A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 54

The Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts – Chapter 54

Chapter 9: Next Destination (4)

6 a.m. the next day.

Jun-hoo and Myung-hoon were cleaning the conference room.

“Ugh, yesterday was really hectic, wasn’t it?”

Myung-hoon shook his head, looking exhausted.

As Myung-hoon said, yesterday’s shift was incredibly tough.

Around late morning, a chain-reaction car accident caused a flood of emergency patients into the emergency room.

Just treating and managing those patients required an enormous amount of energy.

And that wasn’t all.

As if his work luck had exploded, the number of emergency room visitors was about twice as high as usual.

Because of that, sighs and groans flowed from everywhere among the staff.

“I thought it was okay for me?”

“Yesterday was okay? Are you kidding me?”

“I’m serious?”

Jun-hoo replied with a smile.

To use a game analogy, patients were experience points [a measure of progress or skill improvement] for doctors.

The more patients you see, the more experience points you gain, and the more skilled you can become as a doctor.

Perhaps because of that way of thinking.

Unlike Myung-hoon, Jun-hoo hoped that future shifts would be as difficult as yesterday.

Thanks to that, he got to treat emergency patients.

He even performed pericardiocentesis [a procedure to remove fluid from around the heart].

Jun-hoo loved the feeling of becoming stronger.

“Oh, right. What were you talking about with Senior So-jin earlier?”

Myung-hoon changed the subject.

He had witnessed Jun-hoo talking separately with So-jin, a third-year resident, before cleaning the conference room.

“Ah, that? Because of the pericardiocentesis.”

“Huh? Why suddenly pericardiocentesis?”

“Yesterday, the patient in our group had cardiac tamponade [compression of the heart caused by fluid accumulation]. One thing led to another, and I directly performed pericardiocentesis.”

“Wow, isn’t that a major deal? Didn’t you call thoracic surgery?”

“I did call, but they said they would be late coming down. Fortunately, it ended as a minor deal. I succeeded on the first try.”

Jun-hoo explained the inside story with an embarrassed expression.

Before the conference started.

Jun-hoo deliberately went to find So-jin.

No matter how confident Jun-hoo was in his treatment.

Even if Jun-hoo had superhuman abilities.

Other people didn’t know that.

Even in an emergency situation, there was no precedent for an intern performing pericardiocentesis.

There was room for problems to arise.

Jun-hoo confessed the fact of the pericardiocentesis to So-jin first.

-It’s fortunate that the result was good, but you were too reckless. You must never do that again. An intern’s job starts with notifying, notifying, and notifying.

-Yes, Senior.

-But Sung-min was just watching?

-At first, he said let’s wait, but when I said I would do it, he said he would help.

-That guy is also a problem. I’ll talk to Sung-min too, so let’s say I did the pericardiocentesis. That way, both of you will get through it without any issues.

-Thank you, Senior.

Since So-jin said she would take care of it.

Jun-hoo probably wouldn’t be harmed by this incident.

“Jun-hoo, you must have two hearts. There’s no way I could have done it.”

“It was a matter of the patient’s life. Anyway, keep this to yourself. Don’t spread rumors, okay?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Myung-hoon brought his hand to his mouth and pretended to zip it shut.

It was an INFP-like sociability [referring to a personality type known for being introverted, intuitive, feeling, and perceiving].

Jun-hoo finished cleaning and looked at the wall clock.

It was already time for the morning conference.

* * *

Residents, fellows, professors, and the head of the department began to gather in the conference room.

The first part of the meeting, the inpatient report, took about 30 minutes longer than usual.

Yesterday, unexpected traffic accident patients had rushed in.

And there were more outpatients than usual.

Still, it was very fortunate.

Jun-hoo listened to the chief’s inpatient notification and felt relieved.

Surprisingly.

Among the traffic accident patients brought in yesterday, not a single one lost their life.

Situations where patients were on the verge of death.

Situations where blood was flowing profusely.

Situations where broken bones protruded from the skin, etc.

Even in various terrible situations.

The emergency medicine staff resuscitated the patients and managed to send them to the operating room.

The staff’s hard work was commendable.

In addition, thanks to So-jin’s covering for Jun-hoo’s pericardiocentesis, it was safely passed off as So-jin’s treatment.

So, all that’s left is that?

“Dr. Seo, please come up to the podium and present your case study.”

Because it was an official meeting, the chief used honorifics to Jun-hoo.

Finally, what was coming has come.

The case study that would be an important milestone in the intern evaluation.

Depending on the completeness of the presentation, Jun-hoo could become a C-turn, a B-turn, or an A-turn [referring to different levels of performance evaluation].

Jun-hoo stood on the podium and began to read the prepared materials. The presentation topic was ‘Diagnosis of Pneumothorax Patients Visiting the Emergency Room.’

As Jun-hoo presented the prepared materials, questions poured in from the professors.

