Before Tong Xiao could speak, his father immediately said: “Conservative treatment, definitely conservative treatment!”
“He’s going to represent our country in football someday, so he can’t have an amputation. That leg has to be saved!”
Parents all want their children to succeed, and Tong Xiao’s father was no different.
Tong Xiao had loved playing football since he was a child, and his father, being a dedicated fan, had invested a lot of hope in him.
Hearing about amputation now was something no one could easily accept.
Qin Jiang looked at Tong Xiao. “You’re an adult now, so the decision is yours. Amputation or conservative treatment, the choice is yours.”
Meeting his father’s stern gaze, Tong Xiao couldn’t help but ask, “Doctor, if we go with conservative treatment, are there any side effects?”
Qin Jiang nodded.
“Amputation would completely cure your condition, since many of your blood vessels have necrotized and can’t be saved.”
“But with conservative treatment, I can try to remove the dead tissue and necrotic vessels to prevent the condition from worsening.”
“However, from now on, you’ll have a limp, and there’s a high chance it could relapse.”
Hearing Qin Jiang’s explanation, the whole family was stunned.
Tong’s father asked instinctively, “So conservative treatment won’t cure it completely either?”
Qin Jiang shot him a glance. “If conservative treatment could cure it completely, why would I even offer amputation as an option?”
Tong’s father was left speechless; it did seem to make sense.
Gritting his teeth, he pressed on, “If we choose conservative treatment, can my son still play football?”
Qin Jiang shook his head.
“Athlete’s foot is a type of fungal infection, especially when there’s a lot of sweating, which makes it easier for fungi to multiply.”
“Not to mention, conservative treatment involves scraping away dead tissue, which affects the nerves in his foot. His foot’s sensitivity definitely won’t be as good as before.”
“Now, do you really think your son can still play football?”
Hearing this, Tong’s father slumped to the floor, completely dazed.
Tong Xiao’s face turned pale, his expression one of disbelief.
Just because he didn’t like bathing or washing his feet, he ended up facing amputation?
Wasn’t that a bit too extreme?
The viewers in the live stream were also filled with mixed emotions.
“Is it really that serious? Not washing your feet leads to amputation?”
“You think that’s extreme? Let me tell you something even more extreme. There was a student who just stepped on his roommate’s slippers, got thromboangiitis obliterans, and also had to have an amputation.”
“Wow, really? Then I’m definitely making my bunkmate wash his feet properly tonight. I don’t want to end up like that!”
“Don’t worry, most fungi aren’t that severe. It’s just that… with so many people in the country, there are bound to be a few unlucky ones.”
“This kid must be kicking himself now, right? Becoming disabled at such a young age. Not only is his career gone, but finding a wife later might be tough too.”
Watching the comments, Liu Yan felt deeply reflective.
People are like that. When they have something, they don’t cherish it, thinking it’s all just meant to be.
But when they lose it, regret is already too late.
Tong Xiao snapped out of his daze and sighed, saying to Qin Jiang, “Doctor Qin, I’ll go with conservative treatment.”
“Having a limp is better than having nothing. Consider this a lesson for me. I’ll never make this mistake again.”
Qin Jiang could understand Tong Xiao’s feelings.
An empty pant leg versus a limp—the latter was indeed the better option.
Qin Jiang pointed to the QR code on the table. “Alright, scan the code to pay. It’s 9,700.”
Tong’s father still hadn’t recovered from the shock.
Tong’s mother took out her phone and transferred the medical fee.
Ding.
[Detected that the host spoke frankly to the patient, addressing his hidden condition and significantly helping him. Mission complete.]
[Congratulations to the host for receiving the reward: Taohe Chengqi Decoction]
Taohe Chengqi Decoction?
Qin Jiang was a bit puzzled.
He had an ominous feeling.
The stranger the reward’s name, the stranger the next patient would likely be.
“Doctor, my foot is starting to hurt again. Can you treat me first?”
Tong Xiao’s expression was filled with pain.
Qin Jiang nodded. “Wait here. I’ll go get the medicine from the pharmacy.”
Thromboangiitis obliterans gradually erodes blood vessels, and during this process, the patient experiences dull pain.
Tong Xiao really had a high tolerance for pain. He had endured it all night and only came to see the doctor the next day with his roommates.
Qin Jiang remembered that in school, they used to go to the bathroom together, but seeking medical treatment in a group? It wasn’t like they could get a group discount.
Soon, Qin Jiang returned with the Huoxue Qufu Ointment (Blood-Activating and Dead Tissue-Removing Ointment).
He first applied a little to Tong Xiao’s foot, then disinfected a scalpel and made a small incision.
As soon as the skin on Tong Xiao’s sole was broken, black blood began to flow out.
His swollen foot gradually started to reduce in size.
After draining the dirty blood, Qin Jiang put on gloves and began to press directly.
The pressure caused Tong Xiao such intense pain he nearly passed out!
Yellow pus oozed from the wound, like squeezing toothpaste, making everyone’s skin crawl.
The live stream comments exploded instantly.
“I don’t know why, but this scene is kind of gross and oddly satisfying at the same time.”
“Yeah, it’s like popping your own pimples. Every time I pop one, it feels so satisfying.”
“There are videos online specifically for popping pimples. You should check them out. Even more satisfying.”
“Wow, you guys are into some pretty weird stuff now, huh?”
“Look at that kid; he looks like he’s about to pass out from the pain. Is it really that bad?”
“Right now, the nerves and blood vessels in his foot are severely damaged. Think of it this way: every squeeze from Dr. Qin feels as painful as stubbing his toe on a table leg.”
Hiss!
Hearing that description, everyone immediately empathized.
If that was the case, it must be incredibly painful!
It took Qin Jiang a full half hour to completely clean out the dead tissue and pus from Tong Xiao’s foot before applying the ointment to the wound.
Just this treatment alone left Tong Xiao drenched in sweat from the pain.
Qin Jiang took out some gauze and wrapped Tong Xiao’s foot, saying, “For the next seven days, keep the wound area dry, but wash the rest of your foot properly when you bathe. Keep it clean.”
“Don’t go back to the dorm for now. Take some time off and recover at home.”
Qin Jiang handed two bottles of ointment to Tong’s mother. “Take these two bottles home. Change his dressing and apply the ointment the way I just did. Make sure to squeeze out all the pus each time. Change it every seven days.”
“Once these two bottles are finished, bring him back for a follow-up.”
Tong’s mother thanked him repeatedly and told Tong Xiao to wait while she went out to buy him crutches.
Qin Jiang turned to the last student. “Alright, you’re next.”
That student was a chubby guy. He walked over but didn’t sit down. Instead, he clutched his stomach and said awkwardly, “Dr. Qin, I have a stomachache, and… and I’m bleeding down there.”
Qin Jiang’s eyes widened in surprise. “Aren’t you a guy? How can you be bleeding?”
