Chapter 433 – Health Checkup
Health checkup.
It’s the act of checking if the subject is healthy or not.
Through this, we can get a more objective view of our condition.
As a result, we gain the opportunity to identify any issues in our bodies.
Since it’s essential to check a wide range of things,
the number of tests automatically becomes quite extensive.
Vision tests, measuring weight and height, blood composition tests, X-rays, and ultrasounds, etc.
“Patient, the ultrasound shows that your liver is quite damaged.”
“That’s strange. I haven’t done anything!”
“Then could you tell me what you’ve been drinking recently?”
Of course, it’s hard to say that this is a perfect test.
A health checkup is, quite literally, the act of checking overall health.
So it’s natural that the accuracy is lower compared to precise tests.
“I’ve had vodka with ice, and I mix whiskey and absinthe with ice too.”
“Then you should know what the causes of your body’s condition are, right?”
However, that doesn’t mean it’s meaningless.
“Ice.”
“It’s alcohol! Alcohol!”
Through this, there are cases where one can become aware of bodily abnormalities.
It’s definitely better to know than to be completely unaware.
At least you can set some direction for the future.
“Don’t you hear your blood vessels screaming! Cut back on the alcohol!”
“Blood vessels are always negative. I’ll try to persuade them well.”
Of course, just knowing doesn’t mean patients will follow suit.
And perhaps due to the variety of tests conducted during health checkups,
the kinds of bodily abnormalities that get revealed can be very diverse.
First are the simple problems caused by aging and diet.
“Given your age, you must now ban a carb-heavy diet.”
“Shut up, you dog! Don’t judge what I eat!”
In such cases, thorough self-management can fix the bodily issues.
“Then just eat whatever you want and die.”
“Finally, I found a doctor who says what I want to hear!”
“……It’s driving me crazy.”
But even if you speak so casually now,
thorough self-management isn’t easy at all.
It’s a continuation of testing one’s will.
“Even if it’s diabetes, you can’t drink zero cola like water!”
“Is that so? Why not?”
“It could harm your health even more!”
So just because you discover issues through health checkups,
“I just drank regular cola! Wasn’t that good?”
“H, fck*.”
Solving this is another problem.
On the other hand, a health checkup can also reveal somewhat serious issues.
In these cases, the symptoms of the disease are somewhat advanced.
“Due to relationships with many unspecified individuals, your genitals are in quite a damaged state. Immediate treatment is needed.”
“My dimple is still intact!”
“It’s not a dimple, it’s the genitals. The area commonly referred to as the private part.”
Therefore, in such cases, prompt treatment may be necessary.
If it’s serious enough to be revealed through a health checkup,
the condition may be more critical than you thought.
“So I referred to the genitals as ‘bo-jo-gae’!!!”
“……This is so bullsht*, I can’t even handle this.”
However, up to this point, one might consider it lucky.
Of course, disregarding the patient’s willingness,
it means at least that treatment can restore the original state.
However, there are also cases that are so serious that nothing can be done.
Even if, by chance, continuous treatment might slightly improve the condition,
there are limits to what can be resolved through treatment.
Some situations can be entirely irreversible, too.
“You need to brace yourself. The checkup results have two bad news.”
“What are they?”
In such cases, it’s quite painful and unfortunate to inform the patient,
but doctors must tell them to prepare their hearts.
“First, it’s that you have a terminal illness.”
“Really?!!! Then what’s the other one?”
“Second, it’s early symptoms of dementia.”
“I freaked out for nothing. I thought it was terminal.”
This action stems from a sense of mission that medical professionals possess.
Meanwhile, while health checkups are a procedure to confirm bodily abnormalities,
they don’t end solely within the physical realm.
The mental state or psychology of the patient is also a major factor in health.
“If a child and an elderly person appear in front of a car, what should you run over?”
“The elderly.”
Exactly, so checking the patient’s mental health is also important.
“You should hit the brakes! Why do you think like that?”
“Because the funeral costs less than the medical bills.”
“……”
This is also half-essential during health checkups.
Additionally, during the process of confirming mental health, doctors consider the patient’s issues.
