CHRISTINA HANSON'S PROMOTION DIARY

Chapter 3: Mother's illness

Turning to Christina, her mother's phone call quickly ended all her plans and opportunities for advancement. For a brief moment, she was in no mood to care about work or anything else. Christina knows that family is the most important thing and she never dares to give up on family even for a fleeting thought. Christina was so tense that she couldn't sit. She kept bouncing around in the back seat of the taxi. The driver seemed so used to this image that it was no surprise. He knew no one was calm enough to take a taxi to the hospital in such a hurry. The taxi drifted into the courtyard in front of the hospital. Christina paid the bill and quickly ran into the medical check-up area without taking any change.

Only now did she realize that the dress was not suitable for her to move as fast as a professional athlete. Christina only had time to send a short message to Marcel. She informed me about the status of the appointment and the fact that she had to go to the hospital right now. From a distance, Christina had seen Agatha nervously sitting on a chair with a white face, lost in thought. Her chest almost burst with fear. Christina ran so fast that she almost tripped. She sat down in front of Agatha, clasped her thin hands, and asked in a gasp that made her laugh.

The woman who has passed her fifties but her eyes are still bright, gently reassured in a warm, even if slightly hoarse voice: “Don't overdo it! Mom is okay. It's just that my bones aren't strong enough like yours, so it's a bit painful. So I just wanted to come to check it out.”

“Mother… don't be so subjective. Just sit here and let me ask the doctor what's going on. Mother's health is most important." Christina Hanson frowned, fear still etched in her eyes like a fleeting cloud in a long moonless night. Agatha does not live with Christina, she lives alone in California. Agatha rarely goes to New York except for medical appointments personally arranged by Christina because she knows that if she leaves her in California, she will make an excuse to avoid it.

Each time, Agatha called to notify Christina and she often traveled from New York to California to pick up her mother. But this time, Agatha was there alone without informing her in advance. Christina thought it showed she had to be in a lot of pain to act like that. Christina ran around the hospital. She tries to find the doctor who treated Agatha. Christina wanted to ask about Agatha's current health. Everyone looked at Christina because she made the hospital lobby look like the catwalk of some street fashion show in Paris.

Only now did Agatha realize that Christina's clothes were too luxurious and that she seemed to have an important date before coming there. Agatha secretly blamed herself for worrying Christina so much. Agatha only needed to see Christina's confused expression to understand how confused her young daughter was in her heart. Even when she talked to the doctor about her mother's health, she would occasionally turn to look at her with warm eyes.

The doctor in charge of Agatha's treatment was named Theseus. He was a man about the same age as his mother and was the one who treated and cared for her from the first day she came to New York for medical care. Theseus also had many opportunities to meet Christina's family, but most of them were not happy memories. Theseus saw the uneasiness in her eyes and smiled comfortingly at her, then gently said, "Don't worry too much! Agatha is still very healthy. But as she got older, her bones and joints weren't as strong as they used to be. Unlike the health of young people, you and the elderly are all the same. But for pain relief and appropriate therapy, I advise you to let Agatha get inpatient treatment. The doctors will know how to help Agatha recover faster. That is the best option right now.”

Although Dr. Theseus painted a rather optimistic outlook. Christina could understand that if it were that simple, her mother wouldn't have come to New York like this. Christina looked at Theseus with pleading eyes. He sighed when he knew he couldn't get over Christina's eyes. He thought for a long time and then said, "I want to talk to you alone for a bit, okay?"

The two walked into Theseus' private study. He cautiously showed Agatha's entire medical record to Christina. Although she was not a medical professional, she realized that her mother's health did not appear to be as good as Theseus had said on the outside. Christina was silent. Theseus patted her shoulder and said, “Christina, don't worry. It's not as bad as I thought it would be. The injury from the previous accident often recurred and it caused some complications in Agatha's bones and joints. If we can treat it in time, there will be no need for surgery.”

"Surgery?" Christina rolled her eyes at Theseus. He nodded and explained that if Agatha refused to undergo inpatient treatment and prolong her current condition, it would most likely require amputation of the injured limb.

"Oh my God! Is this so dangerous? I will do anything to make my mother better. Theseus, I hope you will help Agatha. I don't want her to suffer anymore." Christina took Theseus's hand. Her sincerity touched him. Theseus smiled to reassure her. He says everything will be fine but the most important thing right now is that she has to convince Agatha to accept inpatient treatment at the hospital.

In the crowded hospital, Christina thought she would not be able to bear the pressure on her shoulders when she learned about Agatha's health. But fortunately for Christina, she was able to meet Dr. Theseus, seeing his relaxed face as he talked about his mother's illness, reassured her. He did not highlight, nor blacken, his way of communication was straightforward and tended to calm the psyche of a troubled person like her.

Christina breathed a sigh of relief, thinking everything would be extremely complicated, but she was also very lucky that nothing too dangerous happened. Doctor Theseus explained to Christina about her mother's illness. He again suggested that Christina should take Agatha to the hospital for inpatient treatment because someone would take care of her. The most important thing is that if Agatha is left at home alone, it can cause severe long-term joint pain because she does not know how to take care of herself, and can even lead to other dangerous complications such as amputation.

"Okay, as long as my mother gets better, I will agree." Christina was extremely obedient to Dr. Theseus. Her modesty and filial piety made him feel very pleased with her. Christina bowed her head in gratitude to the kind doctor. Christina fully accepted all his offers. Like other filial children, she always wants the best for her mother. Christina also did not forget to ask Dr. Theseus to say a few words of reassurance to her mother about the problem of hospital fees. Christina feared that if Agatha knew the cost of the treatment was too high, she would not accept it. Christina sometimes couldn't understand why Agatha kept making such sacrifices, regardless of herself. Doctor Theseus smiled and patted Christina's shoulder. He nodded in agreement.

Theseus had known Christina and her mother from the first day they arrived in New York. Of course, those frequent encounters weren't because Christina fainted from overwork, and it wasn't because Agatha was battling a chronic degenerative joint disease. But for another tragic reason.

He couldn't help but be surprised at Christina's filial piety. Theseus reassured her, then turned his gaze to the woman sitting in the distance. He approached Agatha, calling her the most dignified, resilient woman he had ever met in his life. Agatha showed a happy smile, which was understandable to her. Theseus and Agtha's words made Christina feel a little strange.

He then turned to full praise for Christina, Agatha saying that Christina was the greatest living hope of her life for her. However, when she heard Christina offer to transfer Agatha to this hospital for inpatient treatment, she immediately refused. Dozens of reasons were given by her to oppose this. Agatha said that she was used to the California lifestyle and that she couldn't bear to die in a hospital in New York. Agatha also pretended that the pain had passed quickly.

So, Agatha says that she will be fine as long as she takes the medicine herself. But Dr. Theseus looked at her and laughed. He slowly sat down beside her and rambled in a few brief but effective sentences: “Your medical bills are fully covered by Christina's insurance. It won't cost her a dime. Don't turn down this opportunity, so many people want it but still can't. Agatha, please take this opportunity to cure it completely so that you don't have to bother Christina anymore. Or did she want to suffer the pain herself and torment her as well? Health insurance will also not be reimbursed like life insurance, so this is the best option!”

Theseus' words quickly reached the depths of Agatha's heart, her disapproval gradually being replaced by forced compromise mixed with a hint of relief and serenity. Theseus' views easily tamed her completely. Agatha believes this amount will not affect Christina's direct income. Agatha inwardly rejoiced at the thought of a future that would cure this disease so that it would no longer become a nuisance to Christina.