Chapter 595: A Life Hangs in the Balance

“That little boy was diagnosed with a brain tumor and showed clear neurological symptoms, so how could this possibly be related to cardiovascular problems?” Director Qu’s wrinkled face was flushed with frustration.

Embarrassment, shame and resentment made it hard for her to keep her composure.

For veteran experts like her, reputation matters more than anything.

Lin Jinzhi listened quietly, not saying a word, but his expression made it clear he trusted Zhou Can even more.

“That brain tumor was a benign meningioma and not very large—it hadn’t really damaged the boy’s brain. Later, tests showed a congenital narrowing of the artery on the aorta that supplies blood to the head and neck. Because of this, the boy’s brain wasn’t getting enough blood. Especially when he turned his head, the narrowed artery would get compressed or stretched, making the blood supply even tighter—hence his frequent fainting spells. Dr. Zhou implanted a vascular stent to enlarge the narrowed section and that completely cured the boy, allowing him to be discharged.”

Dr. Zhuang had been curious about what caused the boy’s illness, too.

So he’d made a point of finding out.

He hadn’t expected to learn so much.

After hearing the detailed explanation, Director Qu fell silent, looking crestfallen.

“Alright, let’s get back to figuring out Ai Xi’s case. Dr. Zhou, can you tell us why you suspect malignant histiocytosis?”

Dr. Tang Fei noticed that Director Qu’s face had gone from red to pale and worried about her health.

To keep the department united, she quickly changed the subject.

If they kept talking about the boy’s meningioma, it would only embarrass Director Qu further.

Tang Fei was also puzzled. Most doctors here got along with Zhou Can, so why did some experts always seem to butt heads with him?

As people age, they often grow more eccentric.

And many veteran specialists are instinctively protective of their authority and achievements. When younger doctors start to surpass them in their own fields of expertise, it triggers a sense of crisis—and a twinge of jealousy.

That’s why some of them treat Zhou Can with open hostility.

It’s normal human nature, really.

As Zhou Can’s reputation grows, even the proudest will eventually have to bow their heads and acknowledge his excellence.

Honestly, at Zhou Can’s age, a lot of newly graduated medical PhDs can’t even stitch up a wound properly. They fumble with knots, take ages, and then get scolded by the senior doctors for cutting the suture wrong.

There are plenty of trainees and interns in clinical settings who can’t even manage to snip sutures.

No need to mention interns during rotations—their exposure to clinical work is just skimming the surface. Most of what they do is run errands or practice writing case reports; the technical content is close to zero.

As for getting into the operating room, even trainees have to rely on luck, let alone interns.

If you meet a good mentor, you might get to observe a surgery.

But for most trainees, you end up working without getting chances to really grow or learn any surgical skills. Departments aren’t stupid—they know you’ll rotate out in two or three months, so why waste resources training you when they should focus on their own staff?

This is why choosing the right base department for your training is so important.

For example, Zhou Can’s base department was the Emergency Department.

Normally, your home department will invest a lot in your training, offering all sorts of opportunities for growth.

Rotating elsewhere, though, is pretty much up to fate.

Geniuses like Zhou Can or exceptional talents like Du Leng get special treatment wherever they go. But for ordinary trainees, rotating especially into surgical departments often means you won’t even set foot in the OR.

They don’t even need you to hold hooks.

Seeing Director Qu finally quiet, Zhou Can dropped the matter.

Instead, he spoke up. “Symptoms of the intestinal type of malignant histiocytosis are extremely varied. I’ve seen cases in both Gastrointestinal Surgery and Gastroenterology—onset is sudden and the disease progresses fiercely. Patients often have prolonged high fevers, progressive wasting, jaundice and bleeding. To confirm if Lin Ai Xi has malignant histiocytosis, we could check if her liver, spleen or lymph nodes are enlarged.”

“Plus, her falling blood counts match this disease. From everything we’ve seen, many symptoms point straight to it. The Provincial Children’s Hospital tried antibiotics and glucocorticoids but those didn’t help, which also suggests this is the likely diagnosis.”

Zhou Can listed several compelling reasons for suspecting this disease.

