This past week I have spent a lot of time in a hospital in Seoul.
I have been there in the mornings in support of my friend, who has been very ill.
Let me give an abbreviated history . . .
About 3 weeks ago my friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and, as his health was rapidly deteriorating (memory, speech, body movement), his wife made an appointment with one of the top hospitals in Seoul.
They made the trip to the hospital from another (much smaller) city.
Once at the hospital, the doctors--after a series of tests--issued an announcement: if they performed brain surgery, my friend would have a 1% chance of success.
That is, there was a 99% chance that he would never wake up from the surgery.
His wife, also my friend and thankfully a very strong person, chose not to accept what those doctors said.
So, after a week she visited another hospital, and she received very different news.
"Yes," the new doctors said, "We can help your husband. We will schedule brain surgery for Monday, and we think he has an 80% chance of recovery."
That Monday was 6 days ago.
My friend had the brain surgery.
It lasted for about 10 hours.
Within an hour he was conscious and breathing on his own, something the doctors said was unusual.
He was out of intensive care within 14 hours.
On Wednesday, two days after the surgery, we talked in his hospital room.
He has some memory and speech problems, but he was doing well, eating normal food and able to sit up.
On Thursday we took a trip around the hospital floor and terrace garden in his wheelchair, a bit of an annoyance due to the IV "tree" with its multiple bags and tubes, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Yesterday, Friday, my friend didn't need the wheelchair.
He walked.
The IV tree was there for support.
His speech is much better, and though he still has some memory problems and will likely have to undergo radiation and chemotherapy treatment, he is gaining weight.
The doctor who performed the surgery is pleased, and said the operation was closer to 99% success.
Here's to "percents"!
I have been there in the mornings in support of my friend, who has been very ill.
Let me give an abbreviated history . . .
About 3 weeks ago my friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and, as his health was rapidly deteriorating (memory, speech, body movement), his wife made an appointment with one of the top hospitals in Seoul.
They made the trip to the hospital from another (much smaller) city.
Once at the hospital, the doctors--after a series of tests--issued an announcement: if they performed brain surgery, my friend would have a 1% chance of success.
That is, there was a 99% chance that he would never wake up from the surgery.
His wife, also my friend and thankfully a very strong person, chose not to accept what those doctors said.
So, after a week she visited another hospital, and she received very different news.
"Yes," the new doctors said, "We can help your husband. We will schedule brain surgery for Monday, and we think he has an 80% chance of recovery."
That Monday was 6 days ago.
My friend had the brain surgery.
It lasted for about 10 hours.
Within an hour he was conscious and breathing on his own, something the doctors said was unusual.
He was out of intensive care within 14 hours.
On Wednesday, two days after the surgery, we talked in his hospital room.
He has some memory and speech problems, but he was doing well, eating normal food and able to sit up.
On Thursday we took a trip around the hospital floor and terrace garden in his wheelchair, a bit of an annoyance due to the IV "tree" with its multiple bags and tubes, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Yesterday, Friday, my friend didn't need the wheelchair.
He walked.
The IV tree was there for support.
His speech is much better, and though he still has some memory problems and will likely have to undergo radiation and chemotherapy treatment, he is gaining weight.
The doctor who performed the surgery is pleased, and said the operation was closer to 99% success.
Here's to "percents"!
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