"Has Bei's condition worsened?"

Liu Yiqing hasn't brought back the results yet, and Bao Chunlai walked in.

"Yes, but we still need further tests to determine what's going on. We're waiting for the results now," Liu Banxia said.

"By the way, Chairman Bao, this is Dr. Xu Hui from our internal medicine department. Bei's condition is somewhat complicated, so I invited Doctor Xu over for a consultation. Doctor Xu is currently also in charge of our emergency center's fecal transplant project."

"Hello, Doctor Xu, I'll leave Bei in your and Banxia's hands. Bei has always been full of energy and loves sports," Bao Chunlai said.

Xu Hui nodded, "Now we just have to wait for the results of the new tests conducted by Dr. Liu. It will point us in two possible directions."

He could only speak vaguely, after all, he had just arrived.

"You two don't need to worry; I have asked everyone else to wait for the results outside before we notify them," Bao Chunlai looked at the patient's parents again.

Both nodded, though the worry on their faces did not diminish in the slightest.

"In fact, our current judgment, along with Doctor Xu, boils down to two possible causes: one is the effect of drug overdose. The other could be due to intrinsic diseases, namely the thymoma we just discussed." Liu Banxia said.

"Dr. Liu, didn't you just say that nothing showed up on the CT scan?" the patient's mother asked.

"That's why we can't define it yet, so we performed a bone marrow biopsy," Liu Banxia said.

"CT scans have their limits. When tumors are very small, they can't be detected. So for now, this is just our guess. We still need to wait for the bone marrow biopsy results."

"If the anemia is caused by medication, there isn't much we can do. It would mainly involve adjusting his symptoms of muscle weakness, improving his physical condition, enhancing metabolism, and protecting the liver and kidneys."

"But even this could be good news, likely a side effect after reaching certain levels of medication. With careful adjustment, he could recover."

"We are currently in the process of exploring the cause; some symptoms are progressive and will peak before gradually retreating and recovering."

"The neostigmine test we are conducting can also be considered a treatment process. We are recording data, and from the current three sets of data, there is a little improvement, which proves that it is effective."

"Chairman Bao is here to prevent you from worrying too much, so I have shared my thoughts with you. Our goal is the same, we all want the child to get better quickly."

"Dr. Liu, what if there really is a small tumor? Can it be operated on?" the patient's father asked.

"It can be operated on, but determining its location will require some effort," Liu Banxia said.

"The thymus is distributed on both sides below the thyroid. If it really is a thymoma, our only option is intraoperative ultrasound detection."

"But that would be good news in a way because such a small thymoma is usually benign. Perhaps it was only stimulated to a certain extent by his medication, leading to the current result."

"I didn't dare to say it earlier because people get scared when they hear about tumors. In fact, many benign tumors have very good prognoses after surgery, so don't be too frightened by the mention of a tumor."

"And right now, it's impossible to determine the exact cause. If Chairman Bao hadn't been here, I wouldn't have said these things. I worry that instead of reassuring you, it would make you more anxious."

The couple both nodded, and the expression on their faces relaxed a little.

Liu Banxia explained it thoroughly, it's either a tumor or due to drug influence.

If it's a tumor, it can be removed surgically; if it's drug influence, it can be treated. At least their child doesn't seem to be in any immediate life-threatening situation, which is the best news for them.

After waiting a while longer, Liu Banxia's phone rang.

"Are the results out?" Liu Banxia asked upon answering.

The patient's parents couldn't help but tense up.

"Teacher Liu, congenital pure red cell aplasia," Liu Yiqing quickly said.

"OK, then please go to the Cardiac Center and ask Director Chen to come over," Liu Banxia said. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Alright."

Liu Yiqing agreed and hung up the phone.

"We can already confirm it; it's congenital pure red cell aplasia. However, based on his current symptoms, it's not very severe, so we'll postpone addressing this later," Liu Banxia said.

"Dr. Liu, is this a hereditary disease?" the patient's father asked.

Liu Banxia nodded, "It is often dominantly inherited, and it usually manifests prominently during the neonatal stage. Also, there is the possibility of deformation as an effect."

"Oh dear, doesn't Bei's second uncle have six fingers? Could this be the reason? Dr. Liu, can it be treated?" asked the patient's mother nervously.

"His symptoms have only appeared recently, so treatment isn't a problem right now. However, our primary concern should be the cause of his myasthenia gravis; I personally lean towards thymoma," Liu Banxia said.

