The Returning Doctor Wanted to Live Quietly - Chapter 348



Only Noblemtl

Episode 348. Adieu, General Surgery

I didn’t know I could live like this!

When I was young, I had a dream too!

It’s a common saying as you get older.

And while drinking soju too.

Actually, everyone has a dream.

But the wall of reality tends to get higher.

I often felt frustrated when I recalled my parents’ words later.

Life was all about being hit here and there.

Our life journey is to live a life we ​​could never have imagined when we were young.

So I had no intention of denying the influence given by others or society.

Even military doctors were like that at the time.

Didn’t you give up on going to Sang-geun despite much persuasion?

Of course, the decisive factor in my decision was that I could not see the patients.

still.

‘Studying abroad is so confusing… … .’

Oh Ji-ho’s proposal was truly unexpected.

“I’ll think about it.”

Jinhyeok tried to hide his embarrassment and spoke in a calm tone, but Oh Jiho was stubborn.

[It’s good to worry, but the backlash is strong whether you know it or not. There’s no reason to clash unnecessarily.]

“hmm…….”

[Why, that. What is it? There was a conflict with the Department of Surgery at Samseon Hospital during the specialist exam.]

“It was nothing serious.”

[It’s nothing serious. Kim Seok-jun even called.]

“yes?”

[The head of surgery at Samseon Hospital even called to ask if he was intentionally interfering.]

“ah…….”

It looks like Lee Ji-hoon reported above.

First, they started a fight and then got destroyed, but it was obvious how they would report it.

With high probability.

‘You must have said that I picked a fight on purpose.’

There must have been a false report.

Just like they fight over the names of the Yeongojeon and Goyeonjeon, Samseon Hospital and Asin Hospital originally had that kind of relationship.

“… … Actually, I’m a little embarrassed. I was planning to train at the ER first, then get a double board, and then become a military doctor.”

[Anyway, overseas assignments for specialists are all recognized as training periods. Just go and come back.]

“… … .”

[The situation is not good these days. First, apply. It’s a place that other people can’t go even if they want to.]

Dduk.

The call ended before I could even answer.

Jinhyuk laughed bitterly.

Looks like something’s going on.

But since they didn’t tell me, I had no way of knowing what was going on.

All I’m saying is to go out for a bit.

Because it seemed like the kids didn’t need to know.

No, more than that.

‘I was told that I could go to America to see, learn, and come back, but I never thought I would become that person… … .’

I never dreamed that what I mentioned during my specialist exam would spread like this.

That makes sense.

If I go to America, I’ll be separated from my parents right away.

My mother still has curly hair.

A father who works silently even though eviction (kicking out tenants) does not suit his personality.

I didn’t feel like it because we didn’t have much time together anyway.

That’s not all.

Lee Hyun-ah was also on my mind.

Still pregnant.

She didn’t even submit a leave of absence.

When your worries become that deep.

The intern approached.

“Free option is over.”

“Contact the professor!”

“yes!”

While the intern was on the phone.

Jinhyuk left a short message.

First, one for my mother.

One for my father.

Next was Lee Hyun-ah.

* * *

It’s already 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

I had to go out for dinner since I had some free time.

but.

[Mom agrees! She said it won’t take long!]

[Dad agrees too! It’s also good to see and learn from the bigger world. The things you learn in an American hospital emergency room are different from those in a Korean emergency room.]

[Mr. Jinhyeok, I like it too! I already had severe morning sickness. I had to take a leave of absence anyway. Let’s go together.]

parents.

And Lee Hyun-ah’s text.

All three agreed.

No, rather, I was asking.

It’s such a great opportunity that everyone wants to go, so why refuse?

Jinhyuk, who was speechless at the question of why he would not go, smiled bitterly.

The situation of the regressor, then and now, has been lonely.

I want to be a little closer.

I want to fulfill all the filial piety I couldn’t do before.

His parents’ hearts were different from his own.

People say they suffer from empty nest syndrome.

It seemed like it would be better for a grown son to become independent.

Jinhyuk sent a text message, hiding his disappointment.

[It is said that people usually feel a sense of loss or loneliness when their son leaves.]

[Huh? What did you say?]

[No, usually when a grown son leaves… … .]

[Oh my. How long are you going to live with Mom? Mom is free too! You’re free!]

It’s not even ‘Dobby is free!’, but it’s a message full of the mother’s wishes.

It was not that I did not understand my mother’s stubbornness in insisting that she should live a second life.

Because I’ve lived my whole life supporting others.

But it can’t be helped that it’s disappointing.

Until then, Jinhyuk had no idea that ‘that thing’ would happen.

