January 10 2020
OR 3 – 2:14 AM
Nurse - GCS dropped from 10 to 6 on transfer
the trauma nurse barked, pushing the gurney through the OR doors.
Nurse- Blunt force head trauma, unstable cervical fracture, subdural hematoma confirmed on CT!
AJ was already scrubbed in, eyes sharp behind her face shield. This wasn't a teaching moment. This was a *save their life or call it* moment.
But she turned anyway — because Lexie and Jackson were standing prepped at the table. Waiting.
And she gave them the nod.
Aj- Let's go.
---
Patient: Male, 38. Hit-and-run victim. No ID. Unconscious. Brain swelling increasing. Time-sensitive window.
---
2:16 AM
Scalp retracted. Bleeding controlled.
Jackson suctioned with laser focus, not a flicker of doubt in his hands.
AJ- Lexie, you're assisting subdural access. Call out any deviation from baseline ICP.
Lexie steadied her breathing.
Lexie - Yes, Dr. Sanchez.
---
2:25 AM
Burr hole drilled. Bleeding pulsed. Pressure spiked.
Jackson's voice was tight but calm.
Jackson - Haemorrhage's deep left — closer to Broca's than I thought.
AJ - Good eye
AJ muttered.
Aj- Retractor. Now.
Lexie passed it with lightning reflexes. AJ moved in.
---
2:37 AM
A tremor — not from anyone's hands, but from the *monitors*.
Heart rate dipping.
Lexie looked up.
Lexie - Bradycardia. 40 and dropping.
AJ - Jackson, give epi. Lexie, stay with me — I need space for drainage. You've got to hold this field stable.
Lexie's hands were slick with sweat under her gloves, but her voice didn't falter.
Lexie -I've got it.
---
2:48 AM
Drain in. Pressure dropping. Bleeding controlled.
Jackson let out a slow breath.
Jackson - Homeostasis achieved.
Lexie's gloved fingers never moved from the retractor. Her eyes didn't blink until AJ said it.
AJ - Good work
AJ said softly.
Aj - Both of you.
---
OR ANTEROOM, POST-SURGERY – 3:04 AM
Lexie pulled off her gloves, breathing hard. She leaned against the locker and shut her eyes.
Lexie - Was that—did we just—?
Jackson smiled- Yeah. We did.
AJ entered, peeling off her cap.
She didn't say much. Just looked between them, then said.
AJ- You're not just interns anymore. You're surgeons in training.
Then, with the faintest curl of her lips:
AJ - And I don't hand out compliments often, so don't make me regret that.
Lexie laughed through the exhaustion.
Lexie - Noted.
AJ turned to leave, but paused at the door.
AJ - Oh — and scrub back in tomorrow. You're on my service again.
Jackson and Lexie shared a look.
She trusted them.
That meant everything.
