Dr. Michael Grant sat at his desk and stared down at the pages of test results. He periodically made notes with his pen. Karen Mitchell sat across the desk and nervously twisted her wedding ring around her finger. She kept telling herself that she was making the right choice as she anxiously awaited the results. After about a minute or so, Dr. Grant looked up at the beautiful mother and said, "Mrs. Mitchell...I think Jacob would be an excellent candidate for the WICK-Tropin program." Karen smiled and replied, "You think so, Doctor?" Dr. Grant returned her smile and replied, "Yes, I do...I really do." Dr. Grant continued, "Your son appears to be quite healthy, and I see no reason why we should not proceed."
Karen was by choice, a stay-at-home mom, and nothing was more important to her than taking care of her family. In addition to running a hectic household, she also kept busy with PTA meetings and occasional volunteer work at their church. Karen was now forty-three years of age, but no one would know by looking at her. She stood 5' 8" and had long brown hair, hazel eyes, and a voluptuous figure of 38DD-26-40. She credited her youthful looks to a combination of good family genes and daily exercise.
She looked over at her son Jacob who sat in the chair to her right. She patted his arm and said, "See Honey...finally, some good news!" Jacob smiled and replied, "Yeah...finally!"
Jacob had just turned eighteen and was a junior in high school. He was born premature, and during his childhood, he battled severe health issues. Because of that, Jacob was absent from school quite a bit and was held back a year. He was in good health now, but the condition had stunted his growth substantially. By appearances, Jacob looked more like a twelve-year-old boy instead of a young adult.
Jacob had inherited his mom's brown hair and hazel eyes, and he was a handsome lad, but his slight build and stature greatly affected his self-confidence. The endocrinologist who treated Jacob had tried conventional growth hormones in the past, but they had little to no effect, and this left the Mitchells' very frustrated. Since then, they have been searching for alternatives.
Karen felt deeply for her son and desperately wanted to help him, and therefore she faithfully prayed for guidance. Several months went by until one day, she heard about Dr. Michael Grant. He worked previously with the CDC, located in Atlanta. His experimental research with glandular and hormonal abnormalities was well respected. However, he was considered sort of a maverick. He had a reputation for bending the rules and, at times, breaking them.
Karen was not discouraged by this in the least. She thought maybe someone who thought "outside the box" might have the answers for Jacob's condition. However, after the initial meeting with Dr. Grant, her husband, Robert, did not feel the same way. He was totally against the thought of anyone using their son as a guinea pig.
Karen loved Robert dearly, and being a conservative Christian, she felt her husband had the final say, but she decided to not give up without a fight. She did her best to "wear down" her husband, but no amount of pleading or arguing would change his mind.
They had tried all other options to help their son, and Karen was confident this was the answer to her prayers. She anguished, trying to decide between loyalty to her husband and her faith in God. Eventually, her faith won out, and she reluctantly decided to go against Robert's wishes.
Karen reached over and squeezed her son's hand and asked Dr. Grant, "So...what's the next step?"
Dr. Grant sat back in his large leather chair and removed his reading glasses, "Well...if you agree to the treatment, we can begin right away." "We will start with a series of WICK-Tropin injections twice a week for four weeks. This will help kick-start the effects. After that, we will change over to a pill version for the next three to six months."
Karen then asked, "And how safe is this...WICK-Tropin?"
Dr. Grant smiled at the concerned mother, "Well, Mrs. Mitchell. I fully understand your reservations. As anyone in my field can tell you, nothing is 100% guaranteed, and this is, after all, an experimental drug." Dr. Grant stood up and walked around to the front of his desk. "However, with that being the case, what I can guarantee is this, we will make it our top priority to do everything possible to help your son along with keeping him safe."
Karen quietly thought as she pondered the doctor's words. Jacob leaned over towards his mom and said, "Mom? What do you think?"
Karen looked back to Dr. Grant, "What will be our financial responsibilities?"
"Ah! The financial burden, you ask?" Dr. Grant turned back to his desk and picked up a small stack of papers then handed them to Karen, "Here is the agreement for your review."
Karen took the papers and began to read. Dr. Grant then spoke, "We have a group of private investors that are financing the experiment."
Karen looked up at Dr. Grant, "Private investors?"
"Yes...it is quite common for research of this type. With that being the case, your responsibility will be zero."
Karen biting her bottom lip continued to read. It all looked legit, but she still felt a little guilty going behind Robert's back. Jacob then said, "Please, Mom...I want to try this!"
Karen looked into her son's pleading eyes and asked, "Are you sure, Honey?" Jacob nodded, "Yes, ma'am, I'm sure."
Karen looked up at Dr. Grant and sighed, "Well, Doctor, where do we sign?"