Dr. Shin Seonhan: The Doctor Who Sees The Future [EN]: Chapter 91

#91 Breath (22)

Kim Viper versus Song Yoo-joo.

Neither was backing down easily, their pride on the line.

“Then, shall we see if the intern is correct?”

Suddenly, the air crackled with a battle of wills, all hinging on whether my assessment was right or wrong.

*Why are you all doing this? It’s making me uncomfortable.*

A moment later.

Patient Yang Song-yi was lying down, prepped and ready for a bronchoscopy [a procedure where a thin tube with a camera is inserted into the airways].

Thanks to the administration of midazolam (a sedative) and the prior preparations, the procedure could begin swiftly.

“Starting now.”

*Swish—*

Kim Viper, holding a long bronchoscope, began inserting it into Song-yi’s mouth.

He maneuvered it like a black snake, expertly guiding it.

At that moment, Song Yoo-joo spoke up.

“Do it carefully. If you fumble even a little, I’ll take over.”

Kim Viper retorted, bristling at Song Yoo-joo’s words.

“Don’t rush me. Your impatient personality is so typical of a thoracic surgeon.”

“How many times have I seen internal medicine doctors nitpicking like penny-pinchers?”

“What did you say?”

Kim Viper flared up, glaring at Song Yoo-joo.

“The way you talk… I’ve done more bronchoscopies than you, so don’t act up.”

In reality, bronchoscopy is primarily the domain of respiratory medicine doctors.

*Swish—*

The bronchoscope, controlled by Kim Viper, passed through the trachea and entered the surgical site of the right upper lobe.

As Kim Viper had claimed, his skill was quite proficient.

“There are no problems with the surgical site.”

*Gulp.*

Tension filled the room.

Next was the right middle lobe.

Kim Viper silently focused, expertly manipulating the bronchoscope.

Soon, the right middle lobe appeared on the monitor screen.

And, after a moment.

Kim Viper’s expression hardened.

“This is insane.”

He wasn’t wrong.

Everyone watching the screen could see it.

Looking deep into the bronchus, it was confirmed: the bronchus leading to the right middle lobe was twisted.

“Wow, it’s really twisted?”

Yeo Bong-cheol, seeing such a case for the first time, exclaimed in surprise as he stared at the endoscope monitor.

“It’s not completely twisted 360 degrees yet,” Song Yoo-joo said quietly.

Usually, if a 360-degree torsion occurs and the lung begins to necrose [die], the entire necrotic lobe is often removed.

“Doctor, then if we operate, can we save the lung?” I asked urgently.

Before my question was even finished, Song Yoo-joo had already pulled out her phone and was making a call.

“Professor, this is Yoo-joo.”

Song Yoo-joo explained the situation.

Then, after a moment, she hung up the phone and said, “I notified the professor immediately. If we schedule an emergency surgery quickly, we might be able to save the right middle lobe.”

*That’s a relief!*

At Song Yoo-joo’s words, I breathed a sigh of relief.

We had succeeded in discovering it just in time, before the worst-case scenario occurred.

“By the way, the intern you looked down on for being arrogant was right. What are you going to do about that?” Song Yoo-joo landed a heavy blow on Kim Viper.

Kim Viper’s expression twisted.

His pride was clearly wounded, but there was nothing he could do.

He couldn’t deny what everyone had seen with their own eyes.

“No way. Torsion isn’t a common symptom. How could beginner’s luck happen twice…?” Kim Viper muttered, seemingly frustrated.

Then, Song Yoo-joo said, “Hey, Kim Viper.”

“……”

“Is our intern better than a third-year internal medicine resident?”

I’d never seen it before.

That kind of expression on Doctor Song Yoo-joo’s face.

She was still expressionless, but I sensed a hint of triumph.

It seemed like she was enjoying this.

That night, emergency surgery was immediately performed on patient Yang Song-yi.

* * *

Operating Room 3.

