Hank asked, “How long can I live after my pancreas is removed? Five years?”
“Not sure,” Johnson said. “Pancreatic cancer is the most unpredictable cancer today. Not only is it fast-growing and very deadly, but sometimes even after everything is removed, it will suddenly come back in a nearby organ.”
“So it depends on luck, but one thing is basically certain: no matter how early pancreatic cancer is found, the five-year survival rate is less than 10%, and the ten-year survival rate is basically zero.”
At this point, Johnson added: “Let me put it this way, if thyroid cancer was the Italian army during World War II, then pancreatic cancer was the German army during World War II.”
Hank asked, “Didn’t Hitler lose in the end?”
Johnson added: “In this metaphor, the human body itself can stand in for Poland.”
“Damn!” said Hank, “If the Japanese can get it, they can take down Poland too!”
“Well,” Johnson said, “Not so fast. The speed at which Hitler invaded Poland was like the speed at which pancreatic cancer develops. Pancreatic cancer is the Nazi of cancer, the Hitler of cancer.”
Hank muttered, “So, even if you get rid of him as soon as possible, I’ll only live another five years…”
Johnson comforted him: “Now is not the time to think about these things. The most urgent thing now is to operate and remove it as soon as possible! It is better to start the pre-operative examination and preparation now and try to have the operation within 48 hours.”
“48 hours?” Hank asked him, “Why did you have to wait so long?”
Johnson replied: “There are many indicators that need to be tested before surgery. The simplest is to check for blood clotting problems first, and also have to check for infectious disease conditions.”
“In addition, before starting the operation, the surgical team must hold a consultation and discuss and formulate a surgical plan. The operation can only be carried out if everything is confirmed to be correct.”
Hank thought for a long moment and said, “How about this, what tests do you need to run? If you need blood drawn, do it right away. X-rays? Have the doctor start planning the surgery. I have to do something and I have to go to China. I’ll try to be back in 48 hours.”
Johnson thought Hank was still busy with his work, so he immediately said, “Mr. Hank, you are not fit to work in your current condition. You should stay in bed and get enough rest in the hospital!”
“No!” Hank replied immediately, “I have to go to China. If all goes well, I will be back in 48 hours. You don’t need to arrange surgery for me. Just do another checkup. Maybe I will be better by then.”
“How is that possible…” Johnson said mercilessly, “China’s overall medical level is not as good as ours. Their doctors have good clinical experience. For the same type of surgery, our doctors perform dozens of operations a year, while their doctors perform hundreds of operations a year.”
“However, in terms of basic theory and new drug development, we are still better. No one in the world can compare to us in this regard.”
Hank waved his hand. “Let’s not talk about this yet. As you said, the medical level in the United States is the best in the world, but my chances of living for five years are only 10%. Five years will pass so quickly. You want me to die so soon, I can’t accept it. I have to recover! Fully recover!”
Johnson said quickly: “Mr. Hank, it is impossible to recover completely! Moreover, if pancreatic cancer is not treated quickly and effectively, the life span is basically only half a year!”
Hank said angrily, “I didn’t say I wouldn’t interfere. Don’t you need 48 hours to prepare? Then I’ll go to China first in these 48 hours. No matter what happens, I’ll be back in 48 hours!”