And If there was a tomorrow

Chapter 1

Luckily, the traffic on the way back was a lot better than before. She was able to arrive in only 15 minutes, which was a new personal record of her. She went through the hospital doors at the exact moment the ambulance parked. "It must be the emergency", she thought, and rushed inside. She was already at the emergency room when they entered. The officer who worked on the rescue narrated the facts, informing the vital data so that the staff could start the procedures, followed by two other assistants who carried the gurney.

─ The victim is approximately 45 years old. He was found after a car crashed onto a tree and it seems like he was stuck in the wrecked vehicle for a while. We couldn't find his ID in the scene, so we don't know who he is. Also, we didn't find his phone or anything that could identify him, or any means to contact a relative or a friend. Upon our arrival, we stabilized his spine and released him from the wrecked vehicle, but he was unconscious throughout the entire rescue. We identified a significant lesion on his leg with severe bleeding. We made a tourniquet to stop the blood flow. By the time we were able to check his heart rate, he was tachycardiac, with heart rate of 140 beats per minute and hypotensive, with blood pressure of 80x50mmHg. We transferred him to the mobile unit and administered 2 liters of solution, resulting in a partial improvement of blood pressure and heart rate. He was stable during the 50-minute drive, while receiving the third liter of solution.

─ Thank you, officer. We'll take it from here.

─ You are welcome ─ the officer looked at one of his assistants who remained staring at the situation. ─ Kimberly, are you coming?

─ Chief, if you allow me, I'd like to stay a little longer to watch his medical assistance. Our shift ended with this case anyway. But only if you think it's fine.

─ Of course. I'll see you tomorrow. Get some rest.

Linda looked at the officer with astonishment. It wasn't common for them to stay there and watch the medical procedures. Something inside her was saying that this lady wanted to say something and was just waiting for the right moment. She took that mental note and began the procedures, coordinating the staff.

─ Let's monitor him to assess his situation. Gustaf, can you evaluate his leg so we can find out whether he will need surgery or if we can suture it here? Valerie, I need another thick vein and you can open another bag of solution," she said, while she assessed from a neurological perspective, checked his pupil, and decided if she would have to intubate the patient.

─ Linda, I believe I can suture his leg here. I don't think we need an operating room. I'll get the supplies and will be right back. ─ Gustaf, the vascular surgeon, replied.

─ The second access is ready. I'm setting up the other solution. Pressure at 10x6 and heart rate at 110. ─ Valerie, the nurse, informed.

─ Perfect. Val, let's intubate him. I don't think we need sedation because he is unconscious. I need a cannula size 8. Can you help me?

─ Of course, doctor.

─ I've already told you that you don't need to call me that. You can call me by my name or by my nickname, like Gustaf just did.

─ It's the force of habit ─ she replied and smiled.

In the meanwhile, Linda carried the intubation forward. But right after she inserted the tube, all the machines started buzzing. The monitors indicated a cardiac arrest, and the team started CPR. Linda continued to orchestrate the assistance and ordered that he received medication through his vein. The procedure had taken almost 10 minutes and the patient didn't show any signs of response. At that moment, in a very instinctive manner, Linda, who was in charge of ventilation, looked at him and whispered: