The Returning Doctor Wanted to Live Quietly - Chapter 338



Only Noblemtl

Episode 338. Where the eyes sweat (2)

Let’s turn back time to that morning.

Jinhyuk made his rounds of the hospital room again.

“Hello, I am Jinhyuk Lee. I have become Soo Ae’s attending physician.”

“Oh, hello. Nice to meet you.”

“I am the one who needs to take good care of you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me anytime.”

“But, me.”

“Yes, please feel free to speak.”

“I wonder why my attending physician changed… … .”

“Designated. No, the professor is the same. Only the attending physician has changed. We rotate by department.”

“So that’s why you came yesterday.”

“Yes, I just looked around yesterday before the handover.”

Jinhyuk answered brightly.

Parents of a sick child.

He was sensitive to even the smallest things, and in some ways, it could be considered the truth.

But if you change your perspective, it’s natural.

It’s a very sensitive time.

Jinhyeok, who was going around the ward, greeting people and chatting, stopped in front of Kim Joo-sung.

Pediatric surgery is literally a department that takes care of patients from infants to children awaiting surgery.

Jinhyuk, who was quickly scanning the chart, joked around with Kim Joohyuk, who could still be considered a toddler.

“Peekaboo!! Peekaboo~!”

“peekaboo!!”

“Ugh.”

A child who reacts immediately.

As the frown deepened, Jinhyuk quickly retreated.

Of course, the child regained composure immediately after seeing his mother’s face, so an unfortunate incident like yesterday did not occur.

But, it was embarrassing.

“I guess I look scary.”

“My child is a bit shy. But, teacher.”

“yes yes.”

“When can my child have surgery? I looked it up and found out that intussusception can spread acutely.”

“I was going to tell you this. Our Joo-seong has surgery scheduled for three days later.”

“Can’t it be any faster?”

“Yes, my surgery schedule is full. There are too many children who are sicker than Ju-seong… … .”

As Jinhyeok trailed off, the guardian’s eyes wavered.

I want my child to have surgery soon.

It is more than enough to understand.

However, hospitals revolve around emergency patients. If not, around patients who had appointments months in advance.

It would have been right for the child in worse condition to have priority.

Jinhyuk comforted his anxious guardian.

“There may be a patient with an issue. They may suddenly refuse surgery. They may postpone it. They may become so ill that they cannot undergo surgery. For now, we will put them on the waiting list.”

“Ah… … . Thank you. Thank you, teacher.”

“Our Joo-seong, it’ll be okay. Joo-seong. Right?”

As he revealed his large face again above the bed, the child waved his hand.

A gesture that indicates that one does not want to see an unfamiliar face.

Jinhyuk quickly pulled away.

“But you came early… … This was a difficult case to diagnose. Usually, in case of intussusception, you cry as if you are dizzy. You also have severe abdominal pain. You may also have bloody stools. But you didn’t have any of those symptoms. Anyway, you did well.”

And no severe abdominal pain.

There’s just vomiting.

On the outside, Kim Joo-sung looked fine.

In particular, currant jelly stool (stool combined with mucus secreted from the intestines) was not found.

It could be said that it showed a different aspect from the widely known symptoms.

“There are cases where it ends with just conquest. But in this case, surgery is necessary… … .”

The explanation went on for a long time.

Jinhyuk immediately checked his watch.

A situation where rapport has been built up until the last patient.

Now it was time to go for surgery.

* * *

Two hours before the incident.

Jinhyuk was still in the operating room.

His role is assistant.

Because pediatric patients differ in organ size and body size, I could not perform the surgery arbitrarily.

Although there was a pediatric cardiology department at Seosin University CS, I never took on a department like esophagus or lung.

I’m still not used to surgical operations.

so.

Crunch.

Crunch.

All they do is assist the surgeon, hand out surgical tools, and ensure a clear view.

When you’re waving your hands like that for a long time.

The surgeon opened his mouth.

“How many bowls is this today?”

“This is my fourth surgery.”

“You probably didn’t get any rest.”

“it’s okay.”

“But don’t overdo it.”

“… … .”

Jinhyuk answered with silence.

That makes sense.

He himself had his last surgery.

So, the 10-hour continuous surgery was coming to an end, but the attending physician had another surgery scheduled.

A saying that means you shouldn’t overdo it.

Rather, it was right for me to do it.

But I’m worried about my major.

It was the attitude of a professor in a department suffering from a shortage of personnel.

“Kids, you know. They’re different sizes. They have different metabolic rates. They have different immune systems.”

“I guess it’s because they are growing rapidly.”

“Yes. The organs are small. The blood vessels are small. They are all different. Mezenbaum Caesar.”

“Here it is.”

Jinhyuk immediately handed over the Mezenbaum Caesar, which was over 14cm long.

A tool with a blunt and long tip but a short handle that allows for precise manipulation.

