Chapter 217
At Elysium Biotech Institute
Clifford finally finished his work in the institute so he instructed his secretary to book a flight back to Capital City. Just then, Sanya called and told him the good news about her and Rain’s reconciliation.
“Rain and I are finally on good terms,” she said, sounding genuinely relieved.
Clifford smiled, glad for the reconciliation. “That’s wonderful, Sanya. We should have a small celebration when I get back p>
Hanging up, he mulled over his next step. “I should check on Ivan,” he murmured, already making his way to the lab. Ivan had practically been living there, pushing himself relentlessly in pursuit of a cure for Rain’s father-in-law.
Clifford shook his head with a mix of admiration and concern. Ivan’s dedication was unmatched, but Clifford knew all too well the toll it could take.
Meanwhile, a vial of a new experimental compound sat before Ivan, its label promising potential. He measured a precise amount and carefully mixed it with a culture of glioblastoma cells, watching as the liquid transformed into a vivid shade of purple.
Suddenly, an idea struck him. What if he could reach out to the clinical trial registry to find another patient who had faced a similar battle? He quickly opened a new tab on his computer and began sifting through databases, searching for patients with glioblastoma who had not responded to standard treatments.
Just then, Clifford stepped into the lab, his brow furrowed. “Ivan, you need to take a break. You’ve been at this for too long p>
Ivan waved him off. “I’m close, Clifford. I just need to find a patient with a case like Rock’s. The right trial could make all the difference p>
Clifford crossed his arms and commented, “You won’t find anyone if you’re running on fumes. Let’s take a step back for a moment p>
Ivan sighed, “I know, but this is critical. If I can’t find another case like Rock’s, I might miss the chance to test this compound effectively p>
Clifford’s face softened, stepping closer. “Let’s work on this together. We can comb through the data more efficiently if you’re not running on empty. Do you remember the last time you ignored my advice? You nearly burnt out before the last presentation p>
Ivan considered his friend’s words. “You’re right. I can’t afford to make mistakes. Let’s take a short break, but I want to keep searching for that test patient p>
As they walked to the small kitchenette at the back of the lab, Ivan couldn’t shake the feeling that time was against him. The opportunity to find another patient like Rock was crucial, not just for his research but for the hope it represented. As they sipped their coffee, Ivan’s thoughts drifted back to the profiles he’d just browsed. “If only I could find someone who responded similarly to treatment… it could give us the data we need to push this trial forward p>
Clifford nodded, understanding the weight of Ivan’s conviction. “Let’s make a plan. We can reach out to oncology networks and see if there are other patients with similar tumor profiles. It might take time, but we’ll find someone p>
Ivan clicked his tongue in frustration. Finding the right test patient who would agree to participate in a clinical trial was one of the greatest struggles in research. Money wasn’t the issue, but many patients or their families were hesitant or outright opposed.
“Rain’s been checking in on the progress every day,” Ivan admitted, his voice laced with a mix of determination and fatigue. “I don’t want to let her down p>
Clifford nodded, understanding both the pressure Ivan was under and the toll it was taking. “I’m sure Rain understands the situation, Ivan. Besides, she wouldn’t be happy if she knew you’re pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion. You can’t help anyone if you’re running on empty p>
Ivan gave a tired smile, appreciating the reminder.
“I’ll stay a bit longer, make sure everything’s on track,” Clifford continued. “Let’s focus on finding a patient who’s committed to seeing this through. One step at a time p>
And just then, they were interrupted by the ringing of the telephone in Ivan’s laboratory. His eyes widened as he picked it up. “That’s great! Please escort her directly to my office, and I will head there right now p>
As soon as he hung up, Ivan turned to Clifford, excitement evident in his voice. “A patient came in saying she’s willing to become the test patient p>
With that, Ivan quickly walked to meet the patient, with Clifford following closely behind.
As they entered the examination room, Ivan and Clifford were greeted by a young woman in her twenties. Ivan frowned, taken aback by the unexpected sight of someone so young.
“Thank you for coming in,” Ivan said, offering a reassuring smile. “I’m Dr. Hartmann, and this is my colleague, Clifford White, the CEO of this institute. Can you tell us a bit about your condition p>
The woman gave them a polite nod and handed Ivan some documents.
She took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke. “I’ve been experiencing severe headaches and memory lapses. After several tests, my doctor told me I have a brain tumor p>
There was a terse silence before she continued, “The doctors say it’s aggressive, and they’ve run out of options for treatment. I heard about your work and… I want to help. If there’s any chance my case could contribute to research, I’m willing to be a part of it p>
Ivan exchanged a glance with Clifford, both men understanding the weight of her decision. “We appreciate your willingness,” Ivan said.
“What’s the process like?” she asked, anxiety evident in her voice.
“We will conduct a series of tests, including imaging and biopsies, to understand the tumor’s characteristics better. From there, we’ll develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs,” Ivan explained. “This could involve experimental therapies, but we will be with you every step of the way p>
Clifford interjected, “It’s important for you to know that this is a collaborative effort. Your safety and well-being will always be our top priority p>
The woman nodded, a flicker of determination crossing her face. “I want to do this. I want to help others who might be in my situation p>