The Art of Surgery

The morning at the hospital began with a mix of excitement and nervousness. After being greeted by the receptionists with a deference that still made me uncomfortable, we headed to the surgery area. There, a tall and elegant doctor with an unmistakable German accent awaited us in front of the observation room door. His posture was impeccable, and his white coat looked freshly ironed, as if he had just stepped out of a medical magazine.

"Good morning," he said in a firm but kind voice. "I am Dr. Heinrich Müller, a cardiovascular neurosurgeon. It is a pleasure to have you here today."

Olivia, always quick to make connections, raised an eyebrow curiously.

"Neurosurgeon cardiovascular? That sounds like something out of a science fiction movie. What does it mean exactly?"

Dr. Müller smiled slightly, apparently accustomed to explaining his specialty.

"It means I specialize in surgeries of the heart and nervous system related to blood flow. For example, today you will observe a complex aortic valve replacement surgery. It is a delicate procedure that can last several hours."

Sack nodded, impressed.

"That's incredible. And how did you end up working at Sapphire Grove Hospital? This place is known as the most important and modern in the United States. It can't be easy to be part of its team."

Dr. Müller adjusted his glasses before responding, visibly proud to be associated with the hospital.

"It's an interesting story. I studied at Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, one of the best medical faculties in Europe. After completing my training, I was invited by Amelia and Thomas Grove to collaborate on innovative projects here. The Sapphire Grove Hospital is not only the most prestigious in this country but also a global reference in medical technology and scientific advances. For me, working here is both an honor and a unique opportunity."

I felt a knot in my stomach hearing my parents mentioned. Although I knew they were influential figures in the medical world, hearing it directly from someone like Dr. Müller reminded me of how much weight my last name carried. I tried to maintain a neutral expression while Olivia, unaware of my discomfort, kept asking questions.

"And how difficult is an aortic valve replacement surgery?" she asked, leaning forward as if interviewing the doctor for a documentary. "I mean, what happens if something goes wrong?"

Dr. Müller didn't seem bothered by her enthusiasm. Instead, he responded patiently.

"It's an extremely delicate procedure. The aortic valve controls the blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. If something goes wrong, it can endanger the patient's life. However, with modern technology and a well-trained team, the risks are minimal."

Olivia nodded, though clearly not understanding all the technical details.

"So basically, you're playing with the patient's life for hours. Isn't that stressful?"

Dr. Müller smiled again, this time with a touch of humor.

"Let's say you learn to handle stress when you choose this profession. But it's also deeply rewarding when you save a life."

We entered the observation room, which was far more impressive than we expected. A large glass separated us from the operating room, where the medical team was already preparing. Inside the observation room, there were comfortable seats, a 4K screen showing every detail of the operation, and a calm atmosphere that contrasted with the tension in the operating room.

"Here you will be able to see everything that happens," explained Dr. Müller. "I will explain the steps as we progress."

We sat down, and Olivia couldn't help but ask another question.

"How long does a surgery like this usually take?"

"Between four and six hours, depending on the complexity of the case," the doctor replied. "Today we have a patient with a severely damaged aortic valve, so it will be a long procedure."

As Dr. Müller began explaining the details of the operation, Sack discreetly took my hand. He knew he was trying to calm me, but my mind kept wandering about what the doctor had said about my parents. It was strange to think that they had brought someone so prestigious to the hospital, and that we were here because of that connection.

After a few minutes of observing the surgical team prepare the patient, Dr. Müller excused himself.

"I need to check on another patient, but I'll be back soon. If you have any questions, one of the assistants will be available to help you."

Once he left, Olivia visibly relaxed. She pulled a pair of sunglasses from her bag and put them over her regular glasses, adopting a dramatic pose.

"Alright, team, this is the moment when I become an expert in cardiac surgery," she announced, crossing her arms and pretending extreme concentration.

Sack rolled his eyes.

"Olivia, you weren't even paying attention to what Dr. Müller said."

"Of course I was," she replied, though her tone suggested otherwise. "Something about valves and hearts and… important things. But I'm sure I can learn everything just by watching this."

I tried to suppress a laugh but couldn't help looking at her incredulously.

"Olivia, you'll literally fall asleep in five minutes."

As if to disprove me, Olivia straightened in her seat and pretended interest in the screen. However, after a few minutes, her head began to slowly tilt to one side. Soon, soft snores could be heard.

Sack and I exchanged an amused glance.

"Told you," I whispered, pointing at Olivia.

"We should wake her up," Sack suggested, though he didn't seem very convinced.

"Leave her," I responded, smiling. "She probably needs rest after all her 'professional' questions."

We stayed silent for a moment, observing the surgery on the screen. It was fascinating to watch the surgeons work with millimeter precision, using tiny tools to repair something as vital as the human heart.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Sack commented, breaking the silence. "I never thought I'd see something like this up close."

I nodded, feeling a mix of admiration and respect.

"It's like an art. Every movement has a purpose, and any mistake could be fatal."

"Exactly," Sack said. "I wonder if someday we'll manage to do something as impactful as this."

I looked at him, surprised by his reflection.

"We're still undergraduates, but if we keep working hard, maybe someday we'll get to do something like this. Imagine, you and me saving lives like these surgeons."

Sack smiled, squeezing my hand slightly.

"That would be incredible. But first, we have to finish undergrad and get into medical school. It won't be easy."

"Nothing worthwhile ever is," I responded, feeling a surge of determination.

Before I could add anything else, Olivia shifted in her seat, mumbling something incomprehensible. Then, without opening her eyes, she raised a hand.

"Shh, I'm analyzing the surgical technique. Don't distract me."

I couldn't help but laugh, and Sack let out a chuckle too.

"Olivia, you're not even awake," I said, gently shaking her.

She opened one eye, confused.

"What? Of course I'm awake. I was just… processing visual information subconsciously."

"Sure," Sack replied sarcastically. "Like some kind of human supercomputer."

Olivia removed her sunglasses and sat up, yawning.

"Alright, maybe I fell asleep for a second. But that doesn't mean I can't give my opinion. For example, have you noticed how calm those surgeons are? It's like nothing affects them."

"It's because they have years of experience," I explained. "Plus, they've probably learned to control their emotions under pressure."

"Or maybe they're drugged," Olivia joked, earning a warning look from Sack. "I'm kidding! Relax."

We decided to keep watching the surgery, though Olivia continued making random comments every few minutes.

"Do you think surgeons eat while operating?" she suddenly asked. "I mean, if this lasts six hours, they must get hungry at some point."

"No, Olivia," Sack replied, exasperated. "They don't eat while operating."

"What if we brought pizza?" she insisted. "We could make an express delivery to the operating room."

"I don't think that's appropriate," I said, trying not to laugh.

After a few hours, Dr. Müller returned and explained the final steps of the surgery. Olivia, now more awake, asked more serious questions, showing genuine interest.

"How do you know the new valve will work properly?" she asked.

"We run exhaustive tests before closing the patient," Dr. Müller replied. "Additionally, we constantly monitor their vital signs during and after the operation."

When the surgery finally ended, we said goodbye to Dr. Müller, who congratulated us for our interest in the medical field.

"If you ever decide to pursue this, I'd be delighted to guide you," he said with a smile.

We left the observation room, exhausted but inspired. Olivia, as always, had the last word.

"Alright, I'm officially an expert in cardiac surgery. Now I just need a scalpel and a volunteer."

Sack and I exchanged an amused glance, knowing this experience would be one of many stories we'd tell for a long time.