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The omentum is an apron of fatty tissue located around the abdomen
that creates blood production and blood vessels. The basic principal of the omentum
transposition surgery was to encourage blood flow to the brain. In theory, the plaques
associated with AD could restrict blood flow in some people, and without blood, the
brain would continue to decline. During the operation, one side of the omentum is
detached, and then elongated and woven up through
the body under the skin, before being placed through a cut on the
scalp directly on the area of the brain most affected by the Alzheimer's. Then the
omentum would produce blood and nutrients to the brain where blood flow was most
needed. It had been done before for stroke victims, but few had ever tried it on
AD patients. There was much speculation as to its effectiveness, and extensive research
still needed to be done.
Even so, Adam was interested. They set up an appointment to first see Charlie, and then another to examine Chuck a few days later. By the time Adam had hung up the receiver, he was entertaining hope that this might be at least some of the deliverance that he had been asking God for. Charlie was too cautious to get excited, so Adam contained his joy with comforting hugs and calm assurances that he wouldn't make any hasty decisions without first learning all they could about this experimental operation.
In the days leading up to her appointment with Dr. Melissa Barnes and Dr. Phillips, Charlie was so distracted that she was unable to concentrate on her lessons. Adam didn't push her to practice, and neither did Dave. During those few days, little else got done at Villa Rosa but praying and waiting.
Then it was time. Charlie went in to be examined, and a few days later, it was Chuck's turn.
The doctors concluded that Chuck was a good candidate for the operation, though since Charlie was participating in a clinical trial, she was currently ineligible. After her obligation to the clinical trial was over, she could follow Chuck. The doctors thought that, perhaps, this surgery might slow plaque buildup in Charlie's brain, and thus delay the onset of Alzheimer's; and once the terrible disease began to manifest itself, that it would progress slower than it otherwise would have. By how much, was anyone's guess. This was all highly speculative, and no doctor could give Adam and Charlie any guarantees. They could only point to the others who had already had the surgery and offer their educated opinions.
After talking it over with the family, everyone prayerfully concluded that this was something they needed to try. The operation was expensive, and health insurance would not cover the costs. But money would not be a problem for Chuck and his daughter. Adam was elated that he possessed something that might actually help his family. The money he could spare, Charlie and Chuck, he could not.
The only holdout in the family was Jerome. He was so skeptical, there was little reasoning with him. Thankfully, Adam was Chuck's legal guardian, and Jerome's consent was not necessary-- though Adam would have dearly loved to have it just the same. Chuck was Jerome's younger brother, and Adam was slow to go against the wishes of such a close family member. But Chuck's own mother and daughter argued so strongly for it, that Jerome finally threw up his hands in frustration and warned that the consequences would be on their heads if anything went wrong.
Once the decision was made to go ahead, it quickly set in motion a flurry of activity. Appointments had to be made for the proper medical facilities at the hospital in Germany where the surgery would take place, hotel accommodations, transportation once they arrived, and passports for all those who would be going.
Adam, Charlie, Vera, Chuck and Kevin, along with a second bodyguard, would all be flying to Germany so Chuck could have his operation. Mrs. Freemont and Dave would remain at Villa Rosa and keep things in order while they were gone. It was no small task to organize the trip, but early in June, Adam's private jet took off for its overseas destination.
The trip was long, but Charlie didn't notice its length. She was too busy trying to keep her father calm as his unfamiliar surroundings further agitated his condition. It was good that they hadn't attempted this on a commercial airliner, for Chuck became quite physical and required not only Adam, but Kevin to keep him restrained long enough to settle down. Chuck's doctor had prescribed a sedative, but it wasn't very strong and had little effect. It wasn't until Vera's calming voice was able to soothe her son, that Chuck usually fell asleep in his seat.
|
Even so, Adam was interested. They set up an appointment to first see Charlie, and then another to examine Chuck a few days later. By the time Adam had hung up the receiver, he was entertaining hope that this might be at least some of the deliverance that he had been asking God for. Charlie was too cautious to get excited, so Adam contained his joy with comforting hugs and calm assurances that he wouldn't make any hasty decisions without first learning all they could about this experimental operation.
In the days leading up to her appointment with Dr. Melissa Barnes and Dr. Phillips, Charlie was so distracted that she was unable to concentrate on her lessons. Adam didn't push her to practice, and neither did Dave. During those few days, little else got done at Villa Rosa but praying and waiting.
Then it was time. Charlie went in to be examined, and a few days later, it was Chuck's turn.
The doctors concluded that Chuck was a good candidate for the operation, though since Charlie was participating in a clinical trial, she was currently ineligible. After her obligation to the clinical trial was over, she could follow Chuck. The doctors thought that, perhaps, this surgery might slow plaque buildup in Charlie's brain, and thus delay the onset of Alzheimer's; and once the terrible disease began to manifest itself, that it would progress slower than it otherwise would have. By how much, was anyone's guess. This was all highly speculative, and no doctor could give Adam and Charlie any guarantees. They could only point to the others who had already had the surgery and offer their educated opinions.
After talking it over with the family, everyone prayerfully concluded that this was something they needed to try. The operation was expensive, and health insurance would not cover the costs. But money would not be a problem for Chuck and his daughter. Adam was elated that he possessed something that might actually help his family. The money he could spare, Charlie and Chuck, he could not.
The only holdout in the family was Jerome. He was so skeptical, there was little reasoning with him. Thankfully, Adam was Chuck's legal guardian, and Jerome's consent was not necessary-- though Adam would have dearly loved to have it just the same. Chuck was Jerome's younger brother, and Adam was slow to go against the wishes of such a close family member. But Chuck's own mother and daughter argued so strongly for it, that Jerome finally threw up his hands in frustration and warned that the consequences would be on their heads if anything went wrong.
Once the decision was made to go ahead, it quickly set in motion a flurry of activity. Appointments had to be made for the proper medical facilities at the hospital in Germany where the surgery would take place, hotel accommodations, transportation once they arrived, and passports for all those who would be going.
Adam, Charlie, Vera, Chuck and Kevin, along with a second bodyguard, would all be flying to Germany so Chuck could have his operation. Mrs. Freemont and Dave would remain at Villa Rosa and keep things in order while they were gone. It was no small task to organize the trip, but early in June, Adam's private jet took off for its overseas destination.
The trip was long, but Charlie didn't notice its length. She was too busy trying to keep her father calm as his unfamiliar surroundings further agitated his condition. It was good that they hadn't attempted this on a commercial airliner, for Chuck became quite physical and required not only Adam, but Kevin to keep him restrained long enough to settle down. Chuck's doctor had prescribed a sedative, but it wasn't very strong and had little effect. It wasn't until Vera's calming voice was able to soothe her son, that Chuck usually fell asleep in his seat.
continued on next page...
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One of my longtime readers, Myra Valcourt, has created a Facebook group just for you! "The Works of Judith Bronte" offers a forum to discuss the stories and characters, and a way to get to know other readers. I hope to see you there!
One of my longtime readers, Myra Valcourt, has created a Facebook group just for you! "The Works of Judith Bronte" offers a forum to discuss the stories and characters, and a way to get to know other readers. I hope to see you there!