My Medical Skills Give Me Experience Points Chapter 1426 - 568: The Importance of Befriending Leaders, Feeling the Weight on My Shoulders (Part 2)

"Oh, it's you!"

Zhang Qilian's wife was diligently watching by the bedside when she spotted Zhou Can entering. A warm smile instantly lit up her face, and she rose to her feet, showing him deference.

In a premium ward like this, nurses and caregivers are, in fact, on duty around the clock.

When a patient's condition is stable, their family members aren't strictly required to stay by their side continuously.

Naturally, the costs associated with these wards are significantly higher.

Patients admitted here can expect over 90% of their medical expenses to be reimbursed, making them less concerned about the price. Even a hospitalization costing a hundred thousand would only require them to pay a maximum of ten thousand out of pocket.

In some cases, the entire amount might be covered.

"Hello! I've just finished my rounds and came to check on your husband. Has he had the chance to urinate yet?"

With a single look, Zhou Can could tell that Zhang Qilian had indeed regained consciousness.

However, his complexion remained alarmingly poor.

It was quite ashen.

The lingering effects of a myocardial infarction are truly formidable. Even with the most attentive care, achieving a complete return to one's prior state is often impossible.

For instance, following intestinal surgery, a doctor would inquire if the patient had passed gas.

In simpler terms, whether they had farted.

This is because a patient farting after surgery generally signifies that their intestines are functioning normally and are unobstructed.

Patients undergoing intestinal surgery must fast beforehand, leaving their intestines in an empty state. Consequently, they cannot resume eating immediately after the procedure.

The entire process, from consuming food to the formation and expulsion of stool, takes at least ten hours, and often longer.

Some patients with a particularly strong "digestive capacity" experience bowel movements even sooner.

Conversely, the elderly, with their typically weaker digestive systems, require a more extended period between eating and defecation.

"He has urinated twice already. Both the nurse and the attending physician confirmed after checking that everything appears to be progressing quite well."

"Did any doctors conduct morning rounds?"

"Yes. Director Ling from the Cardiology department visited with his team earlier."

"Was his heart auscultated?"

"Indeed. Director Ling personally listened to his heart and advised that he remain hospitalized for another two days for observation. Judging by Director Ling's expression, my husband's condition might not be as ideal as we'd hoped."

Zhang Qilian's wife was evidently well-educated. Her responses to Zhou Can's inquiries were logical, concise, and to the point.

Throughout their conversation, her demeanor towards Zhou Can remained consistently friendly and respectful.

She did not dismiss him or look down on him simply because of his youth.

"There's no need for excessive worry. Let things unfold naturally. For the time being, his coronary vessels are open; however, a segment of his myocardium may have already undergone necrosis due to prolonged ischemia. It is crucial to remain vigilant about this. If the necrotic area is too extensive, surgical intervention might become necessary."

Zhou Can offered these pertinent suggestions, aiming to encourage the family to be more alert and closely monitor any changes in the patient's condition.

This vigilance is important because, even in a high-end ward, nurses cannot be present in the room twenty-four hours a day. Furthermore, the nursing staff works in shifts, and minor oversights during handover are not uncommon.

"Thank you for informing me of this. Director Ling conveyed much the same information. The doctors at Tuya Hospital are not only technically proficient but also demonstrate exceptional dedication to their patients. I am truly touched. If only we had transferred my husband here sooner..."

She reflected on how valuable time had been lost at the Third Hospital after her husband's sudden illness, leading to the current serious consequences. She was undoubtedly experiencing regret and self-reproach.

This truly is a case of reaping what one sows.

Zhang Qilian had previously spared no expense in bringing in a Japanese cardiac surgery expert, but due to that doctor's skills not meeting expectations, many lives were negatively impacted.

Now that he himself had fallen ill, it was only fitting that he endure some suffering.

Merely keeping him alive was already a stroke of good fortune.

"You shouldn't blame yourself too intensely. What has happened cannot be undone; focus on doing your best to address the situation. As long as we manage to save him, it is a blessing amidst misfortune."

Zhou Can offered words of comfort.

"I will visit again tomorrow. While you are on duty, should you observe any significant changes in his breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, or other vital signs, you must immediately press the call button to alert the medical staff. Based on my clinical experience, his most critical danger period is likely to fall between thirty-six and seventy-two hours post-operation."

Following a myocardial infarction, even after a blood vessel has been reopened, there remains a period known medically as the "malignant attack period."

