Case File 402: Lithic Glossia

Clinical

PATIENT INTAKE FORM Patient ID: 402 (Thorne, Elias) Age: 44 Chief Complaint: Persistent dysphagia; sensation of foreign bodies in the lower pharynx and upper thoracic cavity. Patient reports a "calcified weight" accompanying periods of acute remorse. Physical Findings: Palpable hardness in the suprasternal notch. Auscultation reveals crystalline rattling during deep inspiration. Patient is unable to vocalize certain consonants. Diagnosis: Lithic Glossia (Stage II). PROGRESS NOTE: SESSION 1 Date: October 12 Procedure: Guided endoscopic retrieval. Findings: A single, 4.2 carat raw emerald was located in the left bronchial tube. The stone exhibited high clarity and deep saturation. Patient Reaction: Upon extraction, patient experienced immediate respiratory relief. He began weeping, stating he finally "let go" of a decision made twenty years prior regarding a failed engagement. Market Value: $6,200 (Current spot price for rough emerald). Clinical Observation: Patient's voice has regained a slight resonance. Emotional volatility is high. PROGRESS NOTE: SESSION 4 Date: November 03 Procedure: Thoracic aspiration and surgical excision. Findings: Three (3) small rubies (total 1.8 carats) and one (1) clouded opal (0.5 carats) recovered from the pleural space. Patient Reaction: Patient was unresponsive during the procedure. Post-operative interview indicates a significant gap in memory. He can no longer recall the names of his siblings or the specific nature of the conflict that produced the rubies. Market Value: $2,100. Clinical Observation: Patient exhibits a flattened affect. He appears calmer, though less articulate. PROGRESS NOTE: SESSION 9 Date: December 15 Procedure: Total glossectomy and pulmonary clearance. Findings: A large, 12 carat sapphire was extracted from the larynx. The stone was jagged, causing significant scarring to the surrounding tissue. Patient Reaction: Patient is unable to speak. He communicates via written notes. When asked about his childhood, he wrote: "I do not remember why I was sad." Market Value: $18,000. Clinical Observation: Physical health is optimal. Lungs are clear. Patient presents as a hollow shell; personality traits previously noted (stubbornness, nostalgia, melancholy) have vanished entirely. DISCHARGE SUMMARY Patient 402 is cleared for release. All crystalline deposits have been removed. Total market value of extracted materials: $26,300. Total cost of clinical care: $28,000. Final Status: Patient is biologically healthy and psychologically vacant. He possesses no remaining regrets and, consequently, no remaining identity. He has been advised to seek vocational training in a field requiring minimal interpersonal memory.