Surgery Godfather-Chapter 439 - 403 Deal

Chapter 439: Chapter 403: Deal

Chapter 439: Chapter 403: Deal

Johnson Space Center, on the shores of Clear Lake, 35 kilometers southeast of Houston, Texas.

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By the time John Ansen landed, it was already past ten in the evening. The Space Center’s special car picked him up from the airport and took him to a hotel near Space City to rest for the night. Without having breakfast, John Ansen rushed to Building 1 of the Johnson Space Center at seven in the morning.

At this time, Space City was empty, with only some night security guards. The staff didn’t start work until ten, and visitors weren’t allowed in until that hour as well. In Johnson Space Center’s entire Building one, only one office light was on.

Dr. Collins was waiting at the entrance of the building. As the head of the medical team at the Johnson Space Center of NASA, John Ansen was their specially appointed expert consultant.

After showing their credentials to the night security guards and completing the necessary security checks, Collins led John Ansen to the medical team’s office.

“I didn’t expect you to arrive last night. I’m very sorry. It must have interfered with a lot of your plans. Would you like some coffee?” Collins apologized and offered coffee.

John Ansen declined the coffee. Other than plain water, he had no interest in coffee or any other beverages.

When he was studying for his biology degree at Harvard University, coffee, smoking, and drinking were an everyday occurrence.

After graduating smoothly from his four-year degree, he successfully entered Harvard Medical School. Since then, he quit all drinking and smoking, including coffee.

“Sorry, I always forget that you only drink mineral water.” Collins fetched a cup of boiling water from the water dispenser for John Ansen.

John Ansen had no time for chitchat and asked directly, “Is Steven experiencing any physical discomfort at the moment?”

“I had a conversation with him yesterday at the Ground Control Center. He didn’t experience any discomfort at all. His heart has constantly been around 52 beats per minute. We can’t figure out why.” Collins sat down.

“Although the microgravity on the space station causes many puzzling physiological abnormalities, some of the problems we’ve confronted till now are still unsolved. However, Steven’s abnormalities this time seem unsettling, and we require more experts in the areas of cardiovascular medicine, respiratory medicine, neurology, endocrinology, thoracic surgery and so forth, to have a comprehensive discussion.” John Ansen felt unusually tense this time.

“They will all be here. The latest time they can arrive is by afternoon four o’clock. Dr. Eugene from the cardiovascular department of Johns Hopkins will catch the first flight this morning that departs at six. He should arrive here before nine.” Collins had invited all the special experts.

Despite Steven not experiencing any discomfort, the slowing down of his heart rate is a matter of concern. Some problems are already beyond the abilities of their medical team and must be discussed by the top experts of the country.

In another twenty days, Steven would have spent six months on the International Space Station. Then, he’d return to Earth, and new expedition team members would replace him.

“You also feel that this isn’t a simple problem?” John Ansen said with a smile.

Collins furrowed his brows, “Any minor issues related to the heart, and I feel as though it’s a big problem. Before we identify the cause, we dare not rashly administer atropine to increase his heart rate. There’s no meaning in doing that since he presently doesn’t feel unwell. But who can guarantee that a bigger problem won’t quickly follow?”

The International Space Station’s medicine box routinely stocks Atropine.

“The reason why I rushed here overnight is that I fear that the problem might be within the skull — the brain stem! Although the likelihood is extremely low, I still felt that I should remind you.” John Ansen took a deep drink of water.

“When he was on the ground, he never had any problems in his physical examinations. Not a single one.” Collins felt that the probability of an intracranial disease was too small.

“Medical instruments are never 100% reliable. The slowing of a heart rate has many causes. I hope that I’m over-worried. If Steven’s condition is just a transient display in the microgravity environment and doesn’t affect his return, that would be best. But what if—.” John Ansen never comforted himself. Even if there were a one in ten thousand chances, he should still pay attention. He couldn’t have a mentality of simply hoping for good luck. This was the quality of a doctor.

“If it is so, can he be expected to return to Earth? Our current exchanges are only unofficial and will not be recorded.”

“I find it hard to judge without knowing the cause. But if it is something like an intracranial aneurysm, I’m afraid he won’t be able to return. The impact of the fall during the return could be fatal.”

“No, no, no, that’s horrifying. If it’s an aneurysm, the artery would explode and rupture during the return journey.” Collins’ heart was in a state of wild palpitation.

John Ansen shook his head, “If it’s located in the brain stem, the situation could be even more horrifying.”

“It won’t be. With intracranial aneurysms, the leading symptoms shouldn’t be a slowed heartbeat. It should be headaches and dizziness, or some neurological symptoms. What is your verdict based on? He is a robust fellow, as per his records, which shows countless check-ups. There has never been any problem, not even a tiny anomalous data. The last examination before launch didn’t uncover any problems either, especially with his MRI scans and cerebral angiography.”

“Of course, this is my worse guess. I hope it’s not the case. Recently, I saw a case in China. A tumor in the brain stem area manifested itself through a slowed heart rate and breathing as the initial symptoms. This has made me feel uneasy, and because of it, I think of such possibilities. Perhaps I’m too sensitive. You don’t need to worry excessively. As a neurosurgeon, I naturally feel like everyone has a problem within their skull.” John Ansen didn’t want to scare Collins, especially since there’s presently no evidence at all.