Surgery on patient Yang Song-yi was in progress.

The lung had not yet rotted, but an inflammatory response was underway.

The right middle lobe, which was rotated more than 90 degrees, was carefully returned to its original position.

Professor Han Sang-ki said, “The patient is lucky. If she had come any later, it would have been twisted 360 degrees and the lung would have rotted. Then we would have had to cut off the right middle lobe, but thankfully, we didn’t have to.”

The other people in the operating room also looked relieved.

She was still only an 18-year-old high school student.

It was fortunate that a situation where more than half of her right lung had to be removed did not occur.

Professor Han Sang-ki added, “But why didn’t this patient come to the outpatient clinic sooner?”

“I think it’s because the midterm exam period was in the middle.”

“I will explain the surgery to this patient myself.”

“Yes, Professor,” Song Yoo-joo, who was assisting in the front, replied.

And after a moment.

A small room next to the operating room entrance.

Professor Han Sang-ki and Song-yi’s mother were sitting face to face.

Professor Han Sang-ki, wearing a surgical cap and with his mask pulled down, fixed her with a stern gaze.

On the other hand, Song-yi’s mother looked dejected.

“Fortunately, we discovered it early and performed surgery quickly, so we saved the right middle lobe.”

At the professor’s words, the guardian’s complexion brightened noticeably.

“Of course, there is a possibility that we may have to remove it later if the inflammatory condition doesn’t improve while monitoring the progress, but for now, it seems like we can save the right middle lobe.”

“Thank you….” Song-yi’s mother lowered her head and expressed her gratitude.

“Song-yi’s mother,” Professor Han Sang-ki said, as if he had made up his mind.

“As I said before, nothing is more precious than health, whether it’s your child’s studies or anything else.”

“……”

“I don’t know what circumstances prevented you from coming to the outpatient clinic on time, but from now on, you must follow the guidelines provided by the hospital.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind, Doctor….”

The professor held back his harsher words.

Originally, he was going to speak more strongly.

However, seeing Song-yi’s pale-faced mother in front of him, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He knew Song-yi’s mother would be more overwhelmed with self-reproach than anyone else right now.

Patient Yang Song-yi, who had successfully completed the surgery, was transferred to the intensive care unit.

* * *

Last day of June.

Patient Yang Song-yi completed her treatment in the intensive care unit and was moved to the ward.

Song-yi’s mother was sitting on the ward bed, facing Song-yi, who was eating porridge.

“Are you feeling a little better?”

“Uh-huh.”

“You need to rest well for a few days even after you’re discharged. So don’t get stressed….” She made sure to give her those instructions.

For the past few days, Song-yi’s mother had changed noticeably.

She sighed deeply and said with weary eyes, “…I’m sorry, Mom was wrong. It’s natural to want to have fun at your age, but I pushed you too hard.”

Then, Song-yi shook her head.

“No. I know it’s hard for Mom to understand me. Liking idols and following them around….”

“Why don’t I know? I know how you feel.”

“How would Mom know? You hate singers.”

“Mom used to be like that too.”

“What?”

It was the first time she had heard this story.

Song-yi’s eyes widened.

Mom hesitated, seemingly embarrassed, and began to speak.

“Actually….”

A long time ago.

Mom was a first-generation idol fan.

A group that was often looked down upon and called ‘ppasooni’ [a derogatory term for obsessive fangirls].

But they were the pioneers of ‘fandom culture’ who spent a more passionate youth than anyone else.

Song-yi’s mom was one of them.

“Mom was an idol fan?”

“Why? Is it funny? Mom also had such times. I was even the vice president of the fan club.”

Even the vice president?

Song-yi let out a hollow laugh.

*Is this what they call genetics?*

She must have been too embarrassed to talk about it until now.

“I just regret it. I missed the time when I could study… When I became an adult, I don’t think I ever properly pursued what I wanted to achieve.”

Song-yi blinked.

It was amazing.