“If a pneumothorax [collapsed lung] occurs in a woman in her 30s without any trauma, what do you think is the reason?”

One of the professors asked, shining his eyes.

“I think it’s catamenial pneumothorax [a rare condition where a collapsed lung occurs in conjunction with menstruation].”

“What is the cause of catamenial pneumothorax?”

“It’s because endometrial cells that should be inside the uterus during menstruation attach to the lungs.”

Jun-hoo answered sharply.

He does everything he sets his mind to perfectly.

That was one of Jun-hoo’s mottoes.

That was the case with today’s case study, Jun-hoo had read not only textbooks but also more than 30 various papers related to pneumothorax.

In other words, pneumothorax was practically in Jun-hoo’s grasp.

“Why does pneumothorax occur frequently in tall, thin men?”

“Because the length of the lungs increases with height, increasing the pressure in the lungs. It’s the same principle as why inflated balloons burst easily.”

The professors relentlessly and persistently poured out questions, but Jun-hoo didn’t budge.

He answered without a moment’s hesitation.

For the moment of the case study, Jun-hoo was the main character of the conference room.

“Dr. Seo, you prepared well for the study. Other interns and residents should take note.”

As Jun-hoo was returning to his seat, department head Jin-gon praised Jun-hoo.

It was extremely rare for the taciturn Jin-gon to praise a staff member, especially an intern.

“Thank you, Director.”

“And Dr. Seo, stay in the conference room after the rounds. There’s something important I need to talk to you about.”

“Yes, I understand.”

At the news of Jin-gon’s summons, Jun-hoo couldn’t concentrate on the meeting.

Does the department head have one-on-one interviews with interns?

He wondered what Jin-gon’s intention was.

* * *

“I’ll go in now.”

“Okay. You’ve worked hard, and I’ll make sure you get the day off you missed today next time, so don’t worry too much.”

Screech.

Jun-hoo closed the conference room door and walked down the hallway.

Contrary to expectations, the content of Jin-gon’s summons was anticlimactic.

-Today is the day we’re filming the hospital’s promotional posters and videos. They’re asking for one person from the emergency department.

-…….

-In my opinion, Jun-hoo, you seem like the right person.

Jin-gon added the reason why Jun-hoo was chosen, saying that Jun-hoo’s mask (?) was good.

In other words, he was handsome.

Jun-hoo chuckled as he looked at his face reflected in the window.

Certainly, what catches the eye before medical skills was appearance.

Looking back, wasn’t it because of this pretty face that he was bullied in high school?

The bully’s girlfriend praised Jun-hoo’s appearance.

And the bully, feeling jealous and envious, bullied Jun-hoo.

But his handsome appearance unexpectedly helped with treatment.

The patients who faced Jun-hoo had a favorable impression of Jun-hoo.

The bond between patient and doctor is called ‘rapport’ [a harmonious relationship].

Jun-hoo tended to start with a basic rapport thanks to his appearance.

Even if Jun-hoo asked detailed questions.

Patients tended to understand generously that he was thorough rather than thinking it was annoying.

Jun-hoo passed through the hallway and entered the emergency room.

His gaze naturally stopped at a patient located in Zone 4.

Seo Yong-jin.

The patient Jun-hoo had performed pericardiocentesis on.

The patient had regained consciousness around 3 p.m. yesterday and had also seen thoracic surgery.

The patient looked healthy because timely emergency treatment and care had been provided.

Thanks to that, he was scheduled to be discharged this afternoon.

Jun-hoo watched with satisfaction as Yong-jin talked with a guardian who appeared to be Yong-jin’s mother.

It didn’t matter if Yong-jin didn’t know about his hard work.

The fact that Yong-jin was alive.

That itself was a great reward for Jun-hoo.

Now I’m a doctor.

I don’t have to helplessly watch people suffer and die.

I can save people with my own hands.

Jun-hoo was satisfied with himself for choosing medicine. Even if he could turn back time, his decision would not change.

“Shall we go out for some fresh air and have a cup of coffee?”

“Sounds good.”

Jun-hoo was about to go outside with Myung-hoon, who was doing odd jobs in the emergency room.

Today was his day off.

But the sound of an argument was heard from the emergency room’s cashier area.

“You need to pay the medical bill to receive your prescription and make your next appointment.”

“I know that, but I don’t have enough money….”

“Can’t you contact your son or daughter? Or ask a friend to send you money.”

“I only have one son, but he’s dead, and I don’t have any close friends….”

Jun-hoo stopped walking and looked towards the cashier area.

A woman who appeared to be in her 60s and a girl who appeared to be in the lower grades of elementary school were standing in front of the cashier.

Sad conversation.

The fact that it was a grandmother and granddaughter combination, not a mother and daughter combination.

From their shabby clothes, Jun-hoo sensed that the two had an unspeakable story.

“Hey, are you going to help those people?”

