The Winter Clock

CHAPTER 17 – BRING BACK LIFE

Hearing Vander’s panicking tone, Reina and Ryther quickly traveled through the hospital. Unfortunately, the traffic was intense they had a hard time reaching the hospital. “We should have used the helicopter!” Reina grumbles and stopped when her phone ring again.

“We’re on our way now. Sorry, the traffic was bad.” She explained and ended the call.

“Calm down, Silver,” Ryther said and finally, the cars in front of them started to move.

“What happened here?” Ryther asked panicky as he wore his doctor white coat. Reina ran towards the beds as soon as she entered the Emergency Room. She quickly dashed through the four patients and checked their foreheads.

“A motorcycle accident happened and three traumatic patients were brought here. Here are the results of their X-Ray.” Vander replied and handed Ryther a few brown envelop, then looked at Reina whose face cannot be painted. “What’s wrong?” He asked and only then did Reina come to her senses. Numbers were present at three patients’ foreheads and the ticking of the clock was loud enough to make her ear bleed. The problem is that the numbers were the same.

Reina looked at Ryther with a message no word is needed. Ryther swiftly walked towards her. “Who among them?” He whispered and examined the three patients.

“Call Dr. Coleg,” Reina told one of the nurses. “Three of them.” She whispered and Ryther’s lips froze.

“T-Three?” He asked and Reina nodded for confirmation. “How many minutes left?” He asked and started to examine the patients. Her abdomen was bleeding too much, and the wound was deep based on the CT scan. “I’ll do the trachea intubation first.”

Coleg intubate the second patient with bleeding legs and Goden helped Vander intubate the third patient with shortness of breathing.

“Dr. Rein, lead the way,” Vander said and everyone looked at her. She bit her thumb nail and nodded her head. She looked at their foreheads again and saw the numbers tick at the same time.

“What is our role as Doctors?” She asked and Vander and Coleg exchanged glances. “Isn’t t to battle with death and save lives?” She smiled and the three Doctors nodded. “As you can see, these patients are in critical condition but even if the Holter Monitor’s line became straight, try and try until you revive them, understood?”

“Yes, Doctor”

“Good.” Reina smiled but then her smile disappears upon seeing the bulging neck veins of the man Vander intubated. She quickly walked towards it and tore his clothes. Everyone gasp upon seeing a huge, purple bruise on the man’s chest

“Dr. Goden, what do you think is the reason behind this bruise and his chaotic blood pressure?” Reina asked and bit her lower lip.

“Cardiac Tamponade,” Goden answered briskly.

“Prepare the spinal needle and ultrasound. We’ll perform a puncture.” Vander said and the nurses moved swiftly

“Dr. Vander,” Reina called. “Let one of your nurses contact your patient’s family members. In his case, probably he will pass away sixty minutes from now so move quickly before you reach that time.” Reina instructed and Vander nodded and closed the green curtain.

“Dr. Coleg I want you to coordinate with Dr. Roffer as he is the Orthopedic Surgeon available. Then, just like Dr. Vander, move quickly before you reach sixty minutes. Use the third Operating Room.”

“Y-Yes, Doctor.” He answered and signed Roffer who just entered the emergency room. “Dr. Roffer, come now and help me.” Roffer panicky ran towards Coleg and assisted him. Reina then turned to face Ryther who was waiting for her instructions.

“Check her health card and prepare multiple blood bags of the blood type she has,” Reina said to one of the nurses and the nurse hurriedly did what she was told. “Set him and I’ll prepare everything in the second O.R.,” Reina said and Ryther nodded before both of them did their parts.

“All set.” Reina said and with her cue, Ryther started operating.

“Scalpel.” The nurse handed Ryther the scalpel and he started to slice open the woman’s abdomen and blood splashed. “Suction.” He said calmly.

“Perform the puncture,” Vander said calmly and Goden became pale.

“M-Me, Doctor?” He asked anxiously and pointed his index finger to himself. Vander nodded and wore his surgical gloves. “B-But-“

“It’s okay, don’t look down on yourself because you’re young. Set an example.” He said with a smile. “I’ll assist you, don’t worry. I just want you to learn by doing it yourself. Not all the times I am here to assist you.” He added.

Goden bit his lower lip and nodded his head. “Y-Yes, Doctor!”

“Doctor, his blood pressure went down further!” One of the nurses informed them and Goden looked at Vander, horrified.

“Do it.”

Goden took the needle and ultrasound and gulped. He was the newest surgeon and it was his first time conducting a puncture in a real situation. He felt his hand tremble so he shook his head and aimed to pierce the needle but luckily, Vander’s hand was fast and stopped Godden.

“If you do it like that, the patient could die.” He said firmly. “When operating on the pericardium, the angle of the needle should not be vertical,” Vander added.

“S-Sorry, Doctor.” Goden felt totally embarrassed with what he did but Vander shook his head.

“It’s okay, that’s the way for you to learn.” He smiled. “ Actually, you can pierce the pericardium that way but it’s risky especially for a rookie like you for you might pierce the inner heart.” Goden’s eyes widened with Vander’s explanation. His eyes were full of amazement.

“That is why the needle should be at a 45-degree angle to the left of the Xiphoid process.” Vander pierced the needle and pulled the pump plunger, causing a small amount of blood to be sucked by the injection.

“See? His blood pressure is back to normal.” Vander said with a smile and Goden looked at him in amusement. One patient was saved, two more to go.

~ Do not look down on yourself because you are young. But set an example. ~