Chapter 0009: The Sickly Lamb Ultimately Finds Salvation
"I do not understand medicine, but why can you know just by X-ray scanning her thigh?" Kelly asked in confusion, and Susanna looked at Lu Fei with the same expression.
Luffy took the medical record and looked down, saying: "In our Huaxia, there is a saying, 'A ruler has its short, and an inch has its long.' Perhaps I will make a new discovery. Besides, Susanna is beautiful and has a pleasant way of speaking; it wouldn't hurt to give it a try."
Aunt Kelly, have you recovered from your cold? Is there anything I can assist you with
Luffy said: "Suzanna has cysticercosis. In simple terms, it is because she did not thoroughly kill the pork tapeworm in the pork while cooking and consuming it. The pork tapeworm entered Suzanna's intestines, and because the tapeworm is covered in hooks, it was able to attach itself to the intestinal wall and began to lay a large number of eggs. A pork tapeworm can produce 20,000 to 30,000 eggs in a day. Most of these extremely tiny eggs are expelled from the body, while a very small number are absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal wall. Through the blood flow, they enter the human brain and lie dormant, as the eggs are relatively clean and alive, initially not attacked by the immune system. Eventually, these eggs hatch and die in the brain, triggering a indiscriminate attack from the immune system."
I recall what you said; she has given up on treatment. My team was unable to identify the cause, and I feel very regretful
Everyone burst into laughter, and Lu Fei instructed Mandy to administer intravenous drips to Susanna, providing her with medical nutritional fluids. In the afternoon, she would be sent to Kelly's home for rest.
I am almost recovered, all thanks to you," Kelly said with a smile. However, her expression soon turned sorrowful as she continued, "I need you to provide some medical support. My cousin, Susanna, has fallen seriously ill. She was originally a teacher at an elementary school in Reno. Two months ago, she suddenly fainted while teaching the children and was rushed to a local hospital in Reno. Her condition has deteriorated rapidly, and the doctors have not been able to determine the cause of her illness. None of the treatments have been effective. She insists on no longer seeking treatment and wants to return to her hometown to wait for death.
Hello, Dr. Jack, is there something you need?
Sheriff Kelly came down, wearing a mask, and said to Lu Fei: "Hi, Dr. Jack, I have something to trouble you with"
Kelly laughed cheerfully and said, "That is very welcome"
Suzanna shook her head and said despondently, "I have had enough; I no longer wish to undergo treatment. It is too exhausting, and my insurance has expired. I cannot afford any more medical expenses. Thank you for your kindness; just let me leave in peace."
I have no particular preference; in fact, I would like to seek your assistance. Suzanna will require rehabilitation and nutritional therapy in the later stages. Would you be willing to accept her free of charge?
Luffy said with a smile: "No, this disease is not rare at all; it is just rare in the United States. I am of Chinese descent and have had the opportunity to see a large number of cases from China. In China, this disease is not even considered a rare disease."
Thank you, Jack, although I do not hold much hope. She has undergone countless tests and has been examined by several medical experts, yet the cause of her illness remains undetermined. However, it doesn't matter if you take a look; the situation won't get any worse anyway. Kelly turned and got into the police car, handing a very thick leather bag to Lu Fei
No problem, I will first check on Susanna's condition. I vaguely remember seeing her at your house a few years ago. Lu Fei said as he walked over, opened the car door, and got into the ambulance
Kelly watched the movie and, puzzled, asked: "What exactly is going on? Please tell us."
Most of the time, I cook for myself. I go to the supermarket to buy ingredients and prepare meals. I usually eat a lot of pork because it is relatively inexpensive. I am not very skilled at cooking, so I mostly just fry pork and broccoli together in a frying pan, Susanna replied with a puzzled expression
After sending the ambulance away, Kelly called Luffy aside to carefully inquire about how to proceed with the rest and recuperation, as well as the relevant documentation. Luffy suggested that Lilith take care of Susanna, ensuring that she takes her medication on time every day, and that her diet includes more high-protein foods. He also advised monitoring her stool for the presence of tapeworms and their eggs. During the day, if any issues arise, they should come directly to the clinic, and on rest days or in the evening, they can find him at his home.
