Feng Mian had to talk to the nurse for a long time before they finally agreed. Upon arriving in the hospital, she quickly went through the paperwork before asking the doctor to call the insurance company. There might not be much, but her salary alone might not be enough to cover the fees without the insurance company.
"Doctor, how's my mother?"
The doctor shook his head. "She needs to replace her kidney because both of them are no longer working. In addition, she'll need to stay in hospital for the time being because of the dialysis she needed…"
There were some medical terms that the doctor used that Feng Mian didn't understand. She was not a medical graduate, but she knew that the doctor wanted to tell her that her mother's case was hard to deal. This was already the second time she experienced kidney failure and another operation would be needed.
But… where would she find the money to fund the operation?
The cost for kidney transplantation varied within countries. In her country, it cost around 10.000 dollars or even more if she had to count the additional cost of this and that. The city where she lived was quite at the back where the average living cost was only 200 to 400 dollars for those at lower social strata, which included herself. The minimum income in her city was also 250 to 300 dollars or so depending on which city she lived and as a fresh graduate, her income alone only hung around that number. Well, slightly above since she often worked overtime.
"Doctor… is it not possible with dialysis alone?"
The doctor looked at Feng Mian. "It's not impossible, but your mother might not be able to withstand the treatment."
Granted. Taking out blood and putting it inside again didn't feel good. It would make the patient feel nausea or worse. Her mother had suffered from the treatment for three years and only felt better after kidney transplantation a year ago.
Who would have thought that there would be more complications again?
In addition, dialysis alone priced around 100 dollars each time and her mother needed to have it twice a day… Feng Mian didn't have the money to cover up the cost for her mother's treatment. Even with the insurance company covered up part of the price, her money was not even enough.
Even if she starved herself for months, she would not be able to cover up the amount.
"The insurance company had covered up for today's treatment, but they had already sent a letter saying that they won't be able to cover up the rest," the doctor informed.
Feng Mian nodded listlessly. She never liked insurance companies because many of them would not cover up the cost if it exceeded what she had paid to them. This might rarely happen, but for those who only earned enough for living each day, it was a disaster.
"I'll…think for a way, Doctor."
The doctor sighed. "Madam Lin is awake. You can visit her."
"Thank you, Doc."
Making her way to the room, Feng Mian entered the narrow room and spotted her mother. There were three beds in one room because it was a standard third rate room in the hospital. Right now, there was only one woman lying on the other bed while the other one was empty.
Feng Mian's mother, Madam Lin San, was located at the end of the room. She was sitting on her bed with a pale expression.
"Mom."
"Mian'er," Lin San greeted with a smile. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be working?"
"I'm already done for the day," Feng Mian replied. She was glad that the proposal she submitted was accepted or she would have to work overnight again. At that time, she wouldn't be able to visit her mother in the hospital.
Lin San's eyes glowed with sadness. "You should just leave me alone, Mian'er."
"No! I can't do that!"
"Mian'er, I know our family condition is not good. Rather than focusing on my treatment, it's better for you to use it for your future," Lin San advised. They didn't have any savings left. Wasting money for her treatment was not worth it for she understood that she might not be able to live much longer.
Feng Mian shook her head. "Don't say that, Mom. I'll find a way to cover up the expense…."
"Don't go to a loan shark."
"Mom…"
"Don't go to the bar, don't go to the brothel, don't go to the unlicensed doctors in Black Street, don't commit crime, and don't beg my brother because he's also someone who only earns enough for living."
Listening to her mother's preaching, Feng Mian was speechless. Actually, those ideas did pop out in her mind. Even if it was hard, she didn't want to lose her mother no matter what. It seemed that her mother truly understood her the best.
"Mom, I…"
"Promise me," Lin San stared back at Feng Mian. Even if her face was pale, her eyes showed her stubborn disposition.
Feng Mian gritted her teeth. "…Fine."
"Good girl."
As Lin San patted Feng Mian's head, the girl herself was still thinking hard. How could she earn the money they needed?
"Mom. I'll take care of the paperwork first."
"Ok."
Feng Mian rose from her position as her eyes landed on the machine near her mother's bed. How she wished that she could have the equipment herself to help her mother. Unfortunately, it was only a dream that could not be fulfilled.
…
A/N: I used the average of some east Asian countries as the standard for the minimum wages. Originally, I planned on using Yuan currency because of their names, but after thinking a bit, I decided to use dollars because it's the international currency that was used right now (2020)
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Note: (Some information that didn't want to appear in synopsis, which I don't know why)
Word count: 1000-1500 words/chapter
Update: 2 chapters/week
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