Chapter 208 - 186: Selected for the High-Level Surgical Team

Chapter 208: Chapter 186: Selected for the High-Level Surgical Team

Both Director Fu and Director Shen were saddened by Li Ai’s condition.

Li Qing smiled bitterly, heartbroken by what his younger sister was going through.

Li Qing and Li Ai came from a military family. Both the brother and sister were top students, the kind of model children all the other neighborhood kids were compared to from a young age.

Li Qing had shown a gift for academics from a young age. He attended Xiao City No. 2 High School, then Xuanshang University in Xianglin City. After graduating, he entered the civil service through a selective program for top graduates. From there, his career took off, and at a young age, he was already a leader in the Jin Province Department of Human Resources and Social Security!

His younger sister, Li Ai, had always looked up to him as a role model. But where her brother had embarked on a political career, she chose the path of scientific research.

Li Ai attended the National University of Defense Technology of Jin Country. Afterward, she joined a military unit in Xiao City, where she dedicated herself to national defense research.

Since graduating, the number of times she had returned home could be counted on one hand. She was always on the front lines of her work.

Just last year, for her contributions in the field of R&D, she had been honored as an Outstanding Youth Contributor of Jin Province—and it was her own brother who had personally presented her with the award.

But who could have known that during her physical this year, she would be diagnosed with primary hepatocellular carcinoma secondary to Hepatitis B.

Primary liver cancer generally lacks typical symptoms in its early stages. By the time a patient shows clinical signs, the disease has, in most cases, already progressed to the intermediate or advanced stages.

Li Ai was a workaholic who never paid much mind to minor aches and pains, completely absorbed in her research. By the time this was discovered, it had already reached the intermediate stage.

But what was most heartbreaking was that Li Ai wasn’t afraid of her own deteriorating condition or her numbered days; she was afraid her team’s research wouldn’t be completed on time.

This scientist had poured her heart and soul into the nation’s defense, embodying the spirit of one who gives their all until their dying day.

Unlike most young people, Li Ai’s idols weren’t celebrities. They were top scientists like Qian Xuesen and Deng Jiaxian. Her life’s ambition was to follow in the footsteps of these pioneers and dedicate herself to building the nation.

When Director Fu and Director Shen saw Li Ai, they both found their eyes growing moist.

Li Ai was only thirty-six, with a dignified, serene face and short hair cut to her ears. She carried herself with a unique, poised grace that was part soldier, part scientist.

Facing the two directors, Li Ai remained elegant and composed, showing none of the despair and fear common to cancer patients.

Even while waiting for the two directors to begin their consultation, she was still holding a notepad, calculating something.

"Please excuse me, Directors. After I was diagnosed with liver cancer, I looked up the relevant data. The five-year survival rate is only about 12%. I am, of course, still optimistic about the possibility of surgical treatment."

"But I also have to be objective in the face of facts and statistics. I know my time may be short. So, while I’m still physically able to work, I have to make every second count."

Li Ai gathered her notes and looked at the two directors, her expression serene.

Standing to the side, Li Qing watched his sister, his heart aching. He pressed his lips together, wanting to urge her to just focus on her treatment for now and stop thinking about work.

But he knew his sister’s temperament. Her research had entered a critical phase. If her superiors hadn’t practically forced her to come, she would have insisted on waiting until she had achieved a breakthrough and completed a proper handover before even considering surgery.

The two directors had been prepared to comfort Li Ai. After all, anyone so young who finds out they have cancer is bound to be physically and emotionally fragile.

They never imagined, however, that Li Ai would be so calm and rational about the situation.

"I’m in your hands now, Directors."

"I only have one request: don’t go out of your way just to prolong my life. I need quality survival time. If I can’t conduct my research and can only lie in a hospital bed, then that time is meaningless to me."

As a scientist, Li Ai had clearly researched all the relevant data and treatment options after her diagnosis.

If a treatment plan was so physically taxing that it prevented her from working, then it would be pointless, even if it extended her life.

The primary treatments for liver cancer are surgery and certain specialized drug therapies.

However, at the current stage of Li Ai’s disease, medication alone was no longer a viable solution.

That meant the most likely options were surgery, as well as approaches like immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Of course, there was also the possibility of finding a suitable donor liver for a Liver Transplantation.

After Director Fu and Director Shen conducted a comprehensive examination of Li Ai, they determined that her condition did not yet require embolization therapy. However, her years of demanding research had left her physically very weak. A partial liver resection was possible, but her prognosis would likely not be good; there was even a possibility of short-term recurrence.

Li Ai’s immune system was also compromised.

After studying her case, the two directors decided to try a novel approach.

They would use a combination of immunotherapy and a partial liver resection.

"To minimize damage to the liver and resect the tumor with greater precision, I recommend we invite Dr. Wu Ting’s team from the Center for Laparoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment Technology at Fan City First Hospital to be part of our surgical team."

"Dr. Wu Ting’s team and their ’perfect trifecta’ assistance technique would be an excellent asset for this kind of liver tumor resection."

Shen Xiaofei was deeply impressed with Dr. Wu Ting’s ’trifecta method,’ having seen its successful application in previous cases.

"Dean Song, this is the same Dr. Wu Ting who was part of the surgical team for your aunt’s operation."

Shen Xiaofei added.

Dean Song also had a deep and favorable impression of Dr. Wu Ting’s team.

"Director Fu, your thoughts?"

In the past, for a consultation this important, Director Fu would never have chosen a team from City First Hospital. However, his recent interactions with Wu Ting had led him to trust the young doctor.

