Dr. Shin Seonhan: The Doctor Who Sees The Future [EN]: Chapter 35

#35 ICU (2)

“……Okay, I got ahead of myself.”

He raises his glass, hiding his lips.

*What a funny guy.*

I chuckled nonchalantly and raised my glass.

From experience, you need to set boundaries early with guys like him.

That way, it’s easier for everyone.

“50 points! Bull’s eye!!”

“Wow!”

The dart game is still going strong next to us.

“By the way, if you’re twenty-four, aren’t you the youngest of the interns?”

I asked out of pure curiosity.

Maybe he started school early or something.

“I graduated early from Seoul Science High School in two years.”

“Seoul Science High School?”

“Yes.”

“Ah.”

Some people are just like that.

Like they’re in the fast lane, their life a nonstop ride.

He’s from a different world than me, who struggled and retook the college entrance exam three times to get into a local medical school.

“By the way, where is Sunhan going for the next rotation?”

“ICU.”

“Intensive Care Unit?”

Ryu Myungin licked his lips.

“That’s too bad. I really wanted to do my internship with Sunhan… It would be fun to compete and see who’s better.”

*Competition, huh.*

The moment I heard that word, I roughly understood what kind of person he was.

“We’re all here to learn; is there really anything to compete about?”

“Wow, you’re playing innocent.”

Ryu Myungin said that and smiled.

It’s a disturbing smile.

I don’t feel outright hostility, but he’s the type you instinctively keep your distance from.

“Well, we’ll probably have overlapping schedules someday, right? I’ll look forward to it.”

After saying that, Myungin disappeared to another spot.

…What a strange guy.

Unlike his cheerful tone, he lacks social skills.

He doesn’t seem malicious, but what he says is very self-centered.

As I watched him disappear, Joongwon-hyung quietly approached and said,

“He still has a unique personality.”

“Who is he?”

“Ryu Myungin; he was famous at our school.”

Joongwon-hyung continued to explain.

He was famous for studying hard.

Just listing his accomplishments is impressive.

―Gold medal at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) during high school

―Early graduation from Seoul Science High School

―Valedictorian at Yonsei University Medical School, representative at the declaration ceremony

―Valedictorian at Yonsei University Medical School, representative at the graduation ceremony

―Etc…….

“You know why I call him a hardcore guy, right? So much so that his nickname in college was . He’s probably aiming for the award this time too.”

I nodded.

I think I know what type he is.

A personality that can’t stand losing to others.

Hearing the story, his excessive ambition is almost an obsession, so he doesn’t have many friends.

“I don’t like him.”

Sodam, who had appeared unnoticed, muttered with a sulky expression.

Her hamster-like cheeks were flushed red, probably from a few drinks.

“Why don’t you like him?”

“His personality is kind of… how should I put it… draining… Anyway, you’ll know once you experience it.”

Sodam said that and puffed out her cheeks.

It’s kind of cute.

She looks even more like a hamster when she drinks.

“Of course, he’s better than that guy.”

At Sodam’s words, our three gazes shifted to the corner.

“Why am I the lowest score! Waaah!”

*Crash!*

“Hey, that bastard’s starting again!”

“Who gave him alcohol?!”

“Seniors, you’re being too harsh! Huhuung!”

It seems that Jo Jin-gi broke a bottle while crying in a corner of the bar.

It’s another day of realizing that there are really all kinds of people in the world.

That’s how the last day of April passed, and the full-fledged month of May began.

* * *

*Clang—*

The warm sunlight of May streamed in through the hospital window.

The mountains visible beyond the window are turning green, and my schedule for this month is .

Yonsei University Hospital, befitting its large size, has many intensive care units.

They are divided among internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, neurosurgery, and thoracic surgery.

A total of 6 interns were assigned to 10 intensive care units, and I was assigned to the surgical intensive care unit and the thoracic surgery intensive care unit at the Cancer Center.

What kind of month will this May be?

What kind of future will I see, and how will I solve it… Will I be able to solve it well this time too?

I don’t know yet.

*‘I’ll solve anything!’*

Is it because of my past experiences?

Confidence was growing rapidly inside me.

6:30 AM.

I arrived at the station.

Since it was the first day, I greeted the nurses lightly.

I was waiting for the morning rounds when…

…Something’s strange.

The attending physician is nowhere to be seen.

The ICU pharmacist asks the nurse with a bewildered expression.

“Has Dr. Byun not arrived yet?”

“No.”

“Seriously, if he’s late again this time, he’s going to get chewed out by the professor.”

“Tell me about it.”

The nurse sighs deeply.

“He was already grilled during rounds the day before yesterday for being later than the professor.”

“That’s why the rounds took over 2 hours that day.”

“It shouldn’t be like that today…….”

The nurse and pharmacist look troubled.

I blinked between them.

This was a first.

At least as far as I know, it’s basic for the attending physician to understand the patient’s condition before making morning rounds.

Kim Viper in March and Yeo Bongcheol in April were like that.

But he hasn’t even shown his face at this hour?

Rounds start at 7, and it’s already 5 minutes before.

*Thud!*

At that moment, the door opened, and a man who rushed in shouted loudly.

“Ugh, I was late because I was taking a dump!”

Surgeon Byun Gyunam.

That was my first meeting with him, who would be my mentor for the next month.

A dull impression.

Lazy-looking eyes.

Bushy hair, a reddish face with flushed cheeks.

That was my first impression of Dr. Byun Gyunam.

He wiped his sweat and said.

“Ugh, I almost got late because of constipation.”

