The "Drug God" in the ICU: Cai Lei, a patient with ALS, lights a flame of hope with his life

The "Drug God" in the ICU: Cai Lei, a patient with ALS, lights a flame of hope with his lifeJune 2023, sunlight streamed through the windows of the ICU ward at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, but it couldn't penetrate the increasingly dark world Cai Lei was facing. This once high-flying vice president of JD

The "Drug God" in the ICU: Cai Lei, a patient with ALS, lights a flame of hope with his life

June 2023, sunlight streamed through the windows of the ICU ward at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, but it couldn't penetrate the increasingly dark world Cai Lei was facing. This once high-flying vice president of JD.com was now confined to a bed, fighting another battle with death. In 2019, at the peak of his career, Cai Lei was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a disease that remains unconquerable by medical science. This ruthless disease, like an unyielding reaper, dragged him slowly into the abyss. Muscle atrophy, respiratory distress, dysphagia... these terrifying terms became the entirety of his existence.

The blow of fate did not crush this former business elite but instead ignited a dormant fighting spirit and a yearning for life within him. Three brushes with death did not bow him to fate. Instead, he chose to pour all his strength into igniting a flame of hope for himself and for life.

Struggle in the ICU: Hanging by a thread, why did he refuse to give up?

"I need a tracheotomy, as soon as possible!" In May 2023, a simple cold once again brought Cai Lei to the brink, leaving him with respiratory failure, full-body spasms, and a fight for his life. In the ICU ward, he strained every muscle to utter these words. A tracheotomy meant an incision in his trachea to insert a tube to aid breathing. For any normal person, this would be unimaginable pain and torment. Yet for Cai Lei, it was a necessary step to survive.

"I can't die. I still have so much to do!" This became Cai Lei's most frequent refrain while lying in the hospital bed. He couldn't bear to leave his aging parents, his beloved wife, nor the countless ALS patients fighting the same battle as him. He knew ALS was a ruthless killer, stealing the lives of patients every day. He craved life, not only for himself but also for those who, like him, yearned for life but felt helpless against the disease.

The "Unbeatable Cockroach": Three ICU stays, how did he miraculously recover?

Since his diagnosis in 2019, Cai Lei has been admitted to the ICU three times. Each time was a near-death experience, each time doctors and family prepared for the worst, yet each time he miraculously pulled through.

"He's like an unstoppable cockroach, his willpower is extraordinary!" Cai Lei's attending physician described him. Throughout his battle with the disease, Cai Lei demonstrated an extraordinary strength and optimistic spirit. He actively cooperated with his treatment, persisted in rehabilitation, and never gave up hope for life, even as his condition worsened. He used his phone to record his experiences battling the disease, sharing them with fellow patients, encouraging them to face life positively.

"I don't believe in fate; I believe in the power of human will!" Cai Lei demonstrated the resilience and preciousness of life with his actions.

Cyberbullying: "Showboating" or "Philanthropy"? Why was he questioned?

The test of fate didn't stop there. When Cai Lei poured his energy into philanthropy, advocating for ALS patients, discordant voices emerged online.

"Is he showboating? Deliberately playing up his situation to garner sympathy?" "Is he scamming people? Using their kindness to profit?" These malicious speculations and personal attacks, like sharp knives, deeply wounded Cai Lei and his family. He couldn't comprehend why his genuine charity efforts were met with such vicious attacks.

"I do all this just so more ALS patients can see hope. Is that wrong?" Cai Lei felt utterly disheartened in the face of criticism.

Fortunately, justice eventually prevailed over rumors. Yin Ye, CEO of BGI Group, and Cai Lei's wife, Duan Rui, among other friends, came forward in support, using facts to prove his innocence.

"He's a genuinely good person, someone worthy of respect!" Yin Ye voiced his support for Cai Lei on social media, urging everyone not to be misled by rumors.

Why is he so determined to fight the disease?

From a business elite to an ALS patient, from despair and helplessness to active resistance, what has sustained Cai Lei on his journey?

"I don't want to die like this. I still have so much to do!" This was Cai Lei's most genuine cry in the face of disease. He yearned for life, not only for himself but also for those who, like him, were battling ALS.

He knew ALS was a ruthless killer, taking patients' lives every day. He wanted to use his strength to change things, to fight for more time and hope for his fellow patients.

How did he fight against fate?

Faced with the challenge of fate, Cai Lei chose not to give in but to write his own legend with his actions.

He established a charitable foundation, donating over 100 million yuan of his savings to support ALS research and treatment. He formed a research team, building the world's largest ALS patient database, contributing his efforts to conquer this medical enigma. He actively participated in philanthropic activities, appealing for societal attention to the ALS community, striving for more rights and protection for them. He used his experiences and insights to encourage fellow patients to face life positively and never give up hope.

"I don't believe in fate; I believe in the power of human will!" Cai Lei demonstrated the resilience and preciousness of life with his actions.

What did he teach us about life?

Cai Lei's story is a tale of life, hope, and love. He showed us that even in the face of a terminal illness, we can live with purpose and meaning. He demonstrated through his actions that life's meaning lies not in its length but in its width and depth, that even with a limited life, we can live vibrantly and make a difference.

He warmed the hearts of countless ALS patients with his love, bringing them hope and strength. He made us believe that love can conquer anything, even death cannot impede its transmission.

How should we understand the meaning of life?

Everyone has only one life. How we spend this fleeting time is a question everyone must ponder. Cai Lei's story provides an answer: the meaning of life lies in giving, in love, in creating value for others.

When faced with challenges and setbacks, we can look to Cai Lei, ponder how he faced disease, how he used his actions to embody the meaning of life.

A Whale Fall, Life Springs Forth - The Reflection He Leaves Behind

"A whale fall, life springs forth," this is a harsh yet beautiful phenomenon in marine ecosystems. When a whale dies in the ocean, its body slowly sinks to the seabed, becoming a food source for numerous marine creatures, nurturing new life.

Cai Lei was like a whale. He used his life to bring hope and light to countless ALS patients. His story will inspire more people to pay attention to ALS, to care for ALS patients, to contribute their efforts towards conquering this medical enigma. His spirit will forever live in our hearts, shining as a beacon of light for life.

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