* * *

Jinhyuk put his cell phone away and headed straight to the hospital room.

The last of the kind.

It’s one of the most common things you hear when quitting a job, but it’s also one of the hardest things to keep.

Well, I haven’t quit my job yet.

Right after.

“Eww!”

A loud cry filled my ears.

“Oh my. Our Jeong-taek. He’s crying loudly.”

“You are here, teacher.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Do I have to go right now?”

“You have to go in in 10 minutes. There are a lot of things to check before the surgery.”

At Jinhyeok’s answer, the guardian immediately looked up at his watch.

My son will be going into the operating room soon.

It seemed like there were a lot of things that were difficult to handle.

“I… … . The kid keeps whining so much that he knows he’s having surgery. He’s old enough to be here, but he’s still acting like a newborn.”

“Our Jeong-taek. He’ll be okay.”

“Is that okay?”

“sure.”

Jinhyuk smiled faintly and then checked the chart.

Umbilical hernia.

So-called Omphalocele.

This was a case where the intestines protruded because the umbilical cord was not blocked.

Of course, the waiting period was three years.

If it’s short, then it’s short.

It was a long time, if it was long.

There was no incarceration (a situation where the herniated intestine becomes twisted and blood circulation is blocked).

Since there were no complications, I waited for it to heal naturally and then came to the hospital.

When Jinhyuk puts down the chart.

Someone came in late.

“Excuse me, doctor. Are you planning on having surgery on my child?”

“This is my husband.”

“Nice to meet you. My name is Jinhyuk Lee.”

When Jinhyeok bowed his head, the other person also bowed.

And then he immediately said something unexpected.

“I know you’re famous, but… … . This is a bit… … . I was wondering if you could change it to professor. I saw on the news that you became a specialist. This is a bit… … .”

“Honey! What should I do if you suddenly say something like that?”

“Oh my! Hold on tight! This isn’t easy!”

“I told you to bring the schedule forward! There are kids at daycare who are teasing me. How can I wait any longer?”

“No, this damn woman!”

Those who suddenly fight with each other in front of the child.

There is no one more sensitive than a guardian about to undergo surgery, so Jinhyuk intervened.

“Am I not enough?”

“Hmm, Hmm. I don’t know what will happen. What, what is it? They said there is a possibility of infertility.”

“Infertility?”

“Yes, I looked it up on the internet… … . Hmm, big.”

“That’s what happens when you have an inguinal hernia… …. An umbilical hernia is not an issue.”

“is it so?”

“Yes. Inguinal hernias are often treated with an artificial mesh lining. Children don’t even need mesh. And… … .”

The explanation went on for a long time.

He was the type of patient that professors hated the most. That is, he would pretend to know by saying, “I looked it up myself,” but Jinhyuk maintained his composure.

If there is damage during the dissection of the blood vessels, it is said that even in children with inguinal hernias, they can become infertile.

The explanation continued that there was no problem at all because the umbilical hernia was located differently.

Okay then.

“Excuse me, but why don’t you do it laparoscopically? They say that it leaves less scars if you do it laparoscopically.”

“That’s true, but… … . Open surgery has a lower recurrence rate. I explained everything to your mother. Are you going to change to laparoscopy? Then it’ll be difficult to perform the surgery today.”

“ah…….”

The guardian let out a short, sobbing sound.

Like wondering whether to sell your house or take it.

The idea that something unexpected might happen due to one’s own choices was something that scared people.

If you make a mistake and the child gets hurt, you will have to live with guilt for the rest of your life.

No, by the way.

Should I dye my hair white?

The trust that the old professor gives naturally.

Today, I was truly envious.

* * *

It is customary for the surgeon to come in after the car-in (the act of bringing the patient into the operating room) is over.

As it was his last surgery, Jinhyuk went straight to the operating room.

I bowed my head toward the anesthesiologist who had arrived first.

“i look forward to.”

“Is this your last surgery?”

“yes.”

“When will I see you again if I go now? Huh?”

“Well, it’s not like I’m quitting.”

“I have to go to the military, the military.”

“I’m not going right away. I’m going to go to the ER first. I need to get a double board.”

I haven’t decided yet whether or not I will apply for an overseas assignment, but I’m saying this because I’m sure I’ll be moving around in the ER.

If I just worked hard for two more years, I could have gotten a double board.

It was clear that time would pass quickly.

The advantage of ER was, above all, shift work.

soon.

“Patient coming in!”

The patient came into the operating room.

After helping to move the child onto the operating table.

I watched the anesthesiologist take a timeout (verify identity).

Name and date of birth were often asked, but this only applies to adult patients.

I simply ended the timeout by saying the name backwards and checking to see if it was correct.

