{Minayeon} The Pulse of a Heartbeat

Chapter 3 - Fatigue (Confusion)

Yesterday's events took a toll on me, and earlier I was tempted to hide in the doctor's lounge and recuperate. However, I was given word that, lo and behold, Mark Tuan would not be in the O.R today, and that I would need to take his place as the attending surgeon for the time being. Justifying, I'm glad.

One of my first scheduled appointments is a young kid who needs a follow-up about his congenital heart disorder; CAVC, or complete atrioventricular canal disorder – basically a condition where there's a hole between the heart's main chambers. He had a surgery as a tiny newborn, but he gets checkups yearly to ensure his heart is functioning properly and strongly.

He's used to visiting the Cardiology ward, and he knows several doctors by name, so he always brings smiles whenever he comes in. His echocardiogram results and MRI scans look good, and he looks like he's developing into a healthy, energetic and lively boy.

That is one thing that always makes me love working as a cardiothoracic surgeon. I can really reroute a person's life to a better future. It's amazing to see a sickly blue and weak newborn grow into a fine strong kid.

Next schedule is with the scalpel in hand; an old man had a streptococcus throat infection that developed into rheumatic fever. This attacked his heart and severally damaged his valves, requiring replacement.

I get about an hour of rest in the Staff room, drinking some coffee and listening to gentle music.

My serene thoughts are dissipated by the person I least expected to confront at this hour; Mina. She isn't dressed in her EMS attire, so I'm assuming her shift hasn't started. I watch as she grabs a cup of coffee and appears to head out the door, but she stops.

"Listen," she says out of the blue. "Thanks for that dinner night. It was really nice. I never get out, like I said. I guess it was a change of pace."

"Hey, no problem?" I grin widely. "A pleasure on my part. It was nice getting to know you."

She returns the smile without showing her teeth, making her look more awkward than ever. "I heard from Momo that you had a bad experience the day after. Was it that Mark guy?"

"Yea—wait, how do you talk with Momo?" I ask, not realizing the two retained communication after our dinner together.

She squints at me like I said something weird. "We traded phone numbers and occasionally text. More like cultural moral support if anything most of the time. We're Japanese after all."

"Sure, I get it," I scratch my head. "What were you saying about Mark?"

She freezes for a second, and I wonder if I said the wrong thing. Then that same repulsed expression from before comes creeping on her face. "That creep again. I knew he was a no-good loser from the first day I saw him." Her words are sharp and cold. "Such a aggravating hedonist. I never want to see the likes of him again!" She seems to have forgotten my presence as she stalks out the door. "I don't even like me—" as the door closes, cutting off her sentence.

"What was that about," I wonder to myself aloud as I sit up and finish the rest of my coffee. "How strange."

I'm not given enough time to configure my thoughts as the pager in my pocket gives a violent buzz. I'm need at the Trauma ward.

Apparently, there's an elderly woman who is suffering the symptoms of a myocardial infarction. (Note to readers: Please, familiarize yourself with the signs and indications of heart attacks; you might not be a doctor, but calling immediate medical attention is key to saving lives.) She needs a double bypass, which we rapidly get underway.