Doctor Series 1: Soren Tiu

Chapter 17

Napadilat ako ng may kumatok sa pintuan ng aking opisina at bumungad saakin ang mukha ni Tobias saka pinakita ang dala-dalang paper bag.

"Akala ko naubos niyo lahat? Ang lalakas niyo pa namang kumain dalawa ni Siobhan." sabi ko kaya natawa ito.

"Hindi ito sobra namin ah, bago to." sabi nito nang tuluyan na siyang pumasok saaking opisina.

"Pinabibigay ni Siobhan, nagmamadali ka kasi kanina at konti lang ang kinain mo." sabi nito at nilapag ang paper bag saaking lamesa.

Binuksan ko ang paper bag at nakita ang laman na shrimp at scallops sa loob ng plastic Tupperware.

"Sigurado kang hindi to sobra niyo?" pag-uulit kong tanong.

"Oo nga, bago yan! Naubos namin lahat kanina kaya binilhan ka ng bago ni Siobhan." sabi nito kaya tumango ako at binuksan ito para kainin.

"Tapos ka ng kumain kaya wag ka ng magbalak na humingi." sabi ko at nilayo ito sakanya.

"Not feeling well? Ba't mukha kang sabog? Kamusta ang pasyente?" sunod sunod na tanong nito kaya bumuntong hininga ako habang ngumunguya.

"I'm just worried about my patient." sagot ko saaking kaibigan at napatulala sa kisame.

"Who's patient?" tanong nito.

"Jane, the one who have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy." sagot ko dito at bumuntong hininga ulit.

"Ah. The kid who's been hooked up to a VAD the longest." napayuko din siya habang sinasabi ito.

"That's right. She's been on the VAD for three months while waiting for a heart transplant, but we haven't been able to locate a suitable donor. We were cautious with the medications, but she has had blood clots and bleeding. We keep hitting roadblocks." sabi ko at bumuntong hininga.

"I'm really worried. She needs a transplant as soon as possible." patuloy ko.

"You'll find a donor soon." Tobias assured me and that somehow made me smile.

Nagpaalam na din kalaunan si Tobias dahil may gagawin pa ito kaya mag-isa na ulit ako saaking opisina, nakatunganga sa kawalan habang ngumunguya at nag-aantay ng grasya ngayong gabi.

Pagkaraan ng ilang minuto ay biglang tumunog ang aking cellphone dahil may tumatawag kaya agad ko itong sinagot dahil numero ito ng hospital na aking pinagtatrabahuan.

"Yes, hello?" bungad ko dito.

"Dr. Tiu, we have found a donor. We've found suitable donor for Jane." sabi ng coordinator sa kabilang linya kaya agad akong napatayo mula sa pagkakaupo saaking swivel chair at nilapag ang hawak-hawak na plastic Tuppperware sa lamesa.

"What?" paglilinaw ko dahil hindi ako makapaniwala.

"Philippine Heart Center just called, asking if we need the heart." sagot nito.

"But PGH had priority over us." sabi ko at nagpabalik balik ng lakad sa loob ng aking opisina.

"They declined because the patient has an infection." sabi nito.

"How much does the donor weighs?" tanong ko.

"Well, he weighs 40kg, a 11 year old boy." sagot nito. "Should we accept it, Dr. Tiu?" habol na tanong nito.

"Yes, we'll get it no matter what. This could be Jane's only chance." sabi ko at napahawak saaking noo dahil hindi parin ako makapaniwala. Tinugon ng diyos ang aking panalangin.

"Okay, we'll get ready." sabi nito at binaba ang tawag.

Agad kong hinanap ang numero ni Daryl saakimg cellphone habang nanginginig ang aking kamay dahil sa pagmamadali.

"Hello, prof." bungad nito.

"We've found a donor for Jane. Where are you?" tanong ko habang naka tayo at naka pamewang.

"Seriously? Finally! Jane can live! We can save Jane! Yes! Prof, I'm overjoyed right now!" sigaw ng sigaw ito sa kabilang linya kaya hindi ko mapigilang matawa. Daryl has been watching Jane for three months, which explains why he feels so strongly about her.

"Nasa on-call room ako ngayon, prof." patuloy nito.

"Where is her mother?" tanong ko.

"Probably in the hallway in front of the PICU. She's always there." sagot naman nito kaya agad akong lumabas saaking opisina para magtungo sa PICU.

"Okay. Get Jane off warfarin immediately and get ready for surgery." sabi ko at agad pinatay ang tawag saka pinindot ang button ng elevator.

"Maam." tawag ko sa ina ni Jane na nakaupo sa upuan na nasa harapan ng PICU.

Agad itong lumingon saakin na may pagod na mga mata, "Dr. Tiu, you're still here?" tanong nito.

"I don't think I can go home tonight." sabi ko naman kaya napakunot ang kanyang noo.

"Why not? Are you on duty again?" tanong nito.

Umiling ako, "No. I have to perform Jane's heart transplant." sabi ko at agad bumahid sakanyang mukha ang gulat.

"There's a heart donor, and we're going to get it. We were awaiting the results of the second brain death assessment. The first one is finished, and provided there are no serious complications, Jane will receive the heart." sabi ko habang humihikbi na ito saaking harapan at nakikinig saaking sinasabi.

"Maam, we've been waiting for this for a long time. Many things have happened in the three months after she received the VAD, but this day has finally arrived thanks to your perseverance and patience." patuloy ko.

"Dr. Tiu, this is not a dream right? Jane will really be getting the heart?" tanong nito kaya tumango ako at ngumiti, "Yes, Jane will be getting the heart." sagot ko kaya lalo itong humagulgol sa iyak at tumalikod saakin.

Habang umiiyak ang ina ni Jane ay nakatayo lang ako at nakayuko sakanyang likuran. Lalake ako at hindi ko ugaling umalo kaya tumayo lang ako doon bilang pahiwatig na hindi siya nag-iisa at magiging ayos ang lahat.

"Because she's been hooked up to the VAD for a while, the adhesion will be pretty severe, so dissecting it will take some time. She might leave the OR with the chest open if the heart is too huge." sabi ko sa mag-asawa.

"But, no matter what happens, I'm determined to save Jane today." patuloy ko at napasulyap sa loob ng OR.

"You and Jane had to go through a lot to get to today. I don't want to be the one who ruins what we've all been waiting for." sabi ko.

"I will do my best.. I will save Jane.." I assured them.