Chapter - 31 - First surgery

Next morning, the alarm went off sharply at 6 am. Gianna switched off the alarm and lay on the bed for a few minutes admiring the ray of sunlight seeping through the curtain. She freshened up quickly and started to pack her clothes. As she prepared to leave, she heard the doorbell ring from her bedroom. 'Is it Mrs.Rogers?' thought Gianna as she walked towards the front door.

Mrs.Rogers greeted Gianna with a warm and smiling face. Gianna smiled and led Mrs.Rogers inside the apartment. Mrs.Rogers hurried to the kitchen and said while placing the box on the table, "Eat before you leave. You will need energy to take care of your patients." Mrs.Rogers then, opened the thermos flask and poured the hot milk into a glass.

Gianna couldn't deny Mrs.Rogers's care and sat on the chair for breakfast. Gianna quickly finished her breakfast while Mrs.Rogers gossiped about the residents in the building. Gianna looked at the clock and realized it was already quarter past eight am. She quickly took her backpack and left her apartment. Mrs.Rogers and Gianna waved at each other as Gianna departed.

The traffic was not too bad on her way to the hospital and Gianna reached her office sharply at nine. She put on her coat and left for the department room but none of them were in the room, so Gianna dialled Ralph's number. "Good morning, Dr.G. I came for a final examination on the patient before surgery. I will be there in five." said Ralph over the phone. Gianna hummed in response and was proud that the residents were dedicated to their work.

Gianna sat on the chair with a shut eye, relaxing her mind. Ralph rushed to the room and reported the patient's condition to Gianna. Gianna checked the charts and told him to get ready for the surgery. Gianna changed into her scrub and entered the operation room at five minutes to ten. The anesthetist reported the patient's status to Gianna and started the surgery sharply at ten. Ralph was thrilled to assist Dr.G and was ready to keenly observe the surgery.

The first surgery was a craniotomy procedure for the brain tumor which requires a lot of concentration. Gianna operated calmly and the tumor was removed with a lot of effort. Everyone in the operating room let out a sigh as the tumor was completely removed without any difficulties. Gianna then anchored the skull flap with plates and screws and said, "Finish up the surgery and report at my office." Ralph didn't expect Dr.G would tell him to complete the surgery. Even though it was just the last step he was not ready at all. But he didn't dare to deny her command as it would put him in a tight spot later.

Gianna appreciated all the staff and stepped out of the operating room. She discarded her mask and quietly watched Ralph through the view window. Ralph was tensed up at first but gathered his confidence and completed the surgery. Gianna had a smile of satisfaction across her face and went to inform the patient's family about the surgery. Ralph was grinning from ear to ear as it was his first surgery and instructed the attending staff to shift the patient to the ICU for further observation.

Ralph looked at the time and it was just half past one. 'Dr.G completed the surgery within three hours!!?? Wow, she is indeed talented. I have a lot to learn from her.' thought Ralph. He met with the patient's family and gave a detailed report on the patient's condition. He walked towards Dr.G's room and met Stanley who just stopped in front of Dr.G's office. Stanley greeted him and asked Ralph about the surgery.

"No one is talented like Dr.G. The way she performs surgery is an art. I could watch her all day. But at the end, she casually told me to finish the last step and left the room without another word. I was tensed up but somehow completed it." said Ralph proudly. Stanley smiled at him and entered Dr.G's office together with Ralph. They saw Gianna leaning on her chair with her eyes closed.

"Speak," said Gianna in a low voice with her eyes closed. It was exhausting after three long hours of surgery and she had to regain her energy for the next surgery. Ralph reported the patient's condition they just operated on and waited for Dr.G's response. "Good work. Take a brief rest and get on with the pending work." Ralph was happy at her remark and smiled widely as he responded to her instruction.

"Dr.G, I have done the final examination on the patient and here are the reports." said Stanley as he placed the chart on the table. Gianna didn't want to move from her sitting position and said to Stanley, "Read out the report." Stanley read out and waited for Dr.G's instruction. Gianna thought over the result, Stanley read out and said "The results look good. Transfer him to the operation room. We will start the operation at 2:30 pm."

Stanley and Ralph left the room quietly as Dr.G was very sensitive to noises after surgeries. Ralph continued to rattle on about his experience from the surgery and it made Stanley eager to experience it. Stanley informed the nurse to transfer the patient to the operating room and he went to prepare for the surgery. Gianna slowly opened her eyes and it was already ten past two pm.