One week later.

Nine o'clock in the morning.

The ward.

In front of the "Tree Man" patient's bed.

Today is the first dressing change for the "Tree Man".

Previously, Zhao Heng had already performed a total excision on this uncle who had suffered greatly and endured seven previous surgeries. However, this time, the difference was that Zhao Heng used the latest technique to transplant cultured epithelial stem cells into the uncle.

Today's dressing change is the critical moment to witness whether the transplanted epithelial stem cells have taken effect.

If this stem cell transplant does not work, the uncle will certainly relapse again in the future, and when that time comes, apart from amputation, there will be no other solution.

"How have you been feeling these few days?"

Zhao Heng asked the uncle lying in bed, looking very anxious.

This time, using the method of total excision and transplantation of epithelial stem cells to treat epidermodysplasia verruciformis, was indeed a significant innovation.

This surgery and treatment can be considered as examples in dermatology.

"It just feels a bit itchy, but not like before when the itch was unbearable and I wanted to scratch it."

The uncle thought for a moment and said.

Previously, every time he relapsed, he would watch helplessly as those "branches" grew on his legs, accompanied by extreme visual and psychological discomfort. The hardest part to endure was the unbearable itchiness.

Countless days and nights, the uncle took a large amount of painkillers to no effect, and could only use his hands to scratch until the skin ulcerated, bleeding profusely.

This excruciatingly painful time, he believed, was no less than hell itself.

"Itchiness is normal, which means the transplanted epithelial stem cells have started growing. If it didn't itch at all, it would indicate the transplant failed."

Zhao Heng gently comforted the anxious uncle lying in the bed.

He had seen too many of these anxious expressions, fearing their hopes would be dashed, since becoming a doctor.

"Dr. Zhao, if this succeeds, will it not relapse in the future?"

The uncle couldn't help but ask.

Hearing this, the uncle's wife, standing beside him, also looked at Zhao Heng with a nervous and hopeful expression.

Actually, since her husband got this disease, people kept telling her that it was incurable and that he would need an amputation soon, and once amputated, he'd be disabled.

Even her family subtly advised her that a laborer without legs couldn't do anything, urging her to leave sooner.

But she withstood these pressures, never revealing a hint to her husband.

In a lifetime, as a couple, while she wasn't very educated, she didn't understand concepts like "a lifetime," but she had already considered her husband as the only one in her life.

This understanding was so simple and sincere.

"We transplanted epithelial stem cells this time. If the transplant succeeds, it can reconstruct the skin tissue, and the probability of recurrence is very low."

Zhao Heng said.

"Let's change the dressing."

Pausing, Zhao Heng said to Tian Zhen, who was standing beside him.

Next to Tian Zhen was Liu Meng and Qu Xiaofeng.

Liu Meng, now a doctor in the ward, naturally cared about the condition of ward patients, and Qu Xiaofeng, as the head of the stem cell cultivation lab at Eastern Hospital, also cared about stem cell applications.

As Tian Zhen put on gloves and began to remove the gauze covering the uncle's legs, almost everyone present felt expectant.

Logically, the uncle should have undergone an amputation, but his legs were preserved thanks to Zhao Heng.

As Tian Zhen slowly removed the gauze, due to partial adhesion between the gauze and the wound, sensitive subcutaneous nerves were pulled, bringing a hint of agony to the uncle's face.

But he endured, as compared to the sensation of a thousand ants biting his legs with itchiness and pain, the slight pain from the gauze pulling on his skin was nothing.

Seeing the agony on the uncle's face, Tian Zhen was even more careful, taking several minutes to completely remove the gauze.

Once the gauze was fully removed, Zhao Heng was the first to see the condition of the uncle's legs, and he breathed a long sigh of relief.

Zhao Heng saw that the uncle's legs had grown pink granulation tissue, indicating that the transplanted epithelial stem cells were growing very well.

"Doctor, how is it?"

It was the first time the uncle saw his own legs. They appeared clean without any exudate, and although the exposed pink granulation tissue looked somewhat unsettling, it was much better than the previous gray-black, oozing "branch" tissue.

"Recovery is good, no exudate or breakdown; the growth of the transplanted epithelial stem cell tissue is excellent."

Zhao Heng said.

"So... Doctor, has it succeeded?"

Hearing Zhao Heng's words, the uncle, although hopeful, still wasn't sure he said.

"Yes, it succeeded."

Seeing the uncle's anxious expression, Zhao Heng nodded affirmatively.

"Thank you...thank you doctor."

The uncle expressed his deep gratitude, and the uncle's wife standing beside him at that moment was already in tears.

This moment, the couple had waited for so long.

"Make sure to rest and recuperate well, and after recovery, it shouldn't affect your ability to work."

Zhao Heng said.

The uncle and his wife thanked him again.

After returning to the office from the ward, Liu Meng looked at Zhao Heng with deep admiration.

Although epidermodysplasia verruciformis is not considered a terminal illness, it isn't fatal, yet the slow and painful torment it brings to patients is more terrifying than some deadly diseases.

Now Zhao Heng can be said to have conquered this tough condition in this patient, which made Liu Meng feel that it was time to change some of her previous views on medicine.

"Dr. Zhao, stem cell therapy has succeeded once again. This time, we must write a paper, which can definitely be published in a major journal."

Qu Xiaofeng said excitedly.

"Then you take charge of writing the paper, Dr. Qu, just credit me as the second author."

Zhao Heng smiled and said to Qu Xiaofeng.

"Dr. Zhao, how can you be the second author when it's your proposed treatment plan?"

Though greatly tempted, knowing that the paper could be highly prestigious in the industry and might even promote him to associate chief physician, he couldn't dominate since it was Zhao Heng's idea.

"Dr. Qu, it's your critical moment now; I don't need this paper. You can be the first author. Besides, I really don't have the time and energy to write it these days."

Zhao Heng smiled again and said.

"This..."

Qu Xiaofeng hesitated upon hearing Zhao Heng's words.

"Well then, thank you, Dr. Zhao. If there's anything in the future, just let me know."

After a bit of hesitation, Qu Xiaofeng made up his mind; he couldn't pass up such a good opportunity.

"Hmm, Old Qu, our collaboration is just beginning."

Zhao Heng nodded and said.

Liu Meng, standing by the side, witnessed this scene and knew that Qu Xiaofeng had indeed chosen to follow Zhao Heng.

This was his means of gaining loyalty.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.