Chapter 3 Hospital Encounter

• “Understood. I will head to the hospital right away.”
• A grim-faced Jude hung up the phone, stepped on the gas pedal, and drove toward the hospital.
• “Did something happen, Jude?" I asked, noting his grave demeanor.
• "Previously, there was a three-year-old child diagnosed with heart disease. Due to the high risk of that particular surgery, no hospital was willing to accept the child." He sighed wearily.
• "As the head of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, I couldn't bear seeing the child's parents endure such heartache day and night. Hence, after seeking the hospital director's advice, I accepted the child as my patient."
• Then, he continued with a slight smile on his face, "Soon, we formulated a treatment regime based on the child's condition. Fortunately, the operation was a success."
• Admiration dawned upon me after I listened to Jude's elaboration, for he had the courage to accept a patient with a challenging health condition when no one else had the guts to do such a thing. "Then, shouldn't you be thrilled that the surgery was a success?"
• "Of course. However, the child is too young. His condition keeps recurring. He has already undergone three surgeries."
• The frown on his face deepened as he elaborated, "If we are to include this surgery, I'm afraid it will be his fourth time. And for a child who has undergone three major surgeries, the surgical risk for this fourth one will undoubtedly increase. I fear he will die on the operating table." Jude's palms were sweaty as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. At the same time, I wondered what kind of heart disease was plaguing the child. Just what heart disease would cause his condition to relapse and repeatedly undergo surgery numerous times?
• "Do you have the child's medical records? Do you mind if I take a look?" In the end, curiosity got the best of me. Thus, I asked Jude for the child's medical records.
• He immediately handed me a tablet containing them.
• After I laid my eyes on the child's chest X-ray before the operation, I involuntarily frowned and couldn't help but feel a chill running down my spine. Such a rare disease! Since there are only a few successful cases of this particular surgery worldwide, I can barely imagine how difficult it is for Jude to perform it.
• I turned off the tablet and fell silent. In my mind, I recalled that not only did I participate in a seminar that touched on the topic of this disease when I was studying in Elysara, but I also went to observe this particular surgical procedure. It was an especially complicated surgery. Even a slight mistake could result in its failure.
• Jude's car had pulled over at the hospital not long after I was immersed in my train of thought. Once we got out of the car, I trotted into the hospital building along with him.
• At this moment, the child was already sent to the operating room. His body looked as though it was being strung up by intubations and his life was clearly in critical condition.
• Meanwhile, the child's parents and the other family members cried outside the operating room. When they saw Jude, they approached him and questioned, "Dr. Fulton, just tell me how much money you want. I will pay you even if it means to sell everything I have. I'm begging you. Please! Please save my child! He is dying!"
• "That's right, Dr. Fulton. We have spent a great deal of money, yet he is still dying. In fact, the child's condition is getting increasingly worse with each treatment. You'd better not be scamming us out of our wallets."
• Jude didn't explain himself when faced with these denunciations. Instead, he merely instructed the other doctors and the head nurse to prepare for the surgery. They were currently racing against time, for even a second of delay would put the child's life in greater danger.
• "Robyn, I'm afraid I need you to participate in this surgery," he said. I was aware that Jude had noticed that I had vague knowledge about this kind of disease while I browsed the child's medical records in the car earlier, so I immediately took the hint and nodded. Alas, just as I was about to prepare for the surgery, the child's family members stopped me.
• "What? Are you letting this young lady perform the surgery?" an old man asked while pointing at me. By the looks of it, he should be the child's grandfather or someone with similar seniority.
• Nonetheless, I paid no attention to them. I knew that family members couldn't be expected to stay rational and calm at such a critical moment, so I disregarded their obstruction and went to disinfect and change into a surgical gown without answering their questions.
• "What's wrong with this hospital? Are all their doctors this unprofessional? I'm going to lodge a complaint about you and sue you in court."
• "My child was healthy before getting sent here. But now, he needs to undergo surgery almost every day."
• The words that escaped the child's family members' lips sounded increasingly harsh. One family member even went as far as immediately calling the relevant departments and demanding a reasonable answer.
• As this matter soon garnered the hospital director's attention, four renowned specialists showed up in the operating room while Jude and I studied the surgical approach.
• "Gentlemen, you guys are…" Jude was a little puzzled.
• "The group's board of directors has sent us here to conduct a consultation. We will be performing this surgery." Shortly after the four specialists stated their purpose here, they began studying the surgical approach for the child's surgery, completely ignoring Jude and me.
• Due to time constraints, they couldn't sit down and take their time to discuss how to go forward. They could only intensively analyze the child's condition in the operating room.
• Although these four specialists seemed to be veteran doctors, they also had no idea how to operate when faced with such a challenging case.
• Therefore, Jude approached them and began introducing me upon seeing such a scenario, "Dear seniors, I am sorry to interrupt, but this is Robyn Landon. She has just returned from studying abroad. She has encountered a similar condition prior to this and has formulated a surgical approach as well. I think it is feasible, so I shall let her explain it to you."