Myung-hoon, who was walking ahead, also stopped and looked at the cashier.

“I think I should?”

“It’s a good thing, but think about it again. How many people come to the hospital without a story?”

“…….”

“If you worry about those patients one by one, you won’t be able to handle it.”

Myung-hoon spoke surprisingly coldly.

He was right.

If you empathized with the stories of patients visiting the hospital and tried to solve their problems, even if you had ten bodies, it wouldn’t be enough.

But Jun-hoo couldn’t ignore someone in trouble.

When he thought about it, Jun-hoo had grown up until now with the help of others, knowingly or unknowingly.

There were his parents nearby.

At school, there were friends, teachers, and professors.

In the Murim [a world of martial arts and cultivation], he received help from reclusive hermits.

Perhaps that’s why.

Jun-hoo wanted to give the help he had received from others to other people.

“Go out first. I’ll catch up soon.”

Jun-hoo sent Myung-hoon to the outdoor lounge first and moved towards the cashier.

“Excuse me. How much is this patient’s medical bill?”

“It’s 240,000 won.”

“Please pay with this card.”

Jun-hoo readily took out his card and handed it to the cashier window.

“Are you paying, Doctor? Do you know them?”

The cashier employee asked with a surprised face at Jun-hoo’s decision.

“We can get to know each other from today, I guess.”

Jun-hoo joked and made eye contact with the old woman.

The old woman was blinking, as if she was also taken aback by the situation.

“Were you very surprised because the medical bill was expensive? Medical bills rarely exceed 10,000 won in the neighborhood.”

“Ah, yes. But Doctor, why are you paying my medical bill….”

“I thought you had a pitiful story. I’m sorry if you were offended.”

“No, I’m not offended. I’m grateful and sorry. Please tell me your number. I’ll pay you back as soon as I have enough money.”

“It’s okay. Buy something delicious with that money for your granddaughter.”

Jun-hoo stubbornly refused the old woman’s offer, but the old woman insisted, so they exchanged contact information.

“What’s your name, friend?”

“Hae-na. Lee Hae-na.”

Hae-na lowered her head and answered shyly.

“How old are you?”

“I’m nine years old.”

“You have to listen to your grandmother and be strong. Got it?”

Jun-hoo handed Hae-na pocket money, but Hae-na didn’t accept it.

She had been told not to accept things from strangers carelessly.

“Grandma, are we strangers?”

“How can we be strangers? You’re my benefactor.”

“Did you hear what Grandma said? We’re not strangers. Here, take it.”

Jun-hoo forcibly handed the money to Hae-na. Only then did Hae-na bow her head, saying thank you.

Only after helping the two did Jun-hoo come out of the building feeling relieved.

Jun-hoo also knew well.

That not everyone in the world can be happy.

That he can’t help everyone in the world.

But even so.

He couldn’t ignore someone in trouble right in front of him.

Reaching out a warm hand to someone in trouble.

Jun-hoo believed that action alone was meaningful and valuable enough.

“Do you feel better now that you’ve done something good?”

When he arrived at the outdoor lounge, Myung-hoon handed him a canned coffee.

“That’s right. I feel like I can live now.”

“How much was the medical bill?”

“240,000 won.”

“Ugh! That’s almost 7 percent of our salary? And that’s 12 chickens.”

Myung-hoon shook his head, looking disgusted.

“It’s not wasted money if the patient has recovered their health with that money.”

“Of course, it may not be wasted money. If I had used it to treat my pain.”

“I have some money. There’s also the reward I’ll receive for the gangster incident that rushed into the emergency room last time.”

Jun-hoo continued to talk with Myung-hoon while getting some fresh air.

The hospital promotional video shoot was scheduled for the afternoon.

Until then, there was time.

Jun-hoo was chatting with Myung-hoon for about 20 minutes when he heard footsteps behind him.

Judging by the narrow stride, it seems like a child?

Who is it?

Curious, he turned his head and Hae-na was standing there.

“Huh? Didn’t you go home?”

“Yes. I have something I want to give you.”

Hae-na handed Jun-hoo something she had been hiding behind her back.

It was a drawing.

A rough drawing of a doctor in crayon on a sketchbook.

The person in the picture was a doctor, but it seemed to be a representation of Jun-hoo.

Also, the doctor in the picture had wings on both sides.

Does this symbolize an angel?

“Thank you, Doctor. I’ll use the pocket money well and listen to my grandmother.”

Hae-na handed Jun-hoo the drawing and hurried away.

Jun-hoo looked at Hae-na walking away and looked down at the drawing.

Suddenly, his heart felt touched.

He could feel Hae-na’s admirable desire to repay the help she had received in any way possible.

“Hey, you don’t have something like this, do you?”

Jun-hoo showed the drawing to Myung-hoon, half-joking and half-bragging.

The drawing Hae-na gave him.

From today, this drawing was Jun-hoo’s treasure number one.