All of them were based on rich clinical experience, deep medical knowledge and the kind of flexible thinking only years of practice can bring.

“I’ve already examined Ai Xi. Her liver area is definitely enlarged—you can even see the right upper abdomen is visibly asymmetrical. Her lymph nodes are swollen, especially under her armpits—it’s very obvious.”

Dr. Tang Fei explained.

With those words, the child’s cause of illness was nearly nailed down as malignant histiocytosis.

“I’ve seen two cases of malignant histiocytosis—it’s rare. But neither patient had a palpable abdominal mass. One thing about these histiocyte cells: they’re usually scattered, not clustered.”

An older specialist objected.

“The symptoms can vary, so I don’t think scattered distribution should be treated as the absolute gold standard.”

Zhou Can rebutted.

“Okay, but the Provincial Children’s Hospital already did a bone marrow biopsy and the result was negative. No abnormal cells found. Isn’t this enough to rule out malignant histiocytosis?”

This older specialist was clearly quite capable.

By zeroing in on some key doubts, he tried to overturn Zhou Can’s diagnostic conclusion.

This is where Zhou Can and the elder experts differ most in their approach.

Zhou Can is bold, meticulous, and open-minded—he dares to try where others hesitate. Many tough diseases are so complicated that all the test results seem muddled. Going by the book makes it nearly impossible to reach a real answer.

Veteran doctors tend to be conservative and cautious—the odds of mistakes are lower.

But that also makes it hard to pinpoint the true cause.

“I disagree that one negative bone marrow result is enough to rule out malignant histiocytosis. In the intestinal type, bone marrow involvement is actually rare, so a negative result is common. If you really want to figure it out, I recommend exploratory laparotomy or abdominal puncture. But abdominal puncture is tough, and a laparoscopic examination would be the most patient-friendly way to really find the cause.”

Zhou Can knew all too well—the little girl was only five, gravely ill and in a very dangerous condition.

Right now, a full-on exploratory surgery would be hard for any family to accept.

And it would also be extremely traumatic for the child.

“Thank you to all the experts, Dr. Tang and Dr. Zhou for thoroughly discussing my daughter’s illness. But with her current condition, would she even survive a laparoscopy? Is it safe?”

Lin Jinzhi raised his concerns.

Doctors can only propose treatment plans—the family has the final say.

No matter how good the doctor’s plan is, if the family refuses, it’s all for nothing.

“Every surgery carries risk. Laparoscopy is less risky than open surgery, but still fairly dangerous. An abdominal puncture is less risky, though technically very difficult and not always accurate. In reality, most cases of malignant histiocytosis are diagnosed by autopsy. If you’re worried, given your daughter’s abdominal mass location, I suggest a fiberoptic colonoscopy with a biopsy—it should also help us pinpoint the cause.”

Zhou Can proposed a new exam.

Typically, malignant histiocytosis affects the colon, making it easy to spot with colonoscopy and biopsy.

But this girl’s mass is at the ileocecal region, so the result isn’t certain.

Considering the family’s concerns, Zhou Can offered this as a compromise.

“Colonoscopy really is the best choice for Ai Xi right now.”

Dr. Tang Fei spoke up in support.

“I’ll listen to the experts. If you say a colonoscopy is necessary, let’s do it.”

Lin Jinzhi made up his mind.

Especially after hearing Zhou Can say most diagnoses of malignant histiocytosis come post-mortem.

That terrified him.

“Alright, now that Mr. Lin agrees, I’ll arrange it immediately. Malignant histiocytosis is extremely dangerous and the delay has already worsened things. I’ll check on Ai Xi, and if she’s suitable, we’ll do the exam tonight.”

With those words, Dr. Tang Fei was clearly giving Mr. Lin’s daughter priority treatment.

There are many ways to show goodwill.

This approach is much smarter than Director Qu’s more self-serving style.

“Dr. Tang, Mr. Lin, even though colonoscopy is a good plan, considering Ai Xi currently has bloody stools, it might not work. If not, I still recommend a laparoscopic exam.”

Zhou Can said this sincerely to both of them.

“Thank you, Dr. Zhou. I’ll consider it very carefully.”

