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A story about Fred getting treated for his spinal injury.
Chapter 1:
Fred and his parents waited in the exam room at the State Children's Hospital, Fred sitting up on the table, and his parents pacing back and forth. There was a soft tapping on the door, and a very tall wolf wearing a white lab coat came in. “Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Canthus,” he said, and smiling, “and you must be Fred. I'm Dr. George.”
Fred's parents shook the wolf's paw, and he walked over and offered Fred a pawshake as well. “I guess I have some good news for you. I've reviewed Fred's records, and it appears that he is a good candidate for this study. Aside from from his paralysis, he's in good health, and he's intelligent and willing to follow instruction. We can't guarantee any results, but the theory is sound,” Dr. George continued, “Fred, we just might get you walking again.”
“Thank you, Dr. George,” Fred Sr. said, “after Fred got hurt, everyone—all of you doctors—said that there wasn't much hope.” Tears began to form in his eyes, “Just thank you.”
The wolf had seen this before, Fred and his family were the last on his list of patients that he had recruited. He genuinely hoped that this medical trial would work, not only because of the fame he'd receive within the medical community, but because this would relieve a whole lot of suffering. Dr. George smiled at the sight of Fred and his family hugging happily.
“I assume that Fred's primary doctor has informed you of the basis of this trial? We're going to be injecting a dilute amount of FOY water directly into Fred's spinal cord, at the site of his injury. The hope is that FOY's regressive properties will help rejuvenate the damaged nerves and repair the injury.”
Fred's mother nodded, “Yeah. We're about concerned about that Regressive Relapse Syndrome, though. It almost seems like that would be worse than Fred's current condition. I mean, he's dealt with this so well, he's active, too active, if you ask me. He's pretty much normal—turning into a baby at random seems so much worse.”
The wolf chuckled, “Of course there's always that risk. We still don't know exactly what FOY water is, or how it does its thing. But, RRS usually only happens with prolonged and repeated exposure to it, or exposure to high concentrations. We're using a very dilute form, so the risk is minimal.”
The wolf handed Fred's parents an information packet, then turned to Fred, “Do you have any questions for me, Fred?” he asked.
Fred nodded, “When can we do this?” he said fearlessly.
“In due time, my badger, in due time,” Dr. George smiled, then said to Fred's parents, “in the application, you did say he was a little bit gung ho. I guess you're right.” He smiled at Fred, then continued, “You'll have to come back here next Monday morning. After checking in, we'll get Fred his first injection, and you guys should be able to be home by that evening. Fred will have to come back once a week for another injection. We'll meet again in a month, and with Fred's primary doctor, we'll assess how much function Fred regains. If all goes well, we'll continue treatment.”
“And if it doesn't go well?” Fred's mom asked.
“Well, then no harm was done, so aside from time, Fred won't lose anything.”
As the wolf left the Canthuses in the exam room, they hugged again. “Mom,” Fred asked, “do you really think this will work? Will I walk again? Will I be able to play soccer?”
“I hope so,” she said, “but even if it doesn't work, you're just fine the way you are.” Fred's mom didn't want to get his hopes up. She knew that if this didn't work her son would be crushed. “You'll still have your friends, and you're awesome at basketball and tennis. We'll love you no matter what—we just want you to be happy.”
Fred and his parents arrived home, Fred's little brother, Carl, immediately crawled up into Fred's lap. “How'd it go?” he asked as Fred idly wheeled around the room, giving his brother a little ride.
“We're in,” Fred said softly, “with any luck, these rides I give you will be a thing of the past.”
Carl smiled, and hugged his brother. “Well, then you'll have to give me piggy-back rides.”
“Sure thing champ,” Fred giggled. Carl slid off Fred's lap and went into the kitchen for a snack, Fred wheeled into his room, and started his computer. He wanted to tell Brian the good news.
Chapter 2:
Fred and his parents arrived at the hospital Monday morning. They were escorted to the waiting room for the trail, there were a half dozen other families already there. Everyone looked nervous, a fox sat in his wheelchair, almost ready to cry.
Fred seemed to be the only one who was excited, even his parents had worried looks on their faces. One by one, families were called to the back. Each family was assigned to a private room, and as the Canthuses were led into their room, Fred was instructed to strip and don a gown, then wait.
“Should I step outside while you get ready, Fred,” his mom asked. Fred nodded in reply. As his mom left, Fred quickly changed into the provided gown, then crawled up on the table.
“Nervous, Buddy?” Fred Sr. asked, “It's OK if you are. This is a pretty big thing.”
“A bit,” Fred replied, “but I have to be strong for Mom. I can tell that she's about ready to crack. Don't tell anyone, but I'm scared shirtless.”
