Somitra by Dan Luedke

Author:Dan Luedke
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Indigo River Publishing
Published: 2024-03-28T22:20:17+00:00

20

Dr. Marco Carmelo Califano, aka MC Squared, looked like a godfather in waiting. An athletic body was expanding to accommodate al dente pasta and Sangiovese. His hair was still abundant and remained jet black, with a nod of gray at the temples. Born on The Hill in St Louis, he took his Italian heritage with him to a California medical school and a New York residency in radiation oncology. Despite bicoastal cultural dilution, he still counted to three with his thumb being number one, and his expletives, both deleted and not, were dotted with language of his grandfather.

Professor Califano was appointed Associate Director of High Plains University Cancer Center and Chairman of the Division of Radiation Oncology. It was in the latter capacity he met with Kate Sorenson in consultation. Lars held her hand as Marco read her biopsy reports and reviewed her X-ray studies.

Marco looked up over his reading glasses and cleared his throat. “Kate, I’m honored that you’re seeking my opinion today.” He took off his glasses and closed her folder. He deliberately walked around the table and hugged her. “Mizzica, how I wish we were sharing a bottle of vino and not this terrible problem of yours.” He returned to his chair and shook his head as he reread the biopsy reports. “Three cancers, three different primary cancers, and all of them otherwise occurring exclusively in children. I’ve never heard of such a thing, much less seen it with my own eyes. What am I missing here?”

Kate replied, “I studied the biopsy myself and concur with Jasmine’s final diagnoses.”

“They should have occurred in children, but they didn’t—not this time. And why you, Kate?”

Lars had promised to button his lip but couldn’t resist. “A Texas mentor used to say, ‘When you hear hoofbeats in the tall grass, think horses are coming.’ But, Marco, sometimes those hoofbeats belong to zebras.”

Marco concurred. “I agree, Lars. They could be zebras, but they’re certainly not three unicorns.” He paused and looked Lars straight in the eye. “I love you both like family. No merda, my friend. What’s wrong with Kate that you’re hiding from me?” He read hesitancy as he scanned their faces and then pushed his case. “Look, Kate, radiation therapy causes tissue damage, hopefully more to the bad cells than the good ones, but damage nonetheless.” He shrugged. “Like I need to tell the pathologist about that. You’ve seen it countless times under the microscope. Preexisting abnormalities can weigh heavily on normal cells. Advantage goes to the cancer.”

He could see progress and paused before his final argument. “If you trust my medical judgment, please trust my motivations. I am here for you. Nothing you say leaves this room.” He smiled and patted his buttock. “Besides, the HIPPA police would have my culo if I blabbed.”

Kate looked at Lars, who squeezed her hand and whispered, “It’s your body and your decision.”

So began a three-way discussion of prions and aging, of Somitra and reverse aging, with amortality added to Marco’s lexicon. “Vera preoccupazione—such a burden we now share.

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