Lemuria, Burt Clinchandhill [adventure books to read .TXT] 📗

this monitor. Now, during your sleep the past few days, we saw a normal brain pattern most of the time. We even noticed some dreams from time to time. Unfortunately, we noticed abnormalities that caused epileptic seizures. Now, these happened when you were asleep, but you likely had one of those same seizures when you passed out during your presentation.”

Jennifer now sat up straight in the bed. “You mean I now have epilepsy?”

“Something like that,” the doctor responded. “Epilepsy is factually a collective term for a group of neurological disorders that we know very little about. However, in your case, we are sure it’s related to the naegleria.” He flipped on the switch to the lightbox next to the bed. “Early this morning, we did a brain CT scan. This is your brain. And here, you see these spots?” He pointed to the image. “That’s where the amoeba did its damage. Those are parts where your brain is missing small pieces of tissue.”

Jennifer shook her head. “But I feel fine.”

“We’ll do some more tests, but from what I see, you are fine for the moment and probably will be most of the time. The problem is that we monitored the seizures happening every four hours or so. But I’m afraid that will not be something you can count on like clockwork. The other problem is that we don’t know if your condition is stable. What I mean to say is that we don’t know if your condition is progressive.”

“You mean getting worse over time?” Sylvia asked.

“I’m afraid that’s exactly what I mean. What we do know for sure is those pieces of missing brain will not grow back by themselves. Unfortunately, the brain is not very good at repairing itself.”

“By themselves?” Jennifer remarked.

“Sharp, very sharp,” the doctor complimented. “This morning, we had a staff meeting where we talked about your case. Now, it’s not my field of expertise, but there is a highly experimental stem cell treatment that might be useful in your case. You know about stem cells?”

“A little,” Jennifer answered.

“That’s about what I know,” the doctor joked. “Stem cells are basically blank cells without a function that are present everywhere in our bodies. These blank cells can develop into blood, bones, all of the body’s organs and, potentially, brain. Theoretically, they can repair, replace, restore and regenerate cells and can be used to treat many medical conditions and diseases. But we’re still at the beginning of understanding how to manipulate these blank cells. A few years ago, researchers found a new type of quiescent stem cell.”

Jennifer frowned.

“Sorry, sleeping stem cell. They called it the ‘G2 quiescent stem cell.’ This stem cell has a much higher regenerative potential than any other sleeping stem cells previously identified. It took a while to find out how to activate the G2 cell, but researchers identified a gene known as Tribbles that could selectively regulate G2 quiescent stem cells. Long story short, there might be a possibility to inject modified stem cells directly into your brain and hope they will repair the damage caused by the naegleria.”

“And this will cure my daughter?” Sylvia asked.

The doctor turned to Sylvia. “Truth be told. For now, it’s just theory, and if we do this, you will be the first to undergo such treatment for this type of damage. We did, however, see some really hopeful results in patients with minor stroke damage.”

A tear rolled down Sylvia’s cheek.

“Mom, please,” Jennifer begged. “What are the risks of such treatment?” she asked the doctor.

“I really couldn’t say. We first need to perform a series of tests to see if you are indeed a viable candidate, and then the experts can probably tell you about the possible risks. For now, I only need to know if it’s something you would consider. If so, I will send the real experts by tomorrow who can talk you through all the specifics.”

“Are there any alternatives?” Jennifer asked.

“There are medicines that are known to give epileptic patients relief, but like I said, there are countless reasons for epileptic seizures, and everyone reacts differently to the medications at hand.”

“Does she need to decide now?” Sylvia asked.

“Only if it’s something you would consider. If this is a possible way to go, it’s time-sensitive to start the treatment as soon as possible.”

“Of course, I’ll consider it,” Jennifer replied, “if the alternative is having seizures for the rest of my life, every other moment. What do you think?”

Another tear rolled down Sylvia’s cheek.

“I’ll be fine, Mom.”

Chapter 8 – The 12 Races

Reserva Indígena Mashco-Piro, Peru, The Present

“Finally, the last one,” Lindsey said.

Bishop looked at the piece of paper, on which he had tried to draw the route they’d walked through the caves. The cave’s construction was simple. From the central room, where they had found Kajaq, Lucy and the baby, there were a total of six corridors with rooms left and right of it.

“Check,” Bishop said while—with their headlights—they carefully examined the room, left to right, top to bottom. “All are completely empty,” he added as he put the paper in his jacket pocket. All rooms, except the one with the table in it, had been empty. Bishop looked at his watch. “We should get back if we want some daylight to set up camp.”

“You lead the way.” Lindsey pointed into the corridor. “What do you think Kajaq is, or means?” she asked as they made their way back to the central room.

“That’s a good question. I know that in older, often lower languages, there are words that don’t have one specific meaning. I suspect it’s a bit like ‘yalla’ in Arabic. It can mean ‘come on’ but also ‘hurry,’ ‘follow,’ or even ‘all right.’ I suppose it’s the same with Kajaq. In any way, it always seems to have a positive or confirming meaning.”

They entered the central room again. “Did you have a friendly conversation?” Lindsey asked Ignatowski as they walked in.

Lucy, Kajaq and the baby sat in silence on pieces of fur in the corner of the