Fred Sr. just smiled, and rubbed his son's head. “OK. I won't tell anyone. And I especially won't tell Mom about your potty mouth.”
Fred's mom stuck her head in the door, “Fred's all dressed?” she asked, coming back in. While they all waited for the nurse to come, they tried to make light of the situation, Fred cracked a few jokes, but mostly they sat and flipped through the ancient magazines.
After what seemed like the whole day, but was in reality on about half an hour, the technician assigned to Fred tapped on the door, and was let in. He introduced himself and shook everyone's paw, then began to explain the procedure.
“Usually,” he said, “these trials have a double-blind study, and some patients get a placebo. However, with the FOY water it will be evident if a placebo is given. Fred will experience at least some regression once we administer the FOY water into his spine.”
“With that big needle on the counter,” Fred interrupted with a gulp.
The technician nodded, “Yeah, but it's just the syringe that's large. The needle itself is quite small,” he produced the needle, still in its protective cover, attached it to the syringe, and showed it to Fred.
“See, you'll barely even feel it,” he continued his explanation, “Once Fred is injected, he should regress in physical age. He'll still have all his memories and his cognitive abilities, although some who are exposed to FOY water tend to lose a bit of their emotional control—the things that make children upset, but don't bother adults and teenagers will once again upset them. The effects will probably last between a few hours and a full day. Even if Fred does revert before school tomorrow, he'll be tired, so you'll want to keep him home for the day anyway.”
The technician paused, “See, this isn't so bad, Fred. You'll get to miss two whole days of school.”
Fred frowned, “But I like school.”
“I bet. Well, you'll get to go back on Wednesday. Tell your friends about your extra weekend,” he began to draw an amount of FOY water into the syringe, “now if you could lay on your side, Fred, I'd like to give you your first injection.”
Fred laid down and waited. He really hated needles, but had gotten used to being jabbed by now. “Mr. Canthus, if you could pull up Fred's gown, and expose his back, please?” the technician asked.
He swabbed the injection site with alcohol. “This might pinch a bit,” he said as he plunged the needle through Fred's skin and into his spine. Fred winced a bit, then the technician began to push the plunger, and Fred let at a gasp of pain.
As the FOY water was forced into Fred's spine, he felt a soft tingling sensation all over his body, it was almost like licking a 9 volt battery, but different. The last drops were expelled from the syringe, and the technician stepped back. “He should start regressing now,” he explained to Fred's parents.
Fred began to get smaller, or, from his perspective, things were getting bigger. He started to panic, he didn't like this feeling. His mom, sensing his distress, came to his side, sitting on the exam table, and holding her shrinking son in her arms.
“Shh, Fred, honey, it's OK,” she cooed to Fred. Soon, the process slowed, and eventually stopped. Fred had the appearance of a mere two-year old. The hospital gown he had on fell off him, as it was now much too large. It took a few moments for Fred to gain control of himself.
“Is it over?” he asked.
The technician nodded, “Yeah, it's over. I'm going to have to ask you to do some things, OK Fred? I know this is stressful, but we need you to do this, OK.”
Fred agreed, “I think I'm OK now. It didn't hurt, except when you jabbed me with the needle, but it felt...funny. I'm better now. I still feel strange.”
Fred's mom gave him a hug, “You're such a brave boy. I'm proud of you. Do what you're told, and when we're done, we'll stop for icecream on the way home.”
Fred smiled with joy, “Icecream? Yay!” He waved his arms in the air a bit, then realized he wasn't really acting his age. To make up for it, he tried his best to be extra sober.
“Fred,” the technician asked, “I need you to wiggle your toes. That's all I need, just a little toe wiggle.” Try as he might, Fred couldn't get his toes to move—there was no improvement. The technician made a “hmmmm” sound, and grabbed what looked like a spiked wheel on a handle. “I'm going to run this up your leg. Close your eyes, and tell me if you feel anything.” Once again, Fred showed no improvement. He started to cry.
Fred's mom held her now little boy in her lap, rocking him. She was sobbing herself. “Don't worry,” the technician said, “even with no improvement today, we still have three more applications left. Rome wasn't built in a day.”
Fred's parents just nodded, his mom carrying him, and Fred Sr. pushing the empty wheelchair. As they left the hospital, they saw much happier families, who's children must have shown some sign of improvement. None of the patients were walking, but they all had the aura of hope around them. All Fred had was a dark rain cloud. “How about that icecream?” Fred Sr. asked. Fred managed a smile and nodded. “Can I get a chocolate shell cone?” he asked as his mom buckled him into the car seat.