In addition to that.

Abdomen, umbilical cord (belly button), sac.

As soon as the Betadine dipping was finished, the anesthesiologist shouted.

“Anesthesia is starting! Jeong-taek, hold on for just a little longer!”

That’s how the anesthesia started.

Jinhyuk gritted his teeth as the pediatric patient, who was only four years old, lowered his head.

A pledge to ensure that no more children die.

That’s why I stayed in pediatric surgery and now it was time to finish.

That too, beautifully.

Jinhyuk shouted right away.

“Omphalocele (umbilical hernia) correction surgery begins now! Bobby!”

* * *

A condition in which intra-abdominal organs prolapse through the base of the umbilical cord.

The bulge was already so protruding that other kids were teasing him.

It protrudes so much that it could be called a kind of silo for storing grain.

So, as soon as Jinhyeok received the surgical tools, those who came in first moved their hands.

Anyway, the protruding organ is inside the skin.

I pushed it inward like folding paper.

Then, the resident who came in quickly started marking.

A dotted line in the shape of a circle.

It was consideration for Jinhyeok.

So when the preparations are done.

Jinhyuk moved.

First, an incision had to be made around the umbilical hernia sac.

In your left hand, hold a potts forceps.

He first removed the skin while holding a pencil-shaped electric cautery device (Bovi) in his right hand.

Jiiiiiik.

Jiiiiiik.

The sound of flesh burning.

And the smell.

He continues to move his hands without paying any attention to this.

Like drawing in a sketchbook.

I continued going back and forth, adding more and more colors to make them more vibrant.

Of course, the left hand didn’t stay still either.

The work of gradually revealing and lifting the peeled off membrane with forceps continued without stopping.

The peeling ended like that.

Jinhyuk, who had handed over the surgical tools, immediately put his hand inside the abdominal cavity.

From the posterior abdominal wall to the anterior abdominal wall.

After pressing hard with the hand to expand the abdominal cavity, the temporarily inserted organs were reduced (manipulated with the hand to return the herniated organs to their original place).

What followed was an additional incision.

Jinhyuk gave short instructions.

“Army Navy.”

A retractor used when cleaning small wounds or shallow surfaces.

The assistants immediately got to work.

On both sides.

Again, move the retractor up and down and apply force little by little to create space.

Jinhyeok also took action.

Additional incisions were made, beginning with a feeling of tension on the skin.

Defective area.

And the fascial border.

Peel it off carefully.

Separate again.

Preliminary work to ensure safe fascial suture.

The scar would be long, but the method was to remove enough skin before suturing was possible.

* * *

The surgery is almost over.

Now it was time to avoid the Linea alba.

On the midline of the abdomen.

Above is the sword protrusion.

A fibrous band extending downward to the pubic bone.

It was not allowed to suture the so-called Baekseonman area.

Because additional hernias could occur.

Jinhyuk looked at the wound with eagle eyes and ran simulations in his head.

Then, when you try to move your hands.

“I.”

“Uh, why.”

“Are you skipping this part?”

“uh?”

“This way, this way.”

The upper part is cut off.

So the fish pointed towards the corner of the rib.

At this, Jinhyuk smiled brightly.

Knowing that I was going to skip it just by looking at the hand movements shows that I have good sense.

It was the first year that the sprouts were visible.

“There’s a skip. A skip.”

“yes?”

“Because it’s at the very end, it’s difficult to attach the fascia on both sides. It’ll settle down as the liver grows.”

“ah…….”

“So I’ll leave that out and start from here.”

Jinhyuk, who was handed the needle holder and suture, immediately started using his hands.

Stone suture.

The abdominal wall was quickly connected using so-called annual sutures.

Of course, I left the parts I said I would skip as is.

What followed next was skin suturing.

This time, I changed the suture and started closing the skin horizontally using continuous sutures.

The wound has now returned to its original state before the incision.

Jinhyuk, who had relaxed, glanced at his juniors who were standing in line.

“Finally, I’ll make a belly button.”

“A belly button? I’m not even a woman.”

“Children are surprisingly sensitive. It’s hard to explain. You know that when you hear the patient’s story.”

“I heard that there are cases where they have to wait a little longer. I heard that they came because the kids at daycare were playing with them.”

“Actually, you can wait up to five years. The place where the umbilical cord was may naturally close.”

Jinhyuk moved his hands again, recalling the situation of the patient who had come to the hospital after three years.

In the shape of a belly button.

Come in a little.

It’s a delicate manipulation of the hands.

Of course, it wasn’t easy.

T-shaped.

Oval.

Vertical.

Horizontal.

Melon type.

etc.

