Doctor Series 1: Soren Tiu

Chapter 3

"How have you been?" tanong ko saaking pasyente na may Infective endocarditis at o-operahan ngayong umaga.

"How are you feeling?" pahabol kong tanong.

"I'm nervous, Doc." sabi nito.

"Let me explain again about the surgery." sabi ko sa pasyente at sa pamilya nito na naka-abang.

"As I told you, I'll remove the infected mass and mold the area with the left over tissue." sabi ko.

"It will take about five hours but it could be longer if there's a complication." patuloy ko.

"Doc, you've done this surgery many times, right?" tanong ng kanyang anak.

Tumango ako, "Yes."

"Then, we don't have to worry, right? This surgery isn't life threatening or anything, right?" sunod sunod na tanong ng kanyang asawa.

"I cannot guarantee that." sabi ko.

"There's a lot of variables during surgery. However, I will do my best." patuloy ko at una nang pumasok sa loob ng OR.

"You should have just told them that he's going to be alright." rinig kong sabi ni Daryl na nakasunod saaakin.

"You should have been nicer to them; you could have just told them the surgery will go well and they wouldn't have to worry." patuloy nito habang inaayos ko ang aking suot na surgical mask at head cover.

"Couldn't you just say that? The surgery is not difficult for you." tanong nito kaya sinulyapan ko siya bago mag-simula sa pag scrub saaking kamay.

"What if the patient have periannular abscess?" tanong ko habang nagsa-sabon sa kamay.

"What if he has brain damage from an embolism during surgery?" tanong ko ulit habang hinuhugasan ang aking dalawang kamay.

"But the chance is very low." sagot nito.

"He has no feelings." mahinang sabi nito ngunit narinig ko parin kaya humarap ako sakanya habang nakataas hanggang saaking balikat ang dalawang kamay.

"How do feelings help with surgery?" tanong ko.

"If it helps, I'll be emotional, but it doesn't. It makes no difference." sabi ko.

"I'm sorry, prof.." nakayukong sabi nito.

"Never talk to the patients like that again." sabi ko.

"Don't. Alright?" tumango ito habang nakayuko parin kaya nauna na akong nagtungo sa loob habang nakataas parin ang dalawang kamay.

The surgery was performed by a standard cardiopulmonary bypass technique with mild to moderate hypothermia (28-32°C). Myocardial protection was achieved with anterograde and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia and hot shoot terminal. The surgical protocol for treatment was based on elimination of infection foci and correcting the hemodynamic derangement. The type of valve used was based on indications such as patient's age and compliance with anticoagulation administration and monitoring, and presence of contra-indications to anticoagulant therapy. The infection had extended into the annulus and adjoining structures, it was repaired with glutaraldehyde-fixed bovine pericardium.

Paglabas ko sa OR ay bumungad saakin ang pamilya ng pasyente. Agad silang lumapit saakin na may mga nag-aalalang ekspresyon.

"How's the surgery, Dr. Tiu?" tanong ng asawa.

"I managed to remove the infected mass and successfully molded the area with the left over tissues." sabi ko.

Hinawakan ng kanyang asawa ang aking kamay habang umiiyak kaya tinapik ko ang balikat nito bilang tugon.

"In conclusion, the surgery was successful. They will move the patient to the ICU in few minutes." patuloy ko.

Habang naglalakad ako papunta saaking opisina ay nakita kong naka-upo ang ina ni Yael sa gilid ng nurse station kaya nilapitan ko ito. Si Yael ay ang batang pasyente ko na may Congenital heart defect.

"Dr. Ocampo walked you through the surgery procedure, right?" tanong ko kaya napa-taas ang kanyang tingin saakin.

Nakita ko itong umiiyak ngunit nagawa niya paring tumango saaking tanong.

"Yael's condition has improved so we will perform the surgery tonight." sabi ko.

"Dr. Tiu, please take good care of my son.." umiiyak na sabi nito.

"You've been staying so strong until now.." malumanay kong sabi.

"Please save my son, Dr. Tiu" sabi nito kaya nginitian ko siya at tumango.

"Dr. Tiu, I've been barely holding it together. I've been behaving because I've been terrified. But I'm not able to do it any longer." patuloy nito habang umiiyak.

Wala akong masabi at magawa para sa ina ng aking pasyente ngunit saaking puso ay lubos ang simpatyang aking nararamdaman.

"Dr. Tiu, Yael will be okay, right?" tanong nito habang humihikbi.

"We've performed this surgery many times. We'll make sure he'll be okay." tumango siya saaking sagot.

"Then, the surgery will go well, right?" tanong ulit nito habang nakatingin saakin na may puno ng pag-asa ang mga mata.

Bigla kong naalala ang sinabi ko kay Daryl kanina kaya natigilan ako sakanyang tanong, hindi ko alam kung ano ang aking isasagot kaya napayuko ako saglit at tinaas ulit ang tingin sakanya.

"We'll do our best." ang lumabas na salita saaking labi.

Pagkatapos niyang tumahan sa pag-iyak ay nag-paalam ako para magtungo saaking opisina upang mag-pahinga saglit.

Hinilot ko ang aking batok at naupo saaking swivel chair saka inabot ang drawer kung nasaan nakalagay ang aking pain relief patch.

Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata habang naka-upo ngunit hindi ako dinalaw ng atok, gusto kong matulog ng konti kaya naisipan kong mag-tungo sa cafe para bumili ng kape.

Pagdating ko doon ay agad nahagip ng aking tingin ang babaeng nakabangga ko noong nakaraang araw, si Syrhane Gallardo. Naka-upo ito sa pangdalawahang table habang nakapila ang gustong magpa-picture sakanya.

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa kaya agad akong umiwas at naglakad patungo sa counter.

"As usual." sabi ko sa cashier kaya agad itong tumango dahil alam na nito kung ano ang kapeng iniinom ko.

"Order more, I'll pay for you." napalingon ako sa nagsalita at nakitang si Syrhane yon.

"Why are you here instead of taking care on your brother?" tanong ko. "And, are you having your fan meeting here? At the hospital?" pahabol kong tanong.

She scoffed, "He ordered me to buy something here and I'm not having a fan meeting, lumapit lang sila at hindi ako makatanggi, kaya ayun.." sagot nito kaya tumango lang ako at inabot sa cashier ang aking card.

"No, don't pay for me. I have my own money." sabi ko.

Nasulyapan kong ngumiti siya kahit yumuko ito ng konti.

"Right! I just remembered that you're one of the most prominent Cardiothoracic surgeon in the country." sabi nito kaya napa-iling nalang ako at tinanggap ang card na inabot pabalik ng cashier.

Nauna na akong naglakad ngunit napansin kong nakasunod ito saakin habang may dala-dalang box.

"Why are you following me?" nilingon ko siya.

Napatigil ito sa paglalakad at tinawanan ako. "What? Babalik na ako sa room ng kapatid ko. You're delusional, Dr. Tiu." sagot nito at tumatawa parin kaya hindi ko na siya pinansin at nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad.