There is no end to learning (4)
A bus carrying cruise staff stopped at the dock.
Choi Ki-seok got off the bus and enjoyed the open scenery. As I looked at the Hudson River flowing before my eyes, all the dirt on my chest was washed away.
“Follow me.”
The administrative department staff took the lead, followed by the staff.
After walking for about ten minutes, a huge cruise ship appeared in front of us.
The MHC logo and the phrase “patient-centered” were engraved on the side of the cruise ship.
If you were a real patient, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy sightseeing on the cruise…
Today, the phrase ‘patient-centered’ seemed to have faded.
“Wow. The cruise ship is really nice.”
Leon’s eyes widened as he scanned his stomach.
“It’s just a medical examination, but in reality, it’s no different from tourism.”
“Well, that’s true too. As far as I know, the cost of Cruise’s checkup is around $35,000 (approximately 39 million won in Korean), right?”
“Yes. That will be about it.”
Choi Ki-seok shook his head while answering.
It varies depending on the case, but a high-end checkup in Korea usually does not exceed 3 million won.
It is ten times cheaper than in the United States.
I couldn’t help but think that Korea was much better than the United States, at least in terms of medical welfare and medical expenses.
Soon, the staff and the staff from the administrative department visited every corner of the cruise ship.
The cruise felt like a luxury hotel.
The structure and design of the ship were so gorgeous that it was eye-popping.
However, it was not far behind in the medical aspect.
The treatment tools and drugs could easily be called compressed versions of MHC.
In addition, it is equipped with a simple operating room for emergency situations.
‘I don’t feel good?’
After passing the operating room, Choi Ki-seok placed his hand on his chest.
Mild chest pain is an ominous signal from your sixth sense.
I secretly hoped that if something happened, it could be resolved on board.
After the cruise tour, an early dinner began.
Choi Ki-seok had a great time talking with Leon and went to the thoracic surgery clinic on time.
The first step in a cruise checkup is checking the test results.
Personnel boarding today have completed the necessary tests at MHC in advance.
Inside the ship, we only heard the results.
“Please take care of me, Dr. Choi.”
“Please take care of me.”
Ki-Seok Choi exchanged greetings with Sylvia, who would assist with the treatment.
While examining the necessary tools, including the stethoscope, I looked out the window. Patients, not customers, were boarding the cruise ship one after another.
There is one hour left until the cruise checkup begins.
‘I need to get ready soon, right?’
Choi Ki-seok snapped his neck.
From now on, I have to prepare for the lecture that Parker requested.
It was a surprise offer, but I didn’t intentionally refuse it. Because I wanted to see Parker’s shit-chewing expression after successfully completing the lecture.
Choi Ki-seok picked up his cell phone and called someone.
[Is it a dream? is not it? I feel hazy. They say you like me. oh my god. I guess it’s true. Step by step. The two of us under the lights.
My mouth is full of smiles.
lightly. Match your steps.
I guess it’s true. I guess we have become lovers.]
My head moved automatically at the unfamiliar coloring.
Until now, this guy has had no coloring. But today, I heard a refreshing girl group voice.
I wondered if my tastes had changed in the meantime.
[Yes, senior.]
“It’s been a while. Is it okay to talk to you?”
[of course. If it’s a call from a senior, you have to answer it even during surgery.]
Choi Ki-seok burst out laughing at Lee Young-ho’s joke.
“By the way. What’s your coloring? It doesn’t suit you.”
[Ah… I recently got into girl groups. It’s a group called Lovely Girls, and all the members are so attractive. Even seniors will die when they hear the song.]
“…You’re under a lot of stress because you’re Chief. Yes, I understand.”
[lol. There is nothing like that. But what’s going on?]
“I want to ask you a favor. Do you have any health management PPT materials for the general public? I need it right now.”
[Of course there is. Not long ago, the manager gave a lecture on heart disease patients, and I created it.]
“Okay, then send it to me quickly.”
[Hmm. In exchange for sending you the materials, there is one condition.]
“Conditions?”
[yes. Listen to the song ‘We Now’ by Lovely Girls.]
“Are you bargaining with me now?”
[No… I’m kidding. senior. It’s not my place to bargain with a senior. Since the song is so good, I thought it would be good to listen to it.]
“Okay, man. I’ll listen to it.”
[thank you. I will send you the data right away.]
Ki-Seok Choi hung up the phone and checked his email.
Lee Young-ho, who must have been sitting in front of the computer, sent an email like a bullet.
After a while, his eyes became sharper as he scanned the data.
The material was clear and easy to understand.
I thought I could finish the lecture safely if I just changed the content to English and prepared a few comments.
Ride, ride, ride.
Ki-seok Choi, who finished typing at the speed of light, immediately opened the status window.
There is one critical step left to make the lecture a success.
This method would be able to break Carter’s nose in one fell swoop.
After completing the preliminary work using the status window, the cruise ship slowly moved.
The MHC Cruise examination has come to an end.
Choi Ki-seok, who found some free time, went up to the deck and got some fresh air.
The gently blowing river breeze and warm sunlight.
The sound of water heard as a cruise ship cuts through the river.
It seemed as if all the peace in the world had gathered on a cruise ship.
But while he was enjoying the peace, a bitter smile suddenly appeared on his lips.
Why?
All of this is like the calm before the storm.
* * *
The cruise ship left the dock and crossed the river.
After an hour, it was time for the actual treatment.
Choi Ki-seok adjusted his gown and clothes and settled into the treatment room.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“Doctor. The patient is coming in.”
As the nurse spoke, a middle-aged man with a bulging belly came inside.
