I run a clinic in the United States

Chapter 332 Thalia can’t open her mouth wide

Aken's mother quickly told her husband about this.

Husband: "You are confused! Hurry up, let's go find Dr. Zhou."

Although Aken's mother felt a little embarrassed, she still shamelessly took her son there with her husband for the sake of her son's health.

Iris Clinic.

Although they didn't have an appointment, Zhou Qiao still received them.

"Your son's disease may be extremely complex and unusual. He needs to be hospitalized and given symptomatic treatment first, and then investigated. Genetic testing may be required," Zhou Qiao said.

"what?"

"Is it so serious? Do you still need to test the gene? Is it a rare disease?" Mr. Mendes is very sensitive.

Zhou Qiao said: "Let's take a look at the report first."

Therefore, little Aken was admitted to the community hospital and a series of examinations were arranged: blood routine, biochemistry, inflammatory index ESR, CPR, stool routine, stool culture, gastroscopy and colonoscopy, and biopsy for pathological examination.

Of course, the most important thing is genetic testing.

With so many intensive inspections going on all at once, the Mendez couple were confused and a little suspicious.

Do you think you have been over-medicated?

These inspections alone cost a lot of money. Although there is medical insurance, there is a lot of out-of-pocket expenses.

"Husband, do you think we should transfer to the University of California Medical Center?"

"Everything has been done, let's see the results first. I hope that Dr. Zhou didn't fool us."

Zhou Qiao did not let them wait too long, because the child's condition was a bit serious, so Zhou Qiao arranged expedited services for some items with relatively long testing cycles.

Otherwise, as time goes by, the child's condition is likely to progress to a worse state.

Sure enough, all the results pointed to an extremely rare disease: very early-onset inflammatory bowel disease and immunodeficiency.

Genetic testing results showed that little Aken had a hemizygous mutation in the CD40LG gene and suffered from immunodeficiency with hyperimmunoglobulinemia (X-linked hyperIgM syndrome).

At the same time, the imaging report showed that there was a large ulcer in his duodenum and multiple shallow ulcers around it.

Akon's clinical manifestations, including abdominal pain, ulcers, fever, and blood in the stool in the past few days after admission, were consistent with the clinical manifestations of very early onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD).

"What the hell is this?" Aken's parents were confused.

Zhou Qiao explained to them what very early onset inflammatory bowel disease and immune deficiency are.

Very early onset inflammatory bowel disease, as the name suggests, is an inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed very early, usually before the age of 5 or 6, and has a very strong genetic component.

"Can that be cured?" Aken's mother asked.

Zhou Qiao then pondered.

"What? Can't it be cured?"

Zhou Qiao shook his head: "That's not true. It's just that I can help stabilize this disease. If you want to cure it, you need a bone marrow transplant. This requires matching a suitable donor source."

"What? Do you still need a bone marrow transplant?" Aken's parents were confused again.

"What will happen if there is no treatment?" Aken's mother asked.

Zhou Qiao said: "If it is not treated, intestinal perforation, shock, acute peritonitis, atelectasis, sepsis, intestinal necrosis, gastric necrosis... many complications will occur in the later stage, which are life-threatening. I'm sorry, I am not an alarmist. If you are If they don’t trust me, they can transfer to the University of California Medical Center.”

"It doesn't mean that, it doesn't mean that, Dr. Zhou, please don't misunderstand. We just don't understand this disease, and we are not mentally prepared at all." Aken's father said sincerely.

Aken's mother: "..." Her heart ached and she was already a little speechless.

At first, I just thought it was a mouth ulcer! How did it become like this?

I had stomachache, oral ulcers, and a slight fever. How could I be considered for a bone marrow transplant? Isn't that kind of method used to deal with leukemia?

Thinking that it might be on the same level as leukemia, Aken's parents almost wanted to die.

Zhou Qiao comforted him: "Don't worry. Next, we will stabilize his condition and then conduct donor screening. It can be you or his brothers and sisters. I hope there will be a good result."

It was undoubtedly good news when I heard that Akon also had two brothers.

Zhou Qiao asked Aken's parents to bring the two children over and conduct HLA gene matching with Aken's parents.

Fortunately, Aken's eldest brother, who is currently in high school, had a very good match and could undergo an HLA-matching transplant.

I have to say that this is also the benefit of having more children.

If the whole family is not suitable, the only option is to turn to strangers for help. That's even harder.

This is an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant, which can be divided into parental bone marrow transplantation and non-parental bone marrow transplantation.

Under normal circumstances, the donors for parental bone marrow transplantation are the patient's siblings, parents and other relatives. An unrelated bone marrow transplant uses a donor who is genetically completely different from the patient.

It is worth mentioning that because the matter was so serious, Akon’s parents were still a little reluctant to believe it. They secretly took the report to the University of California Medical Center for expert consultation. The result was naturally unquestionable.

