Taeho needed time to verify the thought that had occurred to him. He couldn’t speak rashly to a patient and his family who were already exhausted from hope being dangled in front of them.
“Mr. No, Principal No. For now, please go home and wait. I’ll look for another way.”
“Another way?”
“I can’t promise anything, but don’t give up.”
“Thank you, Director. We’re counting on you.”
After Principal No and No Seongjin left, Taeho looked over the imaging data sent by Samcheok Medical Center.
Even looking at it again, the location was far too bad. To remove the hematoma, they would have to incise at least three to four centimeters into the normal motor cortex, and the chance of complete paralysis on the right side was too high.
If surgery wasn’t possible, then in the end, treatment would have to be done with medication…
What if he combined Western medicine and Korean medicine, the way it had been effective when treating Minsu last time?
Taeho called Rema.
“Rema, open the Korean medicine database.”
-Dongui Bogam, Hyangyak Jipseongbang, Jingyue Quanshu…
-Database open complete.
-What is a hematoma called in Korean medicine?
-[Dongui Bogam(東醫寶鑑)] “Eohyeol(瘀血), or blood stasis, is blood that has stagnated and congealed.”
“So it’s eohyeol.”
A hematoma in the brain was, in the end, a type of eohyeol. Blood had failed to circulate normally and had stagnated in one place, hardening there.
“Rema, search for all prescriptions used to treat eohyeol and pull them up.”
-[Dongui Bogam(東醫寶鑑)] Searching…
-[Bencao Gangmu(本草綱目)] Searching…
Several prescriptions caught his eye, but one in particular stood out.
-[Hyangyak Jipseongbang(鄕藥集成方)] Hyeolbu Chugeo-tang(血府逐瘀湯)
“A prescription that resolves blood stasis in the chest…”
Taeho examined the composition of the prescription in detail. Persicae Semen, or peach seed; Carthami Flos, safflower; Angelica; Rehmannia root; Cnidium; red peony root… They were all medicinal herbs said to improve blood circulation and resolve blood stasis.
“If this prescription were applied to blood stasis in the brain…”
Taeho sensed the possibility. But he couldn’t try it recklessly. Modern medical evidence was absolutely necessary.
“Rema.”
-Please give your command.
“Find out whether Hyeolbu Chugeo-tang is actually effective on blood stasis in the brain—in other words, hematomas—and whether there is modern medical evidence for it.”
-Searching…
-[Frontiers in Pharmacology] Hyeolbu Chugeo-tang(XFZYD) was confirmed to promote neurological recovery in a rat model of traumatic brain injury(TBI) and regulate neural metabolic pathways without affecting blood coagulation function. Neuroprotective effects were observed in both the acute and chronic phases.
-[PMC] In clinical studies, Hyeolbu Chugeo-tang, when used in parallel with Western medical treatment, was confirmed to improve hypercoagulability in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH), and to have significant effects on cerebral hematoma absorption and improvement of neurological deficits. Various mechanisms were involved, including promotion of VEGF secretion, protection of vascular endothelium, and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
-[Journal of Korean Medicine] Hyeolbu Chugeo-tang may help improve symptoms of thrombus- and blood-stasis-related diseases through various mechanisms, including increased blood flow velocity, protection of vascular endothelial cells, anti-inflammatory effects, and suppression of oxidative stress.
Taeho read the search results carefully.
There were studies showing that Hyeolbu Chugeo-tang could actually help neurological recovery and hematoma absorption in patients with traumatic brain injury or cerebral hemorrhage. Without significantly affecting blood coagulation function, it even protected vascular endothelium and had anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects…
The results were better than he had expected.
But when applying it clinically, he had to be careful, and then careful again.
“Rema, also search the latest clinical guidelines for the applicability of Korean medical prescriptions.”
-Command confirmed. Beginning search of the latest clinical guidelines.
-Searching…
***
Taeho organized the materials he had researched over several days and waited for No Deukguk and No Seongjin, father and son.
“Come in.”
Principal No’s face looked even more gaunt than before as he opened the door and entered. No Seongjin also seemed more drained than he had previously.
