Dr. Shin Seonhan: The Doctor Who Sees The Future [EN]: Chapter 156

#156 Happy Birthday (15)

I smiled and greeted the man before me.

“Hello.”

“Get lost.”

What a novel way to start the morning.

“Don’t think I don’t know you bring bad luck with you.”

“Bad luck?”

“I heard you attract troublesome patients wherever you go! Today’s going to be a bad day, damn it. Stay more than five steps away from me.”

He said, slowly backing away from me.

It was as if he’d seen a black cat and a crow at the same time on his way to work.

He eyed me warily, scanning me up and down with his sharp, signature gaze.

That’s right. My third target was Kim Snake from Internal Medicine.

‘Come to think of it… how did I end up targeting only the three villains?’

Kim Beom-soo of Internal Medicine.

He was also one of the talented ones.

In other words, a perfectly organization-oriented character.

He was diligent and the type to do whatever he was told, so the male professors especially liked him, or so I heard.

Of course, his flaw was that he used his diligence to berate his subordinates with harsh words.

“What are you thinking about?”

“I was just thinking it’s nice to see you after a long time.”

“See, that’s suspicious! Don’t even dream of asking me for an urgent EKG [electrocardiogram] reading; I haven’t even started working yet.”

Kim Snake was already drawing the line.

But I needed him.

It wasn’t a light matter like an EKG reading.

The lives of a mother and two fetuses were at stake.

‘To change the future, I can’t leave this person out.’

The opinion of the Cardiology Department, which had been continuously observing the hemodynamics [blood flow dynamics] of the Eisenmenger’s syndrome mother, was very important.

Moreover, the cardiology professor was the most senior among the professors gathered at the conference, so his right to speak was strong.

So, I had to influence the cardiology professor’s thinking even a little through Kim Snake.

But here’s the problem.

I had targeted Song Yoo-joo with logic and Chun Sa-yeon with the debt I had helped her with in the past.

But how should I persuade Kim Snake?

Let’s start by shoving the paper in his face.

“Actually…”

“Are you even listening to me?”

“It’ll only take a moment, Doctor.”

“Ugh, what is it?”

*Thwack-*

I took out the paper I had prepared and unfolded it.

And I repeated the things I had said yesterday.

As expected, Kim Snake furrowed his brow without even listening to half of what I said.

“Is he crazy?”

I knew he’d react like this.

Kim Snake began to stick his face right in front of mine and sneer.

“Oh my, we have a very impressive intern here. You got praised a few times for doing well, and now you’re even trying to stand on top of the professor’s head?”

“That’s not it.”

“I made a big mistake. I didn’t recognize someone more amazing than the professors sooner… Are you going to become the president of the Korean Internal Medicine Association now, Doctor Shin Sun-han?”

It’s been a while, this kind of rhetoric.

Kim Snake mocked me, like a viper flicking its tongue.

I suffered a lot from this rhetoric during my first rotation in March.

It was painful back then, but now it feels almost nostalgic to hear it after so long.

“The professors will figure it out on their own, why is an intern daring to get involved in such a difficult case decision?”

“I’m just worried that this kind of thing might happen. If we emphasize these points and tell the professor…”

“Hey. This patient isn’t just any patient. Even if I’m a resident, I can’t influence such a critical decision, you little punk.”

“You can’t?”

“Do you think I can?”

“Doctor Kim Beom-soo is more trusted in internal medicine than other doctors…”

“Stop talking nonsense and go back, you little brat. I’m hearing all sorts of nonsense from the morning.”

It’s not working.

I was rejected outright.

*Beep-*

Kim Snake swiped his IC card and tried to enter the internal medicine station.

Is this a failure?

Of course, I expected it. Perhaps this is the most common reaction.

In particular, Doctor Kim Snake believes in the saying “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down,” so he extremely dislikes actions that stand out in the organization.

As I was thinking that, Kim Snake said mockingly.

“Why did you have to meddle with things that don’t concern you and get cursed at by me? Is that patient even your family, you little brat?”

“They’re as good as family.”

“As… what?”

Flustered!

Kim Snake, who had been speaking without thinking, looked surprised.

Wait, this is an opportunity.

Maybe if I push this momentum, it might be possible.

I deliberately drooped my shoulders with a sad expression and said.

“The patient is really important to me… I have no one to talk to, and Doctor Kim Beom-soo is the only one I can rely on, so I told you…”

“No, if it’s a patient you know, you should have said so.”

Kim Snake wavered.

You could see an earthquake in his pupils within his sharp eyes.

Good, it’s working.

I bowed my head sadly.

“I’m sorry for asking for an unreasonable request. I’m sorry for bothering you when you’re busy…”

“W, wait a minute.”

Kim Snake reluctantly grabbed me and said.

“There’s a professors’ meeting at 4 o’clock later, and I’m going in there too. So, during rounds before that…”

I quickly snatched the opportunity.

“Thank you.”

“What? I haven’t said anything yet!”

“Didn’t you say you would help me?”

I asked with an innocent expression.

At the same time, I was hypnotizing myself.

I am Puss in Boots from the animation… I am making the most desperate expression in the world…

“Ugh, what’s with those sparkling eyes? Do you want to die?”

Kim Snake said that, but he held out his hand to me.

“Give me that paper.”

“Here it is.”

“I didn’t say I’d help you. I’ll read it and see if there’s any truth to what you’re saying. If it’s nonsense, I’ll kill you.”

*Snatch-*

Kim Snake snatched the paper roughly and disappeared into the station, grumbling.

