Dr. Shin Seonhan: The Doctor Who Sees The Future [EN]: Chapter 94

#94 Reversal (3)

Whose voice is this?

A voice I’ve heard for a month straight.

Ryu Myung-in is glaring at me.

Though his face is covered by a mask, I can tell it’s Ryu Myung-in just by looking at his eyes.

“What is it?”

“It’s mine.”

“Does it have your name on it?”

“It might as well. I’ve been staring intently at this drape since you walked down the hallway.”

Is he a kid?

What a childish guy.

I looked at the compartment next to the drawer.

There’s a mountain of other drapes besides this one.

As I let go, Ryu Myung-in says with a triumphant expression, as if he’s won a point.

“Even if we’re scattered in different departments, you know the competition isn’t over yet, right? Don’t forget that you and I are rivals!”

That damn competition.

You can have it all you want.

I ignored him and headed to the operating room, carrying the pile of drapes like a servant.

“Hyung [older brother or male friend], don’t ignore me!”

“Yeah, yeah, rival. Good luck.”

I brought the drapes to operating room number 13.

Now the operating room is ready.

Next is the time to escort the patient.

‘Okay, let’s go to the operating room lobby now!’

Wriggle wriggle—

The operating room lobby was full of people.

They were patients waiting for the first surgery of the morning.

I checked the number plates hanging on the wheelchairs and looked for the number 13.

‘Found it. Patient for room 13.’

The anesthesiologist and operating room nurses were confirming a few things with the patient.

I stood silently next to the patient and waited.

Then someone called me.

“Are you the NS [neurosurgery] intern this month?”

The one who called me was a nurse wearing a sky-blue surgical cap and a mask covering her mouth.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“The anesthesia and operating room teams are done checking, so let’s go in.”

“Yes.”

Creak—

I pushed the patient’s wheelchair into the operating room.

As I entered the operating room, someone spoke to me.

“Oh, it’s your first day as an intern, but you’ve prepared everything diligently….”

Whose voice is this?

It’s Doctor Heo Gijin, whom I met in the locker room a little while ago.

I can’t see his face because of the mask, but I can quickly tell who it is because of his thin arms like a reed.

“Yes, I’ve prepared the positioning equipment and drapes as instructed.”

“Good job… I was worried because it’s your first day, so I came in a little early, but as I heard, you’re good at your job….”

“Thank you.”

Doctor Heo Gijin.

He was kind as I had heard.

With Doctor Heo Gijin’s help, I was able to easily position the patient and prepare for the surgery.

“You’ve got all the pre-op stuff ready, right? It seems like the last surgery patient today doesn’t have an X-ray reading yet….”

“Ah, I’ll get it read right after I finish preparing for this surgery.”

I answered quickly.

Pre-op.

It refers to the pre-surgery preparation process.

This is also my responsibility from now on.

“Yes, our patients often have emergency surgeries, so pre-op isn’t always well taken care of… so interns need to take good care of it.”

Honestly, I was touched.

A resident is worrying about an intern like this?

No wonder he’s called ‘Heo Bosal’ [Heo the Saint].

That’s how the first day of neurosurgery with Doctor Heo Gijin passed in an instant.

* * *

If you compare the operating room to a .

What is the role of the intern among them?

It’s definitely not the role of an actor in the spotlight.

Preparing the lighting.

Checking the sound.

Checking props, etc.

Isn’t it one of the many staff members who are invisible to the audience?

One week later.

I was gradually adapting to my new role.

Click—

I enter operating room number 13.

Inside the operating room, the operating room nurse and the anesthesiologist are waiting for the patient.

“Hello, patient. Please come up onto this bed.”

When the patient gets on the surgical bed, the wheelchair must be quickly taken out of the operating room.

Then, help the patient undress and attach various monitoring devices to the body.

“Confirming the marked surgical site on the patient.”

“I’ll open the sterilized LEE set.”

“Lowering the table.”

“Opening the gauze pack. One, two, three….”

The operating room is bustling.

Anesthesiologist.

Nurse.

Operating room intern.

These are the main people who prepare for surgery in the operating room.

I, as an intern, must not fumble here.

If I don’t complete my mission within the allotted time?

The entire conveyor belt stops.

The surgery time may be delayed because of me alone.

“Patient, I’m going to put a blood pressure measuring device on your arm.”

I lifted the patient’s arm.

Then, I wrapped the cuff to measure blood pressure and attached the electrocardiogram terminals to each location on the chest, color-coded.

‘White bread.’

I repeated in my mind.

White.

Black.

Red.

A way to memorize the colors of the electrocardiogram terminals.

After covering the electrocardiogram terminals with medical transparent tape and attaching the bovie plate (medical device used for cauterization) to the patient’s body, the anesthesia preparation was quickly completed.

“Okay, patient, now you’re going to sleep.”

Swoosh—

The anesthesiologist prepares for the patient’s intubation (airway intubation).

The patient soon closes their eyes and begins to fall asleep.

The time it takes to get here is about 10 minutes.

‘It’s so smooth.’

I’m impressed again.

Intubation.

It proceeds very calmly and stably in the operating room.

It’s like being in a luxury sedan driven by a skilled driver.

‘Yes, it should be done this safely. What I’ve seen so far has been too unusual situations.’

