Chapter - 64 - Tough decisions

Gianna examined the next patient. "She is in her mid-twenties with no medical records. She has a simple skull fracture and no brain damage," reported Victor and passed the CT scan to Gianna. Gianna nodded and said, "I will start with the patient with countercoup, and Ralph will assist me. Dr.Jason will take over the depressed skull fracture, and Victor, you have to take care of the patient with the contusion. I will inform Tom and Michael to give us a hand."

"Dr.G, primary treatment is given to all the patients and has been transferred to the operating room," said Zane, standing behind Gianna. Gianna thanked Dr. Zane and turned to leave to prepare for the surgery. "Dr.G!" shouted Alice as she came running towards Gianna. "Dr.Jason's phone is switched off. I tried calling many times but to no avail," said Alice in between her breaths. Gianna went blank for a second and dialed Tom's number.

"Yes, Dr.G," responded Tom. "We have an emergency, and we need a hand. You and John come to the operating room immediately," said Dr.G. Tom agreed and was about to hang up when Gianna asked, "Where is Dr. Jason?" "He left for his apartment last night, Dr.G." "Do you have any other number to contact him other than his official number?" asked Gianna as she stepped out of the elevator.

"No. He has only one number," said Tom. "Okay. Come to the operating room soon," said Gianna and hung up the call. She tried calling Dr. Jason once more but it was switched off just as Alice informed. She dialed Dr.Henry's number as she walked to the changing room. She tried calling him twice, but Dr.Henry didn't attend the call. Gianna kicked the chair in frustration and cursed both of them loudly.

Gianna had no other choice but to make a tough decision and went to the operating room lobby. All the residents were assembled in the lobby including Tom and John. "We have three patients who need immediate surgeries, but Dr.Henry and Dr.Jason are unavailable at the moment, and the lives of the patients are in our hands." The residents gaped at Gianna and panicked.

"Don't worry, I am still available," said Gianna, with a chuckle. "Stanley, keep contacting Dr.Jason and Dr.Henry. If they pick up, inform me immediately." Stanley nodded at her and left the lobby. "Tom and John, you both will operate on the patient with the contusion. Victor, please brief them and come back soon," said Gianna as she went to scrub herself.

Tom and Michael entered operating room 2 soon after. "Ralph, you will assist me with the surgery on the patient with intracerebral hemorrhage lying in operating room 1. Go and prepare for the surgery. I will start the surgery in 5 minutes." Ralph nodded and entered operating room 1.

Victor stood there in confusion. "Dr.G, what about the patient with the skull fracture?" "Tough situations require tough decisions. Prepare for surgery in operating room 3 as soon as I inform you. If you see CSF leakage or bleeding, inform me immediately. Until then, monitor the patient." Victor was worried, but at the same time, he trusted Dr.G, so he left to monitor the patient in operating room 3.

Gianna entered the operating room and quickly gave instructions before starting the surgery. The time at the beginning of the surgery was 20 minutes to 6 am. "I will start the surgery now," announced Gianna, fully prepared in her scrub. The surgery started, and the procedure went on smoothly. The blood clot was larger in size than expected, and she had to remove it as soon as possible. The operating room was fully cooperative, and Gianna operated as fast as she could.

"Dr.Victor is on the line, and he said that bleeding has started in the patient." announced the nurse. "Tell Dr.Victor to prepare for the surgery," said Gianna without stopping her movements. "The present time is 7 am, and it has been one hour and 20 minutes since the surgery started," announced the attending nurse. Gianna's hands moved faster and removed the clot, completely.

"Please call Dr.Stanley and ask about the phone call," said Gianna as she took a few seconds' break. The nurse was confused but did as Gianna asked her. "Dr.G asked about the phone call," repeated the nurse to Stanley. "Negative," said Stanley, panicking. The nurse hung up the call and said, "Dr.G, the status is negative."

Gianna didn't respond and continued to operate. Gianna stopped the bleeding at 20 minutes past seven and checked for bleeding status in the scan. The bleeding in the brain was stopped, and the staff cheered at the result.

"Finish it up," ordered Gianna to Ralph and moved quickly to remove the scrub. Ralph took the position and started to complete the surgery. Ralph didn't hesitate this time as he was in the same situation during the last surgery. Gianna quickly scrubbed again and entered operating room 3.

Victor looked at her and the clock in surprise. She put on her scrubs and quickly walked toward the operating table. Victor notified Gianna of the patient's status in detail, and she looked at the scan before starting the surgery. She looked at the time, and it was half past seven am. "I will start the surgery now," announced Gianna and immediately started making an incision.

As she widened the incision, they found leakage of CSF. Gianna quickened her movements and operated with undivided concentration. The phone in the operating room rang, and Stanley reported that Dr.Henry would reach the hospital in 20 minutes. The nurse conveyed the message to Gianna, but she didn't respond.

Gianna stopped the CSF leakage and elevated the depressed skull before stopping the bleeding. Victor carefully assisted Gianna and also tried to learn at the same time. "The present time is 8:30 am, and it has been one hour since the surgery started," announced the attending nurse.