Chapter 1217: 【1217】At this time, they are passing the buck to each other.
The reason is quite simple: doctors, more than anyone, don’t want conflicts over money, and they understand that treating illnesses can be very expensive.
Taking out her phone, Xie Wanying proactively suggested to the child’s grandmother, “I’ll talk to his mom and dad.”
The child’s grandmother, eager to pass on this troublesome task, nodded at her: “Yes, let you doctors talk to his parents. I’m old and can’t explain things clearly.”
Grandparents raising grandchildren often feel a sense of inferiority, fearing most that they will misunderstand or miscommunicate the intentions of teachers or doctors, only to be criticized by their children and in-laws for being mentally slow afterward.
The call went through, and shortly after, it was the child’s mother who picked up.
Upon hearing the doctor say the child’s illness wasn’t mild, the mother appeared surprised and turned to interrogate the grandmother: “Didn’t the school say he just had a slight cold? Where did you take him for treatment? Why is the doctor saying he needs an IV drip?”
“We are from Guoxie,” Xie Wanying clarified her affiliation.
Using the hospital’s reputable name appropriately can have an impact.
Upon hearing Guoxie’s name, sure enough, the mother’s tone softened immediately. Every ordinary citizen knows that for challenging illnesses, one must seek out Guoxie doctors. If a Guoxie doctor says this, it has to be right.
The child’s mother grew upset, angry at both her son and the grandmother who usually helped care for him: “Where did he end up catching this illness?”
“Recently, after school, he’s been running off with a group of kids to who-knows-where to play. Maybe he caught a cold in the wind. I’ve told him so many times to stay home and focus on his homework and studies, but he wouldn’t listen.” The grandmother glared at her disobedient grandson as she spoke. “Now look, he’s fallen sick.”
“Mom, you should’ve informed us about these situations earlier.”
Feeling criticized by her daughter-in-law, the grandmother responded with grievance, “I’ve told you all before, but you’re always so busy with work that you didn’t hear me. I understand.”
This happens in every family—when things are fine, everything is peaceful; but when trouble arises, the blaming starts.
Family conflicts are beyond the doctor’s domain. Doctors only concern themselves with explaining the patient’s condition. Xie Wanying informed the child’s mother, “This condition can’t be delayed. The longer you wait, the worse it’ll get. If it escalates further, he might need hospitalization or even admission to the ICU.”
Doctors aren’t being alarmist. If an acute local infection isn’t controlled, it will inevitably develop into systemic infection later, which can be fatal. Regarding expenses, the more you want to save money, the more you should treat it early, instead of dragging it out until ICU treatment burns money daily, potentially leading to loss of both life and finances.
Xie Wanying calculated an economic breakdown for the child’s family: “If you administer antibiotics for a few days along with fever-reducing medication, it’s estimated that it can be resolved for under a few hundred yuan. Hospitalization, on the other hand, will cost over a thousand.”
By laying out the facts clearly, patient families are less likely to remain confused. Upon hearing the cost comparison, the child’s mother, knowing it was her son, told the grandmother, “Listen to the doctor and let him have the injection. I’ll bring money to the hospital. Use whatever money you have on you for now.”
With the family agreeing to treat the child, Xie Wanying breathed a sigh of relief and returned to the consultation room to report to Teacher Xin.
Inside the internal medicine consultation room, Xin Yanjun added an order for tests to the patient outside—a grandmother lying on a stretcher—before the nurse carried out verbal medical instructions, ensuring that after the blood draw, it could be sent straight to the lab for analysis.
The nurse came back after drawing blood and reported to Xin Yanjun, “Her left upper limb is numb.”
This was problematic—likely a stroke. A brain CT was needed, along with coordination with the neurology or neurosurgery department to prepare for her hospitalization.