godfather of surgery

Chapter 1209 Letter of Recommendation

During the conversation, Maurice told Adams about her daughter's entire treatment process, excluding the unpleasant public opinion storm.

This further strengthened Adams's resolve to stay. He firmly believed that if Professor Yang couldn't cure his illness, no one else could either. He was just wondering how to get Professor Yang to treat him and how to join his clinical trials.

Morris didn't know how well Adams knew about Sanbo Hospital and Professor Yang. He hoped his own experience could help him, so he said, "I've visited Professor Yang's laboratory. It's a magical place where many of the most advanced theories and technologies are developed, such as the space-guided gene theory. By the way, this achievement earned Professor Yang the Nobel Prize. In the medical field, he's almost omnipotent. He's very interested in everything, whether it's surgery, internal medicine, or basic medicine, and he's achieved remarkable results. He's the most confident, composed, and talented doctor I've ever met."

Adams agreed with Morris's point of view, but that wasn't the problem. Adams said with great difficulty, "I came to China from England because I heard so much about Professor Yang's new therapy. Unfortunately, his new therapy has not yet completed the first phase of clinical trials, so I have no chance to participate in it, not even as a volunteer. I heard that the spots for the second phase of clinical trials have already been snapped up. What should I do? Can you give me some advice? I need your help now."

Morris didn't have any good advice. He had come on Johannesson's recommendation, which was why he received Professor Yang's treatment. Morris didn't know if this information would be helpful to Adams, but he told him anyway, "If possible, you should find a recommender, such as a well-known professor in the field in England. It would be even better if this professor had some connection with Professor Yang. My daughter was able to have Professor Yang personally perform the surgery because of that letter of recommendation. Legend has it that there is a low-profile, secret academic organization in this world, which is full of the world's best doctors. Only letters of recommendation from doctors in this academic organization are valuable. My friend happens to be a member of this low-profile organization, which is why we were able to successfully complete the surgery."

A renowned professor? And a low-profile academic organization with connections to Professor Yang?

Adams couldn't think of anyone he knew who this doctor was. He knew that you needed a letter of recommendation to go to college, but he never thought you needed one to see a doctor.

If this isn't done, even if Yang Ping doesn't sleep for 24 hours a day, he still won't be able to personally see all the patients. Since screening is necessary, there must be a rule: recommendation letters from top experts in the industry, especially those from members of his private academic organization. Only cases that these experts can't treat are meaningful to Yang Ping; otherwise, it's a waste of medical resources.

Adams remembered his attending physician in England, Mr. Milton, who might be able to help. He was one of the best orthopedic surgeons in England, and his letter of recommendation would surely be useful.

After thanking Morris, he hurriedly returned to his ward and emailed Milton. Milton, having received Adams's request for help, began to ponder what to do. He knew the rule: to receive a personal consultation from Professor Yang, one had to be recommended by a member of an academic organization. His own letter of recommendation was useless. He thought of August, but he and August had always been bitter rivals, having fiercely competed for the top position in European spinal surgery. Would August ignore him if he asked now?

After careful consideration, Milton decided to go to Germany himself. He was willing to go all out for his patient; he would even admit defeat if August agreed to write a letter of recommendation.

He believed that August wouldn't settle personal scores, but that was just his guess; he'd only know for sure after they met.

The situation was urgent, and Milton rushed to Germany as quickly as possible. He knew that Adams' condition could not be delayed, and every day of delay would reduce the chances of recovery.

In Germany, Milton finally met August and embraced him warmly: "My old friend, it's been a long time. I heard you've performed some new surgeries, is that true? I've come here specifically to congratulate you, learn from you, and then have a beer with you."

"You came all the way to Germany just to have a beer with me?" August had no idea what Milton was up to. Milton was being a bit too enthusiastic today. He wasn't like this before; he would always mock and ridicule him when they met.

“Yes, I missed you so much. I even dreamt about drinking beer with you yesterday, so I flew here right away today just to drink beer with you. Now I’m completely convinced that you are the number one spinal surgeon in all of Europe. I can’t compare to you, and I admit my shortcomings.” Milton bombarded the audience with sweet words first.

August looked at his old friend and rival with suspicion. When had he ever been so submissive? The two had been fighting since they were young, and he had never admitted defeat. Even now that August's medical skills far surpassed his, he still held his head high and refused to admit defeat. Now that he had suddenly come over and said he was admitting defeat, there must be some unspeakable secret behind it.

Milton put his arm around August: "Any surgeries today? If so, I'll wait for you. If not, let's go for a beer. We'll have a good drink tonight, for our friendship."

"No surgery, but are you alright? Did you really come all this way just to have a drink with me?" August certainly didn't believe this old fox; he must have something to ask of him, and judging by his appearance, it probably wasn't a small matter.

August was curious to see what Milton was up to, so he said, "Well, old friend, we must have a drink for friendship. It's been a long time since we've had a drink together."

"There's no surgery tomorrow, right? I don't remember it being your surgery day tomorrow."

"You have a good memory. Tomorrow is indeed not my surgery day, so you can drink as much as you want tonight."

"That's great, old friend."

"Come to my place, how about we have a barbecue and some beer?"

"As you wish."

The two walked out of the elevator with their arms around each other's shoulders.

August drove Milton to his suburban villa, where they enjoyed a barbecue and beer on the lawn. It was a very pleasant experience, as the weather was perfect and there was no chance of rain.

August had servants and a cook at his house, who prepared everything at his behest. Now only August and Milton were on the lawn.

In fact, the relationship between the two is both rivalry and friendship. They are both bitter enemies and mutual respect. They met at an academic conference when they were young and formed a deep academic friendship. They often discuss academic issues by email and phone, and sometimes they argue so fiercely that they get red in the face and even curse each other.

