Chapter 212

Episode 212 Crazy Bastard (1)

The afternoon at the hospital was as busy as always. Having tackled a storm-like schedule since my very first day of deployment, I had spent a rather fascinating day.

I went to work at 6:00 AM, and within ten minutes, I was inserting a needle into the chest of a patient in another department's ICU. From the morning, I was summoned by the tiger-like Thoracic Surgery Section Chief to undergo a hearing on cardiac pathophysiology, and before lunch, I was called into the emergency Operating Room to observe a surgery. It felt as though I had compressed an entire week into a single day.

In the afternoon, I returned to the Thoracic Surgery ICU on the 5th floor of the main building. The patient, who just this morning had been hovering between life and death with a Blood Pressure plummeting below 50, was now sleeping peacefully with a thick chest tube inserted into his chest. The numbers on the Monitor had miraculously regained stability.

"Oh, looking good."

I muttered inadvertently while staring at the waveforms on the Monitor. Systolic Blood Pressure 110. Perfect.

Professor Han Ihyun, who was standing next to me, closed the Chart and smiled lightly.

"Right? It turned out this way thanks to Dr. Han Hyeonjae doing a good job."

"Not at all. I just stood by and watched in the Operating Room; your hands did everything, Professor..."

At that, Professor Han Ihyun shook his head and cut me off.

"No, not that. This morning."

"Pardon?"

"You did the puncture."

Ah. The incident at 6:30 AM where I poured betadine and drew out air with an 18-gauge needle.

"Ah..."

"If you hadn't drawn the air out then, this patient would have been interviewing the Grim Reaper before even making it up to my Operating Room. That is what the golden time is all about."

Professor Han Ihyun glanced over at Jeong Jaesang, a 2nd Year Resident who was clacking away on the keyboard in the distance to clear a backlog of orders, and clicked his tongue.

"Jeong Jaesang, that dumbfounded prick. A guy who's already a 2nd Year hesitates to puncture just because he can't see fluid? Good grief... Well, I suppose a tension pneumopericardium where the Echo blanks out entirely white is unusual. It's only natural for hands to shake if you don't have experience."

In response to the Professor's scolding banter, I offered a small defense for Jeong Jaesang.

"Haha, yes. Jaesang was probably so exhausted that he panicked, or perhaps he experienced tunnel vision where his view narrowed to just the Monitor figures. Normally, his responses are quick."

"I'm glad you put it that way. You sound more like a professor than I do."

At my defense, Jeong Jaesang stared at me with a gaze that seemed deeply moved. Professor Han Ihyun didn't push him any further either.

"Anyway, the Vitals are good. Urine output is fine too. I'm going to go check on the ward patients, okay?"

"Yes, Professor. Have a good trip."

After Professor Han Ihyun left, I returned to Resident mode. One of the biggest duties of a deployed Resident is handling consultations pouring into Thoracic Surgery from other departments. And for responding to Emergency Room consultations, I moved as one body with the Thoracic Surgery 2nd Year, Jeong Jaesang.

We rode the Elevator down to the Emergency Medical center together. The familiar smell, the beds moving busily back and forth, and the machine sounds ringing without rest. To think I was working here just yesterday.

As we walked toward the Station, someone spotted us and ran over with a delighted expression.

"Thoracic Surgery Teacher! Oh! And Dr. Han Hyeonjae!"

Baek Eunseo (Female), a 2nd Year with sparkling eyes, raised her hand high and guided us toward the patient area. She seemed quite glad to meet a senior who had gone on deployment back in the Emergency Room.

"Uh, what kind of patient is it?"

Jeong Jaesang asked as he received the Chart, and Baek Eunseo grabbed the Curtain in front of the bed as she answered.

"A patient with Chest Pain. A man in his 40s. He had cold symptoms a few days ago, and from the morning today, he came in saying his mid-chest feels like it's being stabbed every time he breathes."

"Every time he breathes?"

"Yes. While doing an initial evaluation, I checked the Echo..."

