Chapter 65 – Actress of the Century (4)

“Professor, I have a question! Did the treatment history from the US military transfer over to our side?”

Kim Ji-hyuk and Kim Yun-seok, who came to treat Marilyn Monroe. Prior to full-fledged treatment, it was important to grasp Marilyn Monroe’s current status.

Furthermore, Kim Ji-hyuk’s thought was that they must secure the checkup data from the US side to use as evidence in case they had to determine responsibility for subsequent treatments later.

“Naturally we should do that, shouldn’t we? Since we must secure basic data so we can respond if a problem occurs later.”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo also had the same thought as Kim Ji-hyuk.

“You did well.”

Kim Ji-hyuk nodded.

“Actually, I was about to talk to you about that part. This is the medical record of the diagnosis from the US side.”

Slide—

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo pulled a chart from the drawer.

“What did the US side say was the reason Miss Monroe collapsed?”

It was the part Kim Ji-hyuk and Kim Yun-seok were most curious about.

“First of all, the US side called it a seizure.”

“A seizure? Is that true?”

Kim Ji-hyuk asked in surprise at the unexpected diagnosis.

“Yes. It seems they first judged that Miss Monroe suffered a seizure due to accumulated fatigue and stress from a long journey from the US to Japan, and straight to Korea.”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo checked the medical chart and nodded.

‘She, who shows symptoms of drug addiction and alcoholism. As the US side said, the probability of suffering a seizure is indeed sufficient when traveling for a long time to an unfamiliar place. It’s certainly not a wrong diagnosis… But is that all?’

Kim Ji-hyuk seemed to think the US diagnosis was somewhat insufficient.

“Hmm, is that all?”

Kim Ji-hyuk could not trust the diagnosis of the US military doctors.

“Of course that is not all. It seems they see suspicious symptoms of pleural effusion.”

“Isn’t pleural effusion a symptom, not a disease?”

“Right! I understand that pleural effusion is a secondary symptom, not the root cause. Since pleural effusion can also occur due to lung malignancy, lung infection, or pulmonary embolism!”

This time, Kim Yun-seok stepped in.

“That’s true. However, it seems the US side is suspecting bacterial pneumonia.”

“Hmm, bacterial pneumonia?”

“Yes. It seems the final diagnosis of the US side is that distributive shock occurred due to stress from a long journey, water, unfamiliar food, etc., with bacterial pneumonia as the underlying disease.”

“If it’s distributive shock?”

Kim Yun-seok tilted his head.

“With fatigue accumulated from a long journey, the blood vessels suddenly dilated and blood flow rapidly decreased, bringing hypotension. They see that paroxysmal tachycardia occurred as the blood pressure dropped.”

At that, Kim Ji-hyuk explained in detail to Kim Yun-seok.

“Hmm, Professor, then isn’t the diagnosis accurate?”

Kim Yun-seok turned his gaze toward Professor Chung Ki-ryeo.

“For now, assuming the US side’s diagnosis is correct, it seems we also need to examine her more closely. First, let’s perform the necessary tests, including a blood test.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Kim Yun-seok nodded.

“Professor! It might not be. A simple bacterial pneumonia!”

At that, Kim Ji-hyuk shook his head.

“…”

“What does that mean?”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo asked at Kim Ji-hyuk’s words.

“We need to test more, but I think it might not be a simple bacterial pneumonia, Professor!”

“The basis?”

“First, Miss Monroe seemed to have problems with her central nervous system and dissemination!”

“If it’s the central nervous system?”

“When she was transferred to our hospital, Miss Monroe showed very high sensitivity to light, could not pull her chin downward, and her neck looked extremely stiff.”

“Hmm… If there is a problem with the central nervous system, that is fully possible.”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo nodded as if agreeing with Kim Ji-hyuk’s words.

“Furthermore, I confirmed skin rashes and blisters on her fingertips.”

“Are you saying it’s a disseminated rash?”

“Yes. I think we cannot rule out the probability of a rash due to disseminated intravascular coagulation.”

“Hmm, good. First, let’s check closely. Keep in mind, you two. Miss Monroe’s treatment this time is extremely important. It’s not a matter that will end with simply treating one patient. It is a matter involving the pride of our South Korean medical community, which was devastated by the war. Since the Director also made a difficult decision, shouldn’t we repay that? Let’s do our best so that Miss Monroe can make a full recovery.”

“Of course!”

“Yes!”

Kim Ji-hyuk and Kim Yun-seok clenched their hands.

* * *

In front of Marilyn Monroe’s ward.

Finally, Kim Yun-seok and Kim Ji-hyuk faced Marilyn Monroe as a patient to be treated.

Fidgeting—

Kim Yun-seok was fidgeting, not knowing what to do as he couldn’t calm down.

“Yun-seok, let’s go in.”

“W-Wait a minute! My heart is shaking so much I can’t calm down!”

Phew, Yun-seok placed his hand on his chest and took deep breaths continuously.

‘Grandfather! You are truly too much. Wow, if only I had a cell phone, I’d want to take a picture of this and preserve it!’

“Are you done? Can we go in now?”

“W-Wait a minute! Can’t you just go in alone? Sigh, my heart is shaking so much my feet won’t budge!”

“Kim Yun-seok! Wake up! Right now you are not a Marilyn Monroe fan, you are her attending doctor. Do not forget your duty!”

Bang—

In that way, Kim Ji-hyuk pulled Kim Yun-seok’s arm and entered the ward.

“…”

“…”

It was Marilyn Monroe, beautiful enough to dazzle the eyes.

