Seeking medical care

"I've walked into a nightmare. I've seen famine in Ethiopia and Bangladesh, but I've never seen anything like it. It's much worse than I imagined, and I wasn't prepared for it."

"As we enter the 21st century, there are many things to reflect on. We look around and find that the promises of the past have not been kept. People still live in abject poverty, people are still hungry, and people are still struggling to survive."

"Among these people, we see children, always children. Their swollen bellies, their sorrowful eyes, their faces, which should be innocent, reveal pain. In their short lives, they have suffered all kinds of hardship."

This is part of a speech given by Audrey Hepburn, who had undergone preliminary medical testing in Switzerland without receiving results, at United Nations Children's Fund in United States New York, focusing on her visit to war-torn Somalia.

After finishing her speech, Ms. Hepburn was helped off the stage by Robert amidst applause. Henry, her assistant, followed behind, and led by UNICEF staff, they went to another small conference room.

The person in charge of liaising with Audrey Hepburn respectfully said, "Madam, we have received your application to suspend your activities due to illness. We sincerely wish you a speedy recovery."

"Thank you. Please also convey my gratitude to all the staff at the UNICEF for their cooperation and hard work during this time. I hope to have the opportunity to work with you all again once I have fully recovered."

"Yes, ma'am. I will pass on your message; I'm sure everyone is looking forward to your return."

Being selected as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador isn't just about having a glittering title and then moving on. Whenever there are related promotional events, these Goodwill Ambassadors, whose names are practically synonymous with GG, have to attend and endorse them—that's the price behind the glamorous title.

Not to mention that Audrey Hepburn's almost non-stop overseas trips were planned and operated by several teams behind the scenes.

If a woman takes sick leave, she should inform these people so they know that her work can be slowed down or she can join someone else's project.

Of course, it's not unacceptable to be a figurehead and receive a salary without actually attending, but such people are ultimately a minority in the United Nations. They always have their names on the table but never actually attend.

Those who actually get things done are highly sought after by all sides; it's almost impossible for them to have any free time. Because this is the United Nations, a place that can manage everything, yet can manage nothing at all.

After leaving the United Nations Headquarters, Henry drove Hepburn and Robert to a New York public hospital. Given that public hospitals like this provide low-cost medical services to low-income families or undocumented immigrants, it's understandable that the hospital's standards wouldn't be very high.

It's not that such hospitals lack skilled doctors and advanced equipment. However, the enormous demand for medical care...

This will inevitably lead to a decline in the quality of medical care.

Despite receiving Hepburn treatment here, the expressions on the faces of the two people who emerged from the consultation room were indescribable.

Audrey Hepburn remained as calm as ever, as if nothing had changed. Robert Wolders, however, seemed slightly annoyed and said:

"These public hospitals really only produce quacks. They couldn't even diagnose what was wrong with Audrey. They just gave us a bunch of 'suspected,' 'possible,' and 'probably,' and then made us do a bunch of more tests."

Henry helped the woman to a seat in the rest area and casually replied, "What If...? it were really that simple, the hospitals in Switzerland would have diagnosed it already. We wouldn't have had to come all the way to United States."

Robert asked, "What about those medical centers or private hospitals? Did you manage to get an appointment?"

Henry replied, "I've called and inquired at all the top medical centers in the country, or hospitals with renowned thoracic and abdominal surgeons. The fastest appointment I can get is at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, but the waiting list is until November."

These private hospitals or high-end medical centers require substantial financial resources or exceptional cases; even with Audrey Hepburn's fame, it would still take more than a month, almost two months, to get an appointment.

It's safe to say that wealthy people all over the world who value their lives flock to the United States, making it impossible for such top-tier medical resources not to be strained.

However, Ms. Hepburn's status was not the kind that allowed her to cut in line, so she had no choice but to obediently register and wait in line.

Compared to Robert's indignation, the lady herself was much calmer. She said in a rather indifferent tone, "So, shall we go back to Switzerland? It seems like going back and forth like this is a waste of time." There was a hint of understanding in her tone.

"Do you think I can leave anything more for this world?" Audrey Hepburn asked.

Robert grasped the woman's hand tightly and said, "Audrey, you have already left countless cultural treasures to the world. Why think so much more?"

"And Henry, what about you? Do you think there's anything else I can do?"

Considering the lady's health condition, it's certainly impossible to ask him to star in movies again. Moreover, his condition is currently fluctuating, and traveling all over the world as before would actually be riskier.

Henry, whose name was called upon, thought for a moment and said, "How about reading a story to the children?"

"That's a good idea. Shall we find an orphanage or school?"

Henry, whose thoughts were becoming clearer, said, "No, how about finding a publishing house and a recording studio? We can record you reading the story, so that more people can hear it."

"Going to orphanages or schools might not be feasible, as not all children there will enjoy stories. Plus, it would be too much trouble for the teachers and children. As for the happy expressions on the children's faces after hearing a story, you'll have to imagine them; it's not a face-to-face meeting."

"Audiobooks? I hadn't thought of that." The woman's eyes lit up, as if she had found something interesting. "Ha, you always come up with good ideas, kid."

Instead of searching everywhere for willing orphanages or schools and running around just to read stories to the children, finding a fixed recording studio to record the reading would save you the trouble of traveling around.

This was the easiest job Henry could think of for the lady.

Acting on impulse, Audrey Hepburn pulled out her address book from her handbag. She checked her list to see if anyone was involved in publishing and could inquire about audiobooks.

Although Robert was somewhat unhappy that Henry, his little assistant, was also giving Audrey work.

But considering the nature of the job, this position actually allows Audrey to stay in one place instead of flying all over the world again. It's hard to say that this isn't a good thing.

Returning home to Switzerland is certainly an option, but staying in the United States for the time being might allow for other medical opportunities at any time.

It has to be said, while this damn United States isn't exactly ideal for a leisurely retirement, there's nowhere more convenient than it for doing whatever you want.