Moreover, Wu Ting happened to be specializing in the field of primary hepatocellular carcinoma secondary to Hepatitis B, and his clinical skills in partial liver resection had reached a top-tier level.

Director Fu voiced his agreement.

"Of course. I agree with Director Shen’s assessment. I personally hold Dr. Wu in very high regard. We’ve collaborated on several surgeries, and I believe his involvement would be a powerful asset to our team."

Director Fu’s praise took both Dean Song and Shen Xiaofei by surprise.

Dean Song hadn’t expected Wu Ting to have earned the admiration and support of so many senior directors at his own hospital.

First, there had been Shen Guofeng and Shen Xiaofei, and now Fu Jinfen as well.

"Speaking of Wu Ting, we should take this opportunity to invite his mentor, Director Shen Siyuan of our cardiothoracic surgery department, to join the consultation."

"Director Shen’s expertise in immunomodulation is in a class of its own. She has successfully applied related therapies in cardiothoracic procedures, especially heart surgeries. If she joins us, it will definitely increase our chances of success."

Director Fu put forth another proposal.

Shen Xiaofei and Dean Song agreed with the idea.

"So, our hospital’s internal team is basically assembled: myself, Director Fu, and the mentor-student pair, Shen Siyuan and her protégé."

"As for outside experts, I plan to invite Professor Chen Bofeng, the Vice Dean of the Xuanshang University Affiliated Tumor Hospital in Xianglin City."

Shen Xiaofei now had a well-thought-out plan.

At the mention of Chen Bofeng’s name, both Dean Song and Director Fu’s confidence in the treatment plan surged.

The Xuanshang University Affiliated Tumor Hospital was a nationally renowned and prestigious specialty hospital with a long history. Its predecessor, the China-Belgium Radium Institute, was founded eighty years ago, making it the first specialty hospital established in Jin Country.

The Xuanshang University Affiliated Tumor Hospital was a specialty oncology hospital that integrated clinical care, education, research, and prevention.

The hospital was particularly known for its emphasis on early diagnosis and treatment. Its hallmark was its comprehensive treatment approach, adhering to international standards for tumors of all types and stages. It was famous for creating integrated treatment plans that utilized a full range of methods, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, National Medicine, interventional therapy, and biological therapy.

Vice Dean Chen Bofeng was a leading figure in oncology; his only disadvantages were his relative youth and seniority. Dean Chen was considered a strong candidate to be elected as an Academician for his work in the field. He was, arguably, at the absolute pinnacle of oncological treatment and diagnosis in all of Jin Country.

After the brief preliminary meeting, Director Fu and Director Shen sprang into action.

The formation of the surgical team had officially begun.

Director Fu went to invite Director Shen Siyuan. Director Shen took the case very seriously, though her research had always focused on the intersection of cardiothoracic surgery and immunology; she had not yet had specific experience with primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

However, with Director Fu, Director Shen, and Dean Chen from the Xuanshang University Affiliated Tumor Hospital on board, Shen Siyuan could apply her immunological theories to propose suggestions and work with the other experts to formulate an adjuvant treatment plan.

After all, the chance to be part of a special treatment group of this caliber was incredibly rare, an opportunity that even someone of Shen Siyuan’s stature deeply cherished.

What Shen Siyuan hadn’t expected, however, was that her own student, Wu Ting, had been invited as well.

Of course, Director Fu and Director Shen were primarily interested in the ’perfect trifecta’ assistance technique developed by Dr. Wu Ting’s team.

Only Shen Siyuan knew that Wu Ting had recently begun researching the very topic of immunomodulation and primary hepatocellular carcinoma, so this was an excellent opportunity for him to participate and learn.

Shen Siyuan also decided to broaden her own horizons. ’Since my student is tackling this subject,’ she thought, ’I can’t be a mentor who’s completely unable to guide him.’

Shen Siyuan resolved to do a deep dive into all the latest materials and cutting-edge journals on primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Then, she could have a more informed discussion with Wu Ting beforehand. She already respected his research abilities, and crucially, he had recently performed more clinical surgeries on liver tumors than she had.

Shen Siyuan couldn’t help but marvel that she had mentored such an incredible student.

Just yesterday, she had received a call from Deng Feifei, Professor Jin’s granddaughter, asking about Wu Ting. Feifei mentioned that her grandfather was very impressed with him and held him in high regard.

As fellow top researchers in immunology, Shen Siyuan and Professor Jin were naturally on very good terms, and she also had a personal friendship with Deng Feifei.

It was from that phone call that Shen Siyuan learned her student had made a name for himself in one fell swoop at the School of Life Sciences!

To think her own student, after studying with her for only a short while, had already reached such a level in the field of immunology.

Thinking about it, Shen Siyuan felt a swell of pride. Whether she admitted it or not, outsiders would chalk it up to good teaching.

’If that fellow Wu Ting insists on this research topic,’ Shen Siyuan mused, ’I might be able to secure a nice chunk of funding from that little rich girl, Deng Feifei.’

Shen Siyuan now truly thought of Wu Ting as her own protégé; of course she had to look out for his best interests.

’Speaking of which, that young woman Deng Feifei is quite a catch. With the backing of the Jin Pharmaceutical Group... in terms of looks, talent, and resources, she’s more than a match for my handsome protégé.’

’They say an older woman brings good fortune, and a rich one brings an empire,’ she thought.

Shen Siyuan thought about it and was quite pleased. She mentally added Deng Feifei’s name to her list of candidates for her protégé’s future wife.

After receiving the call from Director Fu, Wu Ting rushed to Jinggang University Affiliated First Hospital and went straight to his mentor’s office.