"I understand that." Elion accepted everything his superiors told him about the experiences of colleagues and their own.
The truth was that making a mistake or failing to save a patient's life was terrifying, because what came afterward was not only guilt, but also the hatred of the family, and that was something Elion knew well.
"If we want to convince our patient that she has tapeworms in her brain, we need to give her proof."
"But even we don't have that proof yet, and we don't have time to find it because we don't have it." Cameron knew they were in a critical state, and that finding proof could cost them the patient.
This was their last bullet, a risky method simply because there was even the possibility that Elion's diagnosis was wrong.
If everyone failed, the patient would die, but if they were right, as they believed, then she would live, so they didn't need to look for answers to convince Rebecca.
"It might be simpler than everyone is imagining."
"Really?" Chase now wanted to hear what Elion was about to say.
"As is well known, the density of tapeworm cells is similar to that of cerebrospinal fluid, so tapeworms cannot be seen on routine brain CT scans." Elion took out his own notes and research and placed them on the table, then said, "That's why we didn't find tapeworms in the early stages."
"However, the part of the human body that tapeworms like the most is not the brain, but the thigh muscles! The fact that we can't find any sign of tapeworms in the brain doesn't mean we can't find them in the patient's thigh muscles."
"Therefore, as long as Rebecca has tapeworms in her brain, tapeworms will inevitably also appear in her thighs. Although CT scans can't detect tapeworms, there is a very common test that can detect them: X-rays!"
Elion knew that this could easily be thought of when House came back and said that he had failed. That was why he was better prepared to make his best contribution to the method they would use to save the patient.
"Moreover, thigh X-rays are non-invasive and absolutely safe examinations. Even patients who have already abandoned treatment will not resist one last test."
"Therefore, we have absolutely no need to make anything up to request a court order."
After hearing Elion say this, everyone who hadn't strayed too far from what they had at hand thought about this possibility.
They understood the logic, but unconsciously ignored it, as if they were suffering from cognitive bias.
Because they were always thinking about how to find problems in the brain, they never thought they could use thigh X-rays to verify brain problems.
But as soon as Elion said it, everyone immediately understood that the method was indeed feasible, including Foreman, who had previously been skeptical.
He truly did not expect Elion to be able to find a real way to prove something from such a unique perspective.
In this way, his assumption that House would try to simulate a patient's incapacity and then force treatment after his persuasion failed seemed unnecessary.
Thinking about it that way, Foreman was annoyed that he hadn't thought of something similar all this time.
How had it not occurred to them?
Elion didn't know either. He thought that perhaps the people around him were influenced by the destiny of this world, which was in fact already written.
Maybe that was why Elion's influence had not been enough to make House see that his diagnosis was correct.
That was why he didn't feel better or superior to the people standing in front of him. He knew that in any other area, being superior to them or one step ahead would be impossible with his level of experience.
Of course, Elion's thoughts were never expressed.
Cameron, standing to the side, looked at Elion with some surprise.
It was remarkable that he had been able to devise such a test so quickly in the short time it had taken Foreman to propose the hypothesis.
Elion's mind really worked incredibly fast.
Elion had not only given them another path, but also shown them a different way of diagnosing: putting themselves in the patients' shoes.
Thinking about this, Cameron couldn't help but look once more at Elion's clearly defined face.
In just one day, this intern had given her countless surprises.
How was it that she didn't remember anything about this guy before?
Chase, who until then hadn't said a word, also understood everything Elion had said.
Elion was a meticulous thinker with a wealth of knowledge and solid practical skills; so far, there were no apparent weaknesses.
Such a near-omnipotent level seemed like something an ordinary intern could not possibly achieve. Anyone who judged him by the standards of a common intern would ultimately fail.
Although Elion was young, that didn't mean he was incapable.
On the contrary, he was very professional.
Judging by what had happened today, Elion was fully qualified to become a certified diagnostic physician.
At the same time, Chase also saw the shadow of someone in Elion, a shadow like House's before what had happened to him.
Both young and equally talented.
It was unclear whether Elion's success was simply a fleeting moment due to a chance encounter in his area of expertise, or whether he truly possessed substantial knowledge.
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
In the midst of that unsettling silence, the glass door of the intensive care unit opened.
House's appearance saved the awkward atmosphere.
Foreman, who was about to lose his temper, was the first to speak to House:
"So, has she accepted the treatment?"
House shook his head helplessly. "She refused."
The group exchanged glances, never expecting their assumption to come true.
Cameron, sensing the hint of resignation in House's tone, immediately pressed on:
"So we're just going to watch her die?"
House fell silent for a moment, then turned around, leaning on his cane, and said as he walked away, "I've done my part. Whether she believes it or not is her business. I respect her decision, even if it's to die. It's no longer my concern."
House, limping along the way, paused for a moment, but couldn't help adding:
"Patients always want me to prove things to them, but there aren't many things in the world that are 100% certain.
"We're not applying for a loan, so we can't provide guarantees at any time." Seeing that House was about to leave, Cameron looked at Elion and immediately said, "Wait, what if there's another way to get her to accept treatment?"
House stopped abruptly, turned around, and asked, "Oh? Do you have any good ideas?"
Cameron immediately repeated Elion's method: "An X-ray of her thigh can confirm that there's a tapeworm in her body."
House thought for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up.
"You're right, you can do an X-ray. Bugs love thigh muscles!"
"CT scans can't detect parasites, but X-rays can! Well thought out, Cameron!"
Embarrassed by House's praise, Cameron immediately said, "This wasn't my idea; it was the solution Elion suggested while we were just making assumptions."
"Elion? Our star intern again?"
House looked at Elion, who was standing to the side. This kid was good at surgery, outpatient care, and diagnosis.
No wonder he was an outstanding doctor, treasured by many hospitals, and why the director wanted him to teach.
These were far better than those low-quality, deformed fruits from before. However, his only flaw was that he was too humanitarian.
The words he spoke carried an air of humanity and arrogance that did not allow others to question them.
Even though Elion had proven to be right, what if he was wrong?
If someone in his line of work made a mistake, it could cost them their life! He had to find a way to deflate Elion's methods.
"Well done. I'll take Rebecca for her examination now. You can take care of some patients in my clinic."