Chapter 121: Familiar Stranger
Joanna went straight home.
On days when she wasn't busy at the hospital, she worked on designing her charity project.
There were still some details to refine in the first draft, and Linda had also given her feedback for revisions.
Once she got focused, another week flew by.
When she went to work on Monday, Dr. Lawson came to find her: "The research institute has sent someone in charge of the new drug launch. The higher-ups said they want to have a simple chat with the first batch of trial patients and give them comprehensive checkups. Joanna, your mother was also one of the first to benefit from the trial, but she doesn't seem to be staying at our hospital. Take a look - it would be best to arrange a temporary transfer for her so the person in charge can inspect more easily. After the inspection is done, she can go back to her original nursing home."
Joanna understood this was to make it convenient for the person in charge to check everyone at once.
She nodded in agreement: "I'll contact the inpatient department to arrange a room. My mother's condition is relatively stable, so a normal transfer should be fine."
After Dr. Lawson finished giving instructions, he went off to get busy.
Joanna then arranged the hospital transfer.
She drove to the nursing home to pick up Sandra and specially arranged a private room for her.
This was Sandra's first time coming to Joanna's workplace, and she felt a bit uncomfortable: "Even though I knew you studied medicine, this is my first time seeing you in a doctor's uniform. You really look like an angel."
Joanna laughed softly: "It's not as amazing as you make it sound. Doctors are people too - we're just using what we've learned to save lives. The colleagues at this hospital are all very nice. Mom, if you feel uncomfortable anywhere, just say so. Don't worry, I'll take care of the arrangements."
Sandra nodded.
The mother and daughter had just finished settling in when it was break time, and Dr. Lawson from orthopedics came with his colleagues.
They had bought a bouquet of flowers and a fruit basket together to visit Sandra.
Sandra was overwhelmed and didn't know what to say.
Dr. Lawson spoke up: "Joanna is very talented and excellent at the hospital. She's the most promising doctor in our department. If there's anything uncomfortable about your stay, just let us know - we're all family here."
Sandra held Dr. Lawson's hand and exchanged pleasantries: "Thank you all for taking care of her. I'm really so grateful."
Seeing that her colleagues had this thoughtfulness, Joanna naturally couldn't be stingy either and ordered takeout for everyone to eat together.
The hospital room was warm and cheerful, just waiting for the inspection team to arrive the next day.
Joanna even arranged a folding bed for the caregiver to rest on and paid her double wages.
Only after everything was arranged did she go off to get busy.
She had wondered if the person from the inspection team might be Victor, the one she'd run into that day. Sure enough, she saw him the next day.
Wearing sterile clothing, walking ahead of the hospital leaders, chatting with each patient whose face showed fatigue and suffering, just like a friend.
He had also prepared lots of supplements and took photos with them.
Soon they reached Sandra's room.
Victor listened to the attending physician describe the patient's condition and seemed a bit surprised: "You're Joanna's mother?"
Though Sandra's face showed confusion, she still acknowledged it.
Victor smiled: "She helped my father before. I didn't expect that Joanna would have you participate in using this new drug for the trial. I'm honored that she trusts our research institute's results so much."
Sandra spoke gratefully: "Thank you. It's because of people like you who keep developing new drugs that sick people like us can see hope."
"It's what we should do."
Learning that Joanna was Sandra's daughter, Victor chatted a lot more.
Sandra hadn't chatted with anyone for a long time, and for a moment she couldn't help almost bringing up stories from Joanna's childhood.
After chatting for a while, Victor received a phone call and walked outside.
Soon he left the inspection team in a hurry.
Joanna had thought it was just something important, but then she saw Idris among the people registering and instantly knew what had happened.
She could only go find Dr. Lawson and have him contact Victor through the leadership, while she accompanied Idris to Sandra's hospital room.
"Idris, can you tell me why you listened to Chase a few days ago and deliberately registered for the wrong department?"
Joanna thought of the question that had been puzzling her.
Idris took an apple and peeled it clumsily, saying: "Don't know. Ran into them on the street, they sent me to the hospital, so I came."
Joanna frowned, unable to piece together the answer.
It wasn't until Victor came that she learned the truth.
Turns out Idris had snuck out wanting to find the hospital, but didn't know the location.
He happened to hear Mireille and Chase talking about framing her, and knowing they could bring him to this hospital, he got in Mireille and Chase's car.
Idris had just seen Joanna's photo at Mireille and Chase's place, so he directly registered under her name, not caring whether it was the wrong department or not.
And today, he had also come looking for Joanna.
Victor was a bit helpless: "Sorry for the trouble. My dad is sometimes normal, and sometimes like a child."
Joanna understood him and asked: "Just now when you left after taking that call, was it because Idris had run away from home?"
"Yes, in his current state, I'm afraid of accidents." Victor explained, "If my father's illness was just Alzheimer's, we could control it with medication, but even top neurologists can't figure out his condition. That's why I've had the research institute keep researching new drugs, hoping to treat my dad."
He had asked around about the famous Dr. J in the medical field, but unfortunately that person was an orthopedic surgeon and couldn't treat his father.
That day when he met Joanna, he knew Dr. J was Joanna.
But since Joanna didn't show any signs of being able to treat Idris, Victor could only hide his disappointment and leave.
Joanna said apologetically: "Everyone has their specialty. I really can't treat Idris, but I know a doctor who performed the surgery on my mother. Maybe I could introduce you two?"
"That would be wonderful! Thank you so much. I'll take my dad back now and won't disturb you anymore." Victor said, then took the old gentleman away.
Joanna saw them off, then returned to the hospital room.
Sandra suddenly asked: "Joanna, have these two people been living abroad all this time?"
"Probably, I'm not really sure either. I just know Victor recently brought his father back to the country, also wanting to confirm by meeting you first batch of new drug users whether this new drug can treat his dad's condition. Mom, why are you suddenly curious about them?"
Joanna was also a bit puzzled.
Sandra pressed her lips together, her expression somewhat dazed: "I just feel like Idris's appearance seems familiar, like I knew him before."