We arrived at the bed where the patient was lying.

"There is Pericardial Effusion, but as you can see, the volume isn't large, and there is no sign of the Right Ventricle collapsing, so it doesn't look like a tamponade. With a BP of 120 over 80, he is hemodynamically very stable."

"Hm..."

Jeong Jaesang began examining the handed-over Chart and ultrasound printout with a serious expression. There was some water filled up, but it wasn't at a level where Thoracic Surgery needed to urgently open the chest or insert a needle to drain it.

While Jeong Jaesang was staring intensely at the Chart and Echo, Baek Eunseo glanced toward me and slyly threw a wink.

'What's that?'

That sly wink. Is it something like, "Roll around in Thoracic Surgery until your eyeballs are split in half," or is she saying sorry for dog-training me with a useless call?

While I was staring back as if it were absurd, I saw an Intern running over quickly, fluttering a printed sheet of paper.

"The Lab results are out! And the EKG taken earlier too!"

Jeong Jaesang and I received the papers handed over by the Intern at the same time.

"Let's see."

Jeong Jaesang's eyes scanned down the paper. Relying on my experience as a 3rd Year in Emergency Medicine, I also scanned the EKG waveform and blood test values.

"Hmm..."

An ambiguous sound leaked from Jeong Jaesang's mouth upon seeing the EKG waveform. I, too, lost my words the moment I saw the EKG.

"Hmm..."

Without realizing it, a name laced with a sigh escaped my mouth.

"Eunseo?"

At my call, Baek Eunseo answered quickly as if she had been waiting.

"Ah, well, actually, I didn't make this call; Taehyun put in the consult. I... yes. I suggested calling Internal Medicine."

She pointed her finger at Yoon Taehyun, who was hiding behind her back, trying to gauge the mood.

"There was diffuse ST elevation on the EKG, and a friction rub upon auscultation... yes. Although the CRP wasn't out yet, it looked like a classic acute pericarditis anyway, so I told him to send it to Internal Medicine once the labs came out, but he just saw the water filled in the Echo and..."

Pericardial effusion. Diffuse ST Segment elevation. Pericardial friction rub. Elevated inflammatory markers.

Ah. This is a perfect acute pericarditis straight out of the first page of a textbook. A medical disease where the membrane surrounding the heart is inflamed, whether viral or otherwise. Unless it's an emergency situation like a tamponade where water must be drained immediately, they shouldn't have called Thoracic Surgery; they should have called Internal Medicine, which treats with medications like anti-inflammatory analgesics.

So, that wink from earlier meant, "The 1st Year made a huge blunder and I couldn't stop him lol good luck." What a fox of a junior. A massive accident by a 1st Year from our own department, presenting a giant middle finger to Thoracic Surgery.

Jeong Jaesang seemed to have finished processing the situation as well, locking eyes with me with a dumbfounded expression. As if he didn't even have the energy left to get angry, he handed the Chart back to the Intern and let out a deep sigh.

"Hmm. Let's go back, Dr. Han. This isn't a patient for us to see."

Watching Jeong Jaesang's bitter back, I exhaled a deep sigh as a 3rd Year senior in Emergency Medicine. Just because I'm on deployment doesn't mean my kids become someone else's kids.

I stared intently at Baek Eunseo and spoke.

"Yeees... okay, Eunseo."

"Yes, Teacher."

Baek Eunseo blinked.

"That... take care of Yoon Taehyun properly on your own. Huh? You know what I mean?"

As if she understood my meaning perfectly, the corners of Baek Eunseo's mouth curved up into a grin as she balled her hand into a fist.

"Ah, yes. I'll leave him half-dead."

At that dependable answer, I was able to turn my steps back with a light heart. I formed an OK sign with my fingers, wearing a satisfied smile.

"Okay~"

"...Am I allowed to join this?"

My voice trembled slightly.

7:00 PM. A shabby but quite large barbecue restaurant near the hospital. I was included in... the Thoracic Surgery dinner.