People naturally carry some concerns, and
these worries can potentially lead to serious illnesses.
“You look troubled. Do you have any worries?”
“I’m heartbroken over losing my spouse. I want to die.”
“Don’t worry. Your husband has gone to a better place.”
That’s why, depending on the situation, doctors try to offer the best words to the patients.
“Heaven, right? Just hearing that really helps.”
“No, it’s Hong Kong.”
“……Why Hong Kong of all places?”
With simple words, it can provide great comfort to patients.
“I sent it yesterday.”
“Hey, you son of a btch*!!!”
Thus, they may reignite their will to live.
However, it’s not always just good words.
In psychological treatment, it’s basic to convey words that don’t oppose the patient’s psyche.
Yet at times, there are rare occasions where doctors may also pressurize patients psychologically.
“I’m sorry, but I’ll need to apply some pressure. Are you ready?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
While it may seem a bit cruel and excessive,
this too is an extension of the act for treatment.
“Your younger sister has a higher social status and has even bought a house.”
“That’s definitely true. But I’m okay.”
“Why is that? Could you honestly tell me what you feel about this?”
This way, the patient can express what they’ve been hiding deep inside.
“I’m going to marry my younger sister.”
“Get out of my hospital.”
Packaging inferiority disguised as calmness,
sorrow hidden behind laughter,
or traumas masked as happiness.
“Actually, I’m a novelist, and I’m going through obsession with others, which is hard for me.”
“Isn’t this something to think positively about? There’s even a novel about being trapped in ‘Najasco’.”
“Is that…true? It does make sense…”
“Usually, those who obsess are gloomy, large-breasted yandere types. Others would envy you.”
And based on what’s revealed, doctors can provide better and more accurate advice.
“You just missed the beauty part.”
“Oh, damn.”
Even as a doctor, knowing the patient’s information heavily influences judgment.
Psychological issues typically involve listening to the patient and responding.
But there are cases where it doesn’t end with just words.
“I’m an electrical technician, and I’ve recently had a small, insignificant concern that I can’t talk about.”
“What’s troubling you?”
“I want to meet someone who loves me even if I hide my job. I want to surprise them with this revelation at the end.”
At this point, the mental problems have probably begun to invade the physical state.
“Have you been electrocuted recently?”
“Yes, what should I do now?”
In such cases, doctors actively encourage actions that could improve the condition.
“Let’s head for surgery now.”
“What kind of surgery? Please don’t tell me it’s brain surgery.”
Since a patient in a disturbed mindset is likely to ignore any advice,
“It’s plastic surgery. Your head seems irretrievable at this point.”
“Make me a ‘handsome alpha male’ then.”
At times like this, doctors need to step up and help with the patient’s mental care.
“……Since the estimate isn’t available, let’s just go to the morgue. This lifetime is over.”
“Fck you.”
However, there are extreme cases where this active encouragement doesn’t work.
If the patient’s mental state is very serious, they wouldn’t be likely to listen.
So in such cases, instead of making proactive suggestions,
the doctor sometimes takes action before the patient can do anything.
“I really don’t want to live… I want to commit suicide…”
“I often hear that hunters are going through this, are you a hunter?”
“Yes, could you give me just one piece of advice so I don’t commit suicide?”
“That’s not hard.”
Occasionally, the actions might seem a bit extreme.
– Thud!
“Y-You crazy bastard!!! I asked for advice, not to be stabbed with a knife!!!”
“This way, at least it’s not suicide, right?”
Of course, it’s a bit hard to consider this morally right.
Even if a doctor, it can be said they’ve crossed a line.
The boundary constantly maintained between doctors and patients.
But it’s better not to unconditionally condemn such actions.
“Someone, help me! This mad doctor is trying to kill me!”
“Congratulations. You now have no intention of suicide.”
Doctors sometimes find themselves in situations where they must resort to such actions.
“Truly a great teacher! You’ve already saved double-digit patients from suicide!”
“It’s easier if it’s a hunter. Please prepare for their admission soon.”
“Yes!”
In any case, this act of health checkups is tremendously important.
And for that significant health checkup, I was currently waiting alone.
In front of the vision testing area, which is the start of the health checkup.
