged cells in the area. After I finished, I withdrew, checking Simone’s vitals and temperature. Her vitals were stable and her fever was continuing to slowly drop.
We repositioned Simone on the chair. We removed the shelf from in between her and the seat. She continued to sleep peacefully. I pulled her from her slumber.
“Simone,” I called as I gently touched her shoulder. “It’s time to wake up.” She stirred with her eyes closed. Then, her eyes fluttered open. They darted around the room. “Simone,” I called again.
“Yes?” she replied when her gaze stuck on me.
“How do you feel?” I asked
“I’m tired and I feel feverish,” she responded after she took stock of herself.
“That’s what we expected,” I reminded her gently. “Anything else?”
“No,” she said with pleasant surprise.
“Good,” I said smiling. “Want to know what we accomplished today?”
“Sure,” she replied. “Please keep it simple.”
I nodded to her and reported, “The tumors outside your abdomen are gone. Your headaches should be gone and you should find it easier to breathe.”
She took a few experimental breaths. “Yes, it is easier to draw air!” she exclaimed happily.
“That’s fabulous,” I commented. “You are free to return to your room. Please eat well and get a lot of sleep. Tomorrow, please come back here by the thirteenth turn and 135 deci and we will continue.”
“How many times will she have to return?” asked Mary.
“After tomorrow’s session, I will know for sure,” I answered. “My best guess is it will take almost three more days.” Turning back to Simone, I said, “Once your cancer is all gone, I want to do two more in-depth scans. One five days after the cancer is gone, and the other three or four days before we dock at Thendara Station.”
“Are you concerned about something?” questioned Phillip.
“Yes,” I replied. “I want to be sure I didn’t miss any cancer cells. If none are found in either scan, she is cancer free.”
“What if you find some?” asked Mary concerned.
“I will treat it,” I stated simply. “And we will go from there.”
“Of course,” Simone said. “I will gladly let you do the follow up scans.”
With that I escorted them to the door. “We will see you tomorrow at the same time,” Simone told me with a smile. The door swished open and they stepped into the hall. When the door slid closed, I turned to my Hexacle.
“Good job everyone!” I praised them. “No surprises with the crystal?” I asked.
“Nope, it still contains some light energy,” replied KwinJai who had changed stations with Jacarr.
“Lucera, how are you doing?” I inquired.
“I’m a little tired,” she confessed. “And I’m hungry,” she said putting a hand on her stomach.
“If that’s a vote for dinner, I second it,” responded KwinJai.
“Me too,” chorused the rest of my Hexacle.
I smiled. “Dinner it is. Let’s head to Deck Two.” We departed to get our evening meal.
*****
The next three days were grueling. Not because things didn’t go as planned. Everything proceeded as expected. It was just that adjustments had to be implemented to keep Simone’s temperature under the limit. I had to repeatedly slow things down to drop her temperature. Once it stabilized, I could continue. I found it very difficult to keep the process going at a constant rate. But then it is always hard to control cascading effects.
The tumors in Simone’s abdomen were extensive. They had grown into and through neighboring tissues. They pressed against her intestines, inhibiting their function. In areas, the masses had robbed the local blood supply, leaving tissues to die without nutrients. To be blunt, there was a lot of damage to repair as the cancer was destroyed. In several instances, we had to excise dead tissue and regrow sections of the bowel.
We had decided to work from her stomach down toward her rectum. I made sure to keep the tumor sections as small as the one that had been in the brain. This way I hoped to keep Simone and the rest of us safe. The reduced mass size would keep Lucera from over drawing the crystal. Also, it would make it easier for me to control the cascade effects of the immune system. At our noonday breaks, I encouraged all of us to drink two of the ‘healer specials’. I wanted to ensure we could get through the afternoon session.
By the end of the third day, we had successfully removed all of the abdominal tumors. Simone was now cancer free! She still slumbered on her floating shelf. Before I woke her, I wanted to do an in-depth scan. But first I needed a break. I moved from Simone to the chair she had occupied and sank into it. Of course my movement made Phillip and Mary uncomfortable. I turned to look at them before saying, “Simone is fine. She is now free of her cancer.”
“That’s great!” they exclaimed.
“I agree!” I added. “I will run an in-depth scan. After that I will wake her up.”
“But she is fine?” asked Mary still concerned.
“Indeed,” I replied smiling. “I think you will notice a change in her by this time tomorrow. Her fever will be gone. She will have much more of an appetite. And, she will have a lot more energy.”
“That’s wonderful!” Mary cried. “It will be so wonderful to have her back to her old self.” Joy welled up from both of them.
“I hope you are able to keep up with her,” I quipped still smiling. I rose to my feet and returned to where Simone floated. Looking at Marleah and Dulain, I asked for data. Their information indicated Simone was still doing well. All the parameters were as we expected.
Chapter 10
I began the scan. I found nothing amiss; all the cancer cells were gone and only healthy tissue existed. I saved the scan to the reserve crystal, the one Lucera had not been using. I also saved the initial scan to the same crystal. Then I asked Jacarr to copy both scans onto a chip drive. These and the two additional scans I would run later would be given to Simone.
We positioned Simon onto the chair. After removing the shelf, her body snuggled into the cushions. Gently, I pulled her back to wakefulness. She stirred, blinking her eyes.
“Simone,” I called her. “That’s it. Wake up.”
Her eyes tracked to my face as I stood by her side. “Hello,” she replied sleepily.
“Hello,” I returned. “How do you feel?”
“Hmm, a little sleepy and feverish,” she responded.
“That will probably continue into tomorrow,” I told her. “But by tomorrow evening you will start feeling pretty well.”
“So… you are finished?” she asked. “I’m cancer free!?”
“Yes and you are,” I
assured her.
“Oh thank you so much!” she cried taking my hand in hers. Tears streamed down her face as I gently pulled her to her feet. She stood, head down, before me for a few moments. When she brought her gaze back to my face, she asked, “Do you have any instructions for me to follow?”
I smiled as I said, “I do. I want you to return for another in-depth scan in five days.”
“And another four or five days before we get to Thendara Station,” she supplied.
“Exactly,” I responded.
“Any dietary restrictions?” she inquired.
“Try to eat a balance diet which includes lots of vegetables and fruit,” I advised.
“That’s all?” she questioned, surprised.
“That’s all,” I replied. “And this,” I added as I lifted the small box Jacarr had just given me. “In here is a chip-drive with your before and after in-depth scans,” I added opening the box. “As you can see, there is room for a second chip-drive. After your fourth scan, I will put it and the third one both onto the second chip-drive and add it to this box for you to take with you. That way your doctor will know what has happened and can continue your follow up care.” She reached out for the box, and then drew back.
“Do you want me to take it now?” she asked. “I mean, you want me to return two more times.”
“Yes,” I replied. “And yes I want you to return for the follow up scans.”
She took the box and held it with both hands. “Thank you,” she said softly. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Live well, Simone,” I told her. “Live well.”
