October 25 2019
Neuro OR 2. 1:23 PM.
The room was already prepped when Dr. AJ Sanchez entered, gloved and gowned with practiced speed. The staff snapped to attention like they felt the temperature shift.
April stood awkwardly near the monitor, holding the patient's chart like it might spontaneously combust.
Aj- Vitals?
AJ asked April.
Anaesthesiologist- BP's stabilizing, but she's still postictal. Right-sided weakness is worsening
the anesthesiologist replied.
AJ -Okay
AJ nodded.
Aj- She's bleeding, and the clot's building pressure. If we don't coil this pseudoaneurysm fast, we're looking at a midbrain herniation.
She turned to April and Parker.
AJ - Either of you ever seen an endovascular coil placement up close?
April shook her head. Parker tried to speak, but AJ cut in.
AJ-Then you're in for a show. April, scrub in.
April blinked- Me?
AJ - Yes, you. You brought me the patient, you're going to assist. Don't drop anything. Don't faint. And for God's sake, don't talk unless I ask.
Parker mouthed something that looked like *I hate you* as April followed the scrub nurse out, nerves shaking but eyes determined.
---
**Twenty Minutes Later**
Inside the OR, the air was thick with focus.
AJ guided the microcatheter with perfect control, watching the digital imaging screen like a hawk.
AJ - Coil going in
she said calmly.
AJ-Watch the placement. See the curve? That's the bulge we're closing.
April, standing opposite her, nodded quietly, trying to absorb every word.
AJ's voice, though sharp, had an edge of teaching woven into it.
AJ - Most people miss these because they're small, deep, and buried behind layers of healthy tissue. One wrong move—she loses speech, motor control, or her life.
April swallowed.
April- So... no pressure?
AJ smirked—just slightly.
AJ - Welcome to Neuro.
The coil slid in perfectly. The bulge filled. Pressure readings dropped.
She exhaled.
AJ- Aneurysm sealed. Vitals holding. Close her up.
The room relaxed. AJ stripped off her gloves and turned to April, who was visibly trying not to shake.
AJ - congratulations. You didn't pass out. Good start.
April blinked- Dr. Sanchez, I—thank you. That was...
AJ- Don't thank me yet
AJ said, pulling off her cap.
AJ -You still need to write the post-op report, justify the call, and explain why Dr. Shepard didn't catch this herself.
April opened her mouth, then wisely closed it.
AJ smirked again- You'll learn.
---
**Outside the OR – 2:15 PM**
Parker stood awkwardly by the nurses' station, waiting.
April walked out with a dazed look on her face.
Parker- Well?
he asked.
April just said,- She let me assist.
Parker blinked- Wait—she let *you* in the OR?
April nodded slowly.
April - And I think she almost... smiled.
They stood in stunned silence.
Down the hall, AJ walked past without breaking stride, calling over her shoulder,
AJ- And April?
April - Yes, Dr. Sanchez?
AJ - Tell Shepard her patient's alive. She can thank me later.
---
AJ in the Elevator
As the doors slid shut, AJ let herself finally breathe.
She pulled out her phone. One new message from Dave:
> Dave: Mateo's napping. I saved you the last piece of sandwich. And yes, I toasted it again. Because I love you and I'm not a savage. ❤️
She smiled, tired but content.
> AJ: Just saved a life. Headed up. Tell Mateo his mom's still the best. ❤️