Why? Why did you invite me?

When they suggested getting food, I thought they were just buying some beef or pork because I worked hard on my first day of deployment.

'I shouldn't have trusted that gentleman Han Ihyun...'

I was deceived by his good-natured smile. I trusted him for nothing just because we share the same surname Han. To think he dug a trap called a massive group dinner behind that nice smile.

There were a total of 15 attendees today. The 5 Thoracic Surgery professors who had subjected me to a high-pressure interview during the morning Conference. 4 fellows. As for Residents, because the Head of Doctor's Office Hong Seonho was absent, there were only 2: Jeong Jaesang and Ju Minyeong. Plus 1 deployed Resident who stumbled in out of nowhere. And 2 poor Interns rotating through Thoracic Surgery this month.

And. One President of the Medical Center.

'Shit.'

I swallowed a curse internally. The Section Chief alone is suffocating and burdensome enough, so why at all is that man here? Why is a person who holds the title of University Hospital President sitting right there, occupying the seat of honor at a single department's dinner?

Whether Lee Jaeyoon knew or didn't know the overwhelming discomfort his presence radiated, he spoke.

"Don't mind me, everyone, just make yourselves comfortable. Just drink up! I'm only here as a member of the Department of Thoracic Surgery to encourage the juniors who are working hard."

When the President is treating, who on earth would dare not to mind? That way, we started an extremely, extremely burdensome dinner.

Before we knew it, the dinner was rushing toward its midpoint.

"How do you like Thoracic Surgery? Seems worth a try, right?"

"Ah, I think it's good..."

Watching Ju Minyeong, a 1st Year Thoracic Surgery Resident, and Professor Ju Gwangho from the Aorta part actively recruiting the young Interns squeezed between them on both sides, I shook my head side to side.

The table naturally split into two paths. The older professors, spearheaded by the President and Section Chief Jo Gyeongun, seemed focused among themselves, discussing serious hospital policies or medical fee issues.

Over here, the corner table where I sat was a set consisting of the open-minded Professor Ju Gwangho, Professor Han Ihyun who had hooked me in, the three Residents, and two Interns.

"So, Intern. How's our department atmosphere? Doesn't it feel like family?"

Thump!

Right then, one of the Interns slammed an empty soju glass hard onto the table and shouted.

"Iiiiii think Thoracic Surgery is truly great! Last month I rotated through the ER and then transitioned to Thoracic Surgery... everyone is so cool in the Operating Room! True surgeons!"

"Oh."

Professor Ju Gwangho's eyes flew open. Professor Han Ihyun also wore a smile on his lips.

"You're really coming, right? Applying for Thoracic Surgery next year like a man?"

'Oh, Lord.'

I let out a lament internally. 'Another one goes up.' When he wakes up from the alcohol tomorrow morning, will he remember what kind of pledge he stamped his thumbprint on?

The night air was quite cool.

Around the time the dinner was wrapping up, in order to sober up a bit, I went into a nearby convenience store, bought a sweet chocolate milk, and plopped down onto a plastic bench in front of the store.

"Hwaaaam..."

The moment I was about to insert the straw while yawning—

'Oh, shit.'

Profanity almost burst out of my mouth. Sitting right next to me, very naturally, was Lee Jaeyoon, though I had no idea when he had slipped out of the restaurant.

'No, what is up with this Mr.? Is he a ninja?'

He isn't a stray cat, so why does he come and sit next to a person without a sound? President Lee Jaeyoon rummaged through his pockets and asked casually.

"Does Dr. Han smoke?"

"This is a non-smoking zone. It's near the hospital, so a fine will be issued."

"...Ah."

With an embarrassed expression, Lee Jaeyoon took out the cigarette he was about to put in his mouth and placed the pack back into his pocket.

"I've been out of my mind lately."

An awkward silence flowed over the bench for a moment. Only the small sucking sound of chocolate milk being drawn up could be heard.

I carefully opened my mouth.

