Chapter 114
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Easing the Nausea and Dizziness
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Song Jongman was staggering from the moment he entered the consultation room.
Because he could barely support his own body, Professor Lee Juhyeok had come in holding his arm.
I first asked about his most pressing issue: the dizziness.
"What does the dizziness feel like? Is it harder to keep your balance, or is the nausea stronger?"
"Both, but the nausea is worse."
"No appetite at all? Do you only eat because you feel like you'll die if you don't?"
"...Yes. That's exactly it."
"And digestion isn't great either, right?"
"I don't feel bloated. I haven't been eating much anyway. Even a little food fills me up right away, and I'm not sure if it's going down or not."
I carefully noted down his main symptoms.
Like most cases of dizziness, from a Korean medicine perspective, it was undoubtedly due to phlegm.
This pathological byproduct of fluid metabolism in the body—simply put, waste products—causes dizziness when it rises to the head and nausea in the digestive system.
"You mentioned a constant urge to vomit. How many times have you actually thrown up?"
"Two or three times right after starting the meds... But that was just the side effects. I've been holding it back as much as possible since."
So the nausea was severe, but he could suppress the vomiting.
I also asked about secondary symptoms.
"How's your sleep?"
"It's a bit light. I wake up sometimes. But it's better when I'm sleeping. Not deeply, but lying still with my eyes closed eases the nausea compared to being awake."
"I see."
I nodded. Of the core bodily functions—digestion, sleep, and excretion—at least his sleep was decent. That was a relief.
"Do you sweat a lot?"
"Yes, a bit."
"Did you always? Or did it get worse after starting chemo?"
"I was fine except in saunas or during workouts. Now it's cold sweats pouring out, especially from my head."
"Ah..."
This was a bad sign.
Pathologically, spontaneous sweating even at rest meant his qi was so deficient it couldn't contain the fluids, leading to leakage.
"How about your urine and stools? Frequent or scanty? Any diarrhea or constipation?"
"No major issues. Stool volume's down since I'm not eating much."
"Let me check your pulse."
I pulled my chair closer to Song Jongman and took his wrist.
Up close, I could see cold sweat beading on his forehead. Yet his hands were dry and slightly cool. Circulation was completely off.
"Any heart palpitations?"
"A little."
"Dry mouth?"
"Yeah, it's parched when I wake up. Thirsty all the time too. I don't drink too much because I'm worried about bathroom trips being risky."
"You need to drink plenty. To clear the phlegm and improve the dizziness, we have to boost fluid metabolism by drinking lots and excreting via urine."
"Phlegm?"
I gave a simple explanation of phlegm.
Fluid metabolism was key, and expelling waste required lots of water—it wasn't hard for him to accept.
"It can even cause depression sometimes. Though... you're in a tough spot regardless."
"Haha."
"You seem a bit neurasthenic. Emotionally, do you feel depressed or anxious?"
Song Jongman thought for a moment before speaking.
"Sure, being sick all the time gets me down. I worry I'll collapse and crack my head open."
"That'll improve too. Once your energy picks up and the dizziness eases."
"If it does, that'd be perfect."
Song Jongman smiled faintly.
He was committed to treatment, but not overly expectant of the herbs.
That was actually preferable.
Better to gradually feel the effects than crash from dashed hopes.
"From your main symptoms, I had two prescriptions in mind: Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction for dizziness, and Zishen Jianpi Decoction."
"Banxia Baizhu Tianma?"
Professor Lee Juhyeok reacted.
It was the formula that had dramatically improved dizziness in one of the patients he'd referred before.
"Yes, the one for President Jeon Suyeong."
"Memorable name. Sounds like it belongs in a wuxia novel."
Hmm...
This tianma wasn't that tianma.
Had Professor Lee read some martial arts novels?
"Both treat digestive issues with dizziness and headaches, but Banxia Baizhu Tianma is the go-to first."
"Like standard guidelines?"
Not exactly, but close enough.
"Yes. It has multiple herbs to expel phlegm. Good for pure qi deficiency dizziness or even conditions like BPPV or Meniere's. Works well for post-chemo too."
"Oh ho."
"But for you, Mr. Song, your pulse shows sinking weakness far more than phlegm. You'll need stronger tonics than what's in Banxia Baizhu Tianma."
The classic pulse for phlegm is slippery.
In acute stagnation like indigestion, it's prominent.
But in extreme qi and blood depletion like his, the pulse is too weak for clear patterns.
