Even benign tumors carried immense risks…
Chen Lishu stared blankly at the doctor, at his mouth opening and closing, her heart a fluttering thing, unable to find solid ground.
“To be frank, successful craniotomy cases like this are extremely rare in our province.”
The doctor spoke for a while, then paused when she showed no reaction. “Comrade, are you listening to me?”
Chen Lishu’s focus returned. “Doctor, what are the chances of success?”
“Less than ten percent, I’d say.”
“And what happens if we opt for conservative treatment instead of surgery?”
“That’s hard to say. The tumor is located in the head, and the patient is already feeling unwell. It could be six months, or it could be a month. It’s like a time bomb, ready to detonate at any moment. Do you understand what I mean?”
Chen Lishu nodded. “Thank you for your concern.”
After Li Xiulan finished her examination and emerged, Chen Lishu showed no outward signs of distress, greeting her with a composed expression. “Mom, how are you feeling?”
Li Xiulan shook her head. “Mom’s fine.”
A young nurse added, “Come back in two days to collect the results.”
“Thank you.” After thanking her, Chen Lishu took Li Xiulan’s arm and they walked out of the hospital towards home.
Gu Xingdong had just returned from his company. Seeing them arrive, he asked, “What did they say at the hospital when you went to get the results?”
Chen Lishu glanced at Li Xiulan, then truthfully replied, “The doctor said Mom has a tumor in her head. We’ll know if it’s benign or malignant in two days when the lab results come back.”
Everyone present froze.
Gu Xingye, unable to process it for a long time, murmured, “How could this happen?”
“Don’t you worry, the doctor said the tumor isn’t very large, and I don’t feel anything,” Li Xiulan said dismissively, waving a hand as if to wave away their concerns. She then calmly went upstairs to check on the children.
At this moment, she absolutely could not appear dejected or tearful, as it would only make the children worry more.
It was a good thing life had improved, allowing for scans and diagnoses. In the past, people could simply disappear without ever knowing what afflicted them.
During her examination at the hospital, she had already come to terms with the fact that her illness wasn’t easily curable. Having lived a long life, she had seen her share of life and death, and understood the importance of acceptance.
The children all had their own families now. Only Xingping’s marriage remained unsettled.
But she was doing well, having gotten into university, and with her brothers looking out for her, she would surely be fine.
It was just the thought of leaving her old man behind, after decades together, that made her sigh. She truly hated to leave him.
Once the results were out, good or bad, she would return home. There was no need to cause more trouble for the children. Home was always the best place.
“…The doctor said the tumor in Mom’s head is in a very specific location. Even with surgery, the success rate isn’t high, only around ten percent.”
Because of Li Xiulan’s condition, no one touched their dinner. Back in their room, Chen Lishu recounted the doctor’s words to Gu Xingdong.
Seeing his silence, she took his hand, which rested on his knee, and said gently, “The doctor’s assessment is based on the current medical standards in our province. Once we get the results, we’ll take Mom to Kyoto. If that doesn’t work, we’ll go abroad.”
Craniotomy, even in later eras with advanced medical technology, carried significant risks. It was best to find the most authoritative doctors.
Gu Xingdong squeezed her hand back, forcing a smile that ultimately turned into a bitter one.
“I never considered taking time to truly spend time with my family and parents. I always felt there was still time, that everything could wait.”
Gu Xingdong’s voice was low. “I enlisted at eighteen. Years have passed in a flash. Every time I returned home, even though they didn’t say it, I could see the worry in their eyes. I thought I had become accustomed to life and death, and should be able to face it with more composure than others. But the moment I realized it was my mother, I…”
Gu Xingdong’s lips tightened, his dark eyes growing dim.
While parents are alive, life has a direction. When parents pass, life only has a destination.
Chen Lishu moved closer and put her arm around his shoulders. She knew that at a time like this, any words of comfort would seem hollow. Only silent companionship would suffice.
On the day Li Xiulan went to collect her results, Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong accompanied her. Gu Xingye had wanted to go too, but Li Xiulan refused.
“The results are already known, why do so many people need to go? Your third brother and sister-in-law accompanying me is enough. Your leg isn’t good, so just stay home.”
Hearing her words, Gu Xingye had no choice but to comply.
Fortunately, the tumor was benign.
“Given the patient’s current condition, we recommend you make a decision as soon as possible. The earlier the surgery, the lower the risk,” the doctor told the three of them after reviewing the results.
Chen Lishu said, “Doctor, we plan to go to Kyoto. Could you recommend a hospital that is authoritative in this field?”
“I’m not going to have surgery,” Li Xiulan said suddenly, breaking her silence before the doctor could respond.
“I’ve thought a lot these past two days. Kyoto is too far away. Mom has never been further than the provincial capital. You have to consider that this involves cutting into my head. If something goes wrong, I might die away from home.”
Gu Xingdong said, “Mom, if the surgery is successful, we’ll be healthy from now on.”
Li Xiulan sighed. “At my age, I don’t want to go through all that trouble. Everyone has their own destiny. In a couple of days, I want to buy a ticket home. I’ll live as long as I can, and spend more time with your father.”
Gu Xingdong opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed back the words he intended to persuade her with.
Li Xiulan had the right to choose how she wanted to proceed, and he couldn’t force his own wishes upon her. However, standing by and watching his mother give up treatment and be slowly consumed by illness was something Gu Xingdong could not do.
After taking her home, Gu Xingdong made a phone call to a certain unit in the Kyoto Military Region.
“Hello, Lao He, it’s me.”
“What made you think of calling me, kid?”
“I remember you mentioning before that your brother works at a hospital in Kyoto, and he studied abroad… Yes, what? He’s a neurosurgeon?”
As Gu Xingdong listened to the reply, his eyes gradually lit up.
“Alright, alright. I’ll await your news.”
After hanging up, Gu Xingdong thought for a moment and then called home.
Perhaps only Gu Shoufu could persuade Li Xiulan regarding her condition, and this was no small matter. Gu Shoufu also had the right to know.
Gu Shoufu was at home, sorting farm tools with Gu Xingguo. This year, neither the second nor the fourth family had cultivated their land; it had all been contracted by him and the eldest family.