Chapter 193: Hospital Hurdles and Heartfelt Advice

Modern women, with their higher education, broader horizons, and abilities, are on par with men. They are fully capable of earning a living.

This has greatly elevated both their social and family status, making them more independent.

They no longer have to remain subordinates to men like in the old days.

“That way of thinking isn’t good. Men should marry when they’re grown, and women should do the same. This is an age-old maxim passed down by our ancestors. Not all men are unreliable; most are responsible and good. When you meet the right one, don’t miss that chance. Find a man who loves you, start a family, and you’ll experience a happiness like no other.”

Dr. Jia, drawing from years of experience, advised her on how to live the right way.

He explained that only by marrying can a woman truly feel the protection and affection of a man, experience the joy of bearing children, and relish the warmth of a happy home.

After hearing Dr. Jia’s counsel, Qiu Hong turned to look at Zhou Can.

“Junior Brother Zhou, do you have a girlfriend?”

Her sudden question startled Zhou Can considerably.

“Yes, I do! But Senior Sister Qiu, you’re so outstanding and beautiful – I’m completely unworthy of you.”

Zhou Can was genuinely worried that this attractive senior might suddenly develop feelings for him.

“Hey, what are you thinking? Look at yourself – do I seem that frightening or desperate about marriage? I was merely asking if you treat your girlfriend well.” Her tone turned a bit chagrined upon hearing Zhou Can’s reply.

Realizing he had misunderstood, she hurriedly clarified.

“Oh, I see! I can’t say I treat my girlfriend exceptionally well; I’d just say things are okay.”

Zhou Can’s response was modest.

“Do you think your girlfriend feels happy being with you?” she inquired further.

“For that answer, you’d have to ask her directly. Judging by her reactions, she seems quite happy. She often comes to see me, brings me small gifts, and even joins me when I read. When we’re together, her smile lights up the room – I can truly feel her inner joy.”

After a moment’s thought, Zhou Can answered seriously.

“Senior Sister Qiu, are you suggesting that you have no fun female friends around you?”

“My social circle is pretty simple – just two women around my age. One of them has been divorced twice, and the other often complains about how, after getting married, her husband doesn’t help with chores, lacks ambition, and sometimes picks quarrels. There was even a time when she smashed her phone in anger. I’ve grown quite scared of both dating and marriage.”

No wonder she remains so beautiful, with a stable job, and still hasn’t found a partner at nearly thirty.

“Qiu Hong, from my experience, that friend who vents about her husband is only expressing the grievances she suffered in her marriage. Next time you chat with her, ask if she could really leave him – see what she says. After all, love and marriage aren’t as perfect or as miserable as our youth might imagine.”

Dr. Jia shook his head with a smile.

It was precisely because she absorbed so much negative information about love and marriage that she developed a fear of both.

“You do have a point. I’ll ask her sometime,”

Qiu Hong nodded thoughtfully.

Then she turned her gaze back to Zhou Can.

“Do you think being in love is a happy thing?”

“Of course it is! Being with the one you love brings sweetness, peace, and joy. Love is one of the most beautiful things in life – so be bold and embrace it!”

Zhou Can reassured his highly educated senior sister.

Their conversation was cut short as another patient arrived.

An elderly couple escorted a thin, middle-aged man inside.

The man staggered in, his eyes unfocused, his face and the area around his eyes flushed, and a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth.

Patients seeking Dr. Jia’s consultation mostly suffer from complex, puzzling conditions.

It’s rare to see an emergency case like this.

“Ugh!”

The middle-aged man immediately spat a burst of blood from his mouth.

The scene was truly frightening.

While Dr. Jia and Qiu Hong remained calm as usual in the face of all kinds of patients at the outpatient clinic, rookie Zhou Can couldn’t help but feel a bit terrified.

Coughing up blood strongly suggested an upper gastrointestinal bleed.

The man must have started bleeding even before he entered – explaining the streaks of blood around his mouth.

A strong odor of alcohol filled the air.

It seemed that his bleeding was triggered by heavy drinking.

Most likely, his stomach was bleeding.

