Polydactyly_Moreno

POLYDACTYLY By: Mia Moreno

MONDAY MORNING- Jenna and Kathy are talking on the phone.

JENNA: Kathy, Kathy! Something really odd is going on with little Jimmy.

KATHY: What is it?!

JENNA: Well, last night I saw that he had a little finger growing on the side of his hand where his thumb is.

KATHY: Oh my!

JENNA: I know! I was a little frightened myself, but I quickly called the doctor. He told me to come in.

KATHY: Well what did he say?

JENNA: He said that I did the right thing to call, but that he probably only had polydactyly.

KATHY: Poly-what?

JENNA: Polydactyly

KATHY: What is that?

JENNA: It's when a person has more than five fingers or toes. But anyway, since I said he has it on the side where his thumb is, it's called radial... or thumb duplication. He said it was less common than ulnar, which is when it's on the small finger side. The least common kind is central, though. That's when they are in the middle of the hand.

KATHY: Wow... that's a lot of information to take in.

JENNA: Yeah I guess.

KATHY: Well are there any symptoms you took note of?

JENNA: No, because it can occur without symptoms of any kind... but he said some of them are unexpected bleeding, temperatures over 101 degrees, pain that isn't relieved by medication, dry cough, nausea or vomiting, and redness or swelling.

KATHY: Jenna, honey... you sound like a commercial.

JENNA: Sorry. I'm kind of on information overload with all this doctor talk. Maybe we'll just talk another time.

KATHY: Ok, talk to you soon.

JENNA: Bye.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON- Jenna and Kathy are talking on the phone.

JENNA: Hello?

KATHY: Hi Jenna. I was just calling to check on little Jimmy... How is he?

JENNA: Well, he probably will get it removed since it's large. If it was small he could just tie a string around it and it will come right off. His probably has bones or limbs in it. It's almost like a fully formed finger!

KATHY: Are they really that easily removed?

JENNA: Yes... if it is only made up of skin and soft tissue. It can also be made up of the same things plus a bone and no joint. But the kind little Jimmy has is not as easily removed as both of those.

KATHY: Oh.

JENNA: The doctor said it typically doesn't cause any difficulties in life. But there is no prevention.

KATHY: Well that's good... I mean the first part.

JENNA: Well anyways, it was nice talking to you... and thanks for checking up on little Jimmy.

KATHY: Anytime. Call if you need something.

JENNA: Ok. Bye.

KATHY: Bye.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON- Jenna and Kathy are talking at the gym.

JENNA: Oh, hi Kathy!

KATHY: Jenna! How has little Jimmy been?

JENNA: He's been fine.

KATHY: Has the doctor said anything new?

JENNA: Just basic things about what's happening to little Jimmy.

KATHY: Like what? I'll listen.

JENNA: Well he said that Greig Cephalo- something syndrome might be present with polydactyly. But I don't have anything to worry about that.

KATHY: Oh! You mean Greig Cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome?

JENNA: Uhhh, yeah. How did you know that?

KATHY: I did a report on it once in high school. It was a very, very long time ago, but I still remember a good amount about it.

JENNA: Well what is it?

KATHY: It affects the development of the limbs, head and face.

JENNA: Oh no.

KATHY: Yeah... well I’m gonna go get a towel. Do you want one?

JENNA: Sure. Thanks.

SUNDAY MORNING- A month later, Jenna and Kathy see each other at the grocery store.

JENNA: Hi Kathy. It's been a while since we talked.

KATHY: Yes it has! I have to ask, how is little Jimmy?

JENNA: He got his extra finger removed.

KATHY: Wow. That's good news!

JENNA: I know! He's doing just great!

KATHY: Well, listen. I gotta go. I'm in a hurry for an appointment, but I’ll talk to you later!

JENNA: Okay, bye!

KATHY: Bye!