Prioritize qi tonics to nourish and invigorate self-recovery. Of course, directly clearing phlegm too.
"Zishen Jianpi is stronger for tonifying qi and blood, plus it has Poria, Baked Licorice, and Polygala to calm the mind. Perfect. With your sweating and ongoing chemo, I'll add Astragalus separately for neutrophil recovery."
Song Jongman nodded along, then clutched his head—dizzy again.
I waited for him to settle before continuing.
"Normally monthly scripts, but since Western meds didn't sit well, let's do ten days first, then adjust. I'll slightly increase the dizziness herbs in the base formula, monitor progress, and re-prescribe after."
"Got it."
"Any questions? Or other symptoms I missed?"
"No... Oh, do I keep the herbs during chemo breaks?"
"Yes. Build strength during lighter symptom periods to endure the next round. Worried about liver values?"
Song Jongman started to shake his head but was stopped by Professor Lee Juhyeok telling him to stay still.
"Don't worry about liver enzymes. With hospitalization here, we'll do regular bloodwork. We'll let you know if issues arise."
"Hospitalized?"
"This guy's not stable. How's your wife managing alone?"
Professor Lee Juhyeok shook his head in disbelief.
"I wanted to admit myself! No one said to, so I figured outpatient was fine."
"Who goes to Korea University Hospital just for—"
"Sorry! My bad!"
Chatting with his friend Professor Lee Juhyeok clearly boosted his vitality.
For some patients, outpatient is better than admission, but here, close monitoring by his doctor seemed ideal.
"If symptoms worsen suddenly or tests show issues needing herb tweaks, call anytime."
"Will do. Thanks for the extra care."
Professor Lee Juhyeok smiled and stood.
"I'll fax charts next visit. Take good care of my friend. Great meeting you."
"Sure. Safe travels. See you in ten days, Mr. Song."
Professor Lee Juhyeok told Song Jongman to continue chemo at his hospital.
Full admission under his care from start to finish was far better.
"Surgery went well, protocol's Zelboraf. We'll stick with it. It's just IVs and meds—what's the difference?"
No counterargument. The IV tech didn't change outcomes, and it beat dragging his wife back and forth from Busan.
"Fifth cycle here then? That's okay?"
"Most docs hate it, but what can we do? Gotta help."
Liability, costs, etc.—he emphasized special treatment as a friend.
"Thanks."
Song Jongman's face twisted.
He hated showing weakness to this guy, yet here he was, helped materially and otherwise.
"Take your herbs, call if anything."
Admission was quick.
Rushed, so a six-bed room, but beats waiting anxiously in Korea University Hospital's queue.
Herbs arrived next day.
"How's it, honey?"
"Kinda... better maybe."
First dose post-med dizziness and anxiety slightly lessened.
Placebo? Maybe.
Reassured someone would rush if issues arose.
"Honey, it's fine! Plenty of clothes left. Go visit your friend comfy~."
By day five, it was clear.
Post-med nausea urge halved or less.
Song Jongman regained composure.
"Next time, grab some seaweed soup from the convenience store?"
Food went down easier.
-I'll brew and bring it!
Hospital or home food—all combat rations before.
Now cravings emerged.
"Honey, must be tough alone? Tell the kids properly."
The doctor's words stuck: time to confide in his sons.
He'd recover anyway.
No need to shock them pre-promotion exams... maybe selfish.
Sons rushed from Busan.
Bickering over visits (one at a time), so Song Jongman went out.
"Dad, how'd you hide this?!"
"Look how gaunt! My god..."
"Enough chatter. Help me walk."
Leaning on eldest son, gripping wife's hand—no more fear.
Wife's fussing alone bred anxiety and guilt; all three sons fussing was just noisy.
"Dad, get better and cruise with us...!"
"Shut up and let's go!"
Ten days not up, but two days early? Fine.
Song Jongman headed to the clinic that helped him rally.
"Your complexion's improved!"
The doctor spotted the change immediately.
"Dizziness much better!"
"Better? Try worlds."
Song Jongman beamed, describing symptoms.
"Post-dose vertigo and vomit urge way down. Walking's fine with support. Used to spin suddenly, limbs go limp—now energy's up."
"Wonderful. You were wobbling in last time—worried me."
"Aigoo, Dad...!"
"Quiet down. But thanks to you, I'm hanging on."
"You'll beat it. Posture's straight, mind firmer."
Less than ten days, yet agony felt distant.
Next time, walk in alone?
"Thanks for the support. Till full recovery, I'll follow you and Juhyeok."