The Wicked Doctor

86: Stereotactic Craniotomy

A craniotomy is the surgical removal of part of the bone from the skull to expose the brain. Specialized tools are used to remove the section of bone called the bone flap. The bone flap is temporarily removed, then replaced after the brain surgery has been done.

Some craniotomy procedures may use the guidance of computers and imaging (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] or computerized tomography [CT] scans) to reach the precise location within the brain that is to be treated. This technique requires the use of a frame placed onto the skull or a frameless system using superficially placed markers or landmarks on the scalp. When either of these imaging procedures is used along with the craniotomy procedure, it is called stereotactic craniotomy.

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"Hi there, sexy!" A voice from behind me said. 

"Oh my God! Francis!" I jumped from my seat and hugged him. He lifted me and spun me around as I giggled in happiness. 

I am happy to see my friend who has been out of the country for so long. I miss him like how I miss my brother whenever he goes missing for months for his official business.

"I heard from our ladies here that you and that asshole are together. Tell me you are just playing around, darling." Nakataas ang kilay niyang nagtanong sa akin habang ako naman ay natatawa na lang. I just smiled and hug him like I always did kaya lalong kumunot ang noo niya."

"Oh my goodness. It's real then!" He said as if he was genuinely surprised. 

He held my shoulders at arms length and stared at me. "I don't know whether I'd be happy for you or not. Alam mong gusto kong maging masaya ka pero sana tama ang desisyon mo this time. Take care of you heart, Anrie." He patted my head like I was a little kid before holding me closer and hugging me.

A restrained cough resounded a few steps away from us, as if trying to let the person's presence be known.

"Ahem." Napahiwalay ako kay Francis pero nanatili pa rin ang kamay kong nakapulupot sa kaliwang braso niya saka ako lumingon sa tumikhim.

"Can I help you with anything Dr. Laine? As you can see, I have with me here my good friend Francis who's back from overseas." I genuinely chirped happily. I wasn't even trying to be sarcastic but the way his face contorted seemed like he was absolutely annoyed by my response.

Marahan niya akong hinila at inakbayan. "Good to see you around again. It's been a while." He reached out with his right hand for handshake to which Francis responded and smirked. 

"Don't be a jealous prick, doc. May girlfriend ako, naiwan sa States pero babalik rin ako after two weeks at marami pa akong mga aasikasuhin ditong papeles. Relax, I won't take your girl away from you." He bursted into laughter.

I felt Terrence relax a bit and smirk as well. "Good. Because this one's mine." He lifted his arm and placed it on my waist. Humigpit ang hawak ni Terrence sa baywang ko hanggang sa makaalis sa harapan namin si Francis.

"You didn't even tell me he's coming back today. Nagulat na lang akong naabutan kong nagyayakapan kayo dito pa sa hallway at sa harapan ng nurses." He whispered to my ear.

I sighed and pulled him towards one of the outpatient clinics na bakante. 

"Terrence, I didn't even know he was coming back today. He surprised me at the station." I sat on one of the chairs and told him what happened. 

"And you had a sweet embrace right in front of the people we work with. What does that make me look like? How about you? Ang alam ng mga tao dito may relasyon tayo tapos nakikipagyakapan ka sa ibang lalaki." His tone was low but the words he spat were as sharp as knives, condescending and cold.