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"What is happening to him?" Terry wiped her eyes. |
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"I'm not quite sure," said Mitch Tojian. "It appears to be an endocrine disorder." |
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"Meaning what?" Calvin asked. |
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He had canceled classes and came in with Terry before nine the next morning, right after Matty went to school. |
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The charts in Matty's folder were spread out on the doctor's desk. "Well, the abrupt percentile jump in his growth, his advanced musculature, the axillary hair, pubic hair, and the enlargement of his genitalsthey all point to a condition of precocious puberty called Cushing's Syndrome. His system is experiencing hormonal imbalance." |
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Terry struggled to control herself. "But what's causing it? Why's it happening?" |
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"Without blood tests I can't tell you exactly," he said. "But it's not an uncommon syndrome. I've treated several patients with the condition. We'll know in a few days, but something is triggering an excessive production of growth hormones." |
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"Such as what?" Calvin asked. He was sitting beside Terry. |
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"In most cases it's a problem with the adrenal glands. It could also be the pituitary gland. I specified a full hormonal screening." |
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"The pituitary gland?" Terry said. "You mean he could have a brain tumor?" |
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Terry put a hand to her mouth. "This isn't happening." |
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Calvin laid his hand on her arm. "But he can be treated," Calvin said. |
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