Chapter 79 – Grandfather Eoheung (4)

“Sang-cheol’s mother suddenly collapsed. What should we do?”

The man was Dong-cheol, who lived next door.

Carrying Sang-cheol’s mother on his back, Dong-cheol sweated profusely and gasped for breath.

“Quickly, this way!”

Kim Ji-hyuk transferred Sang-cheol’s mother to the examination room along with the man.

A moment later.

Laying the patient on the bed, Kim Ji-hyuk began his examination.

“Patient, since when has she been like this?”

After checking her pupillary reflex, respiration, and chest auscultation, Kim Ji-hyuk asked Dong-cheol.

“My mother fried some pancakes and told me to take them over, and when I went, she was collapsed in the kitchen like that! What do we do, Doctor!”

Dong-cheol asked, looking worried.

“I need to examine her more, but I do not think it is a major issue. She seems to have lost consciousness briefly due to lack of energy, so do not worry too much.”

“Yes, yes. What a relief.”

Dong-cheol let out a sigh of relief.

“Excuse me, but could you contact Nurse Park In-seon and ask her to come to the clinic?”

“Ah, I got it.”

After sending Dong-cheol out like that, Kim Ji-hyuk began the full examination.

‘Damn it, subcutaneous fat is completely lost!’

Kim Ji-hyuk pinched her upper arm (the part from shoulder to elbow) with two fingers and knitted his brows.

‘No matter what…’

Sang-cheol’s mother was still limp, unable to regain consciousness.

She was only breathing faintly, and her consciousness was not returning easily.

Kim Ji-hyuk tilted his head and continued the examination.

This time, Kim Ji-hyuk began examining every corner of the patient’s body. And.

“……!!”

An unusual symptom caught Kim Ji-hyuk’s eye.

Although she had not been lying on the bed for long, hair was piled up.

Even though she wasn’t touched, the hair had fallen out. Furthermore, the hair snapped easily like broken somen noodles.

‘Perifollicular hemorrhages and ecchymosis!’

Nearing, Kim Ji-hyuk immediately examined her fingernails.

‘Transverse pigmented lines on nails! If so, it must be malnutrition.’

Finally, Kim Ji-hyuk diagnosed the patient’s symptoms.

“Doctor, what is the matter!”

At that moment, Nurse Park In-seon rushed into the examination room.

“Are you here?”

“Is Sister alright?”

Nurse Park In-seon asked with a face full of worry.

“I do not think she is alright.”

Kim Ji-hyuk shook his head slowly.

“Why, why? Just how bad is it?”

Nurse Park In-seon’s pupils dilated. She looked as if tears would pour out at any moment.

“It seems like severe malnutrition.”

“Ma-malnutrition?”

Nurse Park In-seon tilted her head at the unexpected words.

Kim Ji-hyuk briefly conveyed his diagnosed findings.

“Yes. Due to protein deficiency, serum albumin and transferrin concentrations seem to have dropped significantly. Furthermore, she probably has decreased lymphocytes, as skin immune response also appears lowered.”

“Ah…”

“For now, we need to run blood tests to check albumin and transferrin, so please draw blood and request tests from the provincial hospital.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Nurse Park In-seon nodded with a serious expression.

“She must take absolute rest right now. In this kind of state, it would be difficult to even perform surgery.”

Kim Ji-hyuk shook his head. He knew their circumstances were difficult, but to think her body was in this state. Did she feed the obtained side dishes only to Sang-cheol?

While failing to even take care of her own body, she tried to generously give this and that when guests arrived? It was a bitter and heartbreaking reality.

“Yes, yes. Then what should I do right now?”

Nurse Park In-seon, who was close with Sang-cheol’s mother, also had a flustered face, apparently not having expected malnutrition.

“First, let us administer IV fluids so she can regain her strength.”

“Yes. I will do so. By the way, Sister… will surgery even be possible?”

Her physical condition was one thing, but Nurse Park In-seon was also worried about the surgery fees again. Reading her mind, Kim Ji-hyuk nodded and replied.

“I am looking into it, but it is not that easy. Anyway, right now, recovering her strength is the top priority. She must absolutely not overexert herself.”

“Yes.”

A moment later.

“Do-doctor…”

Having received the IV fluid, Sang-cheol’s mother regained consciousness.

“Sister! Are you coming to your senses now?”

“Uh… What happened?”

“You do not remember? You collapsed in the kitchen, and Dong-cheol carried you here on his back!”

“Is, is that so?”

“Yes! Sister! Please think of your body. Do you not know it will be a major trouble if you keep doing this? What on earth do you plan to do about Sang-cheol!”

“………”

As Nurse Park In-seon pressed her, Sang-cheol’s mother lowered her head with a sorrowful face.

“Nurse, it is not good if the patient overexerts herself. For now, let us let her rest. Let’s talk later.”

Kim Ji-hyuk pulled at Nurse Park In-seon’s sleeve.

“Doctor, what on earth should we do about Sister? I am worried she might truly have major trouble if she goes on like that.”

Once they left the bedside, Nurse Park In-seon asked, looking worried.

“What else? Of course we must send her up to Seoul.”

“But…”

“There will be a way. For now, since taking maximum rest is best, please pay attention to her, Nurse.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“I have materials to send to the National Medical Center, so I will attend to some work for a moment.”

“Yes, yes. Please do so.”

Again, some time later.

While Kim Ji-hyuk went up to his quarters and prepared documents to send to the National Medical Center, Clerk Ko from the county office visited the clinic in person.

It seemed Kim Ji-hyuk had looked into whether there was anything the country could support with a thread of hope.

“It is Clerk Ko.”

“Yes. Welcome. I am Kim Ji-hyuk.”