Chapter 1:
Fred and his parents waited in the exam room at the State Children's Hospital, Fred sitting up on the table, and his parents pacing back and forth. There was a soft tapping on the door, and a very tall wolf wearing a white lab coat came in. “Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Canthus,” he said, and smiling, “and you must be Fred. I'm Dr. George.”
Fred's parents shook the wolf's paw, and he walked over and offered Fred a pawshake as well. “I guess I have some good news for you. I've reviewed Fred's records, and it appears that he is a good candidate for this study. Aside from from his paralysis, he's in good health, and he's intelligent and willing to follow instruction. We can't guarantee any results, but the theory is sound,” Dr. George continued, “Fred, we just might get you walking again.”
“Thank you, Dr. George,” Fred Sr. said, “after Fred got hurt, everyone—all of you doctors—said that there wasn't much hope.” Tears began to form in his eyes, “Just thank you.”
The wolf had seen this before, Fred and his family were the last on his list of patients that he had recruited. He genuinely hoped that this medical trial would work, not only because of the fame he'd receive within the medical community, but because this would relieve a whole lot of suffering. Dr. George smiled at the sight of Fred and his family hugging happily.
“I assume that Fred's primary doctor has informed you of the basis of this trial? We're going to be injecting a dilute amount of FOY water directly into Fred's spinal cord, at the site of his injury. The hope is that FOY's regressive properties will help rejuvenate the damaged nerves and repair the injury.”
Fred's mother nodded, “Yeah. We're about concerned about that Regressive Relapse Syndrome, though. It almost seems like that would be worse than Fred's current condition. I mean, he's dealt with this so well, he's active, too active, if you ask me. He's pretty much normal—turning into a baby at random seems so much worse.”
The wolf chuckled, “Of course there's always that risk. We still don't know exactly what FOY water is, or how it does its thing. But, RRS usually only happens with prolonged and repeated exposure to it, or exposure to high concentrations. We're using a very dilute form, so the risk is minimal.”
The wolf handed Fred's parents an information packet, then turned to Fred, “Do you have any questions for me, Fred?” he asked.
Fred nodded, “When can we do this?” he said fearlessly.
“In due time, my badger, in due time,” Dr. George smiled, then said to Fred's parents, “in the application, you did say he was a little bit gung ho. I guess you're right.” He smiled at Fred, then continued, “You'll have to come back here next Monday morning. After checking in, we'll get Fred his first injection, and you guys should be able to be home by that evening. Fred will have to come back once a week for another injection. We'll meet again in a month, and with Fred's primary doctor, we'll assess how much function Fred regains. If all goes well, we'll continue treatment.”
“And if it doesn't go well?” Fred's mom asked.
“Well, then no harm was done, so aside from time, Fred won't lose anything.”
As the wolf left the Canthuses in the exam room, they hugged again. “Mom,” Fred asked, “do you really think this will work? Will I walk again? Will I be able to play soccer?”
“I hope so,” she said, “but even if it doesn't work, you're just fine the way you are.” Fred's mom didn't want to get his hopes up. She knew that if this didn't work her son would be crushed. “You'll still have your friends, and you're awesome at basketball and tennis. We'll love you no matter what—we just want you to be happy.”
Fred and his parents arrived home, Fred's little brother, Carl, immediately crawled up into Fred's lap. “How'd it go?” he asked as Fred idly wheeled around the room, giving his brother a little ride.
“We're in,” Fred said softly, “with any luck, these rides I give you will be a thing of the past.”
Carl smiled, and hugged his brother. “Well, then you'll have to give me piggy-back rides.”
“Sure thing champ,” Fred giggled. Carl slid off Fred's lap and went into the kitchen for a snack, Fred wheeled into his room, and started his computer. He wanted to tell Brian the good news.
Chapter 2:
Fred and his parents arrived at the hospital Monday morning. They were escorted to the waiting room for the trail, there were a half dozen other families already there. Everyone looked nervous, a fox sat in his wheelchair, almost ready to cry.
Fred seemed to be the only one who was excited, even his parents had worried looks on their faces. One by one, families were called to the back. Each family was assigned to a private room, and as the Canthuses were led into their room, Fred was instructed to strip and don a gown, then wait.
“Should I step outside while you get ready, Fred,” his mom asked. Fred nodded in reply. As his mom left, Fred quickly changed into the provided gown, then crawled up on the table.
“Nervous, Buddy?” Fred Sr. asked, “It's OK if you are. This is a pretty big thing.”
“A bit,” Fred replied, “but I have to be strong for Mom. I can tell that she's about ready to crack. Don't tell anyone, but I'm scared shirtless.”
