Chapter 17 — The Patient I Saved Twice

Tran Phuong is still crying.

“Call doctor To!”

“Quickly call Dr. To here!”

A nurse walked to the computer, typed a few times and then raised her head.

“Patient's family.”

“Currently, Dr. To is not in charge of emergency surgery.”

Tran Phuong was stunned.

“What did you say?”

"Dr. To's current assignment schedule is only in charge of planned surgeries."

“Not on emergency duty.”

The nurse is right. After I returned to the Surgery Department, the hospital rearranged my duty schedule. Night emergencies are not in my scope. Tran Phuong rushed forward. Grabbed the nurse's hand tightly.

“Then call another doctor!”

“Quickly call another doctor!”

The nurse immediately contacted the surgeon on duty overnight. The person who came was Tieu Truong of the Orthopedics Department. He held the medical records. Look through a few lines. Then looked at the person lying on the stretcher. Immediately recognized. It's Chu Chi Minh. Almost the whole hospital knew about Chu Chi Minh's story that year. Tieu Truong stood still for a few seconds. Don't move forward immediately.

“This patient is relatively complicated.”

“The previous surgery was not performed by me.”

“I don't know his current abdominal structure.”

It's the truth. But it's not entirely true. Tran Phuong heard the meaning in that. She turned her head. And finally... See me standing in the back. The moment he recognized me. The expression on her face changed continuously. First is surprise. Then there's shame. Finally stopping at an extremely complicated emotion.

“Doctor To…”

Her voice was hoarse.

“Doctor To.”

“Please.”

I stood next to the stretcher. Look at Chu Chi Minh. He is opening his eyes. Consciousness remains a little. Maybe recognize me too. Lips moved slightly. But no sound came out. The monitor continuously alarms. Blood pressure dropped to 75 mmHg. And it's still decreasing. I looked at that number. Countless images suddenly appeared in my head. The surgery lasted eight hours. The complaint letter was prepared three days before the surgery.

"200,000 yuan, otherwise I will make a big deal out of it."

Post showing off achievements on social networks. Saying in the elevator:

"That girl is very cowardly."

The day I signed the compensation agreement. The balance in the account is just over 800 yuan. The instant noodles I ate all month long. Each image passes by. Just two or three short seconds. Then disappeared. I turned to nursing. Calmly said:

“Notify the operating room to prepare.”

“I'll do this one.”

Tran Phuong knelt down. Kneel right on the floor. Cry out loud. I don't look at her. Just push the stretcher toward the operating room. The hallway is very long. The lights on the ceiling passed overhead one after another. Then another top. When I entered the operating room. Old Ngo was present there. I don't know who called him. Saw the patient on the stretcher. He was momentarily stunned. Then looked at me. I only say two words: Old Ngo won't ask any more questions. Immediately turn around and prepare for anesthesia. The surgery begins. Right at the moment of opening the abdomen. Blood spilled out. It almost flooded the entire operating theater. The situation is even more serious than last time. I just sucked blood. Just found the source of the bleeding. Quickly determine location. If it were another doctor. It will probably take more time. But I once operated on him. I know the current internal structure very well. Knife in hand remains stable. Stitch after stitch. Each movement is as precise as a clock. In the operating room. Only the sound of the monitor remained. The sound of metal colliding. And the sound of the crew breathing steadily. Three hours later. I finished the last stitch. Blood pressure has returned to safe levels. Heart rate is stable. The risk of death is eliminated. I took a step back. Remove gloves. Old Ngo looked at the monitor screen. Breathe a sigh of relief. Then turned to me.

“Doctor To.”

“One more time.”

I understand what he means. Second time. I pulled Chu Chi Minh back from death's door again. But this time I didn't reply. Just quietly left the operating room. Outside in the hallway. The light is still on. Tran Phuong sat huddled in a chair. As soon as he saw me coming out, he immediately stood up. Lips trembled continuously. It took me a long time to ask out loud:

“Doctor To…”

“How is he?”

I took off my mask. Calm voice.

“The critical situation is over.”

Tran Phuong's tears immediately fell. She was about to kneel again. I moved aside.

“Stop kneeling.”

Tran Phuong stood there. Crying so much that I couldn't speak. I passed her. Take a few more steps. A voice suddenly rang out from behind.

“Doctor To…”

“I'm sorry.”

I stopped. Just a moment. But don't turn back. Return to the changing room. I took off my surgical clothes that were soaked in sweat. Sit down on a familiar bench. Raise your head and look at the light bulb on the ceiling. It still makes a very soft buzzing sound. Exactly like half a year ago. No change at all. I bowed my head. Look at your hands. These hands once stood for eight hours to save Chu Chi Minh once. Today I stood for another three hours to save him again. Whether he's worthy or not... Not something I need to think about. I'm a doctor. These hands were born to save people. No matter who is lying on the operating table. I closed the closet door. Take out your phone to check the time. 05:12 am. Outside the window. The sky was starting to brighten. A thin ray of sunlight appeared on the horizon. It's almost morning. I put the phone in my pocket. Push the dressing room door. Step out into the hallway. At the end of the hallway. A young nurse was pushing a medicine cart. See me. She was a little stunned. Then smile.

“Good morning, Dr. To.”

I also laughed.

"Good morning."

Then walked past her. Go towards the hospital room. Behind the back. The dawn light is gradually spreading. A new day has begun.