It was the first time Mom had told her story so sincerely.

“Okay… I’ll refrain from fan activities while preparing for the entrance exam. The university entrance exam is the most important thing now.” Song-yi nodded and replied.

She felt like she had succeeded in coordinating opinions with her mom for the first time.

But, suddenly, curiosity soared.

“But, who were you a fan of, Mom?”

“Noh Yi-sung.”

Noh Yi-sung?

*I feel like I’ve heard of him somewhere.*

Song-yi tilted her head and clapped her hands, saying, “Wow, really? By any chance, TNT Noh Yi-sung? That middle-aged man who’s on a diet show these days?”

“Yeah.”

“Ew… He’s got a belly, no hair, and he’s totally ugly. Why did you like someone like that?”

*Crack—*

At Song-yi’s harsh words, a vein popped out on Mom’s forehead.

“…He was handsome when he was young, though.”

“No way. That’s a lie.”

“Hey, do you think that Ban Jin-ho or whatever his name is that you like won’t age?” Mom said, getting angry, and Song-yi stuck out her tongue.

“My oppa [term for older brother or male idol] doesn’t age.”

“How ridiculous. No one can stop time. Besides, Mom searched it up and it said that friend already has problems with his sexual function.”

“No, that’s not true!”

It was Song-yi’s turn to get angry this time.

The two of them argued noisily for a while.

Then, Song-yi suddenly thought.

*Has it ever been this easy to talk to Mom?*

*I think it’s the first time.*

Thinking that, a smile lingered even in the midst of the argument.

Three months until the college entrance exam.

It will be a tough journey.

But if I can live while talking to Mom like this, I feel like I can breathe a little.

* * *

Last day of June.

Song Yoo-joo and Ma Dong-seop were sitting at a cold noodle restaurant in the food alley in front of the hospital.

“We finished this month without any mortality [patient deaths]?”

“Looks like it.”

“Shouldn’t we have a celebratory drink?”

“Pour me a glass.”

“Bravo.”

“Jihwaja [a Korean onomatopoeia for clinking glasses].”

*Clink—*

The two clinked their water glasses.

They weren’t drinking alcohol, but they decided to just get in the mood.

The two of them were perfectly in sync at times like this.

Song Yoo-joo was a friend who subtly matched Ma Dong-seop’s rhythm, seeming indifferent.

“But I was really surprised by the torsion patient. I’m glad she came to see the hospital performance, or it would have been a disaster,” Ma Dong-seop said, relieved.

Meanwhile, Song Yoo-joo suddenly felt a small doubt.

“That patient.”

“Yeah?”

“……No, it’s nothing.”

Song Yoo-joo shook her head and fell into her own thoughts.

*It’s a bit strange.*

Just a few days ago.

Shin Sun-han came to her and asked about torsion.

He said he wanted to know in case such a patient came.

And soon after, a torsion patient actually occurred.

*Is it a coincidence?*

*Well, I guess so.*

It could only be seen as amazing timing.

*The intern has a good sense or is lucky.*

Song Yoo-joo thought so and dismissed the patient’s case from her mind.

She already had a lot of things to worry about in the future.

“Next month is Lung (Pulmonary and Esophageal part)?”

“Yeah, I’m Lung. You’re Congenital (Pediatric Heart part), right?”

“That’s right. I heard there are a lot of surgeries scheduled for next month, I’m worried.”

Just as interns rotate, residents also undergo rotation placements every few months.

This month is pulmonary and esophageal, next month is heart…….

In this way, there is a schedule even within thoracic surgery.

Then Ma Dong-seop suddenly asked, “By the way. How did you score the interns?”

“Why? Are you curious?”

“I’m curious. I wonder who our Song Yoo-joo, who is known for being picky, gave the higher score to.” Ma Dong-seop asked with an excited expression.

“So, who is our Song Yoo-joo’s pick? Ryu Myung-in or Shin Sun-han?”