Drinking on an empty stomach or consuming too much strong liquor can easily cause gastric bleeding.

Besides, alcohol damages the liver.

During metabolism, alcohol produces large amounts of reduced coenzyme I, which alters the redox state within liver cells, suppresses protein and glucose synthesis and gluconeogenesis, and even leads to triglyceride accumulation, increasing the risk of fatty liver.

In addition, the metabolism of alcohol creates a lot of acetaldehyde that binds with various proteins to form acetaldehyde-protein complexes, directly damaging liver cells and triggering immune reactions that further impair liver function and lead to fatty degeneration.

Drinking not only harms the liver but also damages the brain.

Those who drink themselves into oblivion frequently suffer various brain disorders.

“Dr. Jia, please, you must save my son! Today, as usual, he was drinking alone, and suddenly he started spitting blood. We have only this one child – you must find a way to help him.”

The elderly couple dote on their only son with all their hearts.

Although their son is at least in his late thirties, they still pamper him as if he were a two- or three-year-old child.

Spoiling a child is akin to harming him.

Their son had turned into a chronic drunkard, largely due to their overindulgence.

“Has he undergone any tests?”

Noticing the patient spitting blood, Dr. Jia didn’t take any chances.

He was mainly worried about potential complications.

“No, we hadn’t. Originally, we planned to register at the emergency department. We heard your reputation for excellent skills, so we bought an appointment slot from a ticket scalper, hoping your treatment would be more reliable.”

From the way the elderly couple dressed, it was clear they were city-dwellers.

They were willing to spend money to save their son.

They even went as far as buying a same-day appointment slot from a ticket scalper, just to ensure that a highly skilled doctor would treat their son.

Of course, it was also possible that the scalper was just trying to offload the slot.

“Oh dear, he’s already spitting blood! With his condition so severe, he urgently needs a doctor. Ordinary physicians may not suffice – you should see Dr. Jia from Gastrointestinal Surgery. He’s sure to save your son…”

The scalpers were skilled at reading the situation.

They were smooth talkers.

With a mix of bluffing and scare tactics, they flattered Dr. Jia as they fanned the hopes of the desperate parents, who ended up paying for the scalper’s appointment slot.

The ticket scalpers hoard the expert appointment slots, and sometimes the risk is that the slot may not sell, leaving them with a wasted asset.

A premium expert slot could be worth several hundred.

Thus, in the hospital’s outpatient lobby and main entrance, you’d always find scalpers roaming around looking for potential customers.

These people were very shrewd.

Knowing the hospital had been cracking down on scalpers, they would advertise services like “accommodation and meals provided” to attract patients at the hospital entrance. They had their own way of surviving.

In addition to discreetly bribing security guards and maintaining good relationships, they also provided temporary lodging, meals, and even rented cars for patient transfers.

It’s notoriously hard to snag an expert appointment at major hospitals.

Especially for patients coming from out of town – even waiting one extra day means higher costs and worsening conditions.

Resorting to buying a scalper’s slot became the only option.

Zhou Can had once seen a scalper sell an extra appointment slip signed by an expert. Patient relatives, using that slip, successfully secured an expert appointment for the day.

One had to admire these people’s resourcefulness.

It wasn’t out of the question that the experts themselves might be involved.

Dr. Jia briefly inquired about the patient’s condition before conducting a physical examination.

“His symptoms point to an upper gastrointestinal bleed. I’ll write five examination orders: complete blood count, stool test, liver function, coagulation tests, and a gastroscopy. You must get these done quickly – this condition cannot be delayed.”

The patient’s condition was serious enough that hospital admission and surgery were highly likely.

These routine tests were also a preparation for possible hospitalization.

The elderly couple then took their beloved son for the tests.

“This case isn’t hard to treat; the real challenge is getting him to quit drinking. Even if we treat him successfully this time, he’ll likely go back to drinking next time.”

“If anyone’s to blame, it’s his parents – spoiling him like that only harms him.”

Qiu Hong added.

“Exactly! Overindulging a child is just as bad as harming them. As parents, spoon-feeding everything ultimately hurts the child.”