Taeho waited for them to sit down, then opened his mouth.
“I have good news. After researching it, I found a method that may allow treatment without surgery.”
Principal No and No Seongjin’s eyes widened at the same time. In particular, a light of hope rose on No Seongjin’s face.
“However, it’s an approach completely different from existing treatments. It’s a new method that integrates Eastern and Western medicine.”
Taeho spread out the materials he had prepared.
“First, I’ll interpret Mr. No’s condition from the perspective of Korean medicine. In Korean medicine, a hematoma inside the head is regarded as ‘eohyeol(瘀血),’ or blood stasis. It means blood has failed to flow normally and has clumped together in one place. There is a traditional prescription that resolves this eohyeol. It’s a prescription called Hyeolbu Chugeo-tang.”
Showing them the prescription, Taeho continued explaining.
“But I didn’t stop there. I combined it with modern medicine to create a more effective treatment. The treatment I’m proposing uses three elements at the same time.”
No Seongjin leaned forward and listened intently.
“First, a herbal prescription. I’ll prescribe Boyang Hwano-tang in addition to Hyeolbu Chugeo-tang. Hyeolbu Chugeo-tang improves blood circulation and helps the hematoma be absorbed naturally, while Boyang Hwano-tang helps regenerate damaged nerves.”
Principal No nodded. Like many elders his age, he had plenty of experience with Korean medicine clinics and herbal decoctions, so Taeho’s explanation did not feel unfamiliar.
“Second, Western medication. We’ll prevent platelet aggregation with low-dose aspirin, and reduce intracranial pressure with a brain-pressure-lowering agent called mannitol.”
“Will it really be effective?”
“In theory, it’s entirely possible. However, this is the first time trying this kind of treatment, so I can’t guarantee anything for certain.”
No Deukguk asked worriedly.
“Could there be any side effects?”
“The herbal medicine is made of natural ingredients, and the Western medication is also low-dose, so the possibility of severe side effects is small. But there may be individual differences, so we’ll monitor him every day.”
“Will it really work? Even the university hospital in Seoul said it couldn’t be done…”
Taeho could fully understand Principal No’s doubts. His son’s life was at stake, so it was not something he could decide easily.
“To be honest, I’m not one hundred percent certain either. But if surgery is impossible, this is the best method I’ve found. What do you think, Mr. No?”
Taeho said, looking at No Seongjin.
No Seongjin thought for a moment, then answered.
“I want to try it. If I stay like this, I’ll only get worse and worse. Having even a little hope is better than that. I’ll try it, Father.”
When No Seongjin insisted so firmly, Principal No finally nodded as well.
“Then when do we start?”
“There are a few preparations needed, so we can start tomorrow. Since we need to observe you every day, it would be better for you to be admitted.”
“Understood. Thank you, Director.”
No Seongjin pressed his lips tightly together. Seeing the tip of his nose redden, it seemed he was holding back tears.
He had thought he had no choice but to give up, trapped by walls on every side, and he was grateful to Director Kang Taeho for finding an unexpected method.
Principal No also bowed deeply.
“Director, thank you so much. For giving us hope.”
“We haven’t even started yet. We’ll have to see the results. Then from now on, we’ll begin the treatment in earnest.”
***
The third day after treatment began.
No Seongjin’s condition was clearly improving.
No Seongjin spread both hands and said,
“I think my hands are trembling less than yesterday. And the sensation in my legs seems to be coming back little by little too.”
“That’s a good sign. It seems the herbal medicine is improving your circulation.”
Taeho nodded and recorded everything in detail.
By the time a week had passed, No Seongjin’s improvement had become even more apparent.
“Director, it’s truly amazing. I can use chopsticks, and I can write too.”
In fact, No Seongjin picked up a pen and wrote his own name. It was not perfect, but compared to before treatment, it was incomparable.
“This is really good news.”
“It’s thanks to you, Director. You’ve given me a new life.”
“It isn’t over yet, so let’s keep watching until the end. Still, think about what you want to do once you’re discharged.”
When Taeho smiled, No Seongjin pressed his lips together and nodded.
