A Mother's Woes

Medical Tent, Meeting Room

"Did you conduct a blood test? Has her medical history been retrieved?" as soon as Catherine entered the tent, discussion from several doctors could be heard. "Catherine, It's good that you're here now. How's the patient?" It was Lord Zachary who asked the question as soon he saw Catherine.

"Claire is stable for now, I already told the nurse to monitor her vitals. She'll be fine for the time being. Her mother fainted after I told her about her child' condition." Catherine replied solemnly. The other doctors just nodded in response while some started another discussion. "But how would we treat her arrhythmia if we do not have the correct diagnostics? Also, if it is severe congenital heart disease, where would we get a heart donor in a small span of time?"

Everyone went silent as this matter of concern was raised. It was too risky if it will turn out to be a severe congenital disease. After all, the only treatment for it is a heart transplant. But finding a deceased with the same heart as the patient would be like finding a needle in a haystack. "Let us not think of the worst-case scenario for now. In the meantime, Luke conduct a Physiology and a Tilt Table test on the patient. Catherine, do also do a physical exam and blood test on her. Before we could make a decision, must have complete diagnostics and vitals on the patient. That's all… Dismissed." After saying his piece, Lord Zachary left the tent. The other doctors also started to leave, while Doctor Helene, Doctor Luke, and Catherine were left inside.

"Catherine, call Doctor Stephen to take your place in the emergency cardiology department in the meantime. You'll need your full attention on this patient. Same to you Luke, have someone take your duty. Report to me if there is any progress." Doctor Helene said before leaving. "I'll have the nurses prepare the room for the Tilt Table exam… would you like to do it now? Or after I conduct a physical exam of her?" Catherine asked as soon as Doctor Helene left. She didn't want to waste time idling by.

"Do a physical exam first and send me the results. I'll read the results before doing the test. To ensure the normal flow of her heartbeat. I'll go first, Doctor Catherine." Luke stands up, preparing to leave when Catherine speaks. "What will we do if it really is heart disease? And what if we can't find a heart donor in time?" Doctor Luke stops in his tracks before turning to Catherine. "Let us just hope that isn't the case. Don't be sad, Catherine. Yes, we are doctors and we save lives, but it will be beyond us if the damage in a body is irreversible." and Doctor Luke left.

Catherine sighed before walking back to the hospital wards. She instructed the nurse to take Claire's blood sample before conducting a physical exam. She went inside Claire's ward to see her sleeping soundly while her mother was at her bedside and looked at her tenderly.

"Doctor, how is my child? Will, she really be alright?" the mother ask as soon as she saw Catherine walk inside the ward. Catherine gave a smile before replying. "for the meantime, she is fine. We'll be going to conduct several tests on her to make sure we have the correct diagnostics. Do not worry ma'am, Claire will be cured of her illness. Just pray and have faith." while conversing, Claire who is asleep, woke up.

She smiled after seeing Catherine. "Doctor, are you gonna cure me now? Am I able to go home?" she asked innocently. "Yes Claire, I'm going to check on you and do my magic, then you'll gonna be okay and go home together with mommy!" Catherine pacifies Claire with a smile. the nurse assigned to get Claire's blood entered the ward and started to take her blood. At first, Claire was afraid of the needle but after constant pacify and comfort from both her mother and Catherine, the nurse was successfully able to get blood samples.

Catherine then brought Claire to a room full of apparatus and a bed in the center. Claire was scared by the sight but after thinking that this could cure her, she gathered her courage while resolutely walking to the bed. Catherine smiled and comforted Claire before conducting a test. It took almost an hour for the test to be done. She accompanied them to an adjoining room for other tests. After making sure all the necessary laboratories were conducted, Catherine called for a nurse to escort both the mother and pair back to the ward. After looking at the results of the tests, Catherine sighed in relief before heading to Doctor Luke's office.

"Doctor Luke I have the results." as soon as she entered the room, she happily reported Claire's condition. "Claire has only a mild Atrial arrhythmia. The results showed a mild SVT(Supra-ventricular tachycardia) accompanied by a PVC's(Premature ventricular contractions). That means we can cure her with a surgery without needing a transplant."

Doctor Luke happily nodded while reading the report that Catherine handed to him. "It is truly a blessing that this was the case, then I'll have Doctor Helene read this and ask for a surgery approval to be conducted for Claire." Doctor Luke stand and walks to the door when he heard Catherine speak. "Can I join in the operation as your Assistant Surgeon?" Doctor Luke smiled and nodded to Catherine before saying, "Prepare for Operation."

Claire's Room

Catherine went to Claire's room in a jovial mood, infected by this, both the mother and daughter pair looked at Catherine with mirth in their eyes. "Ma'am, great news, Claire is been diagnosed with mild arrhythmia. That means that it can be cured with surgery. We are preparing for it now. After this, she'll be put in the intensive care unit to monitor her recovery and eventually, be discharged after her vitals be stable enough to be released."

After hearing that her daughter can be cured, Claire's mother cried in joy, she hugged Catherine while saying thank you, and Catherine comforted her with a light pat on the back. Claire just watches them with a smile, not fully understanding what's going on. Seeing this, Catherine approach Claire and said to her about her situation.

Director's Office

Doctor Luke knocked lightly on the door after confirming that he was in the right room. The people inside responded to the knock with a 'come in'. Doctor Luke entered the room while holding several papers. After seeing Doctor Helene together with the Director and Lord Zachary, Doctor Luke bowed respectfully before reporting.

"I have great news. We have done the tests on the patient with arrhythmia, and the results came out just an hour ago, She was diagnosed with a mild SVT(Supraventricular tachycardia) and a PVC (Premature ventricular contractions). With her Vital Statistics, she is eligible for surgery. Doctor Catherine and I would like to get approval to conduct a Maze Surgery on the patient." All the people in the room smiled after hearing the results.

"Wouldn't it be better to conduct a Radio-frequency Ablation than to perform a surgery? Maze surgery only cuts to in the atria to prevent the spread of disorganized signals, is it not?" the director asked carefully. "Radio-frequency Ablation can only be performed on those who had severe tachycardia. The patient was diagnosed with mild atrial arrhythmia. The Maze surgery is more appropriate since it can be used to treat atrial fibrillation." Doctor Luke patiently explained to the Director.

"If there are no more questions, let us do the surgery as fast as possible to make sure the child will be cured. Has the operating room been prepared, Doctor Luke?" Lord Zachary asked with mirth in his tone.

"Yes sir, Everything is ready, only Doctor Helene and your approval await." Doctor Luke replied. "Send me the document for operation. We'll sign it immediately." Doctor Helene ordered while doctor Luke nodded before bidding goodbye and leaving the office.