There are dozens of different belly button shapes, and there are even hospitals that specialize in belly button plastic surgery, so the number of people who care about their shape is increasing.

However, we tried to mimic the shape as much as possible by performing pulse string stitches with absorbable sutures.

hereto.

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“Thank you for your effort!”

Greetings poured in for the surgeon.

I feel like I’m back in my old thoracic surgery days.

Jinhyuk also greeted me with a smile.

You’ve worked hard.

It’s really over now.

* * *

Then moved to the recovery room.

Jeong-taek told his parents what had happened.

“Thank you. Thank you, teacher.”

As the guardian who had been distrustful of him kept bowing, Jinhyuk’s expression brightened even more.

There is nothing more satisfying than receiving a thank you note after surgery.

Now I had to go and say hello to the professors.

The handover has also been completed.

Now that the surgery is over.

There was nothing more to do.

but.

“Ugh. Why… … . Why on earth… … .”

I noticed another guardian in the waiting room breaking down after hearing the professor’s explanation.

It appears the child died during surgery.

Jinhyuk’s expression, which had been brightly smiling with a relieved heart, immediately disappeared.

He just quietly bowed his head to express his condolences and then moved on.

Someone lives.

Someone died.

That’s what happens every day in our hospital.

After changing into surgical gown.

On the way back to the hospital.

It suddenly started raining.

Like a lie.

Then Jinhyuk stopped for a while and looked out the window.

The sobbing guardian.

And the surgeon who kept bowing his head.

It would have been better if it had rained.

Because the medical staff’s eyes were also filled with tears.

They say forgetting is a gift from God… … .

Could rainwater blur memories?

Or, could it be that one of the self-defense mechanisms, repression (a behavior of unconsciously suppressing painful memories), is being expressed?

If you look at it in the long run, or rather in the short run, it was truly a fleeting life.

The behavior of mortals rushing toward the final destination called death.

It seemed like the struggle to survive was meaningless.

But didn’t Marcus Aurelius say it long ago?

Even if you know that life is fleeting, you must be faithful.

Of course, since the reason for that was not recorded in the meditation record, humans were beings who had to find the reason for their own existence.

The last rainy night.

It was causing unnecessary emotions.

* * *

And that night.

An article was posted on 『Young Doctor』.

[Why Lee Jin-hyuk is a genius]

└ Lee Jin-hyeok passed the first round in 30 minutes. That was because he was a genius.

└ What kind of poem are you writing?

└ I fell.

└ 2% winning? Lol I got it.

└ Dirty world. Some people solve it in 30 minutes. Ugh.

└ The world is not fair after all.

└ I also want to live like Lee Jin-hyuk.

[Have you heard the news? Lee Jin-hyuk had an accident.]

└ I had an accident. An accident. I had a baby.

└ Wow. You’re capable. You have a girlfriend?

└ Awesome! So what happens now?

└ You said you were going to the ER? You said you were going to get a double board.

└ No, not that. What happens in the military?

└ You’re going to Sanggeun. What the heck. I’m jealous. You have it all.

[You’re going to Sanggeun? What the f*ck. My stomach hurts.]

└ You’re good at drinking. You’re good at studying. You know a lot. Isn’t this too unfair?

└ My stomach hurts. I wish you were unhappy, but why do you look so happy!

└ You don’t deserve that. Why? Are you picking on me? I increased the number by 500. This time, our department. Finally filled the TO.

└ What is your job?

└ GS.

└ Ugh. This is ridiculous.

Most people react with envy.

But soon.

[You didn’t do it on purpose, did you?]

The comments that Jinhyuk hates the most started to appear.

Jealousy and envy are inherent in human nature.

It is said that a true friend is a friend who can sincerely congratulate you when something good happens.

Conversely, this also meant that there were not many such cases.

Jinhyuk, who received the call late and checked the response, immediately clicked his tongue.

If I had gone to full-time work, I would have been in big trouble.

No, more than that.

The thought that it would be a good idea to go on a mission overseas as recommended by Oh Ji-ho belatedly occurred to me.

Because wherever you go, harsh words will continue to follow you.

Out of sight, out of mind.

The saying goes, out of sight, out of mind.

It wasn’t said for nothing.

Oh, is this something that’s only used for long-distance couples?

Well, anyway.

Jinhyuk began to seriously worry about the public who even tripped up a child with the nickname ‘CS’.

Then soon.

“Huh? Our CS. Should dad give you mommy?”

As soon as I felt the baby’s movements, these words came out naturally.

Lee Hyun-ah screamed in disgust.

“It’s not even time to start gestating yet!”

Jinhyuk was someone who could be called a loser.