The expert told them that Dr. Zhou's diagnosis was correct. This disease is quite rare. The incidence of X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome is estimated to be 2:1000000 in men. Unfortunately, the Aken child has a "low probability".

Although Dr. Zhou was discovered early because of his superb medical skills, he must not take it lightly, because this disease is like a time bomb that can worsen at any time and become life-threatening.

According to the current progress of Akon's condition, if no intervention is carried out, he will encounter a death crisis within half a month.

These words completely woke up Aken’s parents!

They have to learn to face reality and the bleak life.

At the same time, they are very grateful to Zhou Qiao for allowing their child to detect the disease early and intervene early.

Any disease is best detected and treated early.

"Honey, let's go back to Dr. Zhou." Aken's mother was completely convinced. She felt from the bottom of her heart that Dr. Zhou was really the most powerful doctor she had ever seen.

Naturally, Zhou Qiao couldn't hide the fact that the other party went to the University of California.

The slightly famous experts there are all very familiar with him and have had some dealings with him, so they will talk to him in private.

However, Zhou Qiao didn't care. Because, as parents of patients, it is human nature to be unable to accept rare diseases for a while and to want to find someone to confirm.

Zhou Qiao is not a small-minded person.

Zhou Qiao called Chiba Nanako over and asked Chiba Nanako to take charge of the medicine.

Nanako Chiba carefully studied the condition, discussed with Zhou Qiao, and finally formulated a dosage regimen of meropenem combined with vancomycin and fluconazole to fight infection, and mesalazine and thalidomide for oral administration.

Thanks to Chiba Nanako's superb medication, little Akon's condition was quickly stabilized. When the conditions for surgery were met, stem cell transplantation was performed.

Although this operation was complex and extremely risky, it was naturally successful when Iris Tiantuan performed it.

After the operation, little Aken needs to continue to be hospitalized to receive follow-up treatment and care, but his physical indicators are gradually recovering, and discharge is just around the corner.

"Nanako, do you find it hard?" All the medicines for post-operative patients are now given to Chiba Nanako. Chiba Nanako is very busy every day, and Zhou Qiao is really distressed.

Chiba Nanako smoothed her hair: "No, I feel very fulfilled. Working here, being able to come into contact with so many complex cases, is also quite amazing for my personal growth!"

Zhou Qiao asked: "Where is the enrichment?"

Chiba Nanako suddenly blushed and blinked: "Zhou Jun..."

Twitching, but taking the initiative to embrace. In view of Chiba Nanako's heavy workload and outstanding performance, Zhou Qiao decided to increase Chiba Nanako's salary.

Among the girls, Chiba Nanako has the lowest income, so Zhou Qiao usually gives more bonuses privately.

Like Elena and Ava, there is no financial burden, but Chiba Nanako still has to support her younger sister, and occasionally, she has to send some money back to China to support her old father in the countryside. It's quite difficult.

……

Los Angeles.

Thalia was unlucky.

She recently received a dubbing job for a cartoon, voicing the protagonist Bunny Policewoman, and the pay was very generous.

The lines in it are quite tense. She was very devoted when dubbing, and the effect she produced was quite passionate. Even the director praised her for her outstanding performance and adding a lot of color to the cartoon.

However, I don’t know why. When I woke up today, I found that my mouth hurt so much that I couldn’t open it. I couldn’t speak loudly without speaking. My mouth hurt even more when I ate.

Good roommate Jenna: "Let's go, let me take you to the doctor."

Thalia opened her mouth: "..."

"What did you say?" Jenna didn't hear clearly, so she couldn't help but put her ear up and asked.

Thalia pointed to her ear, endured the pain, and said softly: "Go to San Francisco and find Dr. Zhou."

"Oh my God..." Jenna was speechless. For a small problem, you have to fly so far to see a doctor in San Francisco? I think you need it psychologically, oh, no, it’s a physical need!

Jenna also knew about the relationship between Talia and Zhou Qiao. Although Talia had been hiding it from her, she accidentally saw it last time in San Francisco.

At this time, seeing that my best friend was pitiful, I had no choice but to agree to send her there.

After all, Thalia was so kind to her.

The house she lives in here belongs to Talia, and she is allowed to live here for free without confiscating her rent.

At first, they lived together, but later Talia bought a house. Talia felt that living alone was too lonely and unsafe, so she invited her to live together.

But in fact, he was secretly helping her in this way. Jenna always remembers Thalia well.

So Jenna took a leave of absence and escorted Thalia over. Of course, Talia will pay for the round-trip air ticket.

"Oh, dear Thalia, what's wrong with you?"

When Thalia showed up at the Iris Clinic, Elena, Ava, and Stephanie all came over to inquire with concern. Murphy also cast a friendly look.

Thalia is also very popular. Perhaps because of her celebrity aura, Elena and Ava were her fans before they even met.