“Dr. Byun, please don’t be late…….”

“What are you going to do if you get scolded by the professor again? We’re all nervous watching from the side.”

The pharmacist and nurse say pleadingly.

But he himself smiles nonchalantly.

“Doctors need time to go to the bathroom too. Do you think doctors can live without taking care of their business?”

“Ugh, really…….”

The nurse sighed.

Meanwhile, I couldn’t hide my awkward expression.

I have to stick with this person for a month, and the first impression isn’t very good.

He suddenly looked at me.

“Oh, are you the new intern?”

“Yes, I’m Shin Sunhan.”

“Wow~ You’re the Shin Sunhan I’ve only heard about! Nice to meet you!”

Saying that, Dr. Byun Gyunam happily extends his hand.

*Thump!*

The feeling that reaches my palm is damp and moist.

I wonder if he’s just a person who sweats a lot…….

At that moment, the nurse asks.

“Dr. Byun, did you wash your hands after using the bathroom?”

“Oh, did I wash my hands? I don’t remember very well.”

*Ugh…….*

It’s so dirty!

Soon, Dr. Byun Gyunam takes his hand to the sink installed in the intensive care unit.

*Swish—*

The automatic sensor activated and water came out.

Then he lightly puts his hand on it once and finishes washing his hands.

Did it take 2 seconds?

……That’s like not washing your hands at all!

He’s supposed to be a surgeon, but his way of washing his hands is shocking.

While I was flustered and couldn’t say anything, Dr. Byun Gyunam looked at my feet and said.

“But you, are you going to wear those shoes?”

“Yes?”

“You’ll regret it. Our professor’s rounds take a really long time. The blood will rush to your feet, and you won’t be able to stand it because of the sweat.”

Saying that, he slightly lifts his foot.

I’m wearing loafer-type shoes, while Dr. Byun Gyunam is wearing sandals with holes [Crocs].

“If you’re going to work in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) for the next month, buy Crocs shoes first! This senior is giving you a pro tip.”

“Ah…… Yes, I understand.”

“How is it, are you thankful?”

Byun Gyunam smiles.

Should I say thank you?

And after a while.

A professor with a bald spot in the middle of his head appeared.

Surgeon Eom Seoyong.

I, along with the pharmacist and the head nurse of the intensive care unit, bowed our heads.

“Hello!”

“Hello!”

“Yes, hello.”

The professor received the greetings, then looked at Dr. Byun Gyunam and said.

“Gyunam, did you understand the patients today?”

Dr. Byun Gyunam scratched his head awkwardly and said.

“Yes, well…… I think I roughly did.”

“You think?”

“Oh, no, I definitely did.”

He reluctantly answers, but he doesn’t seem very confident.

The professor clicked his tongue and suddenly looked at me.

“Are you the new intern?”

“I’m intern Shin Sunhan. Please take care of me!”

I bowed energetically.

“You must be the intern who was on the news recently. You seem very courageous and decisive.”

“Thank you.”

“Work hard.”

The professor patted my shoulder and suddenly said seriously.

“Never be complacent and lazy.”

“……?”

“Even people who are smart at first often go crazy working in the hospital.”

Saying that, he glanced at Dr. Byun Gyunam, who was standing next to him.

As if telling him to listen.

Byun Gyunam scratched his head, and I didn’t know what to say, so I made a troubled expression.

“Shall we start rounds then?”

“Yes!”

That’s how the first rounds of May began with a slightly awkward feeling.

* * *

ICU.

Short for Intensive Care Unit.

If the ER was the front door of the hospital, the ICU is where patients’ lives are decided.

It’s where the most critical patients in the hospital gather.

Patients whose conditions have suddenly worsened.

Patients who need the help of a ventilator.

Patients who have just finished major surgery.

Patients who have received organ transplants.

Etc…….

As the patient’s condition is serious, there are many issues to discuss.

“Shall we start with the patient in room 1? The patient who had LAR surgery [Low Anterior Resection, a surgery for rectal cancer] is on POD (Post-Op Day) two, right?”

“Yes.”

We followed the professor.

Soon, in-depth conversations about each patient took place.

They summarized the events of the previous day and carefully examined the patient’s vital signs, blood test results, and imaging findings.

This process alone takes a basic 15 minutes.

“EBL [Estimated Blood Loss] was 1300cc during surgery, and 2 packs of RBC [Red Blood Cells] were given yesterday, right?”

“Yes. Hemoglobin is 10.3 today.”

“What did IM5 (Nephrology) say about the high creatinine level?”

“Adjust the dosage of the antibiotics we’re using now…….”

Serious conversations went on for a long time.

Of course, there were some difficult words to understand in between.

But I tried my best to listen to the professor’s words from the side.

After an hour…….

My feet are starting to hurt.

I understood why Dr. Byun Gyunam wore comfortable shoes.

*‘It’s hard.’*

My concentration is gradually decreasing.

Thinking that, I glanced at Byun Gyunam next to me, and his eyes already had no focus.

Huh.

I couldn’t help but be shocked.

No way…….

Is he dozing off while standing?

*Nod, nod—*

Byun Gyunam’s head tilted more and more precariously and was about to fall limply.

He’s going to get scolded a lot if the professor catches him…….

Should I wake him up?

I should wake him up, right?

I carefully reached out and poked Byun Gyunam’s back, avoiding the professor’s eyes.

“Heup!”

*Startled!*

Dr. Byun screamed and opened his eyes wide.

Then the professor, who was focused on the patient, was startled and looked back at us.

“What, what is it? What’s wrong?”