“If it’s a patient you know, you should have said so in advance… Geez.”

Judging from the atmosphere, I have a feeling he’ll tell the cardiology professor in the direction I’m thinking.

‘Good!’

.

.

.

I conveyed my opinion to the three residents who were favored by the professors in each department.

Of course, these actions of mine may be as insignificant as the ripples made by a small pebble thrown into the water.

However, I can only hope that this change will somehow work and change the big stream.

‘……Now, only one person left.’

About half a day left until the professors’ meeting.

Before that, there was one place I had to visit.

* * *

Even the air has weight.

Especially in this intensive care unit.

A heavy air flows as if even the flow of time is heavily pressing down.

“No-eul, Sister.”

I whispered in a small voice.

The last person I visited was No-eul.

The intensive care unit had curtains, but they were wide open so that the patient’s condition could be seen at any time.

“Sun-han?”

“Were you sleeping?”

“No… it’s okay.”

No-eul was now wearing an oxygen mask.

A square tissue box was placed next to her head, and tissues with blood were piled up in a bag.

‘The hemoptysis [coughing up blood] must have been severe overnight……’

More IV lines than when she was in the hospital room.

The infusion pumps connected to each of those lines were shining, letting me know that this was the intensive care unit.

“What brings you here? I think the intern in charge of this side is separate……”

“I came to see if you were doing well.”

“Where would I go?”

Smirk.

No-eul smirked under her mask at my joke, and white steam formed.

“Did I come at a bad time?”

“No, thank you for coming… It’s really hard being here alone. I guess there’s a reason why they call it intensive care unit syndrome [a state of confusion and disorientation that can occur in ICU patients].”

She said, adjusting her blanket.

She’s not the type to complain if she can help it.

For No-eul to say these things means that her current condition is not easy.

But it was amazing that she didn’t lose her calm smile even in the midst of that.

“But Sun-han, what’s that paper in your hand?”

“Do you have the energy to study?”

“Study?”

No-eul tilted her head at my words.

……In fact, I hesitated until the end in front of the intensive care unit.

Does No-eul, like the patient now, have the right to make medical decisions?

A surgery with a 50 percent mortality rate.

Therefore, you can’t choose the surgical method according to your preference.

The patient’s right to make medical decisions is possible when there are several safe options.

In a dangerous situation like now, you have no choice but to follow the doctor’s instructions.

Still……

If the patient herself has the will, wouldn’t it be possible to influence the doctors’ decisions a little?

“Did you hear how the surgery will proceed tomorrow?”

“Yeah, they said there are still some undecided parts…? The doctors didn’t tell me in detail.”

“Would you like to know? It’s a bit difficult, though.”

If No-eul didn’t want it, I was going to go back without explaining.

But No-eul was the same as I knew her.

“Tell me, I’m curious.”

I sat on the side of the patient’s bed and began to explain step by step.

It was as if I had jumped over 10 years and I had become No-eul’s tutor.

The diseases that No-eul currently has, PDA [Patent Ductus Arteriosus] and Eisenmenger’s syndrome.

The changes after pregnancy.

A machine called ECMO [Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation].

The relationship between blood clots and bleeding.

Complications that can occur during surgery.

And so on……

These were by no means easy contents.

Changing my position, if I wasn’t a doctor, I would never have understood the information at once.

But only a few minutes.

As expected, No-eul’s understanding was exceptional.

“So…… this ECMO is like a double-edged sword for me right now.”

“You understood quickly.”

“It’s because you explained it well…… It reminds me of when you used to teach me… I feel proud and touched for no reason.”

*Wheeze-*

No-eul smiled softly and breathed heavily.

In other words, a situation where she was standing precariously on a cliff.

I could tell at a glance that No-eul’s heart and lungs were at their limit.

“I……”

After a while, No-eul’s mouth opened after regaining her composure.

“……If possible, I want to have the surgery with ECMO from the beginning.”

In a way, it was a natural choice, like her.

“If there’s a safer and better way for the baby, I want to go with that…… After listening to your explanation, I know for sure.”

“……I see.”

I smiled bitterly.

During rounds, No-eul will clearly convey her opinion to the professors.

And this patient’s will can influence their decision.

“Aren’t you scared?”

“Why?”

“I just explained all the medical risk factors. This is……”

“Because of my choice, I could die?”

I was speechless.

No-eul knew exactly the weight of her choice.

“What’s scary isn’t that, Sun-han.”

No-eul looked at the ceiling with a resolute expression.

“What’s really scary is that there’s nothing I can choose.”

“……”

“Others said it was a wrong pregnancy. I didn’t know very well, but how could you think of having a baby with that body…… But……”

No-eul’s lips formed a smile.

“This is my choice.”

I closed my eyes tightly.

“And if there’s a way I can choose for the sake of the baby in my womb until the end…… there’s nothing better for me than that.”

“……”

“Thank you, Sun-han.”

No-eul held my hand tightly.

Although she was wearing an oxygen mask on her sickbed, there was no shaking in her eyes.

It was the same shining figure I admired.

“And you said you’d take responsibility for everything if I was sick.”

“……You remembered that?”

“I have a good memory, Sun-han.”

“Oh, really.”

“Why? Are you embarrassed?”

No-eul laughed playfully.

In that way, we exchanged jokes as if we had gone back to the old days for a short time.

* * *

D-0.

The day of the surgery dawned.

The surgery preparation for patient Jung No-eul began as the first surgery of the morning in room 17 of the main building.