Heartbeat

First times

Heartbeats chapter 5

Joe and I are already sterilized and about to enter the OR when Dr Tremblay comes to talk to us.

– Dr Carter, Dr Thompson, I just talked to your colleagues and they agreed, so now I come to invite you two too. Since you are the best group of interns I have seen in years, I'd like to offer you more opportunities to get ready for your test at the end of the intern year, so I'll give you a special study session in my house twice a month. I used to do it two years ago, but last year my interns didn't have much interest so I didn't even bother to propose this. Basically you spent the day at my house and I used to order junk food and beers for us.

– That would be amazing, Dr Tremblay, thanks!– I say and smile at my resident. It's really sweet what he is doing and I'm already excited for the first meeting.

– That's great, Dr Tremblay, thanks! – Joe says, excited too.

– Nice. Now go there and don't make me ashamed of you. Your colleagues are watching from the gallery. Good luck.

– Thanks!– We speak together and I can tell that his nerves are pushed to the limit, as well as mine, but he probably stayed up late studying too, so we are prepared.

The nurses help us with sterile gloves and surgical gowns and when we are finally ready Dr Hitch shows up.

– All right, young doctors, ready to perform your first surgery?

We nod.

Even through the mask I can see he is smiling. After checking information about the patient and talking to the anesthesiologist, he positioned himself at the right side of the table, of course, as every lead surgeon. We both stay at the left side, next to the nurse.

– Ten blade, please.

– Here sir. – The instrumental nurse hands him the sharp instrument and he holds It but doesn't make any cuts yet.

Joe and I are just standing there with clean hands waiting for his orders.

– Dr Thompson, what is the first step I should take in this surgery?

– The incision sir. You should make it in the lower right side of the abdomen.

– Exactly. Do it then.

I can tell by Joe's look he's surprised but he just says "thanks'  and goes to the left side of the table, where the Chief hands him the scalpel.

He does it perfectly of course, and now the nurse gives him the electric scalpel to open all skin layers.

– Now, Dr Carter, what more do we have to open to access his appendix?

– The abdominal muscles wall and peritoneum, sir.

– Okay, trade places with Dr Thompson and do it then.

I have no idea how I'm not shaking or dying right now, but somehow now I'm holding an electric scalpel and opening an actual human being. Of course we practice simple procedures in pigs, but this is absolutely a whole new level of adrenaline and satisfaction. Let's see what more we get to do in the surgery.

[...]

– We did it!– I literally jump after leaving the OR.

– For damn sure!– Joe says and unexpectedly hi-five and side hugs me.

We are  just staying here in the hallway, grinning like idiots, with adrenaline running through our veins.
Basically we did everything. Chief Hitch just stood there helping and teaching us.