Sports Medicine Master System

Chen Yu flipped through the medical records slowly, but his attention wasn’t on the pages.

The records couldn’t possibly capture Justin’s condition as clearly as his Eye of All-Seeing.

Of course, his heart had many problems. The damage and inflammation in his various blood vessels were no laughing matter.

But it was still functional, more or less.

His main problem right now was his kidneys.

The heavy metabolic load from long-term medication had caused his kidneys to begin failing.

His obesity, high blood pressure, weakness, and a host of other issues were all triggered by his kidneys.

As for a complete cure, there was clearly no good solution.

A better option would be another transplant.

If his kidneys were the problem, he could get a kidney transplant, just like Moning.

Moning, that indomitable warrior who had long been tormented by kidney disease, had finally undergone a kidney transplant last week and announced his retirement yet again.

But that wasn’t a long-term solution, either.

Finding a compatible donor was too difficult.

Even someone as wealthy as Moning had to wait three years for a kidney, to say nothing of a heart, which was far more precious.

Given the current progression of Justin’s illness, he definitely wouldn’t be able to wait three years.

"Larry."

Chen Yu finally spoke. "I can offer you one treatment plan right now: wait."

Larry Hughes froze, not quite understanding.

Chen Yu said, "Justin’s situation is very complicated, and I’m sure many doctors have already told you that. He only has a few options. One is to undergo another heart transplant, but you know how difficult that is. It comes down to luck."

"The other is to receive an artificial heart."

As far back as 1982, the United States performed a groundbreaking artificial heart transplant, shocking the entire world.

The recipient lived for 112 days post-transplant.

Since then, the artificial heart has been on the medical community’s radar, remaining at the forefront of medical technology.

After all, there are countless patients with heart failure. Whoever could perfect this technology would earn more money than they could in ten lifetimes.

"For example, the year before last, the FDA approved Abiomed to perform 15 total artificial heart transplants. Although the patients’ average survival time was only five months, you can imagine how this technology is constantly evolving. There’s hope for its success in the future."

In 2001, a well-known American medical device company, Abiomed, developed a total replacement artificial heart that allowed recipients to live for an average of five additional months.

So for Justin, the only option is to delay things as much as possible, hoping for a technological breakthrough or the good fortune of finding another donor heart.

"In the meantime, what we can do is manage his complications. Larry, you can send him to Phoenix. I can help look after him and control his inflammation."

The rejection response leads to inflammation, which in turn damages the body and causes multiple organ failure.

And when it came to controlling inflammation, Chen Yu had his methods.

The System’s effects were quite powerful.

Besides, someone in Justin’s condition, confined to a wheelchair and bed for long periods, also needs nursing care to maintain his bodily functions.

And when it came to nursing care, if Chen Yu claimed to be the best, no one would dare claim to be second.

So, even Chen Yu had no way to completely cure him. He could only try to buy as much time as possible, stalling until medical technology advanced in the future.

Larry Hughes understood.

His mother, Vanessa Hughes, couldn’t stop herself from hugging him, sobbing quietly.

Larry Hughes, however, quickly regained his composure. He comforted his mother for a moment before saying, "Dr. Chen, thank you. We’re willing to go to Phoenix. I think this is probably the best choice for Justin."

He knew deep down that the chances of completely curing Justin were slim. Just delaying the complications was already the best possible outcome.

And Chen Yu was world-class when it came to treating inflammation.

Weren’t all those players with tendonitis, patellar tendonitis, and various other inflammations cured by Chen Yu?

Not to mention, Chen Yu was also world-class when it came to physical maintenance.

Chen Yu sighed lightly and patted Larry Hughes’s shoulder.

’That’s what I’m telling him,’ Chen Yu thought, ’but I know this is, at best, just giving Hughes a sliver of hope.’

Medical technology was advancing quickly, but Chen Yu felt there was little hope of a viable artificial heart being invented within the next ten years.

And Justin simply wouldn’t live another ten years.

’But a man has to have hope.’

"Dr. Chen, can I go to the Suns next season?" Larry Hughes suddenly asked.

"Huh?"

Chen Yu was taken aback.

Larry Hughes said, "If Justin is going to Phoenix, I want to go there to be with him."

He had attended Saint Louis University specifically to stay close to his mother and brother.

If Saint Louis had an NBA team, he would have fought tooth and nail to stay.

"I know I’m not in the Pioneer’s plans," Larry Hughes began to analyze for Chen Yu. "And if the Suns win the championship this year, a lot of players will retire. You’ll definitely be short on guards. I’m willing to go."

He also knew that the Pioneer trading for him was just a temporary measure. The starting point guard spot on the Pioneer belonged to Nash.

And if the Suns get a three-peat this year, once veterans like Payton and Stockton retire, the Suns will definitely need to reinforce their roster.

"I’ll definitely work hard."

Larry Hughes added.

Chen Yu was a minority owner of the Suns and a friend of Paul Allen. If Chen Yu wanted him, the Pioneer would most likely let him go.

Chen Yu understood. He felt a wave of emotion and patted Larry’s arm. "It’s still too early to talk about that. We can discuss it later."

After giving his diagnosis, Chen Yu wasn’t in a hurry to leave.

Vanessa invited Chen Yu to stay for dinner, claiming she made the best barbecue in the five surrounding neighborhoods.

Chen Yu was planning to return to Chicago the next day and had intended to stay in Saint Louis for the day anyway, so he accepted the invitation.

The gathering was in the Hughes’s garden, filled with Larry Hughes’s family and friends.

The group was very welcoming.

Justin, in particular, stuck close to Chen Yu, asking him about all the superstars he knew.

As they were talking, Chen Yu noticed two children peeking over from behind the garden fence.

Larry Hughes, who was beside him, also noticed. He chuckled and waved them over.

Only then did the two children come into the garden.

One of them was very young, maybe five or six years old. Upon seeing Larry Hughes, he excitedly ran into his arms, calling out, "Godfather!"

Larry Hughes affectionately ruffled his hair and asked the slightly older boy next to him if he had been taking good care of his godson, Jason Tatum.

The older boy, who looked to be about ten, nodded emphatically, but his eyes were fixed on Chen Yu.

"What’s your name?" Chen Yu asked casually.

The boy quickly replied, "Sir, my name is Bradley Beal."

After a moment’s hesitation, he asked apprehensively, "Sir, do you know Penny Hardaway well? Could you help me get his autograph?"

Chen Yu paused for a second. ’Great,’ he thought, ’another one of Hardaway’s little fans.’