Chapter 591: Chapter 591: “Death Sentence
This disease is very cruel.
Although it is a terminal illness like cancer, most of the patients he took care of did not feel any fear or anxiety upon hearing the news of their diagnosis.
And this disease, at first, does not seem as painful as cancer.
All patients at the beginning are no different from normal people.
Except for occasionally falling and walking unsteadily, they live just like normal people.
However, after the initial period passes and the disease accelerates in deterioration, the cruelty of this disease truly manifests.
This is a degenerative disease.
At first, walking is unsteady, gait is wobbly, movements are slow in reaction, and accuracy decreases.
Later, speech gradually becomes unclear, unable to control tone, eyes cannot move smoothly, and images seen easily overlap.
Muscles increasingly lose the ability to coordinate properly, unable to write, have difficulty swallowing, and face eating disorders.
In the late stages, most patients can hardly stand normally, express themselves verbally, and cognitive understanding capability gradually declines, leading to loss of consciousness and prolonged coma.
Most patients die from malignant complications.
This is also the cruelest death caused by this disease.
Some describe this disease as a slow-release death penalty, which is not an exaggeration at all.
In the later stages, almost every patient is tortured to the point of extreme pain.
Because this disease is so rare, patients who are diagnosed with it do not have the correct awareness of it.
However, in his view, this is a good thing instead.
Knowing too much can be the greatest pain.
Sometimes, ignorance can make people feel a bit better.
Dr. Liang said, “Mr. Du, I know this result is hard to accept for the moment.”
Du Shaoheng lowered his eyes, masking the bitterness in them: “This result is already very optimistic for me.”
At least, he had confirmed that this disease would not have genetic effects on the next generation, which was already a blessing in disguise.
Du Shaoheng stood up and said, “Dr. Liang, thank you. However, please keep this medical record for now. I don’t want my wife to know about this matter.”
Dr. Liang asked, “Do you want to hide it from your wife?”
Du Shaoheng said, “You just said, the course of this disease is very long. I think now is not a good time to tell her. If she knows, she’ll inevitably worry. I’ll tell her when the time is right.”
Dr. Liang was taken aback for a moment and then nodded, “Alright, I’ll keep the medical record for you temporarily. Mr. Du, you really care about your wife.”
Du Shaoheng: “I don’t know what my life expectancy is with this disease…”
He said, taking a few breaths to calm himself, then said softly, “If possible, I want to cherish the present life.”
Dr. Liang nodded, “Mr. Du, your mentality is truly admirable.”
Du Shaoheng: “No one can ensure their longevity, and no one is forever under the favor of fate. Ten years, if I can live ten years, I would be very satisfied.”
In his view, some people only learn to gradually say goodbye after the age of fifty.
If seen pessimistically, the rest of his life would be only pain.
Optimistically thinking, knowing one’s fate in advance is also a kind of gift.
Du Shaoheng walked out of Dr. Liang’s office, taking a few deep breaths, about to leave, but Dr. Liang suddenly called after him: “Mr. Du, please wait a moment.”
Du Shaoheng turned around, “Dr. Liang, is there anything else?”
Dr. Liang said, “Your condition is unstable now, so please try not to drive yourself, as accidents can easily happen.”
Du Shaoheng paused for a moment before saying, “Understood.”
He turned and walked towards the elevator hall.
At the door of the rehabilitation room, through the window, he saw Junjun being supported by a doctor, slowly standing up, and gradually moving towards the wheelchair.
It was apparent that he walked very slowly and painfully, but even so, he still walked step by step, holding the doctor’s hand with difficulty.
Until he reached the wheelchair, Junjun slowly sat down. At that moment, his young face had turned bright red, but his eyes carried excitement: “I can walk now.”
The doctor was also happy for him: “Junjun, do you know? You are really amazing and brave!”
Junjun: “Thank you, Doctor Lu.”
The doctor looked up and saw Du Shaoheng standing outside the door and smiled, “Junjun, your dad is here to pick you up.”
Du Shaoheng walked over, gently grasped the wheelchair’s armrest, looked at Doctor Lu, and asked, “How is Junjun’s recovery?”
Doctor Lu said, “As you can see, Junjun can already walk normally. Although he can’t walk for too long, he’s recovering fast. I believe soon he will be able to walk like normal people.”
Once he’s accustomed to walking, he can get on a treadmill, from walking slow to fast walking, from jogging to running fast.
Although the rehab period is a bit long, for Junjun, it feels like a rebirth, and he is full of gratitude in his heart!
It’s great to be alive.
It’s wonderful to be able to walk like a normal person!
Junjun is so eager to return to normal life, and thus, his emotions are somewhat excited: “Dad, I can walk now, and Doctor Lu says I have to keep practicing walking at home. Next time I come, I might be able to get on the treadmill.”
Du Shaoheng said emotionally, “Junjun, you are truly amazing.”
Although seeing his flushed face made him a bit heartbroken, witnessing him walk firsthand, the gloom in Du Shaoheng’s heart was instantly dispelled.
Doctor Lu said to Du Shaoheng, “Mr. Du, Junjun’s training intensity was high today, so he needs a lot of rest when he gets home, and don’t force him to continue walking.”
“Okay.” Du Shaoheng lowered his head and said to Junjun, “Junjun, let’s go home and say goodbye to Doctor Lu.”
Junjun obediently waved his hand to Doctor Lu, “Goodbye, Doctor Lu!”
Doctor Lu smiled, “Goodbye, Junjun!”
Du Shaoheng pushed the wheelchair out of the doctor’s office.
After taking the elevator down to the basement, he unlocked the car, opened the back door, bent down, and reached to carry Junjun.
Junjun hooked his arm around his shoulder.
Du Shaoheng held him but did not move for a moment, just quietly holding him.
Junjun asked, a little puzzled: “Dad, why did you suddenly stop?”
Du Shaoheng said, “It’s nothing, Dad just… wants to hold you a little longer.”
Saying this, he hugged his son tighter.
He could feel that Junjun was skinnier again. Because of a year-long life in a wheelchair, he lacked exercise, his limbs’ muscles had greatly atrophied, and thus, his weight became particularly light.
Du Shaoheng said with distress, “Have you gotten thinner again? There’s not much flesh on you.”
Junjun said, “I’ve been eating well.”
Du Shaoheng said, “Maybe it’s because you haven’t been exercising. Once you recover, you must make up for it. You are in your growth phase, so pay attention to supplementing your nutrition, okay?”
Junjun obediently nodded, “Got it, Dad. I’ll eat well and then grow taller than you.”