The simple appearance of wearing shorts and a shirt was no different from that of a man in the neighborhood.
However, it is obvious that he must have enough assets to do a cruise checkup.
Rich people prefer flashy clothes.
I was able to confirm once again that that statement is not always true.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Jake. Please sit there.”
“hello.”
Jake sat down and was greeted, and Ki-Seok Choi looked over his chart and started praying.
“There is nothing wrong with the electrocardiogram. The heart also looks healthy.”
“Thank goodness. My chest felt a little tight these days.”
“But… I guess you smoke a lot?”
“How did you know that?”
Jake’s eyes widened.
“The pulmonary function test values are not good. The expiratory volume is far below average, and conversely, the amount of air remaining in the lungs after breathing is large. This means that the lung function has decreased significantly.”
“….”
“How many cigarettes do you smoke a day?”
“I smoke about a pack and a half. I’ve been smoking for almost 20 years.”
“Hmm… Just walking fast will make you run out of breath. It’s obvious, but it’s best to quit smoking. If that’s not possible, reducing the amount you smoke will also help…” “Cough. Cough.
”
Choi Ki-seok’s words were cut off by the sound of Jake coughing.
“By the way, teacher, my dry cough has been really bad these days. Do you have any other illness?”
“My lung function has declined, but I don’t have any diseases at the moment.”
Choi Ki-seok examined Jake’s chest CT scan and even used Hippocrates’ eyes.
The test results showed no problems.
The diagnosis did not even occur to Hippocrates.
However, as Jake said, the symptom included coughing.
“There are many reasons for a dry cough. It could be a virus infection, or it could be due to fine dust or pollen. Or it could be due to a disease such as asthma or reflux esophagitis. In Jake’s case… .”
“What about me?”
“As expected, the main cause appears to be decreased lung function.”
Choi Ki-seok continued calmly.
“Like I said earlier, quit smoking and try dried radish tea.”
“Dried radish tea?”
“In Korea, where I grew up, there is a saying that winter radishes are better than ginseng. This means that radishes are more nutritious. When radishes are dried, their nutrients increase several orders of magnitude during the drying process.”
“….”
“Eating dried radishes in hot water strengthens the bronchial mucosa and helps excrete toxins such as nicotine. If you take it consistently, your symptoms will definitely improve.”
“I didn’t know that dried radishes would be so effective… Anyway, I’ll do as you said.”
“Yes. I hope you enjoy the rest of your checkup.”
Immediately after Jake left, a couple came into the treatment room.
The sight of them holding hands and sitting down looked as sweet as a lovebird.
Choi Ki-seok greeted the couple and looked at the test results.
“Both of you are in good health. Your heart and lungs are healthy. All test results are normal.”
“Whew… I was so nervous I thought I was going to die.”
“Look. I told you nothing would happen.”
Justin smiled, pinching Lindsey’s cheek.
“If you don’t mind, may I ask why you two are getting a check-up?”
Choi Ki-seok spoke carefully.
Justin and Lindsay are 30 and 28 years old, respectively.
I was a bit young to receive such an expensive comprehensive checkup.
“Do you mind if I tell you?”
Lindsey received Justin’s gaze and nodded.
“Actually, we’re getting married next month. I thought it would be meaningful to check each other’s health before getting married, so I applied for cruise medical treatment.”
“Ah… you’re getting married. Congratulations.”
“Hahaha. Thank you. From now on, we should only walk on the flower path with Fiancé.”
“Look at this guy. There’s nothing he can’t say in front of the teacher.”
“Well, what do you think? There are no barriers to my love.”
Justin’s comment made Choi Ki-seok’s arms grow red.
I never imagined I would hear such a touching comment during treatment.
“Are you really going to have only one child?”
“Stupid. Why are you bringing up that story again!”
“I want to have a son and a daughter, sir. Wouldn’t that be good for the children’s emotions?”
“Ah… that’s…”
Choi Ki-seok couldn’t give a definitive answer to Justin’s words.
The look in Lindsey’s eyes next to me was so harsh.
“It would be better for you two to discuss your child plans. I don’t think it’s my area to get involved.”
“Tsk. Is that so? I understand.”
“I received good treatment. Good luck.”
Ki-seok Choi couldn’t hide his happy smile as he watched Justin and Lindsey leaving.
I thought it would be nice if I could live a life full of enlightenment like that with Jeong Seol-hwa.
The treatment that followed was okay.
Most of the patients had symptoms but no diagnosis.
Since he had enough money to get a cruise checkup, he must not have neglected his regular health care.
As time passed, the staff’s primary treatment was completed.
Choi Ki-seok left the treatment room and moved to the banquet hall on the second floor. About sixty customers in the banquet hall were having tea time at their respective tables.
The staff were spread out behind them.
Everyone gathered in one place to listen to Choi Ki-seok’s lecture.
Choi Ki-seok reviewed the PPT materials and necessary comments and then went up to the podium.
Although customers were staring at me, I wasn’t afraid.
Items in the status window displayed before the actual lecture.
There, items coated with jelly were emitting brilliant light.
[Glasses: Jelly (Rare): Charisma +10]
[Doctor’s Gown: Jelly (Unique): Conversation +15]
[Pants: Jelly (Legendary): Humor +20]
[Shoes: Jelly (Rare): Conversation +10]
‘ good. I’m perfect from head to toe.’
Ki-Seok Choi took the microphone, instilling confidence in himself.
“Nice to meet all the gentlemen who participated in the MHC Cruise examination. My name is Ki-Seok Choi, and I am in training in thoracic surgery.”
