Chapter 66 – Actress of the Century (5)

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo’s research office.

The test results of Marilyn Monroe came out, and Professor Chung Ki-ryeo, Kim Ji-hyuk, and Kim Yun-seok gathered in his research office.

“From now on, let us consult over the diagnosis made by the American medical staff and the test details we examined.”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo unfolded the documents with a solemn look.

“Yes!”

“Yes, Professor!”

“First of all, it seems a pulmonary fibrotic scar is visible… but it doesn’t look like it will be a big problem.”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo said while carefully looking at the X-ray results. Judging by Professor Chung Ki-ryeo’s expression, it didn’t seem to be a big problem.

“That is true, but…”

Kim Ji-hyuk, who checked the X-ray results, slowly shook his head.

“Is there any problem?”

“Professor, as you can see if you look closely, it seems a ground-glass opacity is also confirmed in the right upper lobe of the patient’s lung.”

At that, Kim Ji-hyuk added to Professor Chung Ki-ryeo’s words.

“Ground-glass opacity? Did you say ground-glass opacity just now?”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo narrowed his eyes and asked Kim Ji-hyuk.

“Yes. That is correct.”

Ground-glass opacity!

A ground-glass opacity was a lesion that literally looked cloudy, as if glass had been ground and scattered in the chest. If it were before Kim Ji-hyuk’s possession, it was common to suspect lung adenocarcinoma if a ground-glass opacity was visible.

“You say a ground-glass opacity is really visible?”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo asked Kim Ji-hyuk once again.

It was natural for him to question Kim Ji-hyuk’s diagnosis of ground-glass opacity.

Because generally, ground-glass opacity was difficult to read on an X-ray.

CT, called computed tomography, was first made by EMI of the UK in 1967, and it was only in 1971 that it began to be used as a formal test method after clinical trials, so it was almost impossible to find a ground-glass opacity through an X-ray now in 1954.

However, if the ground-glass opacity was above a certain size, it could be read even through an X-ray.

So Kim Ji-hyuk’s thought was this.

‘Before possession, I read countless X-ray checkups. Although it is generally difficult to read through an X-ray, if the size is 10mm or more, it can be read. If a ground-glass opacity was confirmed on the X-ray results, re-testing with a CT often confirmed it was indeed a ground-glass opacity! If only we could take a CT, we could diagnose accurately, but isn’t that impossible now? But the opacity is too large to ignore!’

“Yes. Look here at the upper part of the lung. Isn’t it cloudy, as if glass has been finely ground?”

“I-It is! Professor! He is right. Just as Dr. Ji-hyuk said, it looks as if glass has been ground!”

Kim Yun-seok looked closely at the X-ray photo and raised his voice.

“Hmm… It seems so! If Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk’s words are correct?”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo narrowed his eyes.

“Yes. I think we can suspect several diseases.”

“Then is Dr. Ji-hyuk picturing lung adenocarcinoma in his head right now?”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo asked cautiously. Since ground-glass opacity was the seed of lung cancer, Professor Chung Ki-ryeo seemed to point out that point.

“With a ground-glass opacity of this size, I think we cannot rule out lung adenocarcinoma, Professor!”

“True! Lung adenocarcinoma seems correct. I think I also saw it in a book, Professor!”

At that, Kim Yun-seok also stepped in.

“Lung adenocarcinoma… If that is the case, it is a completely different result from the diagnosis of the US medical battalion?”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo looked at Kim Ji-hyuk with a serious expression.

“We cannot rule out lung adenocarcinoma, but I think we cannot make a conclusion immediately either.”

“Hmm… That is true. Far from just lung adenocarcinoma, looking at the slight pulmonary infiltration, it could also be traces of past pneumonia or pulmonary tuberculosis, or it could be eosinophilic inflammation. So, is Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk’s opinion that the probability of Miss Monroe having lung adenocarcinoma is high?”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo nodded slowly.

“No. Rather, I think the probability that it is not lung adenocarcinoma is higher.”

“Isn’t the probability of it being lung adenocarcinoma high?”

At that, Kim Yun-seok expressed an opinion different from Kim Ji-hyuk’s thought.

“For now, if it is a ground-glass opacity, we should not rule out lung adenocarcinoma completely, but as the professor said, I think it could also be eosinophilic inflammation.”

“Hmm, I see. However, we must also prepare for the worst-case scenario. As we said we cannot rule out lung adenocarcinoma, if it is cancer, we might face a serious problem. We must also set up countermeasures in advance.”

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo said with a serious expression.

“Yes. Understood.”

“Test results are facts. Make sure to approach everything based on facts. Whether it is eosinophilic inflammation, traces of pneumonia or pulmonary tuberculosis, or parasite infection, it seems good to focus on treatment while keeping all possibilities open. For a doctor, there is no 100%. Nothing is as dangerous for a patient as a doctor’s hasty certainty. Both of you, keep my words in mind.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, Professor!”

“However, what is certain is that the illness Miss Monroe is suffering from right now is not simple bacterial pneumonia. This fact is a diagnosis that conflicts with the US medical battalion. In this part, many debates with the US side are expected too. In the end, only an accurate diagnosis will tell everything. I will also do my best, but please do your best as well.”

“Yes. Understood.”

“Yes, Professor!”

