Chapter 133 - 132: Unexpected Visitors

Chapter 133: Chapter 132: Unexpected Visitors

As Yu Zhiming flipped through the patient’s medical records, he rapidly considered and deduced various possibilities in his mind.

The elderly man’s rapidly developing hematochezia and lower limb edema immediately made Yu Zhiming think of kidney damage.

Kidney damage causing hematochezia was easy to understand.

As for the edema, if kidney function is poor, the body’s metabolic rate slows down, which hinders the excretion of excess water.

And this excess water retained in the body would cause a person to appear swollen.

So what was the cause of the kidney damage?

Yu Zhiming’s gaze fell on a medication list, which included topical ointments for allergies and itching, as well as oral medications.

There were six types of oral medications, mainly antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics.

’Perhaps the patient took too many antihistamines or antibiotics while being treated for pityriasis rosea?’

Many people have a bad habit of taking medication indiscriminately.

’Could this elderly man have taken too much medicine, not only causing kidney damage but also disrupting his bodily functions, weakening his immune system, and leading to the subsequent series of symptoms?’

The more Yu Zhiming thought about it, the more he felt that drug poisoning leading to organ damage and a cascade of other issues was the most likely possibility.

’But could it really be that simple?’

’This is a test from Teacher Qi. It has to have a few twists and turns...’

Yu Zhiming glanced at Teacher Qi and saw him engrossed in the documents on his desk, not paying him any attention.

’The old man’s condition can’t be this simple!’

With that in mind, Yu Zhiming, who had already gone through the medical records once, started over from the beginning again.

He seemed to recall a philosopher who said that when faced with a thousand loose ends and no solution, one should look to the source.

Once you understand the initial cause, the path to a solution naturally becomes clear.

So, the source of the old man’s complex condition...

Dizziness and hypertension?

Or the pityriasis rosea?

Yu Zhiming analyzed the situation and ruled out hypertension and dizziness.

The elderly man had been treated for pityriasis rosea for over a month, making it the most likely source of the problem.

Yu Zhiming searched his memory, trying hard to recall everything he knew about pityriasis rosea.

It is a common, self-limiting inflammatory skin disease.

Its typical lesions are characterized by rose-colored macules and papules covered with fine scales.

It commonly affects the trunk and proximal extremities and usually resolves on its own in four to eight weeks.

Its cause is unknown but may be related to viral infections or allergies; certain medications can also trigger it.

Immune system dysfunction could also be a factor.

However, in Yu Zhiming’s memory, pityriasis rosea was a skin disease that did not cause damage to internal organs like the kidneys.

’Then, is it possible there was a misdiagnosis?’

The doctor in Canada was only human; misdiagnoses are unavoidable.

’Assuming a misdiagnosis, what condition presents with a full-body rash similar to pityriasis rosea but can cause organ damage?’

As he reached this point in his thoughts, a flash of insight streaked through his mind like a shooting star.

A term popped into his head.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura!

It’s a type of vasculitis.

It’s an allergic reaction of the body to certain sensitizing substances, leading to increased fragility and permeability of the capillaries.

This causes inflammation and bleeding in the small blood vessels of the skin, joints, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys.

In the initial stages of Henoch-Schönlein purpura, all patients develop purpura of varying degrees, mostly on the limbs and buttocks, which manifests as purplish-red papules.

Yu Zhiming quickly ran through his knowledge of Henoch-Schönlein purpura in his mind, and it almost perfectly matched the elderly man’s current symptoms.

For example, the hematochezia, edema in the lower limbs and hands, joint pain, and stomach bloating.

It was obvious. The old man had been misdiagnosed in Canada; his Henoch-Schönlein purpura was mistaken for pityriasis rosea.

The treatment was incorrect, and the allergens in his body were never effectively eliminated, causing his symptoms to worsen.

Yu Zhiming looked at Qi Yue, full of confidence.

"Teacher, it’s Henoch-Schönlein purpura!"

Qi Yue looked up, his expression neutral. "The diagnosis is correct, but it took you nearly half an hour. It’s just so-so."

Yu Zhiming put on a sheepish expression. "Teacher, I will continue to work hard and meet your standards as soon as possible."

