Surgery Godfather-Chapter 444 - 405 Connecting with Steven_2
Chapter 444: Chapter 405: Connecting with Steven_2
Chapter 444: Chapter 405: Connecting with Steven_2
John Ansen got to his feet, expressing his views with stirring conviction.
Dr. Eugene also rose, “From the current surface ultrasound results, the heart shows no issues. The blood samples brought back last time also revealed no abnormalities. However, I would like to connect with Steven to guide him through the heart surface ultrasound again. As everyone’s health state is dynamic and ever-changing, previous exams don’t tell the whole story.”
“Once this meeting is adjourned, we’ll communicate with Steven to rerun the heart surface ultrasound.”
Collins agreed with Dr. Eugene. The doctors in their medical team lacked the expertise in interpreting ultrasound images compared to the professor of cardiology at Johns Hopkins.
“Also, I support Professor John Ansen. Before we understand the cause, making a hasty return would indeed put Steven’s life at risk,” Dr. Eugene added, his tone serious.
The other experts were in complete agreement with both professors. Whether it was heart disease or intracranial disease, the cause must be made clear to evaluate the risk of returning.
“Our opinions are unanimous at this point, further examination is required to get to the root of the problem, and to rule out any potentially fatal diseases,” Collins summarized.
John Ansen was to the point, “Absolutely. We must complete the angiography. While having an intracranial CT or MRI scan is impractical, an angiography would allow me to assess the basic risks at the very least.”
“There is no iodine contrast agent in our medical supplies, and the simple X-ray machine on the space station is too unreliable to ensure digital subtraction angiography,” Collins pointed out, who was well-versed with the medical supplies in the US module of the International Space Station.
He looked at the Russian doctor in the medical team. Regrettably, the Russian doctor was also unable to help, “Unfortunately, even though we have 18 medical kits, we don’t have any iodine contrast agent either.”
A Russian handed over the latest manual of medicines, which Collins browsed.
As far back as 50 years ago when humans first ventured into space, astronauts have had the habit of taking medical supplies with them. What should be put in this small medicine box was anything but mature at that time.
As the number of space flights soared and space medical knowledge improved, the list of medications became more sophisticated.
The International Space Station, prepared for astronauts’ health incidents, stored a considerable variety of medications. The medical team drew up a list of medication names based on a list of injuries and illnesses that might occur during their stay on the space station.
Aside from medications, the space station also had some medical equipment: a small ECG measuring device, pulse meter, sphygmomanometer, amplifying stethoscope, as well as rudimentary cardiopulmonary resuscitation equipment.
The spaceship traveling back and forth between the space station and the ground flew only once every two or three months.
If astronauts urgently needed medications that weren’t in the box,
the ground crew had to prepare the required quantity in advance for delivery to space by spaceship.
Due to the payload limitations of the spaceship, medication selection had to be meticulous, with the emphasis on broad-spectrum mature drugs.
The US module of the International Space Station had nine medicinal kits, none of which contained iodine contrast agent since no one would anticipate an astronaut needing an angiogram in space.
Collins amended the temples of his forehead, “If this is the case – I have to report. It will require scheduling in advance a special dispatch to deliver supplies and instruments to the station, and sending Susan.”
Collins had made his decision – he had to report. This problem was no longer something the medical team could solve. The head of the Aerospace Agency should make the decision.
The medical training received by astronauts was quite basic, primarily focusing on basic treatment and first aid. In order to carry out an angiography, a more qualified professional was needed. This person was Susan.
Not only was she an astronaut, but she was also a surgeon with professional medical literacy and had the capability to independently perform some basic surgeries.
Collins tilted back his head, feeling a heavy pain in his neck, “Does anyone have any comments? The situation needs escalating and if a special flight to send Susan and the medications to the Space Station becomes necessary, what ideas do you have?”
“A launch will cost at least 100 million US dollars, assuming two people’s weight.”
“This is Musk’s price. In the past, the average launch cost of the United States was 450 million US dollars.”
Two attending engineers reminded everyone to consider if there are any better solutions.
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“This is a math problem for the director. Our problem is how to reduce a one thousandth risk to zero.”
John Ansen said with extreme seriousness, considering the monetary cost in the face of human life is contempt for life.
The two engineers quickly silenced under the hostility of all the doctors, their presence at the meeting was just to answer possible questions about the space station project from the doctors.
“Exactly, leave this issue to Mr. Jim Basa, maybe he can negotiate the price with Mr. Musk.”
“I will draft a report tonight to report to the Chief Medical Officer and the Director at headquarters in Washington, requesting an additional express delivery to send Susan and the medications up there. Gentlemen, I apologize for the inconvenience. We will go to the Ground Control Center immediately to connect with Steven and conduct another ultrasound examination. Lastly, we need to make detailed plans together. For instance, the inventory list of medications and equipment for the express delivery, whether Susan needs to undergo further training, and unfortunately, we can only have fast food for dinner. I’m very sorry for this.” Collins ended the meeting and immediately led everyone to another building – the Ground Control Center.
There, eight staff members were busy, all staring at the screens.
The Ground Control Center operated in shifts, nine hours per shift, ensuring that seven or eight staff members were always on duty around the clock.
“Emergency medical connection, connect with Steven, now!” Collins directed the shift leader.
“Connect with Steven!” The shift leader ordered loudly.
The communication staff promptly linked the station’s video system.
After a few calls, Steven’s face appeared on the screen.
“Hello, everyone, I’m Steven. I’m fine. What’s happened, Collins? Looks like your whole team is there?” Steven greeted.
Collins kept smiling, “Don’t worry, we just had a meeting about your slowing heart rate. Now, Dr. Eugene needs to guide you to conduct another ultrasound. Do you need David Hollis’s assistance?”
“No, no, I can do it myself. I don’t feel uncomfortable at all. I completed an hour of running today. I don’t think I have a problem. Either you guys are wrong, or the device is wrong. Anyway, it’s not my fault.”
Steven moved his body, started opening a storage box, and pulled out the ultrasound machine.
“From now on, you must stop exercising.” Dr. Eugene warned Steven.
If the cause was not found, and it happened to be a myocardial problem, exercise would increase the stress on the heart, causing arrhythmia, and the consequence could be unthinkable.
“Johns Hopkins, Dr. Eugene, a cardiovascular specialist.” Collins introduced.
Steven straightened the wires, turned on the switch: “Although I strongly disagree with you, I will listen to your advice because you are a doctor. Can we start now?”
“We can start now.” The communication staff adjusted the image. The ultrasound images from the space station were synchronized with the screen in front of them.
“Alright, you can now redo the heart ultrasound step by step.” Collins ordered.
Dr. Eugene and everybody gathered in front of the comms screen, looking at the ultrasound image frame.
Left and right ventricle, left and right atrium, each valve, aorta, vena cava, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein—
Dr. Eugene carefully observed the pulsating heart ultrasound images. He asked Steven to repeat it several times.
There were no issues at all!
“Do you have any discomfort? Such as chest discomfort, feeling out of breath, general weakness, lack of energy? This is related to your return trip.” Dr. Eugene was still not reassured.
“No, I don’t have any discomfort.” Steven was very optimistic and didn’t think there was anything wrong with him.
“Headache, dizziness, muscle incoordination, anything unusual?” Professor John Ansen asked.
“No, if possible, I would like to challenge Tyson.”
“Alright, rest well, and contact us at any time if there is any issue.”
Dr. Eugene couldn’t find any issues with the heart ultrasound.
They could only wait for the next check-up.
