Do You Discriminate Against Me?

"Thanks."

The shy young man sincerely thanked him.

"You're welcome."

Adam smiled, closed the door to the ward, and his smile was almost overflowing.

He really wanted to say to the shy young man, "Don't thank me, thank you Howard."

But his professional ethics dictated that he had to keep it to himself.

In the Big Bang Theory, when Sheldon's sister Missy comes to visit him, all three of Howard and his brother fall for her. They compete fiercely for what they believe to be the right to date her, showering her with attention.

Rajesh got carried away after drinking and started talking to Missy about the Three Kingdoms mythical book, an indescribable book, saying it was the Three Kingdoms ' greatest contribution to the world and that Missy shouldn't be shy.

Howard, being Jewish, wasn't going to be left behind and directly said that they invented circumcision, telling Missy not to be polite, with an expression that said, "Am I proud?"

Now, when Adam encountered a shy young man who genuinely wanted to thank Howard and the others, this was the first image that flashed through his mind, and he almost couldn't hold back his tears.

It's so vivid, it even has top-notch sound effects...

"I understand. I'll have someone from the Plastic Surgery Department send over."

Susan shook her head upon hearing this.

Adam could actually do this job too, but unless he's temporarily assigned by Sheran to rotate through the Plastic Surgery Department, he really can't get involved.

Moreover, deep down, Adam wasn't particularly interested in this job.

It's often said that doctors need to be highly professional and have no taboos, but when it comes to Adam undergoing this kind of surgery, just like rectal examinations, the less the better.

"Patients these days are getting more and more reckless."

After making the call, Susan said helplessly to Adam, "You dare to do it yourself after finding some dubious medical information? Don't you even think about it? If it were that simple, anyone could do it. Why would we spend so much money and so much time learning?"

Ignorance is bliss.

Adam smiled and said, "On the contrary, the more you know, the more you will understand awe. I believe that after this, his sense of awe will last a lifetime."

Absolutely.

I made several cuts myself, and they turned out horribly. Even if a plastic surgeon fixes it, it will definitely not look the same as before.

If a plastic surgeon is incompetent and ends up looking like a broccoli, it will definitely be a lifelong, unforgettable memory.

From now on, I'll have to be extremely careful when using the restroom in public places, afraid of being seen. That feeling...

"Dr. Lewis, a patient is waiting for you."

The nurse pointed to an elderly African American man sitting on the edge of the lobby and reminded him.

"Knew."

Susan beckoned Adam over.

"Adam, you make the diagnosis."

Susan gestured for Adam to come forward.

"Is this how it is in the morning?"

Adam took the ophthalmoscope and began examining the patient.

"Yes, that's how it is when I wake up."

The elderly African American nodded.

Do you still see double images when you look at things?

Adam put down his ophthalmoscope and asked.

"No."

The elderly African American shook his head.

How many fingers are there?

Adam held up three fingers.

"Three."

Have you ever had eye problems before?

"No."

Do you experience pain when seeing double? Headache? Balance problems? Bad breath? White spots in your vision? Weakness in your limbs?

Adam asked about many symptoms, but the elderly African American man shook his head.

"I suggest you take him to see a neurologist?"

Adam ruled out most of the options, suspecting a neurological problem, and looked at Susan.

"Mr. Erwin, is that right?"

Susan stood to the side, glanced at the medical record, and said gently, "It costs $200 to see a neurologist. You don't have any symptoms right now, so I suggest you go home first and come back when you feel unwell."

"Just because I am African American?"

The elderly African American man suddenly asked, "Are you discriminating against me?"

"No."

Susan quickly said, "I just wanted to save you some money. I know you don't have health insurance..."

In United States hospitals, each patient has their own room, and each doctor has their own room. This system of treating patients in one room provides good privacy.

But that applies to people with health insurance.

For those without medical insurance, things are much more casual. Getting quick treatment and being dismissed in the lobby is nothing unusual. Some hospitals simply don't admit patients like that.

After all, in the United States, everything is business, and hospitals that save lives are even bigger businesses.

Only those with money can access the best medical resources.

For example, many people like to donate money to large hospitals, and they often donate a large sum of money at a time.

Often, besides gaining fame, they also have their own essential needs.

I'm feeling unwell, and no matter how many doctors I see, they can't find the problem. I even have to book an appointment with a top doctor at a major hospital, but the waiting list is months long.

After donating a large sum of money, one can be hospitalized that same afternoon, receive attentive treatment from top-tier doctors, have the hidden cause of the illness quickly identified, and then proceed with the most suitable treatment plan at lightning speed.

This time difference often represents the difference between life and death. The hospital, with its highly professional approach, has already calculated this for you in advance; all you need to do is transfer the money...

"You wouldn't say that if I weren't African American!"

The elderly African American man said coldly.

"Dr. Lewis, how about arranging a neurological consultation for him? The cause: temporary diplopia?"

Adam interjected.

"All right."

Susan's eyes were full of helplessness. She gave the nurse a word and turned to leave.

"Remember to put his bill on the tab."

Adam whispered a reminder to the nurse.

"I know."

The nurse gave him a knowing look.

This kind of behavior—biting the hand that feeds you—is something any normal person would find objectionable.

It's important to know that Susan's behavior is not well-received by hospitals.

Hospitals are open to make money. They don't care if you have symptoms or not. As long as you don't object, they'd love to make you do all the tests first.

The standard diagnostic procedure for doctors is to order as many tests as possible, based on theoretical support.

A visit to a neurologist costs $200, which is a huge sum for someone without health insurance.

Susan meant well and was trying to help the other person, but the other person immediately accused her of being racist.

This was in 1998. If it were 10 or 20 years later, Susan would most likely still be unlucky, and might even lose her job.

"Don't follow my example; your diagnosis is correct."

Susan smiled wryly at Adam, who had followed her.

"I know."

Adam nodded. "I know you know what to do."

Would a senior resident not know what they should and shouldn't do?

Stop joking.

"But I did it anyway."

Susan said self-deprecatingly, "And this isn't the first time, maybe I'll never change."

"You are a good doctor."

Adam praised sincerely.

Zhou Shuren said, "To be worldly-wise without being cynical is the kindest form of maturity."

Susan is clearly such a mature and kind doctor.

Adam couldn't and wouldn't do the same for people like the elderly African American, but that didn't stop Adam from admiring a good doctor like Susan.

PS: Thanks to Plane Traveler Looks Good, Jun Muxian, and M Feng Fengzi for their generous donations!