“Mmh, I looked into what you mentioned, Doctor, but…”

Judging by the lack of strength in his voice, it did not seem to be positive news.

“Yes. Please speak.”

“Well, in a situation where people are starving to death because making a living is so hard, medical support is something we cannot even dream of.”

‘Of course! I was the one wrong to expect anything.’

“However… there seems to be a way for the provincial hospital to support a part of the treatment fees.”

“If it is a part, how much?”

“I do not know if that will even be helpful. It seems about ten percent is possible.”

‘Hmm, with the patient’s current state, we must not admit her to the provincial hospital. Aren’t they the very ones who misdiagnosed it as lung adenocarcinoma? It is not a place that can perform normal treatment. And if it is ten percent, it is of no help!’

Kim Ji-hyuk’s face in disappointment was obvious.

“Is that the best?”

“Haha, Doctor, you still know way too little about the ways of the world, don’t you? People these days do not even dare to think of going to a hospital when they are sick. Even people who eat three proper meals a day are rare, you know? That is why unless they are seriously ill, they just bear with it with their bodies.”

“………”

“What is funny is, because Sang-cheol’s mother’s illness is a severe one, she is actually receiving benefits, so we should be grateful for even this. Shall I prepare the documents and submit them?”

“No. That is fine. I will handle this matter myself.”

“Ahem, then do so. I made a useless trip for nothing, didn’t I?”

“I am sorry. Please take care.”

Clerk Ko grumbled and went outside.

‘How should I handle this matter…’

Kim Ji-hyuk’s mind became complex.

A few hours later.

Sang-cheol’s mother, who received the IV fluid, recovered to some extent and fell into a deep sleep, and Nurse Park In-seon returned to her home after confirming that Sang-cheol’s mother had stabilized.

‘It seems I cannot do anything like this…’

His chest feeling heavy, Kim Ji-hyuk stepped out of the clinic and wandered around the yard, lost in thought.

‘Still, I must somehow persuade Sang-cheol’s mother and send her to Seoul. If she is left in this state right now…’

He couldn’t spend time just worrying. While Kim Ji-hyuk made up his mind, thinking that if he just took action, a way would present itself.

‘Wh-who is it?’

From afar, a shadow was approaching the clinic.

The shadow was gradually drawing closer.

Looking at the limping gait, it seemed to be a person with a bad leg.

‘Who at this hour.’

Kim Ji-hyuk pulled back his sleeve and checked the time.

Narrowing his eyes, he fixed his gaze on the approaching shadow. Kim Ji-hyuk’s eyes were filled with wariness.

And finally, the black silhouette revealed its form.

“Are you the Director?”

A rough voice as if a thorn were stuck in his throat, making him rasp.

It was a worn hat pulled down and shabby clothing, but it was not dirty. At any rate, it was the first time Kim Ji-hyuk saw this person.

“Yes. I am, but…”

Kim Ji-hyuk still did not drop his wary gaze.

“I see. Nice to meet you. I am Cheon Sang-ho, who keeps bees on that mountain.”

The man took off his worn hat and greeted politely.

He was a man who used clear Seoul speech.

‘Keeping bees on the mountain? Then, the Grandfather Eoheung Sang-cheol mentioned?’

“Ah, yes. What brings you here at this hour? By any chance, is there some discomfort…”

“Ah, no. I have something to say to the Director.”

The man waved both hands.

“Something to say?”

“If it is not a bother, could you spare a moment. Since I must leave for a distant place early tomorrow morning, I inevitably visited now.”

‘Leaving tomorrow? What could he have to say to me before leaving?’

It was a question and at the same time Kim Ji-hyuk was curious.

“Well. If it is brief, it is fine. Shall we go up to the quarters then?”

Kim Ji-hyuk pointed to the quarters on the second floor with his finger.

“Yes. Anywhere is fine.”

“Then let’s go up this way. Because there is a patient in the examination room.”

Kim Ji-hyuk pointed to the stairs situated separately. If this person was indeed Grandfather Eoheung, his judgment was that there was no good in facing Sang-cheol’s mother.

However.

“Yes. I think the same way. Since there won’t be any good in running into Sang-cheol’s mother.”

The man nodded.

‘So he knew that Sang-cheol’s mother was admitted?’

“Yes. Then let’s go up.”

“Yes, Director.”

In that way, the man named Cheon Sang-ho went up to the second floor along with Kim Ji-hyuk.

“Come in.”

As the man hesitated in front of the entrance, Kim Ji-hyuk gestured.

“My body is dirty, so…”

“It is fine. Please come in.”

“Yes, Director.”

The man carefully took off and arranged his shoes, then went inside.

“I haven’t cleaned yet, so it is messy. I am the one sorry instead.”

Kim Ji-hyuk hurried to clean up the items around the sofa.

“No. It is fine.”

The man took off his coat, placed it modestly beside him, and sat on the worn sofa.

“Would you like a cup of tea?”

“Yes. If you give me some, I will drink it gratefully.”

“Yes. Please wait a moment!”

A moment later, Kim Ji-hyuk brought out warm green tea supported on a tray.

“Have some.”

“Thank you.”

The man picked up the teacup with both hands. Swallowing a sip of green tea carefully, he placed it down on the floor.

“The green tea is very savory.”

The man had a gentle expression, contrary to his voice.

“That is a relief. By the way, what was it that you wanted to say to me?”

Kim Ji-hyuk also asked, placing down his teacup.

“Actually, I have something to give to the Director.”

“Pardon? To me?”

“Yes. That is right.”

The man picked up his coat that had been placed beside him and rummaged through the inside pocket.

‘What on earth is he giving me?’

Kim Ji-hyuk stared blankly at that sight.