At academic conferences, they often appear as arch-rivals, frequently banging on the table over arguments, but this doesn't stop them from drinking beer together.

The German dark beer emitted a strong, burnt aroma. Their glasses clinked together as they discussed issues they had debated since their youth, and who was right and who was wrong in the end.

Before I knew it, it was already late at night. There were boxes and boxes of empty bottles all around me, and the aroma of barbecue filled the air.

August hiccuped as he drank: "Brother, just say the word. What do you need from me? I've had a great beer tonight. I'll see if I can help you."

"Today we'll just drink, not talk business. It's all for our friendship. Nothing is more important than our friendship."

"Don't give me that. You British people can't be so hypocritical. In Chinese terms, just say what you have to say. Once I sober up, I probably won't agree to anything you say. Say it while I'm still a bit tipsy."

"Oh, it's nothing really. It's like this, I treated a patient with osteosarcoma, a man in his thirties, the primary lesion was in his spine, and it metastasized to his left femur… He's now at Sanbo Hospital in China. He really wants Professor Yang to treat him and is eager to participate in Professor Yang's K-therapy clinical trial, but this requires a special letter of recommendation, you know… there aren't many doctors in the world who can write such a letter, and I think you're one of them. So, could you do me a favor and write a letter of recommendation for my patient?" "Is that all? Is there anything else? Tell me all at once. I remind you again, once I'm sober, I will refuse to discuss anything further."

"Yes, about this matter. I don't know if it's convenient for you."

"Alright, brother, I knew you wanted something from me. You didn't need to drink so many beers with me. You could have just said it when we met today, and I would have agreed anyway. You British people just like to beat around the bush. We Germans are more straightforward. Hypocritical, insidious, cunning, and two-faced, that's the British way."

"Yes, you're absolutely right. I also think the British have a lot of bad habits, and I'm even ashamed to be British."

"Of course we should feel ashamed. Look how open, honest, and direct we Germans are, and how consistent our words and actions are."

"Yes, brother, actually I have German blood. My great-great-great-grandfather... I think he came from Germany. Legend has it that he crossed the English Channel in a wooden boat."

"You're the same. You could have just said it when we met today. Why did you have to drink with me until midnight before you finally beat around the bush?"

"Yes, brother, I was so excited to see you that I forgot about it. I just remembered and brought it up."

"Alright, considering how much we enjoyed drinking today, I agree."

"You agree?"

"Of course, send me the patient's detailed information first thing tomorrow morning, and I'll write a recommendation email for Professor Yang. There's really no need for you to drink so many beers with me."

"You really agree, without any conditions?"

"No, I agree. You don't actually need to drink with me."

"No, I'm willing. I really want to drink with you. We've been competing for over twenty years. We've almost taken turns being presidents of the European Spine Surgery Association. Today I realized that without you, I wouldn't have achieved what I have today."

"I'm the same. If I hadn't fought with you, I wouldn't have achieved what I have today. Thinking back to when we argued, I feel I should apologize to you now. I shouldn't have always raised my voice so loudly, sometimes slamming the table and cursing at you. It was very rude and domineering."

“I shouldn’t have mocked you, always making sarcastic remarks. Actually, some of your new methods are quite correct, but I always mock you.”

"How's your Chinese learning going? If your language skills are up to par, I'd recommend you join our association."

"Aren't you afraid that I'll surpass you after I join?"

"In Europe, I've felt very lonely since I defeated you, so I've thought about it and decided that I still need to improve your level. Otherwise, without someone to argue with, life will be really hard."

These two rivals actually talked all night long, leaving beer bottles scattered all over the grass. Fortunately, August didn't have surgery the next day, and he had already informed his colleagues that it wouldn't matter if he was late.
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Auguste kept his word and wrote Adams a letter of recommendation.

After receiving the letter of recommendation, Yang Ping planned to include Adams in the clinical trial. When some things need to be screened, there must be a standard. In Yang Ping's case, some foreign patients were able to receive his personal treatment, and that was the letter of recommendation.

During rounds, Yang Ping planned to transfer Adams to a suite at the research institute to receive K therapy.

Adams knew it was the letter of recommendation that had worked. Milton only told Adams that his friend, Professor August, had written the letter for him, without telling him that he had spent the whole night drinking dark beer with the German for it, and had also taken the opportunity to scold the Englishman and praise the German. This letter of recommendation was truly hard-won.

However, things did not go as smoothly as Adams had imagined. For some reason, or because of someone, he leaked the information that he was participating in clinical trials in China. He had only told his family the news, and it is unknown which family member leaked the information.

He is now facing the same predicament as Maurice's daughter. The British media has taken action, publicizing that Chinese hospitals are using British professors for experiments, which is extremely inhumane.

Same recipe, familiar taste!

Adams was a vocal advocate against surgery for conjoined twins, but now he finds himself in the same predicament.

The person who leaked the information was none other than his sister. His sister had opposed his coming to China and was even more opposed to participating in the so-called clinical trial. When she learned that Adams was going to participate in the clinical trial in China, his sister went to the media to expose the matter.

Because her sister was a typical arrogant Englishman, he believed that if the illness couldn't be cured in England, it couldn't be cured in China either, and there must be a secret behind it.

Even after Yang Ping demonstrated his superb surgical skills to the world, his sister stubbornly maintained this belief.

"This pile of dog shit!"

Adams cursed, never expecting that it was his own sister who had messed things up.

When Yang Ping was the one performing the surgery on the conjoined twins, his sister was also one of the leading voices against it.

(End of this chapter)