The doctor’s hands cutting the tissue were smooth.

What should I say?

Should we say that sophistication is melted into speed?

Even a brief thought is fleeting.

He continued.

“Just being good at surgery isn’t enough. They’re still kids. Kids. Here, forceps.”

“Are you saying that psychological factors should also be taken into consideration?”

“Yeah, that’s right. You’re still at an age where you’re afraid of everything. Wasn’t that the case with this guy?”

“… … .”

“Why, you know. I’m scared so I sleep with the lights on. I sleep with the door open. I go to the bathroom with the door open.”

“I think I was like that too.”

Jinhyuk answered briefly.

A talkative doctor.

Someone put on some music.

Without anyone saying a word.

Well, it wasn’t a special case since everyone had a different style.

“Those kids are on the operating table. They’re hospitalized in an unfamiliar hospital. So, psychological stability. Growth potential. Side effects. We have to consider all of that.”

“Yes, professor.”

“They are kids who don’t know anything yet.”

“You love kids.”

“Then, you must love it. How lovely it is, that’s it.”

Instead of answering, Jinhyuk looked at the child lying on the operating table while doing suction.

I’m afraid there might be ghosts.

I’m afraid a ghost might appear.

Even if you don’t have separation disorder,

Looking for mom,

A child looking for his father.

Even though they were such kids, illness was really cruel.

Because it doesn’t discriminate between people.

Children, adults, and the elderly.

Everyone could get sick.

The problem is.

‘There are no people.’

The number of surgeons available to operate on pediatric patients is limited.

Pediatric surgery was also going downhill.

As expected.

The surgeon has made a heartbreaking confession.

“There was a conference a while ago. Only regular members gathered. Only thirty people showed up. There were six absentees. There were only thirty-six people.”

“… … .”

“If we quit, it’s over. It’s over.”

“… … .”

Jinhyuk was silent again.

In the future, there will be only 20 pediatric surgery specialists left in the entire country.

CS also knew that old professors would be in the same situation as they retired, so they just kept silent and kept silent.

There are still 36 of them across the country.

The surgery continued like that.

After a while, Jinhyuk lowered his head.

“Thank you for your hard work!!”

“great job!”

“Thank you for your hard work, Professor!”

A series of greetings from the staff.

I washed my hands and chatted with the professor who was my attending physician for a long time.

He himself is out.

The professor entered another operating room.

Even though I came out of the restricted area like that.

Something was a bit messy.

An anxious looking face.

Dark expression.

Low murmur.

Jinhyeok, who was shaking his head, grabbed the nurse who hadn’t even given her name yet.

“Excuse me, is something wrong?”

“Oh, teacher. Code Blue just appeared.”

“yes?”

“You couldn’t hear it because the broadcast from the operating room was blocked. It’s been over 5 minutes now. This is patient Kim Joo-sung.”

“Huh? Who are you?”

“It’s Kim Joo-sung. Everyone must be doing it right now. Oh, teacher!!”

Jinhyeok ran out like a dragon without even hearing an answer.

* * *

Perforation of the intestine, intestinal obstruction, intestinal necrosis.

Or peritonitis.

Or it could have been acute sepsis.

But I didn’t know for sure because I was out for so long due to back-to-back surgeries.

Dadadadadak.

Dadadak.

Jinhyuk clears his thoughts.

I ran and ran again.

We arrived at the hospital room in an instant.

Jinhyuk’s head turned around.

The EKG graph has already subsided a long time ago.

The guardian, who had apologized and said he had to go buy diapers, was screaming in panic.

“Teacher! Please! Please! Please save my child!”

“Ughhhhhh!!”

“Please! Please!”

The howling guardian.

And interns and residents silently performing CPR in front of it.

They were all from different departments.

Looks like he came running after hearing the broadcast.

Jinhyeok, who had just taken on the role of attending physician today, had a loud voice.

“Mr. Seo! Where’s Epi (epinephrine)?”

“I shot 0.01mg/kg 1 minute ago!”

“Shoot one more time.”

“Huh? It’s not time yet.”

“Shoot anyway. Hurry up!”

The one who immediately responded to Jinhyuk’s screams was R1, who works in general surgery.

As short as 3 minutes.

We had to shoot at intervals of up to five minutes.

As the stone had just passed, the capacity had to be minimized to fit the weight, but it was an order from a superior.

It was clear that it would be better to somehow save him, even if it meant suffering side effects, rather than letting him die like this.

but.

“No response!!”

Administer the epinephrine that you prepared in advance.

Even though CPR was being performed, the graph that had once turned off did not come back on.

“60 seconds have passed!”

“Mr. Jeong! Come out! Change places!”

“four!”

Positions changed in an instant.

Jinhyuk started CPR right away.

Just two fingers.

Depth is 4cm.

As they were pediatric patients, their behavior was different from that of adults.

Shallowly.

Shallow again.