Just as Dr. Jia’s fame drew more patients, another case arrived right after the bleeding patient had left. For Zhou Can, shadowing an expert for the first time revealed the hectic pace of a hospital practice.

Every patient came with a unique concern – some with complex conditions and some with clear diagnoses.

Dr. Jia treated every patient with utmost seriousness.

Working alongside him not only imparted invaluable practical knowledge and broadened one’s horizons but also instilled a deep sense of responsibility in patient care.

As noon approached, the bleeding patient returned after finishing his tests.

The results showed esophageal and gastric fundus varices with ruptured bleeding.

Dr. Jia examined the gastroscopy report and remarked,

“Oh my, your vessels have already ruptured! Fortunately, the tear isn’t too large. We can try a more conservative treatment: first, keep him nil by mouth; second, lower his portal pressure while providing adequate nutritional support to improve liver function; third, administer medications to boost coagulation, such as thrombin or vasopressin.”

Though his symptoms appeared severe, the tests revealed a less dire situation than expected.

“Doctor, we trust you. Please treat my son as soon as possible!” the patient’s father urged.

Dr. Jia, however, wore a troubled expression.

“His case absolutely requires inpatient treatment to be safe. Our beds are full here! His condition can’t wait – perhaps you could take the diagnosis to another hospital with more available beds?”

Ideally, this patient should have been seen by the Gastroenterology Department.

The Surgical Department’s beds were too scarce.

Many surgical patients were already waiting for a bed – and as a non-surgical case, it was difficult to secure one.

This is a common issue at renowned hospitals.

With beds in severe shortage, even minor ailments are often referred to other facilities.

“Dr. Jia, please, is there anything you can do? My son has been vomiting blood continuously. Taking him to another hospital means re-registering and waiting – we’re terrified something might happen!”

Desperation drove the mother to the point of nearly falling to her knees.

Quick on his feet, Zhou Can immediately supported her.

“I’ll ask around for you! If nothing else works, the Provincial People’s Hospital usually isn’t as tight on beds. Their skills are excellent – you might consider admitting him there.”

After speaking, Dr. Jia instructed Qiu Hong to call the Inpatient Unit.

Qiu Hong picked up the phone and said, “Hello, could you tell me if there’s a bed available in the Inpatient Unit? We have an urgent case of a patient vomiting blood.”

On the other end, the response was that no beds were available.

Qiu Hong pressed on, “Could you find a way? The patient’s condition is quite urgent.”

Soon, albeit disappointed, she concluded the call.

“The Inpatient Unit currently has no beds available. If it’s truly urgent, they suggest waiting to see if a bed opens up by tomorrow. They’ll call once one is ready.”

This is the most common procedure.

The Gastrointestinal Surgery beds were limited, filled with patients until someone was discharged.

Hospitals typically have patients leave their contact numbers and then queue for a bed.

Discharge procedures usually take place in the morning.

That’s why they suggested waiting until the next day.

“He’s been vomiting blood continuously. Waiting until tomorrow morning is too risky,” Dr. Jia admitted, looking conflicted.

Often, the greatest challenge for a doctor isn’t treating the disease, but the lack of beds.

“Dr. Jia, could we possibly treat him in the Emergency Department? Their observation area can accommodate him for a night,” Zhou Can suggested, drawing on his three-month rotation experience in the Emergency Department.

The patient, in all honesty, never should have needed a premium expert slot. His illness was ordinary – even an experienced doctor from either Gastroenterology or Surgery could handle it.

Moreover, in emergencies, taking the quick route through the Emergency Department is the fastest way to get treatment.

In the outpatient area, merely queuing for tests is a huge ordeal.

The speed with which his tests were completed suggested his parents might have cut in line.

After all, vomiting blood is a terrifying sight – a perfect excuse to jump the queue.

“Yes, yes – going through the emergency is a good idea.”

Dr. Jia, hearing Zhou Can’s suggestion, thought it was a fine idea.

“Zhou Can, you’re pretty familiar with the Emergency Department, right?”

Dr. Jia knew that Zhou Can was from the Emergency Department.

“I’ll take them over; I’m sure we can sort this out there!”

Zhou Can didn’t want to jinx it.