"Statistical data shows that patients with this condition have a higher likelihood of developing tumors compared to the general population, about 4% higher."

"Based on this judgment, I am more inclined towards the possibility of a thymoma, as all indications are clear and corroborated."

"Therefore, what we need to do next is exploratory surgery. If a thymoma is discovered during the operation, we'll remove it directly to prevent complications."

"Alright, Dr. Liu, we'll follow your plan," the patient's father promptly responded.

"Banxia, does this count as a confirmed diagnosis?" Bao Chunlai asked.

Liu Banxia shook his head, "We can't be entirely certain yet; the indications are clear. It could also be anemia and medication overuse causing the current situation, but we can't be at ease unless we investigate the thymoma."

"Dr. Liu, is it a thymoma?"

At this moment, Chen Xuehai and Liu Yiqing entered from outside.

"Let me introduce everyone, this is our foremost surgeon and the soon-to-be deputy director of the emergency center, Director Chen Xuehai," Liu Banxia said.

"Old Chen, the CT doesn't show anything. Brother Hui and I suspect that the tumor is too small to be detected. We'll need to do an intraoperative investigation, and we'll rely on you for this. Here are the relevant test results."

After nodding to Bao Chunlai, Chen Xuehai moved directly to the side to review the results.

A mere discussion won't suffice; he's the one performing the surgery, so he must thoroughly review everything. Although Liu Yiqing described the situation on the way, he can only use that as background reference.

After reviewing, Chen Xuehai nodded, "There is indeed a possibility, but another possibility could be due to premature termination of his sexual maturity stage, leading to thymic atrophy and resulting in endocrine imbalance."

"This means that although a tumor may not be present, there's a significant chance of its existence. Dr. Liu has explained this to everyone, right?"

"Director Chen, Dr. Liu just explained that as well. We're worried that if it does exist, it could be very dangerous if it flares up," the patient's father quickly said.

"Alright, the surgery isn't very difficult, but it will take longer since both the left and right thymus need to be thoroughly explored," Chen Xuehai said.

"Director Liu, please join me on stage later, as Linlin will be assisting. I don't have a suitable first assistant here. We'll do the pre-operative examination first; I'll contact the operating room."

"Hmm... okay," Liu Banxia replied somewhat irritatedly.

"Banxia, what kind of director are you?" After Chen Xuehai left, Bao Chunlai curiously asked.

"I'm actually like Old Chen, both deputy director candidates. However, his qualifications are higher, having studied overseas for many years," Liu Banxia said.

"Haha, now you both can truly relax, right? It's equivalent to having two directors diagnose Bei together, so no matter the issue, it can be treated," Bao Chunlai said with a smile.

Actually, he's aware of this but had never formally discussed it, which is why he asked that question earlier.

It's also a matter of reputation, as he recommended Liu Banxia. He wanted his companions to know he wasn't making random recommendations; he's referring to a director-level figure.

The patient's parents now felt relieved and incessantly thanked Liu Banxia.

Initially, upon seeing Liu Banxia's youth, they assumed he was a regular doctor, otherwise they wouldn't have considered transferring hospitals. Now, the information Liu Banxia provided has been confirmed, making them trust him wholeheartedly.

Even if he's just a deputy director candidate, could he have called another candidate up just like that if he were merely a candidate?

They are perceptive enough to see that Liu Banxia and Chen Xuehai have a very good relationship, which reassured them even further.

Liu Yiqing took the patient for pre-operative examinations, while the cardiothoracic surgery intern came over to explain the surgical precautions and potential issues to the patient's parents.

Meanwhile, Liu Banxia moved aside with Bao Chunlai, as they no longer needed to be involved in the remaining work.

"You've done really well; in the future, whenever there's a problem, I'll come straight to you," Bao Chunlai said with a smile.

"Chairman Bao, try not to find me; eating out together is more important than anything," Liu Banxia said.

Bao Chunlai was momentarily confused, then laughed, "My bad, isn't that right? Let's meet at the dinner table, not at the hospital."

"Chairman Bao, once this surgery is over and while the patient is recovering, mention to the couple about examining Bei's reproductive system," Liu Banxia said.

"Alright, I understand the importance," Bao Chunlai nodded.

He knew Liu Banxia was worried they might misunderstand, thinking they were being financially targeted. It's also a favor being given, as true friends should provide such reminders.