CHAPTER 65: 065 GREATNESS IN FACING DEATH

(Thanks to friend 08a for the reward and encouragement)

Today was a successful day. Despite the many things that had happened, Liu Banxia was eagerly looking forward to the end of his shift. He was indeed tired today and needed to return home to consolidate what he had learned. This was especially true for the knowledge related to orthopedics; it wasn’t until he went over it again that he realized he had only skimmed the surface before.

As for the skeleton model that Director Xu had loaned him for study, he could only drop it off at Shi Lei’s office for now. As a mere resident, he didn’t have the space to store it.

While he was killing time, he heard a commotion. At first, he thought an emergency patient was arriving. But upon seeing the attire of the people coming in, he stood up as well. These people were from the OPO and held organ transport boxes in their hands.

"Liu Banxia, Liang Xiaolin, come with me to the operating room to see the patient off one last time," Chen Jianxin said as he approached.

"The patient from the car accident with the failed handbrake?" Liu Banxia asked.

Chen Jianxin nodded and walked on. For many patients, organ transplantation was the only way their lives could be extended.

"Dr. Chen, is there one for our hospital?" asked Liu Banxia, who had caught up.

"One kidney. The patient has been waiting for 12 years," Chen Jianxin said.

"Director Zhou has already communicated with the patient, who is now rushing to our Second Hospital. The other patients on the list are further down, so they’ll have to wait."

No wonder he had seen Zhou Shuwen in the cafeteria today; Zhou Shuwen might have been preparing for the kidney transplant as well.

He felt a hint of helplessness. China ranked second in the world for the number of cadaveric organ donations and transplants. However, relative to the immense need, many patients still faced an agonizing wait, perhaps never receiving a transplantable organ before they died.

Some families would temporarily consent to donating organs, while others would refuse to sign. This was all quite normal, as organ donation is voluntary.

"Sister Fang, how many patients can be helped in total?" Liu Banxia leaned in and asked Liu Fang, the coordinator from the Second Hospital.

"Currently four: a heart, a liver, and two kidneys. The lungs have already developed an infection and cannot be donated. The corneas can be preserved longer, so their donation can wait a bit," Liu Fang said.

Liu Banxia glanced into the operating room and observed a moment of silence. This is respect for the donors; they are great.

As each organ was removed and placed into a transport box, these organs would soon be transported across the country, continuing the miracle of life.

Liu Banxia and Liang Xiaolin didn’t stay for long. They had come over merely because this patient had been under their care, and they wanted to see him off one last time.

"How many times have you experienced this at the Second Hospital?" Liang Xiaolin asked curiously.

"Including today, this is only my third time," Liu Banxia replied.

"The first time involved a five-year-old child who donated a heart. The second time, it was a 42-year-old woman who donated a kidney. Neither of them had previously registered for organ donation; our coordinators arranged it all at the last minute."

"These organ donors are great. They offer rebirth in the face of death, allowing others’ lives to continue. Their families are equally great for being able to overcome ingrained perceptions."

"This is my first experience. I encountered similar situations while interning at the First Hospital, but I wasn’t present then; I only heard about them from others," Liang Xiaolin said.

"Don’t overthink it," Liu Banxia comforted her. "When it happens, you go through it. Dwelling on it will only affect you."

For doctors, the experiences they encountered in the hospital were truly far more frequent and intense than those of ordinary people. This patient wasn’t a relative, but he was someone they had both treated.

"Uncle Jiang, why are you here?" As Liu Banxia returned to the emergency department, he saw Uncle Jiang from the supermarket waiting there.

"Dr. Liu, come here. I have something to tell you," Uncle Jiang said nervously.

"Uncle Jiang, has there been any change in the baby’s condition?" Liu Banxia asked with concern.

Uncle Jiang shook his head. "Director Xiao and her team have completed a detailed check-up. They suggested the operation be done tomorrow. They said the tumor seems to be growing quite fast lately, and it will be difficult to treat if it’s delayed any further."

"Uncle Jiang, Director Xiao is a renowned neurosurgeon at our Second Hospital. Please rest assured," Liu Banxia comforted him.

"Dr. Liu, here’s the thing... how much of a red envelope should I prepare for Director Xiao and the people in the operating room?" Uncle Jiang asked after a moment of hesitation.

Liu Banxia was taken aback and shook his head. "Uncle Jiang, there’s no need for that. Giving a red envelope is a kind gesture on your part, but it could get everyone involved into trouble. Just wait patiently. After the surgery, a simple word of thanks will be more than enough for them."

"Dr. Liu, don’t try to fool me," Uncle Jiang said quickly. "Don’t people say that if you don’t give a red envelope, they won’t perform the surgery properly? There are even rumors that if you don’t give one, they’ll let the patient wake up in pain midway through the surgery!"

"Uncle Jiang, do you really think that’s possible?" Liu Banxia asked, amused and exasperated.

"We doctors rely on our skills to make a living. Who would dare to do such a thing if they wanted to continue working in this profession? We make thorough preparations for every single operation. If things were really as rumored, our Second Hospital would have no patients by now."

"Rest assured, the surgeon in charge of the baby’s operation is our Director, and the anesthesiologist will certainly be one of the best from our Anesthesiology Department."

"I can’t promise you that the baby’s surgery will definitely be successful, but I can promise that our Second Hospital will do its absolute best to carry out this surgery."

"Please don’t dwell on it. Worrying about such things is not only useless but will also distract you. Go back and tell everyone not to worry; these are just baseless rumors."

"Liu, really? I have the money ready," Uncle Jiang said, still looking skeptical. He even flashed a plastic bag tucked inside his clothes.

"My goodness, Uncle Jiang! Hurry, either deposit it in the bank or into the child’s account! This is a hospital; it’s crowded and you never know who’s watching. I... You know what? I’ll go with you to an ATM to deposit it," Liu Banxia said, starting to panic himself.

He had only caught a quick glance, but there looked to be at least thirty thousand yuan in there. Where on earth did he hear such things? Taking such a risk!

A hospital, regardless of mobile payment options, was always a prime target for thieves. If pickpockets targeted Uncle Jiang, given his current agitated state, he wouldn’t stand a chance of keeping the money safe.

Uncle Jiang finally seemed convinced; the baby’s hospitalization fees had already been paid in full. He followed Liu Banxia out; he really did need to deposit the cash in an ATM.

If Liu Banxia hadn’t reminded him, he wouldn’t have even considered this. He felt a little scared now, just thinking about it.

After they deposited the money at an ATM outside the hospital, Liu Banxia breathed a sigh of relief. "Uncle Jiang, once the baby is discharged, have your son-in-law cook a fish for me. The aroma was incredible last time I smelled it."

"Definitely, definitely!" Uncle Jiang nodded quickly. "Once the baby is discharged, come to our house for a meal. My son-in-law even bought some good wine. We can drink together then!"

His gratitude toward Liu Banxia was sincere. Director Xiao had told him that if they had waited until the parents noticed the child’s symptoms, even a successful surgery would have resulted in significant, irreversible damage to the child’s brain.