"Um, why are you here..."

The President leaned against the backrest of the bench and looked up at the night sky.

"Just seeing a young and passionate doctor makes me feel good for some reason. Rather than suffocating inside among old folks talking about medical fees and revenue, it's better to catch some fresh air and receive some young energy."

"Is that so?"

"Somehow, including the branch hospital incident, whenever I see Dr. Han, it puts my mind at ease. I'm sorry. It must be uncomfortable and unpleasant for you to be with this old man anyway."

He let out a hollow laugh and looked up at the night sky.

"Not at all. For me, being by the Medical Center President's side is an honor."

A comment tailored for social life bounced out reflexively. The President overlooked my superficial answer despite knowing it, and brought up the main point.

"Look at you talk. How is the deployment? Is it okay? Section Chief Jo Gyeongun is a bit fastidious, isn't he?"

"I think I adjusted moderately on the first day. I also got a feel for the atmosphere. I won't be stepping in as an assist, but there was plenty to see from the side."

When I answered nonchalantly, Lee Jaeyoon nodded his head.

"Watch and learn a lot. Don't just look at it superficially, but capture and internalize how surgeons think, with what mindset they approach surgery, and what detailed hand movements they possess. That's what I'm saying."

"I will keep that in mind."

As the chocolate milk revealed its bottom, I fiddled with the empty carton.

"Would it be alright if I asked one question?"

I must be crazy. 'Is it because of the alcohol?' My liver has grown completely bold. To ask a question to the distant Medical Center President. But I was curious.

"I saw the revised plan a while ago. It seemed like it's going to end up as a virtually ghost department, hitched to the grand title of an Aorta Hospital. I mean the Acute Care Department."

A special department meant to gather crazy bastards who would move under the direct command of the President, ignoring the existing department systems.

The President answered calmly.

"Even so, the on-call system changes to a 24-hour resident system, so isn't that enough?"

"I'm just purely curious. Why are you doing this?"

Am I really insane? Riding on the alcohol, I poured out the curious questions.

"Though it didn't go according to the grand independent center plan you initially conceived, the opposition to just this revised plan will be quite large. From your position, Mr. President, there's no reason to push this through while going as far as to take political risks."

It's a matter concerning the position of Medical Center President. At my straight pitch, Lee Jaeyoon fell silent for a moment.

"...A very long time ago. I made a promise with a crazy bastard of a senior."

"A promise, you say?"

"It was when I was receiving thoracic surgery training in Suwon, meaning back when that senior was a trauma subspecialist. He was a crazy bastard who swore colorfully in the Operating Room and rammed straight into his bosses. At any rate, he was a peculiar gentleman. We parted ways as he went to Cheonan and I went to Busan... Ah, if I talk about this gentleman, the story will get too long..."

When he tried to cut off his words as if embarrassed, I spoke quietly.

"Haha, it's fine even if you just tell me briefly."

Lee Jaeyoon formed a small smile and continued calmly.

"You can just view it as... wanting to keep a final promise. A promise. Actually, even though this old man became the Medical Center President, I thought I wouldn't be able to achieve it because it was an idealistic dream..."

The President slowly turned his head to face me.

"But after seeing Dr. Han, that senior comes to mind for some reason, I suppose. Thinking that you might be able to do what I couldn't finish."

"...Yes."

I answered shortly, steadying my mind. Of course, I could guess who that crazy senior was.

"I understand. What kind of heart you have."

When I nodded, the President pressed his hands on his knees and slowly stood up from his seat.

"The weather is warm, so head in early. The other participants look like they're about to leave too. You need to save your stamina."

"Where are you going, Mr. President? Aren't you calling a car?"

He casually draped his suit jacket over his shoulder and answered jovially.

"A walk! The night air is good, so I'm going to walk a bit before heading in."

"...."

I quietly stared at the back of the old doctor walking away with his hands tucked into his pockets.

'Acute Care Department.'

A ghost department being created for me. No. For someone in the past.