Your experience has been decisive. Do you agree to let me publish a paper on this case, at least in the internal publications of the hospital system? It is necessary for us to share this disease and its treatment methods with the medical community. Of course, you will be credited as the first author.
Suzanna is around thirty years old, with black hair, a high nose bridge, blue eyes, and a very strong facial contour. She appears quite haggard
I believe you will be greatly surprised; I have identified the cause of the illness
The pork tapeworm prefers the thigh muscles; if a person is infected with the pork tapeworm, there will certainly be parasites in the thigh muscles
"Mandy, go to the pharmacy and buy a bottle of Albendazole." Lu Fei did not respond to Susanna, but handed Mandy 100 US dollars, and she hurried off. Lu Fei and Kelly helped Susanna onto the sickbed and provided her with oxygen again. After a while, Mandy returned with the medicine and handed it to Lu Fei. After receiving the bottle, Lu Fei took a medicine cup, poured out two pills, and handed them to Susanna.
Ate it
Billy asked in confusion: "Dr. Jack, you are exceptionally skilled; this case is so rare. How did you make your diagnosis?"
Today there are quite a few patients, and I am afraid I won't have time to go out for lunch. I will order Chinese takeout: Kung Pao chicken, sweet and sour ribs, and rice. Do you need an order as well
After hanging up the phone, Lu Fei said to Susanna with joy: "Beautiful lady, you heard that, right? Now you believe it, don't you?"
Kelly exclaimed in surprise, "Is that all it takes?"
"If it is a pork tapeworm, how is it treated? Will it be very expensive? Is it very painful?" Susanna asked
A glimmer of having narrowly escaped death shone in Susanna's eyes as she unhesitatingly swallowed the deworming medicine. Supporting herself against the edge of the bed, she sat up, leaned forward, and tightly embraced Lu Fei, crying out in excitement. Lu Fei patted Susanna's back and said, "It's all right; beautiful girls will always have their princes come to their rescue. As a prince, I just happen to be missing a horse and have exchanged my hair for black."
The two of them got into the ambulance. Lu Fei softly asked Susanna: "Susanna, where did you usually dine before you fell ill? What kind of meat did you eat? Where did you eat? If you cooked at home, how did you prepare it?"
Kelly embraced Lu Fei and exclaimed, "This is amazing, you are our angel"
Suzanna casually picked up the medicine cup, looking at Lu Fei in surprise. Lu Fei smiled and said, "This is just the most ordinary deworming medicine, take 2 pills daily for a month, and you'll be fine."
Although Suzanna was excited, her expression still showed some doubt; happiness had come too suddenly and felt too unreal. Seeing Suzanna's expression, Lu Fei smiled and said, "You don't believe it, do you? I'll find someone to confirm it for you." Lu Fei took the medical record, flipped through it, found the phone number of Dr. Billy, the attending physician at Reno Hospital, switched to speakerphone, and dialed.
Pork! That's right, pork! No wonder it feels familiar; I have encountered similar cases in the system's data and in past experiences. I recall that this illness is quite prevalent in the central and western regions of China, but such a severe case is extremely rare.
"Kelly, Kelly, come here quickly, I have thought of a possibility," Lu Fei excitedly called out to Sheriff Kelly
The ambulance is coming from Reno, and there is only one driver on board. By the time the ambulance arrives here, Suzanna's condition has already deteriorated. I need you to provide medical assistance
Before long, Lu Fei held up the X-ray film, pointed to a small spot on the femur, and said with a smile, "As I suspected, it really is this condition"
Dr. Jack, I have already administered the intravenous drip to Washington as per your instructions. The other patients are waiting for you
Oh, greet the patients for me, wait for a moment, those who are unwilling to wait can make another appointment at hetushu.com. Lu Fei said absentmindedly
Sure, I like to eat chicken and pork, " Lu Fei casually remarked
At that moment, a police car and an ambulance arrived and stopped in front of the clinic. Seeing the flashing lights of the police car and the ambulance, Lu Fei instructed Chris to lie down and hurriedly walked out.