• Earlier in the car, I formulated a surgical approach based on the child's condition and related cases. Besides, he approved it after I showed it to him, so it shouldn't be difficult to convince them.
• "Greetings, dear seniors. In order not to waste time, I will briefly outline my surgical approach—" Just as I was about to explain, I got cut off. "Young lady, let me ask you, have you ever performed such a surgery?" One of the specialists stepped forward and questioned me.
• It was as clear as day that these specialists disagreed with me due to my age. In addition, it would be a good slap in their faces if they adopted my approach.
• Still, as I truly never performed such surgery before, I truthfully shook my head and said no.
• "We are more experienced than her. How could she possibly have a deeper insight than us?
• "Who will bear the responsibility if something goes wrong?" another specialist added.
• Although I was tempted to refute them, I didn't want to engage in a verbal dispute. After all, they were indeed far more skilled than me.
• "Do not assume that you are qualified to give bits of advice simply because you have broadened your horizon by reading more modern medical books and learning several modern medical skills." Nonetheless, I chose to ignore such an offensive statement, let alone get angry because of it.
• I simply glanced at the child on the operating table. Regardless, I felt nothing but pity for the him instead of being overwhelmed by righteous fury after getting besieged by countless verbal abuse by these seniors.
• Then, I stepped aside, kept silent, and let them discuss things amongst themselves.
• Sure, the four elders had outstanding achievements in their respective fields. Yet, when they actually sat down for a discussion, they had issues reaching a common understanding, for they each held their own opinions.
• Every minute and every second passed by. A well-built man wearing a surgical gown and a mask entered the operating room at this moment.
• "May I know what the conclusion is? Can the four of you begin performing the surgery now?" he asked the four specialists.
• The four specialists avoided eye contact with the man. Then, they merely exchanged uneasy glances with each other and fell into a long silence.
• The man reprimanded them sternly, "I've noticed you guys have been discussing for a long time while I was in the control room. We have asked you here to solve the issue! You're not here to settle your debate when a life is on the line!"
• As for me, I was stunned when I heard the man's voice. In an instant, my mind brought me back to three years ago. My ex-husband sounded the same as this man when he scolded me in the past. Even his voice is strikingly similar to my ex-husband's!
• "Mr. Winter, the risk of this surgery is extremely high, and the child is too young. So, we fear that the success rate of this surgery is less than 5%."
• Mr. Winter?! Are these specialists addressing him as Mr. Winter?! Can he be… Is it possible… A sudden realization hit me. The Winter Medical Group has plenty of hospitals under them. Maybe this hospital is also under the group.
• "They are right, Mr. Winter. This surgery is extremely risky. Not one Cardiothoracic surgeon in all the hospitals under the Winter Medical Group dares to perform this surgery." Jude came to the rescue right when the tension heightened. At the same time, his words also verified my inner thoughts. This man really is Ian Winter, my ex-husband!
• So, I swiftly moved behind the nurse and deliberately stretched my mask, wishing it could stretch up to my eyes and cover them. I may be doomed if Ian recognizes me! He and I are simply incompatible. There is nothing but sorrow whenever we meet. After all, it was I who kicked him to the curb back then. He can destroy me solely because of that.
• "So, you mean all the doctors and specialists in my company are incompetent?"
• Ian was still the same—straightforward and without any consideration for others' feelings whenever he talks. As such, even Jude found it way too awkward to answer him.
• "Listen up. I've already instructed someone to console the child's family members outside. I don't care what approach you use, but I want to see this child being pushed out of this operating room safe and sound. It's fine even if he can't be as lively and energetic as other children. But at least he can breathe, walk, and play!"
• As expected of Ian's way of doing things—only results mattered but not the process.
• Meanwhile, the four specialists held their breath in fear. Then, all four looked at me for help, utterly powerless.
• "Mr. Winter, this is Robyn Landon, who has just returned from studying abroad. Today is her first day reporting to duty at our hospital." Jude took advantage of the situation, dragged me out of hiding, and introduced me to Ian.
• I was so shocked that I broke out in a cold sweat. Chill ran down my spine, and I didn't dare to look into Ian's eyes, rightfully fearing that he would recognize me.
• "A new doctor? Why didn't the hospital director report this to the company?"
• Jude hurriedly explained, "She hasn't had the chance to meet the director yet, but she has encountered such a disease, so I asked her to join this surgery. I have seen her surgical approach, and I think it’ll work."
• "Robyn Landon? That's odd. Why do I feel like I have heard such an awkward-sounding name before?"
• Even though we were married for more than a year, Ian never called me by my name at all. Even if we occasionally bumped into each other somewhere, he still couldn't be bothered to do so as he found my name difficult.
• I feared that he would remember me, so I quickly stepped in and explained, "I have published articles in medical journals. Perhaps someone has mentioned my name to you."
• "Fine, fine. Since even Dr. Fulton strongly recommends you, you probably do have something up your sleeve. Besides, these four old men have failed to devise a surgical approach. So, let's go with yours!"