Kim Ji-hyuk and Kim Yun-seok looked at each other and met their eyes.

* * *

Marilyn Monroe’s ward.

Kim Ji-hyuk visited her ward.

“Patient, how is your condition?”

“Yes. It is fine except for a little coughing. The scenery of Korea is truly beautiful. Will flowers bloom soon? Flower buds have formed over there!”

“Yes. Spring seems to be coming soon. Korea’s spring is more beautiful than anywhere in the world.”

Kim Ji-hyuk smiled.

“It seems so! Once flowers bloom, the whole world will feel filled with flower scent. It is fascinating to feel a peacefulness here in this unfamiliar place that I have never enjoyed before.”

“Yes. The source of all illness comes from the mind. So, please be comfortable at least while you are here.”

“Yes. By the way, did the test results come out?”

Marilyn Monroe asked out of curiosity.

“Yes.”

“How is it? Is it alright?”

Her eyes looked anxious.

“Do not worry too much. Since it is not to the extent to worry greatly.”

Kim Ji-hyuk reassured Marilyn Monroe.

“Is that so?”

Marilyn Monroe asked with an anxious voice, as if her worries had not cleared yet.

“Yes. Since we are doing our best, do not worry and trust us. Rather than that… may I ask a few things?”

Kim Ji-hyuk asked Marilyn Monroe cautiously.

“Yes. Please speak.”

“You mentioned the commercial last time; could you explain it in more detail?”

“Ah, you mean the anti-war public service commercial?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… It was a typical public service commercial shoot. It was a commercial produced after the World War ended to prevent such a tragedy from repeating.”

“Yes. I know that. But in your words, you said you shot the commercial together with pigeons?”

“That’s right. I suggested that. Pigeons are a symbol of peace, aren’t they?”

‘Sigh, that’s because you don’t know. You say so because you haven’t seen 2024 where “chicken-pigeons” rule the streets! The pigeons of 2024 are mighty ecosystem predators who are not even afraid of humans!’

“I see. Anyway, it is certain that you shot the commercial together with pigeons.”

“Of course. There are also pigeon houses here and there in my home garden. When I wake up every morning listening to birds chirping, my mind becomes peaceful and clear. I like pigeons! Very much!”

‘Not only during the commercial shoot, but she also stays with pigeons at home? Contact with pigeons was frequent on a regular basis? Hmm, if so, the probability that my guess is correct is even higher!’

“I see.”

“What should I do to see pigeons in Korea? It seems there are no pigeons near this hospital…”

Marilyn Monroe said, looking around in regret.

“There are also many pigeons in South Korea, but you cannot now. Because you have a problem in your lungs, you must prevent any infection that might happen. It is better to avoid contact with all animals, let alone pigeons.”

“Hmm, that is very disappointing.”

Marilyn Monroe made a petulant expression.

“It won’t be too late even after you recover. You must concentrate on treatment now.”

“I understand.”

Kim Ji-hyuk nodded his head slowly as if something occurred to him.

* * *

Professor Chung Ki-ryeo’s research office.

Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, who received Professor Chung Ki-ryeo’s diagnosis details, visited his research office.

“You say Miss Monroe does not have bacterial pneumonia?”

Lieutenant Colonel Anderson asked aggressively with a frozen face.

“I didn’t report drawing a conclusion that it isn’t. However, the judgment of me and our medical staff is that Miss Monroe might not have a simple pneumonia, so a more detailed test is needed.”

“What? Then does that mean our side’s diagnosis was wrong?”

Lieutenant Colonel Anderson showed his displeasure clearly.

“I didn’t say it was wrong. Since there are several other symptoms, I am saying let’s treat her a bit more and make a conclusion.”

“This is surprising! The medical staff of the medical battalion in the Far East Command are all doctors from prestigious medical schools in the US. Are you denying what they diagnosed now?”

Flushed—

Lieutenant Colonel Anderson’s face was flushed red before long.

“Me and our medical staff are also doctors who studied at the best medical schools in our country. Your remarks right now are extremely offensive, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson.”

“Nonsense! Are you comparing our country’s medical schools with yours now? Do you think that makes sense?”

“No. It doesn’t make sense.”

“Pardon? Are you playing words with me now? According to our diagnosis, it is bacterial pneumonia!”

“I didn’t learn that way.”

“What?”

“A doctor must never be certain.”

“That depends. Our medical staff diagnosed it as bacterial pneumonia with a 95% probability!”

“Well said. Then what about the 5% probability? Me and our medical staff intend to defer the diagnosis of your medical staff until we confirm that 5%.”

“Sigh, how are you going to confirm that?”

Lieutenant Colonel Anderson was still unable to calm his excitement.

“I understand all authority over Miss Monroe’s treatment lies with our side. We will send the diagnosis results to your country as quickly as possible.”

“Hmm, you had better keep in mind. We only temporarily entrusted Miss Monroe’s treatment to your country for the sake of the relationship between your country and ours, not that we send trust to your country’s medical system. If it were not for the Far East Commander’s instruction, I would want to carry Miss Monroe away right now. Let’s endure and wait a bit more. If you do not produce a clear diagnosis within a week, I warn you that all responsibility will be placed on you and this hospital.”

“…”

Bang—

In that way, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson laid down a threat, and rudely kicked the door and walked out.