The next day, around five in the afternoon, Zhou Can had just finished work and was practicing his basic knife skills in his apartment.
It was Li Lao who was calling.
Zhou Can felt a surge of excitement, it seemed likely that Director Yin's diagnosis was ready.
"Zhou Can, today I took my wife to see Director Yin for an examination. The cause of her illness has been identified."
"That's good news, isn't it? Why do you sound unhappy?"
It was not surprising to Zhou Can that the cause was identified.
Because he had already determined from the breakthrough point of poor upper limb blood flow through a series of diagnostics, that it was most likely an issue with the central nervous system.
Once the cause was identified, treatment targeted at the symptoms could be administered.
"After the examination, Director Yin concluded that my wife has a rare degenerative condition in the central nervous system due to a viral infection. Currently, he prescribed some medication, but he made it clear that there is no cure for her condition yet. The medication can only improve symptoms and it comes with some side effects."
No wonder Li Lao wasn't feeling cheerful.
The cause was clear, but it wasn't curable.
[You have successfully diagnosed a highly challenging case, rewarded with 100 Diagnostic Experience Points.]
Unexpectedly, the system was so generous, awarding him 100 experience points.
Qiu Jie's diagnosis was indeed difficult.
It can be considered a reward for him.
"Isn't there any other way?"
As a resident doctor with no high qualifications, he knew very little about the treatment of neurological disorders.
Based on his understanding, Qiu Jie must have suffered a lesion in the brainstem causing impairment of some functions, which reduced the motor nerve discharge signals rather than issues with spinal or peripheral nerves.
Neurological diseases are notoriously difficult to treat.
When the central nervous system malfunctions, the medical field is still immature in terms of treatments. Whether it's medication or surgery, the life-sustaining regions are considered off-limits, and hardly anyone dares to intervene.
Director Yin, in the realm of Neurology, is absolutely the top authority in the province.
Even he said there is nothing to be done, seeking other famous doctors would likely be in vain.
"Alas! There are other methods, but the current technology simply isn't sufficient."
Li Lao's voice was filled with helplessness.
"No matter what, I'm particularly grateful for you this time. Director Yin knew we are your friends, and not only did he provide special care in our treatment and facilitated everything for us, but he also went out of his way to explain extra details. He told us that diagnosing my wife's condition was largely your achievement. You determined the approximate location of the lesion, which allowed for the specific identification of the lesion site and the extent of deterioration."
Zhou Can was somewhat surprised.
He did not expect Director Yin to with the patient and her family.
"Aren't we friends? No need to be so formal."
Zhou Can is actually quite righteous.
He always helps his friends in trouble when he can.
However, he is very cautious about who he becomes friends with, never associating with those of questionable character. Those who are only friends for public relations or superficial contact, he avoids entirely.
If one passes his test and becomes his friend, then he is incredibly reliable and principled.
"You're right, we are friends. Thank you for treating my wife and me with sincerity from the moment we became friends, selflessly helping us. It's great to know you!"
Li Lao was genuinely moved.
Previously as the Vice President of Tianyu Interactive, when others helped him, it might have just been out of sycophancy.
Now, he's just a washed-up man, and many people avoid him.
What could Zhou Can possibly want from helping them?
This made their friendship even more valuable.
Li Lao is no rookie straight out of society.
Zhou Can, just a resident doctor, yet can maintain good relations with top experts like Director Yin, which shows he holds a significant status in the hospital.
Furthermore, many famous doctors had diagnosed Qiu Jie without identifying the specific cause. Zhou Can, a resident doctor, helped Director Yin to pinpoint the cause. This sufficiently proves Zhou Can's extraordinary talent in medicine, promising a brilliant future.
Such a gifted young doctor with a bright prospects, who interacts without pretense and treats them genuinely as friends.
Where else could one find such a good friend?
"Alright, let's not get sentimental! You haven't told me yet, what are the methods to cure my sister-in-law!"
Zhou Can is more interested in curing illnesses.
The last thing he's skilled at is exchanging pleasantries.
"Director Yin told us that a team abroad researching ALS medication, if supported with sufficient funding, might eventually develop a medication for treating these degenerative diseases of the central nervous system. The second option he mentioned was that surgery might also potentially cure my wife. However, currently, whether domestically or internationally, no surgeon dares to operate in the area of the brainstem."
Both treatment options seemed like distant clouds, unreachable.
No wonder Li Lao felt so heavy-hearted.
"Brother Lao, as long as there's hope, it's a good thing. The development of medication is uncertain; it could happen at any time. Additionally, although the surgery is very challenging, if we can find a surgeon willing to operate on the brainstem, there's a chance. Just make sure to keep massaging your sister-in-law's lower limb muscles daily to prevent severe atrophy."
Zhou Can wasn't just trying to comfort the couple.
It was actually a possibility.
When the medication will be developed is hard to say.