Mr. Lin was still very worried about the risks.

Life isn’t a game.

He couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to his daughter.

…

After the consultation, Zhou Can went home.

He was completely worn out from a long day, and with so much else happening, he didn’t check in about Mr. Lin’s daughter again.

About six days passed, and by schedule, he was due for his next shift in Pediatrics the following morning.

But on the sixth night, a call from an unfamiliar number came in.

At that moment, Zhou Can was lying in bed with Su Qianqian. When he saw the unfamiliar caller, he almost didn’t answer.

But a doctor’s sense of responsibility got the better of him, so he picked up.

As soon as the call connected, he heard a middle-aged man’s trembling, tearful voice.

“Dr. Zhou, please save us…”

“Who is this?”

Zhou Can tensed up, wondering if this was someone with a sudden heart attack or some other emergency. Calling a doctor like him really was a smart move.

“It’s Lin Jinzhi from the Health Bureau! My daughter’s getting even worse—she’s barely holding on. I regret not listening to your advice and doing the laparoscopy. Please, I’m begging you, come save my daughter! I don’t know what else to do…”

If someone like the boss of the Health Bureau was crying like this, his daughter’s situation had to be critical.

At that consultation, Zhou Can had urged Mr. Lin several times to do a laparoscopic exam.

Every surgeon weighs the risks and benefits before any operation.

Though laparoscopy can be rough, compared to saving a life, that risk is nothing.

It’s thanks to modern medicine and the hospital’s surgical expertise that they could even consider laparoscopy. In the past, open surgery was the only option.

“Alright, I’ll be at the hospital right away!”

Given Mr. Lin’s position, Zhou Can really couldn’t refuse.

Deep down, he knew even if he rushed over, he might not be able to save her.

There were plenty of experts in Pediatrics and none of them were slouches.

Anything he could come up with, they would have already tried.

When Zhou Can arrived, Dr. Tang Fei was already there.

For her to come in during the middle of the night meant only someone of Mr. Lin’s rank could make that happen.

Department heads are usually incredibly busy, and messing with their schedules is rough on their health and work.

“Dr. Zhou, I’m begging you, please save my daughter! I regret not taking your advice. My hesitation has led us to this point…”

Spotting Zhou Can, Lin Jinzhi grabbed his hand and pleaded with tears in his eyes.

When a life’s at stake, status, reputation, power, dignity… all of it means nothing.

Right now Lin Jinzhi was just another desperate father, terrified his daughter would die—doing everything he could to beg the doctor for help.

“Mr. Lin, please calm down. Let me see how she’s doing.”

After speaking, Zhou Can turned to Dr. Tang Fei.

“Dr. Tang, where is the child now?”

“ICU. Her condition is dire… Why don’t you go take a look first?”

Dr. Tang had wanted to add that she might not make it through the night.

But in the end, she swallowed those words.

She still had to consider the family’s feelings.

Zhou Can actually hated going into the ICU—all the strict sterilization procedures made it such a hassle.

Even washing hands took ages.

He still had to change into full protective gear, shoes included.

And the atmosphere inside was always heavy, that constant struggle with death weighing on everyone.

Once inside, he saw the little girl was emaciated, her upper abdomen badly distended, breathing rapid, her face drained of color and almost corpse-like.

“Sigh…”

He let out a long, heavy sigh.

After examining her, Zhou Can joined Dr. Tang and Lin Jinzhi in the lounge.

“It’s really bad, and malignant histiocytosis is a truly terrifying disease. Every hour we wait, the situation worsens. My skills are just too limited—there’s nothing more I can do.”

Zhou Can wasn’t a miracle worker. His clinical skill was already top-notch, but everyone has their limits.

If he’d mastered several advanced surgical techniques, maybe he could try to save her. Right now, he couldn’t even consider it.

Sometimes, there really is nothing more you can do.

“Dr. Zhou, I’ve heard so many amazing things about you from other doctors and parents in Pediatrics over the past few days. I know you can do incredible things—please, save my daughter. Don’t worry about any risks, I’ll take full responsibility for anything that happens.”

Once again, Lin Jinzhi begged desperately.