Having left the Emergency Department for over a year now, he rarely returned due to the frenetic pace.

Only during major festivals did he call or text Dr. Xu, Director Lou, Qiao Yu, and others to exchange greetings.

Director Lou, Deputy Director Han Changqing, Dr. Xu, and the others would definitely respond positively.

But ordinary doctors and nurses were a different story.

Having been away so long and unaware of his shining achievements during rotations in other departments, it was natural that his popularity had waned somewhat.

When the patient’s family heard that Zhou Can could secure a bed for their son, they were overjoyed – clinging to this lifeline, they showered him with endless thanks.

Led by Zhou Can, they set off toward the Emergency Department.

Upon reaching the waiting corridor outside the Emergency Department, Zhou Can felt a bittersweet nostalgia.

This place was once filled with all the familiar faces and stories of his past.

More than a year ago, he had embarked on his surgical rotation journey here alongside Director Lou, Deputy Director Han, Dr. Xu, and others, all full of hope.

Originally, he had planned to return to the Emergency Department after nearly three years of training to make his mark.

But now, having barely completed half of his rotation – not even finishing his surgical training – he really didn’t want to come back at this time.

Even if it was just for a short visit, he wished to avoid it.

Deep inside, Zhou Can was a man of strong pride.

He had promised Director Lou and Dr. Xu that he would return only after truly mastering his craft.

“Wow, Dr. Zhou – it’s really you! We haven’t seen you for over a year. You never drop by, do you?”

Ye Tingting seemed to be everywhere.

Her sharp eyes immediately spotted Zhou Can.

“Sister Ting, hello! I’ve been busy – even if I wanted to drop by I just couldn’t find the time. It’s been over a year, but you’re still as beautiful as ever, unchanged in the slightest.”

Zhou Can replied with a smile.

Back in the Emergency Department, Ye Tingting and he had always maintained a good rapport.

“Who are you with today?”

Ye Tingting glanced at the patient and his family behind Zhou Can.

“There wasn’t a bed in Gastrointestinal Surgery, so I brought them here to see if we could admit him in the observation area of the Emergency Department,” Zhou Can explained with a smile.

“Are they relatives or acquaintances?”

Ye Tingting guessed that only a relative or a close friend would warrant Zhou Can personally escort them.

“No, not at all – just an ordinary patient from Gastrointestinal Surgery. His condition, triggered by heavy drinking, led to esophageal and gastric fundus variceal rupture and bleeding. It was too urgent to wait, so I volunteered to bring him over.”

“Understood. Hand me the documents; I’ll notify Dr. Ai Li on duty.”

Ye Tingting, ever enthusiastic, offered to help.

Though she worked as a nurse in the observation area, she didn’t have the authority to decide on admissions – that was strictly up to the doctors.

At that moment, Dr. Lin from the Operating Room, having just returned from the cafeteria after lunch, spotted Zhou Can and hurried over to greet him.

“Zhou Can! Dr. Zhou! It’s been ages. How’s the rotation in other departments going? Everything smooth?” Dr. Lin asked warmly about Zhou Can’s recent progress.

“Thanks for asking. My rotation is going alright. And you? After over a year’s development, you must be doing great!”

Zhou Can recalled that when he left, the surgical department in the Emergency Department had just initiated competition mechanisms.

Talented Dr. Lin and the lackadaisical Dr. Lu both faced the risk of being phased out.

“Ah, don’t even mention it. You know my limitations – I haven’t slept before 1 a.m. for the past year, practicing the fundamentals of surgical techniques non-stop. For now, I’ve managed to hold on,” Dr. Lin vented bitterly.

“Heh, staying on gives you a chance. I believe you’ll continue to thrive,”

Zhou Can said, sincerely happy for him.

Although Dr. Lin had his shortcomings, no one was perfect – having worked together for so long, camaraderie naturally formed.

“Dr. Xu must be missing you. Whenever our surgeries falter or mistakes occur, he always praises how excellent you are. I should let him know it’s time for a meal break.”

Without waiting for Zhou Can’s agreement, Dr. Lin briskly headed toward the Operating Room.