As stated on Wikipedia: Werner syndrome (WS), also known as "adult progeria",is a rare, autosomal recessive progeroid syndrome (PS), which is characterized by the appearance of premature aging.

Monica knew about progeria from her background in pediatrics, though she had never personally witnessed a case. Progeria was an extremely rare genetic disorder in which the symptoms of advanced aging manifested in children. Those afflicted lived only into their teens or early twenties.

Werner syndrome, the adult equivalent, was more common, yet still relatively rare, affecting less than one in one hundred thousand.

She read on:

Patients with Werner syndrome will display rapid premature aging beginning in young adulthood, usually in their early twenties. Diagnosis is based on six cardinal symptoms: premature graying of the hair or hair loss, presence of bilateral cataracts, atrophied or tight skin, soft tissue calcification, sharp facial features, and an abnormal, high-pitched voice. Werner syndrome patients are also generally short-statured due to absence of the adolescent growth spurt that usually occurs during puberty. Patients with Werner syndrome also display decreased fertility. The most common symptom of the six is premature graying and loss of hair.

She had to admit that the diagnosis didn’t entirely fit. She was thirty-nine and just now experiencing symptoms. She didn’t have any fertility issues. But she had many of the cardinal symptoms.

Even if she did have Werner syndrome, the prognosis wasn’t encouraging. There was no cure. Most of those afflicted died of an associated disease such as cancer or arteriosclerosis, and treatment focused on managing the impact of those diseases.

She ran her fingers through her hair. It was a reflex action, something she had done unconsciously for years, but that time, several brittle strands of gray hair fell away from her scalp and landed like dead leaves on the desk.

Tears brimmed in her eyes. She put her fist to her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself not to cry, but tears streamed down her cheeks.

God, please, what is happening to me?

There was a knock at the office door.

“My dear? May I come in?” It was Grace.

“Give me a minute.” Sniffling, Monica snatched a tissue from the box of Kleenex on the corner of her desk. She blotted her eyes. “Okay.”

“I brought you tea.” Grace entered holding a cup and saucer. She placed them on the desk. “Just what the doctor ordered, child.”

“Is it age reversal tea? If not, it isn’t going to help me.”

Folding her arms across her bosom, Grace leaned against the desk. Her gaze was sharp.

“Your medical research hasn’t brought you answers?” Grace asked.

Monica shook her head. “Nothing that will help. Nothing that will reverse the effects of what’s happening to me.”

“There must be an answer. Don’t give up. When there’s a will, there’s a way.”