Kelly excitedly hugged Luffy and said, "Although our family is all women, we cannot forget the kindness of saving our lives"
Lu Fei carefully reviewed the medical records. The records primarily describe: a 30-year-old female teacher who suddenly fainted during class, experienced an epileptic seizure, aphasia, and periodic intellectual regression. Tests ruled out the possibility of a brain tumor; after multiple examinations, various rare brain and neurological diseases were also excluded. During an MRI scan, she suddenly lost consciousness and experienced difficulty breathing, and only after a tracheotomy was her life saved. Subsequently, diagnostic treatment was initiated, treating the condition as cerebral vasculitis with steroid medication. After a brief improvement, the patient's condition suddenly deteriorated, leading to temporary blindness followed by restoration of vision, with damage to the brainstem. During the MRI scan, she again suddenly lost consciousness and experienced difficulty breathing, and only after a tracheotomy was her life saved. Following this, diagnostic treatment was continued, treating the condition as cerebral vasculitis with steroid medication. After a brief improvement, the patient's condition suddenly worsened again, leading to temporary blindness followed by restoration of vision, with damage to the brainstem. A comprehensive medical assessment indicated that one week later, she would experience confusion and difficulty breathing, leading to clinical death.
Aunt Kelly, where is Susanna's medical record? I would like to take a look. It is such a pity for Susanna, only thirty years old, she should not be waiting for the disease to take her like a lamb to the slaughter. I will see if I can help her.
Luffy smiled and said, "Both you and Susanna have watched me grow up, so stop being pretentious. At most, I will come over to your house for meals more often in the future"
Hi, Susanna, I am Sally's son, Jack, living next door to Kelly. Do you remember me
Hello, Jack, I remember you, young handsome man, you are becoming more and more stylish. Suzanna spoke with a slight breathlessness.
"Oh yeah, it's about eight or nine out of ten certain. I still need to conduct a test to confirm my hypothesis," Lu Fei said confidently
"No way! Can you tell me about it?" Billy's voice came with a hint of skepticism
Lu Fei stepped forward and used a stethoscope to listen to Susanna's heartbeat, then felt her forehead. He promptly put the oxygen mask from the car on her. "Susanna, you should rest for a while; I will go down and make some arrangements." Susanna weakly nodded. Lu Fei then jumped out of the car and walked over to Kelly.
Luffy excitedly said: "This is a disease that is extremely rare in the United States. You and I should chat with Susanna for a bit."
Of course, our team has not identified the cause of the illness, and we feel a sense of guilt; this is what we owe her
Lu Fei smiled and said, "Rest assured, there is no need for any invasive examinations, and if you are willing, I will cover all your treatment expenses." Susanna looked at Lu Fei in confusion, and Lu Fei said to Kelly, "Please help me move Susanna into the clinic; I need to perform a simple X-ray."
Kelly shook her head in pain, gazing at Luffy.
Hello, Dr. Billy, I am Dr. Jack from the Aoguli Town Clinic
That is great, thank you for your generosity. I will communicate with you again if there are any developments. Suzanna is currently recuperating in town. Thank you
Today I have brought the patient, Suzanna, who was sent from your location. Oguli Town is Suzanna's hometown
Lu Fei recounted the process of discovering the pork tapeworm, and Dr. Billy was taken aback, repeatedly inquiring about the details. In the end, he also leaned towards Lu Fei's judgment
This will do, Luffy said confidently
Lu Fei felt a heavy heart after reviewing the medical records. The hospital had done everything possible to conduct examinations and diagnoses, yet the cause of the illness remained undetermined. However, Lu Fei had a persistent feeling that this case was somehow familiar. Having lived two lives, especially with many years of study and clinical experience in his previous life, Lu Fei had accumulated a wealth of cases, with countless examples swirling in his mind. Where exactly was the problem? As he pondered deeply, Mandy approached.
Kelly walked over quickly, puzzled, and said: "Really, it has only been a few minutes, this is too incredible."
Two individuals moved the stretcher down and pushed it into the clinic. Lu Fei instructed Mandy to bring over the portable X-ray machine. Lu Fei operated the machine and scanned Suzanna's thigh.