You More Than Anything In The World
Chapter 552

Jasper saw the doctors in white coats frowning when he got closer.

"Are they discussing Grandma's illness? Let's go have a listen!"

Oliver's eyes flashed as he pulled his younger brother in the other direction.

"Where are you going?" Zachary shouted after their shifty figures.

"We're going to pee!" Oliver called back and ran in Jasper's wake.

"They're over there!" Jasper indicated to Oliver.

"We have to eavesdrop," Oliver declared as he took Jasper for a detour around the back, "they won't let us listen when they see us."

Meanwhile, Benjamin shot Shaun a look of warning as Arissa approached.

"There shouldn't be too many men standing guard over Mary's ward, Benjamin," Shaun said tactfully to change the topic. "She needs some quiet. A man or two should be all the help she needs."

"Good point." Benjamin looked at Arissa. "Tell her that."

"I heard you." Arissa glared back at him before turning to Shaun.

"Has Mary's examination report come out, Dr. Bailey?" she asked, anxious to replace out beforehand if Mary's condition was severe.

Shaun glanced at Benjamin before answering Arissa, "It's out. Her condition is slightly more complicated than we anticipated."

Arissa became nervous. "What complications are we talking about here?"

Benjamin glared at Shaun.

"Mary's diabetes is more serious than my initial diagnosis," Shaun admitted, deeming it better to tell her the truth than to have her anxious imagination run amok. "Her other ailments are not easily treated as well, I'm afraid. Surgery is required to get rid of her kidney stones, for starters. Aside from those, the rest are just common symptoms of the elderly. Being as fragile as they are at that age, even the smallest bumps and bruises has the potential to become something much worse if left untreated."

"Are those the only two serious conditions?" Arissa urged.

Shaun nodded. "This is Mary's test report. Here, have a look."

Arissa took it from him. Skipping the jargon, she went straight for the summary.

"Mary has a pretty bad cough too," he continued. "Being a victim of bronchitis, her heart and lungs are more vulnerable than most. We have a gradual treatment plan, so it'll be a load off your shoulders. However, there is no cure for diabetes at this point, so the best course of action would be to control the disease."

Arissa nodded, thankful that that was the extent of it.

Carefully perusing Mary's physical examination report once more, Arissa read the details she had skipped earlier.

In addition to what Shaun said, Mary was also afflicted with gynecological inflammation, arrhythmia, and cerebral vascular sclerosis.

Arissa sighed.

Benjamin took the report in her hand before turning to Shaun.

"Work out the best possible treatment plan for her you can and let me know what you come up with."

Shaun nodded.

Kingsley and Bradley also sighed when they heard that Mary was so sick.

"I wouldn't worry too much," Shaun went on. "As long as sufficient rest is had post-surgery, Mary would still regain the health a person her age has the right to be. However, long-term consumption of medication is necessary to control her other diseases. Some may be cured, but others, such as diabetes, will never be."

"Right." Arissa nodded. That's not so bad. I'd expected it to be much worse.

"Dr. Bailey, can Mary return to Dellmoor for treatment?"

As Arissa was expected to be at work and to send her children to school, having Mary treated in Dellmoor would be the most convenient for her. Besides, modern medical amenities in the big city were more readily available.

Shaun maintained his smile as he gazed at Benjamin.

Arissa, too, was watching the man.

"Why don't two of you talk it over?" Shaun grinned uncomfortably. "It's not my place."

"Aren't you a doctor?" Arissa demanded hotly after an initially startled pause. "I'd say it is your place. What would he know? He isn't a doctor!"

Shaun was stunned at her bravado for daring to challenge Benjamin.

Though Benjamin was not an expert in medicine, Shaun was familiar with the former's capacity to learn. If Benjamin devotes himself to medicine, he will be a far greater doctor than I could ever be.