The Wicked Doctor

24: Commotio Cordis (Revised)

Commotio cordis is a phenomenon in which a sudden blunt impact to the chest causes sudden death in the absence of cardiac damage. Commotio cordis is an often-fatal injury that occurs when you're hit in the chest and that impact triggers a dramatic change in the rhythm of your heart. The blow could come from an object, like a baseball or hockey puck, and may not seem especially serious in the moment. Commotio cordis most commonly affects male teen athletes. Without immediate treatment, this condition can cause unexpected cardiac death. Immediate first aid treatment with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and heart defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED) may be able to restore the heart's healthy rhythm and save a life.

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"Doktora, transfer na namin siya sa Cardiac ICU right after CT scan?" They asked me when I turned my back on them while removing my coat.

"Yeah. Just keep me posted if anything ever happens. Don't let anything happen in the first place or you are all dead."

"Pareho talaga sila ni Doctor Terrence, mahilig manakot." Pabulong bulong na sabi ng isa.

"Mr. Gallardo, may I remind you that you are a post-grad intern and I can still fail your assessment dahil tsismoso ka." I chided. Of all the senior doctors here, I am the one the interns and the clerks are most comfortable with. According to the staff, it's because they see me as their older sister, probably because of my age. I am quite young for a fellow.

I slipped my coat inside a paper bag to be given to the laundry department. I sat on the chair, removed my flats and changed to my wedges. I took my makeup kit from my bag and did a little retouch on my makeup. 

"Doc, sexy natin ah. May date?" Asked one of the interns. I turned around and showed them my getup.

"Gallardo wag kang tsismoso. Pupunta ako sa med school at may hawak akong lecture ngayon, usisero. Swertehin ka sanang si Laine ang duty mamaya para magisa ka pa lalo." I told them. Kilala ko ang ugali ng taong yun at alam kong pag siya naman ang inasar nila, hindi siya mangingiming gumanti.

I bid them goodbye and walked towards the exit.

As I was opening my car's door, my hair was forcefully pulled as if that person was trying to remove my scalp from my head. Isang tao lang ang alam kong maglalakas loob na awayin ako sa harap ng maraming tao in broad daylight.

"Malandi. Makati. Doktor ka pa naman pero mang-aagaw ka. Masaya ka na ba? Masaya ka na bang nasira na kami ng asawa ko?" All her words were laced with pure hatred. Her eyes were accusing and sending daggers my way. And here I was, thinking that my day would be uneventful.

And I won't go down without a fight. Who does she think she's dealing with? I gripped her wrist tightly with my right hand, fingers digging through her skin. I twisted my body and twisted her hand that held my hair. My left hand went straight to her abdomen, giving her a powerful punch. Hindi pa ako nakontento at sinampal ko pa siya nang pagkalakas-lakas bago sipain sa tagiliran hanggang sa manghina siya. 

People started to crowd around us. I can hear them whispering.

I pushed her towards my car and strangled her neck with both hands. I was not angry enough to actually kill her but angry enough to incapacitate her. Her face paled as I held her by the neck. Nanghihina na rin ang mga kamay niya kaya niluwagan ko ang pagkakapilit ko sa leeg niya.

"Alam mo Isabel, almost all of the staff in this hospital know the whole story. Halos lahat kami may kopya ng sex video mo kasama ang ibang lalaki. Hindi mo alam kung paanong napahiya si Francis dahil sa kagagawan mo. You cheated on him first and the whole world knew! Mabuti sana kung yung kasama mo sa sex video ay si Francis kasi asawa mo yun eh! Wag mo akong babaliktarin dahil alam nating lahat ng ikaw ang may kasalanan nun!" I shouted at her.