Fred Sr. just smiled, and rubbed his son's head. “OK. I won't tell anyone. And I especially won't tell Mom about your potty mouth.”
Fred's mom stuck her head in the door, “Fred's all dressed?” she asked, coming back in. While they all waited for the nurse to come, they tried to make light of the situation, Fred cracked a few jokes, but mostly they sat and flipped through the ancient magazines.
After what seemed like the whole day, but was in reality on about half an hour, the technician assigned to Fred tapped on the door, and was let in. He introduced himself and shook everyone's paw, then began to explain the procedure.
“Usually,” he said, “these trials have a double-blind study, and some patients get a placebo. However, with the FOY water it will be evident if a placebo is given. Fred will experience at least some regression once we administer the FOY water into his spine.”
“With that big needle on the counter,” Fred interrupted with a gulp.
The technician nodded, “Yeah, but it's just the syringe that's large. The needle itself is quite small,” he produced the needle, still in its protective cover, attached it to the syringe, and showed it to Fred.
“See, you'll barely even feel it,” he continued his explanation, “Once Fred is injected, he should regress in physical age. He'll still have all his memories and his cognitive abilities, although some who are exposed to FOY water tend to lose a bit of their emotional control—the things that make children upset, but don't bother adults and teenagers will once again upset them. The effects will probably last between a few hours and a full day. Even if Fred does revert before school tomorrow, he'll be tired, so you'll want to keep him home for the day anyway.”
The technician paused, “See, this isn't so bad, Fred. You'll get to miss two whole days of school.”
Fred frowned, “But I like school.”
“I bet. Well, you'll get to go back on Wednesday. Tell your friends about your extra weekend,” he began to draw an amount of FOY water into the syringe, “now if you could lay on your side, Fred, I'd like to give you your first injection.”
Fred laid down and waited. He really hated needles, but had gotten used to being jabbed by now. “Mr. Canthus, if you could pull up Fred's gown, and expose his back, please?” the technician asked.
He swabbed the injection site with alcohol. “This might pinch a bit,” he said as he plunged the needle through Fred's skin and into his spine. Fred winced a bit, then the technician began to push the plunger, and Fred let at a gasp of pain.
As the FOY water was forced into Fred's spine, he felt a soft tingling sensation all over his body, it was almost like licking a 9 volt battery, but different. The last drops were expelled from the syringe, and the technician stepped back. “He should start regressing now,” he explained to Fred's parents.
Fred began to get smaller, or, from his perspective, things were getting bigger. He started to panic, he didn't like this feeling. His mom, sensing his distress, came to his side, sitting on the exam table, and holding her shrinking son in her arms.
“Shh, Fred, honey, it's OK,” she cooed to Fred. Soon, the process slowed, and eventually stopped. Fred had the appearance of a mere two-year old. The hospital gown he had on fell off him, as it was now much too large. It took a few moments for Fred to gain control of himself.
“Is it over?” he asked.
The technician nodded, “Yeah, it's over. I'm going to have to ask you to do some things, OK Fred? I know this is stressful, but we need you to do this, OK.”
Fred agreed, “I think I'm OK now. It didn't hurt, except when you jabbed me with the needle, but it felt...funny. I'm better now. I still feel strange.”
Fred's mom gave him a hug, “You're such a brave boy. I'm proud of you. Do what you're told, and when we're done, we'll stop for icecream on the way home.”
Fred smiled with joy, “Icecream? Yay!” He waved his arms in the air a bit, then realized he wasn't really acting his age. To make up for it, he tried his best to be extra sober.
“Fred,” the technician asked, “I need you to wiggle your toes. That's all I need, just a little toe wiggle.” Try as he might, Fred couldn't get his toes to move—there was no improvement. The technician made a “hmmmm” sound, and grabbed what looked like a spiked wheel on a handle. “I'm going to run this up your leg. Close your eyes, and tell me if you feel anything.” Once again, Fred showed no improvement. He started to cry.
Fred's mom held her now little boy in her lap, rocking him. She was sobbing herself. “Don't worry,” the technician said, “even with no improvement today, we still have three more applications left. Rome wasn't built in a day.”
Fred's parents just nodded, his mom carrying him, and Fred Sr. pushing the empty wheelchair. As they left the hospital, they saw much happier families, who's children must have shown some sign of improvement. None of the patients were walking, but they all had the aura of hope around them. All Fred had was a dark rain cloud. “How about that icecream?” Fred Sr. asked. Fred managed a smile and nodded. “Can I get a chocolate shell cone?” he asked as his mom buckled him into the car seat.
Category Story / All
Species Badger
Size 98 x 120px
File Size 23.7 kB
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