But again, strongly.

About 100 times per minute.

No, I applied pressure up to 120 times.

Of course, it goes without saying that artificial respiration was performed from time to time.

Although adult CPR does not include artificial respiration, it is a rule to perform it concurrently for pediatric patients.

Phew phew.

Phew phew.

And again and again.

We switched again and continued CPR.

After 20 minutes like that.

Jinhyuk made a vain face.

A baby who just turned one.

Kim Joo-sung died helplessly.

* * *

When Jinhyuk was silent for a while, someone whispered behind him.

“Sir, I think I have to pronounce you dead.”

“… … .”

“Me, teacher?”

The nagging I don’t want to hear.

Knowing that what had to be done had to be done, Jinhyuk immediately took out his stethoscope.

Foolishness? It wasn’t something like foolishness.

Just quietly doing what you usually do.

That’s how the hearing began.

I can’t hear anything.

Wrist again.

And the carotid artery.

Groin.

I felt my hand, but I couldn’t feel a pulse.

No movement whatsoever.

I can’t feel any pulse.

Even if you try auscultation.

Even if you try to promote it.

Even after examining the child with my own eyes, it was clear that the child was dead.

This time, Jinhyeok took out the penlight stuck in his coat.

Next, check the pupil response.

Unfocused eyes.

Eyelids that close immediately when you take your hand off. And even the graph that doesn’t move.

Dead.

The child died before he could even begin to live his life.

Jinhyuk, who had finally checked the time, tried to pronounce the death sentence in a calm tone.

but.

“No, sir. Our main character. Not yet.”

“Not yet! Teacher! You can’t give up like this! Yes! Our Ju-seong! He’s only two years old! He just had his first birthday party!”

“Teacher!! Aaaah. Teacher!!”

Just this morning, his guardian, who had been cautiously asking questions while observing his own mood, rushed over.

A baby who had been sick for ten months suddenly died.

Jinhyuk immediately bowed his head.

“sorry.”

A moment when no excuses are needed.

But the moment he said that, the guardian started fighting and fell backwards.

* * *

The guardian grew old in an instant.

The designated doctor, who arrived late after the surgery, immediately bowed.

“sorry.”

Continued explanation.

The cardiac arrest was not caused by the intussusception.

Kim Joo-sung, who initially showed non-specific symptoms.

It was a special case where the colon was overlapping and there was no abdominal pain.

But it progressed acutely and bleeding occurred.

His condition rapidly deteriorated and he died.

Even though the designated doctor came forward and explained this and that, the guardian remained silent.

No complaints whatsoever.

Not a single word is uttered.

The professor who was explaining this for a long time.

Jinhyukdo.

Other fellows and residents too.

They all had pitiful faces.

The child is dying.

It is painful to just see, or even hear.

So, one by one, they got tired and left.

When everyone is silent like that.

“My kid loved this.”

The guardian opened his mouth, fiddling with the yellow duck boat in his hand.

“I used to cry when there was no duck in the bath.”

“Teacher, you don’t need it anymore, right? Yes?”

“Now that I’m a little taller, I have a lot of hand-me-down clothes. Pants, shirts. I got them all from the neighborhood girls. Only the shoes. I bought new shoes.”

“But it’s all meaningless, right? The shoes, the duck boat, the clothes. Everything. Everything… … .”

Vain muttering.

Everyone shut their eyes tightly.

* * *

The very next day the Mortality Conference took place.

Discuss why the patient died.

Looking back on mistakes.

It was definitely a pre-round that took place at dawn.

And Kim Joo-sung was fine even during his morning rounds.

but.

“Didn’t you say that it was a special case where the colon and large intestine were twisted and there was no abdominal pain?”

“yes.”

“But why did it turn out like this?”

“There were no abnormal symptoms until 3pm on the chart. In fact, I was fine.”

“however?”

“The overlapping intestines are putting pressure on the walls, and it seems like the walls are damaged.”

“In the end, it led to bleeding. He died without being able to do anything?”

“This is all just speculation, but… … .”

I’m saying this because I haven’t been able to conduct a separate examination after the death declaration.

The pediatric surgeon who had been giving out harsh warnings, the professors, the associate professors, and the residents all remained silent.

In fact, this was a patient who could be saved.

Even if I had surgery right away without waiting.

If only I had surgery right away when these symptoms appeared.

It was Kim Joo-sung who could be saved.

But there is a kind of gap in treatment that occurs as everyone goes into surgery.

So, a kind of vacuum continued and people died without anyone to catch the disease that had spread to Acute.

Cardiac arrest due to complications of intussusception.

dying.

A regrettable accident.

No, he was talented.

When you have a meeting like that.

Someone jumped in late.

“Patient Kim Joo-seong’s father, his father is causing a commotion right now. He’s saying this is a medical accident! He’s going to sue me right away!”

Things were getting bigger and bigger.