At that time, the anesthesiologist, who had already inserted the tube into the patient’s airway, held out his hand in front of my eyes.

“Plaster.”

“Yes.”

I handed the anesthesiologist the plaster (medical tape) that I had prepared in advance.

After the tube is fixed and a fluid line is added to the patient’s blood vessel, the anesthesia process is completed.

“Anesthesia is complete.”

The anesthesiologist said.

This means.

It’s the moment when I briefly appear on stage during the long surgery time.

‘Positioning is important. Let’s do it well without making mistakes.’

Swish, swish.

I moved quickly and positioned the patient.

Moving the bed.

Adjusting the height.

Readjusting the patient’s posture.

Supporting the patient’s body with cushions under the drape.

etc.

After positioning like this, the patient is finally disinfected and undergoes surgery.

The process of an intern moving the patient into the operating room and preparing for surgery, also known as the car-in process, ends here.

“Whew.”

I left the stage.

I took a breather in the operating room hallway for a moment.

I think I know a little bit about what it means to work like .

It meant not interfering with the flow of surgery.

‘I wonder if the patient’s future will suddenly appear like a surprise?’

But that didn’t happen.

Unlike what I had been nervous about, no special events occurred in neurosurgery.

Every day was flowing smoothly.

* * *

Everything is good.

Everything is good, but…….

It’s a little boring.

Is the day too monotonous?

“It’s a bit boring.”

As I said that while lying in bed, Geun-wook, who was lying on the top bunk, said in disbelief.

“Are you a workaholic? Others are complaining that it’s hard, but you still don’t have enough work?”

Of course, that’s not it.

I’m busy enough now.

It’s just as busy that I can’t even eat properly if the timing isn’t right.

“I feel like I’m only doing repetitive work this month.”

“That’s normal, you idiot! Your life has been too dynamic so far.”

Is that so?

I made an awkward expression.

I guess I’ve been too addicted to stimulation.

The Gangnam Station incident.

The disciplinary committee.

The war-like delirium.

The remote village.

Yangsongyi patient, etc.

It’s like experiencing events that others experience in 10 years all at once in a few months.

“When you keep doing car-in and car-out in the operating room, doesn’t it feel like you’re working in a factory?”

“That’s right. Maybe it’s because it’s a big hospital, but surgeries are running so busy like they’re being churned out in a factory.”

“I don’t even remember each patient well.”

Operating room intern.

There is no contact with the patient.

Just a brief conversation before going into the operating room and before anesthesia.

Other than that, it’s only repetitive work.

Patient 1 car-in & car-out.

Patient 2 car-in & car-out.

Patient 3 car-in & car-out…….

That’s how the day ends.

I thought of a scene from Charlie Chaplin’s movie.

Was it maybe ?

The scene of being attached to the conveyor belt like a part and tightening screws is famous.

I thought that maybe my repetitively running daily life is not much different.

“Geun-wook. I wanted to become a doctor who communicates with patients.”

“…….”

“But the operating room seems to be a more bleak and dry space than I thought.”

“…….”

“Will it be the same even if I become a surgeon later? I won’t even remember the patient’s face, and will I just live a life of repeating the same surgeries every day?”

Geun-wook didn’t answer.

Was my question too serious?

After a while, an answer came from the top bunk.

“Koo-roo-roo…….”

Did he fall asleep?!

Oh well, that’s it.

I pulled up the blanket and closed my eyes.

As it is, I decided to enjoy the monotonous daily life.

‘This month will flow smoothly. Let’s focus on learning the basics of operating room preparation.’

However, the problem arose from an unexpected place.

One night in July.

On the way back to the dormitory after exercising, a message arrived from Yeon-seo.

[Yeon-seo]: Oppa [term of endearment for an older brother or male friend], are you off today?

[Seon-han]: Yeah, why?

[Yeon-seo]: Can you come out to the codfish pub in front of the hospital now?

A pub?

The time is 10 o’clock now.

Why is Yeon-seo suddenly calling me at this late hour?

It was something that hadn’t happened before.

“What is it? Who is it?”

Geun-wook peeked out and looked at my phone screen, then made a surprised expression.

“What? You and Yeon-seo… were you secretly meeting at a pub after work?!

That’s not it, you idiot.

I pushed Geun-wook’s excited face aside and sent a reply.

[Seon-han]: What’s wrong?

[Yeon-seo]: I’m out with Sodam unnie [term of endearment for an older sister or female friend], but unnie is too drunk ㅠㅠ I don’t think I can support her alone

[Seon-han]: Sodam is drunk?

It was unexpected.

That’s because Sodam hardly drinks.

At most, one or two glasses.

She was even Sodam who always quietly tore off only chicken when eating chicken together.

Sodam is completely drunk?

I have a bad feeling…….

I sent a reply.

[Seon-han]: Okay, I’ll take Geun-wook and be there soon

Then Geun-wook looked at me as if he was dumbfounded.

“Hey, why are you including me?”

“Let’s go together.”

“It’s annoying.”

“If she loses consciousness, I don’t think I can move her alone. What are you going to do with your muscles?”

Geun-wook thought for a moment at my words and nodded.

“Well, I can lift Sodam’s weight with one arm.”

As expected, Geun-wookmon [Geun-wook monster – referring to his obsession with health/fitness].

It was an answer worthy of a health addict.

Every time, this guy is so reliable.