“Illusions and other cognitive episodes are normal,” Williams assured them. Across the table once again, facing Masten and Lagner. “Especially considering what his brain has been through. There’s obviously no standard for this scenario, but coma patients have similar outbursts, particularly following serious trauma.”
Masten and Lagner listened, saying nothing.
“The good news is that most other measures look very positive. Reiff’s mental and verbal processing, vocabulary, short-term memory, everything is pointing to a successful cognitive recovery. Which is huge. Even if he’s having something more serious, even hallucinations, we can deal with that. Over time.”
“How do we know?” asked Lagner.
“How do we know what?”
“How serious it is.”
The doctor pursed his lips. “It will take time to assess.”
“And the tissue damage?” Masten asked.
Williams leaned back in his leather chair with a squeak. “With no food in his body for five days now, his markers are way up, as expected. Production of human growth hormone has increased by nearly five hundred percent, and the process of autophagy has begun. Replacing old cells with new ones along with the accelerated production of stem cells. Which we will soon be able to cultivate and regrow, then begin stem-cell therapy on the damaged organs.”
“What about BDNF?”
“Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is also being produced in high amounts. Coupled with the HGH, the two should be stimulating new connections in the brain, which could help with these cognitive episodes over time.”
It was their secret weapon. Or rather Williams’s. Over the years, the medical industry had discovered amazing biological effects from the centuries-old practice known as fasting. Natural and highly rejuvenating processes triggered within the body that produced astonishing results. Especially when assisted by modern biochemical therapies. But in this case, with what had been done to Reiff, everything was an unknown, and that meant nothing was guaranteed to work. Yet Williams remained positive. John Reiff’s body was responding as normally as any of them could have hoped. Normally enough that the restorative effects from keeping him off food for an extended period should have similar healing effects.
“When do we begin stem-cell therapy?”
“The first cultures can be ready in ten days,” replied Williams. “Naturally, we’ll target the most critical areas first, one at a time.”
Robert Masten scratched at the table with a finger. “Let’s stay on track and decide when we think he’s ready for a full psych eval. Just keep steering away from the topics we discussed.”
Williams’s expression changed to a fixed stare. “About that…”
“What?”
“Tomorrow, we’re attempting to ambulate.”
“And?”
The doctor shrugged. “If we’re successful, it’s only a matter of time.”
Masten saw where he was going. “How long do you think it will take him to walk?”
“I have no idea. But at this rate, it’s possible he could be mobile within a few days.”
The director inhaled and looked to Lagner, who remained silent. “Take him anywhere he wants inside the building,” he replied. “Except Rachel’s lab. And don’t let him outside under any circumstances.”