From the first moment
my wife discovered she had breast cancer, there was a deafening silence from
the men I know. Even ones whose wives, mothers or girlfriends had breast cancer
seemed to have received a gag order from some Central Cancer Command and did
little more than mumble about the experience. Not one to shut up for any known
reason, I started this blog…
One of my fondest
memories as a kid is watching the movie FANTASTIC VOYAGE. In it, a group of
scientists and their ultra-futuristic laser-packing “submarine” are reduced to
cell size and injected into the blood vessels of a world diplomat in order to
destroy a blood clot in his brain.
What would a FANTASTIC VOYAGE: Breast Cancer look like? I’m going to write a novel here, short chapter by short chapter and I’m going to include the latest research and I’m going to imagine the entire story here for your delectation. If you want to start at the beginning, look left. Scroll down to LABELS. The first one is “A Fantastic Cancer Voyage”. Click on it. Scroll to the bottom and you will find episode on. Let me know what you think after you’ve read the whole thing!
Chapter 2, ii
Doctor Reverend Isamar Noor, also known as The
Crackpot because of he actually had religious views regarding faith and
science, said, “It may surprise you Dr. Olubunmi that I’m here because I want
to be a part of your team.”
“All of the positions have been filled. Thank you for your
time,” she said automatically.
“You don’t know what position I’m applying for.”
“Court jester?” she asked. She instantly regretted the words.
She made her screen transparent and said, “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.
Please accept my apology.”
“Considering my usual stance on technology, Humanity, and
spirituality, I suppose I had that coming.” He made a face that could only be
described as “sour”.
“You’ve been known to negatively address certain
life-advancing technologies in the past.” She sniffed, “Though I suppose I
should also admit that you’re neither alone, nor do you represent the farthest
edges of the political spectrum I’ve had to deal with.”
“Others express some hesitation about using the pico
submarine technology to save the life of a world leader?”
Ohloo looked up at him, shutting down her virtual screen. “You
admit that Kim Lin Ghandi is a world leader?”
Isamar looked uncomfortable for a moment, then shrugged and
said, “I cannot deny that she leads the world, however absurd I find her
personal philosophy, she is a powerful and persuasive woman. India and China
would almost certainly have been at war by now if it hadn’t been for her
continual efforts to bring them to the table to talk and on occasion to
interpose herself between their nuclear arsenals.”
Ohloo studied the older man and said, “I don’t find your
personal philosophy absurd, Reverend Noor. I just find your methods of
presenting unpalatable.”
He nodded then bowed in prayer then said, “I am like you in
that way, Dr. Olubunmi.”
“Me? In what possible way are alike?”
He paused some time before he finally said, “While I don’t
think anyone, anywhere doubts your sincerity in desiring to save the life of
this influential woman, it’s been rumored that you’ve brought pressure to bear
on any number of people. I’ve even heard that once one of your supervisors –
Alex Benton, I believe was his name – tried to block you from using your
picosubmarine to perform a controversial procedure. When he refused to grant
permission, you turned around and left the hospital. I believe the story was
that you were still wearing your scrubs and a surgical mask.”
Ohloo opened her mouth to deny the accusation then closed
it. She glared at the Reverend Noor and finally said, “I was not wearing a
surgical mask when I walked out the door. That was hanging from a doorknob in
the lobby.” She studied the man again then asked, “You’re saying that despite
our unorthodox methods, we get results?” He inclined his head. She remained
silent, listening to the sleet trying to gouge the glass of her Mayo Clinic
office. “What position do you want?”
“Official clergy and observer.”
She pursed her lips again then said, “Done. Now get out of
here so I can get some work done. Our first team meeting will be tomorrow
morning, oh seven hundred. Be here and have an itinerary for the day finished
for my approval. Fifteen minute intervals will do. The surgery – from prep to
debriefing – should take forty-one hours.”
“Will I be linked in to the sub?”
Ohloo threw her arms in the air, “What’s so enticing about
laying on a table and watching an elaborate video game?”
Dr. Noor stared at her until she finally met his gaze. He
said in a low voice, “Because history is going to be altered dramatically.”
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