It was the first time for Chiba Nanako to see Thalia, and she looked at this beauty very curiously. From the words of others, she knew that she was a popular little girl in the United States, but she couldn't help but have a thought in her mind, that is: "Isn't this girl also Zhou Jun's girlfriend? Zhou Jun is really... a playboy..."

Chiba Nanako is helpless, but she can no longer live without Zhou Qiao. Not seeing him for one day is like three autumns.

Moreover, there are so many girls surrounding Zhou Jun. There are many girls who are not too many, and there are too many girls who are too few.

Chiba Nanako feels that only a man as good as Zhou Qiao can be liked by so many girls.

After all, everyone wants good things.

Zhou Qiao had just gone to the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine to participate in an academic exchange event in the morning. When he rushed back after receiving the news, Talia was waiting pitifully in the lounge area.

Originally, there were so many doctors here, including Murphy, Stephanie, and Nanako Chiba, all of whom were experts, but she insisted on waiting for Zhou Qiao to come back.

Everyone just followed her.

The main thing is that her condition is not a life-threatening emergency.

Everyone also knew her little intention, which was just to make Zhou Qiao feel sorry for her.

With such a small idea, everyone will satisfy her.

Zhou Qiao gently held Talia's chin and examined it carefully. Afterwards, he completed relevant examinations and was finally diagnosed with temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome.

This disease refers to a general term for a class of diseases involving the temporomandibular joint and/or masticatory musculature, with related clinical problems. The main symptoms are pain when opening and closing the mouth, unable to open the mouth wide, and you can hear your cheeks wheezing when chewing food. Slight popping, sometimes dizziness, tinnitus, etc.

It usually occurs in young adults, with the highest prevalence in those aged 20 to 30 years.

"Don't worry, little baby, this is one of the most common oral and facial diseases, and it can be easily cured."

Zhou Qiao estimated that it was Talia who opened and closed her mouth too much in a short period of time when dubbing the cartoon. Sometimes she might shout loudly because of the needs of the plot, which would put greater pressure on the temporomandibular joint, causing joint damage. , masticatory muscle dysfunction.

Thalia's condition is still mild, and some severe patients may even over-stretch the articular disc forward, causing the articular disc to shift.

If the articular disc displacement is very severe and conservative treatment fails, surgical treatment is required.

Thalia's condition can be alleviated through local physical therapy such as ultrashort wave, iontophoresis, and magnetic therapy.

The dental department of the community hospital had such equipment, so Zhou Qiao took her there and gave her physical therapy himself.

During the treatment, Talia's eyes were filled with tears, and Zhou Qiao thought to herself, don't worry, little baby, when I have been with you a hundred times, you won't have this little trouble anymore.

Because after a hundred times, Zhou Qiao can add points to her to improve her attributes in all aspects. Colds, fevers, throat discomfort, inability to open the mouth... these minor ailments will no longer occur.

A minor problem with the temporomandibular joint is not worth mentioning.

This is also the benefit of following Zhou Qiao.

It is also one of the biggest benefits. Money can't buy it.

If other women knew about it, they would probably rush in and wait in line.

Just think about Tang Seng, there are so many female monsters trying to eat him.

Although Zhou Qiao's welfare attribute is not as good as Tang Monk's meat, it is still quite attractive.

When Talia recovered, Zhou Qiao asked what happened. Although I heard Jenna mention it before, I didn’t know much about it.

Talia said it might be because she liked eating nuts since she was a child.

She likes to eat nuts, especially almonds, pecans, and Turkish hazelnuts. When chewing these harder or tougher foods, in fact, over the years, she has occasionally found that her joints make slight sounds when chewing food.

Zhou Qiao understood clearly. This showed that Talia's temporomandibular joint had been chronically worn, but since it was not serious and did not affect her life, she didn't care. This sudden high-intensity dubbing work, This leads to acute attacks.

The director called to inquire. After understanding the situation, he calculated Talia's work-related injury and not only reimbursed the full medical expenses, but also gave an additional compensation.

Of course, this animated film was also a box office hit due to Talia's outstanding performance, and later won the honor of the best animated film of the year.

This year alone, Talia starred in or participated in eight movies, making her a highly productive model worker. Fans gave her a nickname, "Model Sister".

"Christmas is coming soon, so stay here. Then there will be a live broadcast of Xue Qiao's selection after Christmas. I solemnly invite you to be a guest in the live broadcast room!" In the hotel room, on the sofa, Zhou Qiao hugged Talia and invited.

It would be useless to not use such good celebrity resources.

Thalia chuckled: "Are you so serious?" She didn't know where her hands went.

And Jenna has long since returned to Los Angeles alone. Send Thalia over and her mission is complete.

And Talia doesn't know how long she will stay here. She still has work to do when she returns to Los Angeles.

(End of this chapter)