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“There’s nothing I won’t do for him,” I blurt. “It’s why I’m going to bring him home tomorrow regardless of what the hospital doctors say. They won’t get answers. He’s suffering from PTSD. You need to have a long chat with him about why he remained in the jungle for so many years. Some motive resulted from his relationship with you both. He also didn’t cope after Inesa’s suicide. But the main reason was his love of helping people without benefiting himself.” I sip more wine. “He’s the kindest and most unselfish man I know. Despite whatever it is destroying him inside, being with Rose and me is the one thing saving him. I need him home with us. I’ll fight for him, do what’s right for him regardless of who I offend.”
Caroline smiles. “I’m so happy he found you, Eden.”
Christopher’s expression remains stoic. “Please allow me a little more time to talk to a colleague before you do. There might be one more thing I can do to help.”
39
SAMUEL
On Friday morning, Dr. Tolley enters Samuel’s private hospital room with a gentleman in a navy-striped suit and lemon-colored tie.
Samuel closes his eyes momentarily to prepare himself for the questions to follow. He’s done repeating his answers to every specialist who has walked through the door. Every physician thinks they have missed something—a clue or a misdiagnosis—so questions are endless until they find a lead to his illness.
There are more viruses than stars in the universe.
A small percent invades our body to cause illness. Considering scientists have only discovered around one percent of the viruses that exist, Samuel’s condition might be unknown and rare, considering the Amazon is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. He had ventured deep into the jungle, barely survived, and watched those around him perish, despite bats flying overhead at night, their droppings landing on their food and belongings. Good hygiene was compromised while they trekked and hid away from civilization. In a perfect condition, viruses are waiting to leap from wild animals to humans. The characteristic of the microbes is a mystery. Another specialist probing into his life to seek answers is futile. Samuel knows the origin of his illness may never be known. The least information given about his journey and why he was ‘lost’ will help protect his Ularan family.
“Good morning, Samuel.” Dr. Tolley comes to stand beside his bed. “We have received more blood results. While we have found nothing significant, your levels suggest there’s an infection and not bacterial related.” She lifts her chin toward her co-worker. “Professor Mundy is visiting from Sydney and has an interest in your case.”
Samuel glances at the professor. “My case isn’t that difficult. All fecal and blood results are absent occult blood and known micro-organisms including parasites.” He shrugs nonchalantly. “I have an undiscovered virus so the fact we know very little about it means treatment is trickier until my body works out a means to fight it.”
“This is true.” The professor sits beside Samuel’s bed and pushes his glasses up his nose to read Samuel’s notes. “Although your weight loss and digestion lead us to believe your body has been trying to fight the micro-organism for many months now, and unfortunately, you’re losing. Unless we intervene and try to identify and familiarize ourselves with its behavior, you might not produce the antibodies to win this battle. First, we need to commence nasogastric fluids and gain some weight, so your body has the energy to boost your immune system.”
“My knowledge of T-cell production is adequate, and I don’t need a lecture.” Samuel reaches for his glass of water, already tired of where the conversation is headed. “I merely need time and will not consent to gastric feeds when it will not help.”
“Dr. McMahon…” Dr. Tolley gently presses, “… your father has been in contact with the professor to help us find answers.”
Samuel crosses his arms defiantly. “I’ll tell you what I know. The deforestation of farms and the logging industry is affecting the biodiverse balance. Add climate change to the equation, and we’re playing with disaster.
“The rivers are being poisoned, the indigenous tribes are forced further into the jungle, and the safety and food sources are compromised by the greed of these industries. What’s the world doing about this? If it continues, the entire planet will suffer. Almost one-fifth of the Amazon has burned or been cleared for these purposes. Between fifteen and thirty years, if it continues and we reach twenty-five percent, then the effect could be irreversible. The reduction of the jungle along with climate change could lead to the jungle creating more carbon than it can absorb. Not enough rain will fall to sustain the jungle, and it could become a hothouse. Not a great outlook, Professor.”
The professor peers over the rim of his glasses. His gray hair grew in patches over his balding head. The lines around his eyes depicted years of experience. “Dr. McMahon, I understand you’re passionate about protecting the rainforest. This isn’t the reason I have been called in to view your case—”
“Mycasehas everything to do with what’s currently happening in the rainforest as we’re awfully close to anthropogenic change. The changing conditions are ideal for pathogens to pass from animal to human. Pathogens we have no prior knowledge of or how it will mutate.”
Professor Mundy stares at Samuel before lowering his gaze and reading more of his notes. “Is it my understanding you believe this happened to you? That you were in an environment where you contracted an animal virus because of ideal conditions similar to high humidity and the trudging through mud and flooded terrain for months? Perhaps a mysterious virus survived in a natural balance until you appeared and somehow ingested it, or do you believe it to be mosquito-borne? Or inhaled like fungus or mold?”
Samuel glances at Dr. Tolley. “I presumed whatever I have is not contagious, and I’m doing all I can for my body to eradicate it.”
Dr. Tolley places a hand on his shoulder. “Of course. I know of your love for your family, and you wouldn’t place any of them or your work colleagues in jeopardy.”
“Or my patients. I took my oath seriously. I keep thinking back to SARS and HIV and how we could have managed the disease better if we gained information prior to outbreaks.” He turns to the professor. “I’m more than happy for blood tests to continue so you can observe how the pathogen behaves, and I’m happy to try certain medications. Although only for one month. If there’s no notable change, then I’ll manage the symptoms myself.”
“I think it’s a reasonable agreement.” The professor stands. “Although, I highly recommend you cease work to take a month of leave, so you’re available for certain tests and getting adequate rest.”
“I’m not sure it’s possible so early in my training.” Samuel looks to Dr. Tolley for confirmation.
She shakes her head, and brown strands of hair move slightly across her forehead. “You need to focus on your health first, work second.”
“Do you live far from the hospital?” the professor asks with his eyes lowered to his note-taking.
“Not far at all.”
“And I understand you would like to be home with your family?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Family support is important. I recommend twice weekly tests, and hopefully, we can identify what’s making you sick.” He stands and straightens his lemon-colored tie.