Qi Yue gave a slight nod, then waved his hand, dismissing Yu Zhiming.

As Yu Zhiming left the director’s office and gently closed the door, a voice drifted into his ears.

"Damn, the pressure is immense..."

At 6:20 in the evening, Yu Zhiming finished his work for the day, having completed physicals for one hundred and twenty people.

Aside from the pre-existing health issues of the examinees, his new "battle results" were as follows:

Seven patients with cardiovascular diseases of varying severity.

Sixteen patients with other organ issues of varying severity.

Zero suspected cancer patients.

At 7:00 PM, Yu Zhiming returned to his residence in the Zijin Garden District to find dinner already prepared.

During the meal, Yu Xiangwan mentioned that Fu Xiaoxue’s military training parade for new recruits was tomorrow, and she planned to go watch.

Gu Qingning said she wanted to go too.

She also said that she’d been run ragged following Fu Xiaobo around for the past two days and wanted to take the opportunity to rest up tomorrow.

Yu Zhiming thoroughly looked down on the girl’s lazy, start-and-stop behavior.

Seeing the two were about to start arguing again, Yu Xiangwan interrupted, "Fifth Brother, Xiaoxue’s parade will be over tomorrow morning. She’ll have the afternoon and the following day off to rest before her university classes officially begin next Monday."

"Xiaoxue asked me to remind you about the big meal you promised?"

"Then let’s set it for tomorrow night," Yu Zhiming said casually.

"That Shandong restaurant?"

"Sounds good!"

Yu Xiangwan then suggested, "Should we invite Zeng Yan, the daughter of Xiaoxue’s paternal aunt, as well?"

"Her aunt gave us such an expensive gift; we can’t just keep ignoring her daughter, can we?"

Yu Zhiming grunted in agreement. "Sis, you can decide and arrange all that. I’ll just be in charge of paying!"

Yu Xiangwan laughed and agreed, then said, "Fifth Brother, about the car, I’ve picked out one model each from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Volvo, and Cadillac."

"I also brought back some brochures with the model introductions, down payment prices, installment plans, fees, and other related information."

"Take a look at them after dinner."

Yu Zhiming let out a sound of understanding and chuckled. "Sis, why did you only pick big-name brands?"

Yu Xiangwan raised an eyebrow. "Of course! With your current status as a doctor, if you’re not going to drive a luxury car worth over a million, the brand at least needs to be a solid, big name."

She added, her tone lively, "As soon as the salespeople heard a doctor from Huashan Hospital was buying a car, they offered the biggest discount right away without me even having to haggle."

"Fifth Brother, if I were to drop your name, we could probably get another wave of discounts."

"You’re something of a celebrity now, you know."

Yu Zhiming chuckled dryly. "Sis, I wouldn’t be so sure about that."

"For all we know, in the minds of those pretty salespeople, I’m just some lecher who gropes people..."

After dinner, as Yu Zhiming was looking through and comparing the stack of car brochures his Fourth Sister had brought back, he was somewhat surprised to hear Gu Qingning chattering away on the phone with his eldest sister.

Nearly half an hour later, Yu Zhiming finished looking through the car brochures, and Gu Qingning also ended her call.

Yu Zhiming asked in confusion, "Gu Qingning, you and my eldest sister don’t even know each other well. How do you have so much to talk about?"

Gu Qingning shot him a sidelong glance and huffed, "It’s because we don’t know each other well that we have more to talk about."

"Didn’t you hear? Most of what we talked about was her precious baby brother and her precious son."

After a pause, Gu Qingning added with a smug look, "Eldest Sister said I get a share of the sweet potato strips, peanuts, walnuts, and other snacks she’s sending over this time!"

Yu Zhiming gave a slight scoff and ignored the girl.

He walked to the kitchen doorway and said to Yu Xiangwan, who was still busy inside, "These few car models all seem pretty good."

"Sis, let’s go for a test drive on Sunday, the day after tomorrow..."

After 9:00 PM, the small home where the Yu Family Siblings lived received some unexpected visitors.

Gu Qingran and Hua Si Fan!