A few days later, a suspicious rumor began spreading among the staff of Geumsan Clinic.
“Mr. No, it’s true, isn’t it?”
“Right? I told you I was right.”
“He really sounded desperate. Just hearing it made my heart ache.”
“Exactly. I felt that way too. You should have seen his expression. Every time he spoke, he looked like his heart was being torn apart.”
Nurse aides Park Yeonji and Park Yeonwoo exchanged secretive glances.
“Stop it already. What are you going to do if the director finds out?”
Park Geumja gave the two of them a warning look.
Just then, Taeho, who had been walking out from behind the corner of the reception desk, heard them.
“What’s going on?”
“Yes?”
Park Yeonwoo jumped in surprise and sprang to her feet, while Park Yeonji dropped the pen she was holding.
Taeho raised an eyebrow and smiled.
“You were talking about Mr. No Seongjin, weren’t you?”
“Ah, that’s…”
While Park Yeonwoo hesitated, Park Yeonji answered in her place.
“It’s not that we deliberately eavesdropped. We just happened to hear it. Mr. No has been sounding so earnest on the phone lately…”
Park Geumja nudged her with an elbow from beside her, signaling her to stop, but Park Yeonji ignored it and continued.
“Our guess is that he probably wants to get back together with his ex-girlfriend. He tries to persuade her over the phone every evening. But he sounds so desperate… Ah, if it were me, I think I’d just meet him.”
At Park Yeonji’s bold words, Taeho let out a small laugh.
As if this was no laughing matter, Park Yeonwoo said seriously,
“Honestly speaking, is there anything lacking about Mr. No? He’s good-looking, has a good job, and from what we’ve seen, his personality is so nice too… Once he gets his health back, he’ll be top husband material. So we decided to cheer for him. The fact that he came back alive like this is a miracle, and I hope he can meet his girlfriend again too.”
Park Yeonji nodded as if she agreed.
Only Park Geumja spoke with an awkward expression.
“I told them not to keep talking about a patient, but here they are. We’ll be careful from now on.”
“Coming back alive is a miracle, but starting love again also takes great courage.”
The three women raised their heads at the same time. It was an unexpected remark.
Taeho continued.
“The patient’s expression has changed a lot lately. Before, he looked like someone who had given up on life, but now he looks like he wants to live. The fact that he’s begun wanting to hold on to someone again means he’s recovering himself that much.”
After pausing for a moment, Taeho tilted his head slightly and added,
“However, the people watching that feeling should be careful. Even if your intentions are good, to someone else, that feeling may still be a wound they haven’t fully brought out yet.”
Park Geumja sighed and nodded as if she had known it would come to this.
Park Yeonwoo and Park Yeonji also shrank their shoulders slightly.
Taeho looked at them gently and added one last sentence.
“If you’re going to cheer him on, don’t whisper about it. Cheer him on sincerely. Loud enough for the patient to hear.”
At Taeho’s words, Park Geumja’s eyes widened in surprise, and the two nurse aides clenched their fists and shouted yes.
***
A few days later, at dawn, an unexpected situation occurred.
“Ugh…”
No Seongjin suddenly clutched his abdomen on the bed and curled up. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and soon after, he vomited violently.
Nurse aide Park Yeonwoo, who had been on duty, hurried into the hospital room.
“Mr. No! Are you all right?”
No Seongjin could not continue speaking and only groaned. Park Yeonwoo quickly pressed the call bell to the residence on the third floor, then immediately checked his vital signs.
A moment later, Taeho came running down the stairs.
“What happened?”
“He suddenly developed abdominal pain and vomiting, and his blood pressure dropped to ninety over fifty-five.”
Taeho went straight to the bedside and checked No Seongjin’s pulse and abdominal condition.
“His pulse is fast and shallow, and he has abdominal distension. Was there anything unusual after food intake or medication?”
“He was fine at dinner.”
Nurse aide Park Yeonwoo shook her head.
Taeho looked into No Seongjin’s face again. Only then did he notice that the sclera of his eyes had begun to turn yellow.
Taeho’s face twisted.
His liver function!