This can also be referred to as the tissue necrosis phase.

It can manifest as early as twenty-four hours after surgery, but in the majority of cases, pronounced symptoms do not emerge until after the thirty-six-hour mark.

Yesterday when performing surgery on Zhang Qilian, Zhou Can did not possess a particularly strong sentiment.

This was because, at that specific time, the myocardial infarction had not occurred very long ago.

Furthermore, if the myocardium has only undergone transient ischemia for the most part, once the vessel is urgently reopened and blood flow restored, it has the potential to alleviate and recover.

"Okay, thank you!"

A family member expressed gratitude to Zhou Can once more.

"Goodbye!"

Zhou Can offered a wave and exited the ward.

Lying on the hospital bed, Zhang Qilian kept his eyelids shut.

Unless he was feigning sleep, he must have recognized Zhou Can's voice. It was just that he had recently schemed to drag Zhou Can into court, so he definitely possessed no face to meet him.

...

Towards the evening, as the workday concluded, Zhou Can received a telephone call from Director Tan of the Department of Internal Medicine.

Director Tan would normally call him quite infrequently.

"Xiao Zhou, will you be working overtime tonight?"

"Cardiothoracic Surgery requires my assistance for two operations."

The two individuals had consistently maintained a good personal connection, therefore their conversation was rather candid.

"Is your wife bringing you dinner today?"

"You are aware of that too!"

Zhou Can could not help but smile.

"Hehe, your displays of affection with your girlfriend have long been an open secret within our hospital. Numerous young people are drawing inspiration from you two. A man who desires to be dependable must not only strive diligently in his career but also ensure his family is well-cared for. Only when the small family unit is stable can one truly focus the mind on their career."

Director Tan surprisingly expressed approval of him and his girlfriend showcasing their affection.

A prosperous man truly requires a stable marital union.

Solely through this means can he project an image of stability and accountability to the public.

This also serves as a prerequisite for vying for numerous directorial positions.

"I am making a guess that you must have something to discuss with me. I shall come to find you after dinner, alright?"

Zhou Can understood Director Tan's intentions exceedingly well.

"Haha, certainly, certainly, I shall await you in my office. I was contemplating, had your wife not been bringing you dinner today, I would have taken you out to dine and discussed some matters incidentally."

Director Tan remarked with a jovial laugh.

"No issue, I shall arrive in approximately forty minutes. Dining does not consume more than a few minutes for me; it is the rounds in the ER that require a greater duration."

Zhou Can provided an explanation.

"As an internist, I am compelled to caution you: you must chew gradually and consume your food with care. Ingesting food too rapidly can inflict certain harm upon your constitution. Regardless of how occupied you may be, your well-being must take precedence."

This was a genuinely heartfelt expression of concern from Director Tan.

Countless individuals, owing to their demanding professional schedules, simply do not allocate sufficient time for meals. Occasionally, when overwhelmed with work, they are unable to manage even a single meal.

Engaging in such a practice proves exceedingly detrimental to the body.

Yet, regrettably, there is often no alternative course of action.

"Very well, I shall certainly bear your teachings in mind."

Zhou Can gave his assent.

"You cannot simply state that you remember without putting it into practice! I hold you in high esteem, young man. The greater an individual's capacity, the heavier the responsibilities they must bear. Do you comprehend? You no longer represent merely yourself; you embody the most potent hope for the younger generation at Tuya Hospital. Tuya Hospital is replete with talent, boasting rising stars across every specialty, yet you stand out as the most exceptional amongst them. Many of us seasoned comrades place profound expectations upon you. We ardently hope that, one day, you shall guide Tuya Hospital to even loftier heights."

These sincere pronouncements from Director Tan truly left Zhou Can feeling somewhat flattered and overwhelmed.

As far as he was concerned, his sole focus was on continuously enhancing his medical proficiency and effecting cures for as many patients as possible.

He had never envisioned that the weight upon his shoulders had already become so substantial.

It resembles many men in their thirties. During their twenties, they still perceived themselves as mere youths, their youthful spirits unextinguished. As long as one person is satiated, the entire household experiences no hunger. However, subsequent to marriage and the arrival of children, and upon abruptly finding themselves in their thirties, they come to the stark realization that all the accumulated burdens now rest squarely upon their shoulders.

With offspring below and elders above, there exists simply no possibility of living as unburdened as one did in their twenties anymore.