Some say she captivates just by standing in front of a camera; that lover of the century was now lying on the bed in front of Kim Ji-hyuk and Kim Yun-seok.

Marilyn Monroe’s dress fluttering over the New York subway grate was enough to shake the hearts of all men in the world.

If she had not died young at the age of 36, she could have been alive even in the 21st century before Ji-hyuk’s possession.

‘To think I can see the beautiful Marilyn Monroe of her youth in person!’

Thump, thump—

The trembling heart was not only Yun-seok’s.

It felt like the heartbeats of Kim Ji-hyuk and Kim Yun-seok combined to fill the ward.

“Miss Monroe, how is your condition?”

Kim Ji-hyuk asked after her in a trembling voice.

“It is not good. Especially at night, I cannot sleep well. It is painful because I suffer from insomnia.”

She moved her lips with difficulty, her face turned pale.

“I will ask a few questions. You say fever, cough, and vomiting are severe?”

“Yes.”

Marilyn Monroe answered powerlessly.

“When did those symptoms start? Was it since you were in your home country?”

Perhaps calming down a bit, Kim Ji-hyuk questioned her calmly.

“The filming schedule was tight, and I overdid it preparing for the wedding. My condition was not good, and I always lived with a cold.”

“Did you get a checkup in America?”

“No. Because I was busy… I couldn’t get a checkup and only took medicine through my manager.”

“I see. First, we will check the blood pressure. Would you roll up your sleeve a bit?”

Puff, puff—

When Kim Ji-hyuk gave a hint to the awkwardly standing Kim Yun-seok, he ran over and began to check the blood pressure.

“How is it?”

As the blood pressure check ended, Marilyn Monroe’s blue eyes wavered.

“It is 121/77.”

Kim Yun-seok said, checking the readings on the blood pressure monitor. Still without even being able to look at her face.

“Is my physical condition bad?”

Her eyes looked worried.

“No. It is normal blood pressure right now. You do not need to worry too much.”

“That is a relief. When I was sick in America, I should have received a checkup and treatment. Because there was an important commercial shoot, I kept delaying going to the hospital, and I regret it greatly.”

“I see.”

“This commercial was also an anti-war public service commercial, and especially because I shot it together with white pigeons that I like, I overdid it!”

“White pigeons?”

“Yes. Pigeons are a symbol of peace, aren’t they!”

“Ah, yes… Such a thing happened. Well, celebrities who cannot live a regular life like you, Miss Monroe, must pay even more attention to their health.”

“Yes. Furthermore, because my stamina is weak, I get tired and fatigued easily, and if I cannot take sleeping pills…”

“Miss Monroe, from now on, you must absolutely stop alcohol and drugs. Absolutely!”

“I would like to do so too, but…”

“I know well that it is not easy. However, if you keep relying on alcohol and drugs as you do now, that acting, dancing, and singing you like! You might not be able to do them again. I want to meet you in movies and concerts even 60 years from now, Miss Monroe.”

“Oh dear, how old will I be 60 years from now? 80 years old? Oh, that’s terrible.”

Cough, cough—

Marilyn Monroe covered her mouth with her hand and let out dry coughs.

“What if it is a major illness?”

“Do not worry too much. Once the test results come out, we will do our best to treat you.”

“Yes. Thank you, Dr. Kim!”

Marilyn Monroe turned her gaze toward Kim Yun-seok.

“M-Me?”

“Yes. Give me that.”

Marilyn Monroe pointed with a gesture to what Kim Yun-seok was hiding behind his back.

“Pardon? Wh-what?”

“Didn’t you bring that to receive my autograph?”

She made a faint smile.

“Ah! Will… will you give me an autograph?”

“Of course! You are my savior who saved my life, why wouldn’t I give even 100 pages? Once I am discharged and recover, I will think about how to repay this favor. For now, let’s just do an autograph.”

“Thank you!”

Thrust—

At that, Kim Yun-seok thrust out the sketchbook and pen he was hiding behind his back.

Hahaha—

“Should I sign here entirely?”

“Yes! I want to keep it as a family heirloom for generations!”

“It is an honor!”

Flipping the pages, Marilyn Monroe, who picked up the pen, willingly began to sign the sketchbook.

‘Ah! Grandfather! Isn’t this crossing the line? What did you say to me when I got Blue Pink’s autograph and hung it in a frame!?’

Kim Ji-hyuk made an absurd expression looking at Kim Yun-seok.

“Miss Monroe, since we have to do a few tests including a blood test soon, you must not consume anything except water from now on.”

As Marilyn Monroe finished signing, Kim Ji-hyuk requested.

“Yes.”

“Then do not worry too much, and get plenty of rest.”

“Yes. Thank you, both of you!”

A moment later.

Kim Ji-hyuk and Kim Yun-seok, who finished the medical interview, came out of the ward.

“Hurrah! Hurrah!”

“…”

Kim Yun-seok, who received Marilyn Monroe’s autograph, raised both hands and cheered.

“Yun-seok, isn’t this a bit too much? If Ms. Mi-joo sees your current appearance, what will she say? She’ll surely be so pleased.”

“Gasp, why does Ms. Mi-joo come up now?”

“So behave yourself. Before I tell Ms. Mi-joo everything!”

Sigh—

“A-Alright! But how can I help it when I am so happy??”

Kim Yun-seok held the sketchbook with Marilyn Monroe’s autograph tightly to his chest and began to walk toward the department office.

Ji-hyuk shook his head at that sight.

‘Hmm, she shot a commercial using pigeons as props??’

Kim Ji-hyuk followed Kim Yun-seok, slowly nodding his head.

* * *

And a few days later, Marilyn Monroe’s test results finally came out.