"One more thing, your son will again call you mommy. He will play with you, and throw tantrums again. He will, for sure." Mian uttered every single word challenging herself, her voice sounded so kind yet firm that the tsunami in a mother's heart was silenced at once.
===
Mian looked at the boy lying down on the operation table, and couldn't help but reach out to caress the boy's cheek. Subconsciously, she always ended up showing special tenderness towards children. In fact, Mian's baby-fever was the only reason, she hadn't expunged the option of marriage from her life.
Even with Yangyang's pale face, and white lips, Mian could tell he bore an uncanny resemblance to his mother. "You will be alright, okay?" Mian said this so feebly that even the sergeon standing beside her couldn't hear.
"Attention, everyone. As all of you were involved in the emergency surgery, there is no need for me to explain the situation anymore. We all are perfectly cognizant how weighty the situation is for him, and for us. We have to save him, and there is no other alternative. Thus, keep faith in yourself, and be keen-eyed. We have to go through the entire procedure with a vigilant eye, and seize every passing opportunity to increase the percentage in our favour. Is that understood?" Mian asked, after she put on a composed front.
"Yes, Dr. Mian." All the people inside the Operation Theatre replied in unison.
"Alright, then let's allocate the duties. Perform your individual duty flawlessly." Looking at the neuroanesthesiologist, Huang Yun Ting, who had received advanced clinical training in anesthesia for brain and spinal surgeries, Mian instructed, "Apply general anaesthesia."
"Roger that, right away." Huang Yun Ting reflexively went to do his task. He was an exceptionally expert in anesthesia care, pain management, and critical care medicine.
"Monitor all vital functions, as well as nerve and muscle responses. Be sure to maintain his healthy brain blood flow, blood pressure, and oxygenation levels, in addition to providing pain control." Mian then pointed towards a nurse, and instructed her, "Insert IV drip and apply an oxygen mask on him." Without a second wasted, Mian turned around, looked at the second nurse, before saying, "Insert urethral catheter for the patient."
After the nurses had already finished their respective tasks, Mian gave them further instructions, "Observe the patient's heart rate and blood pressure, keep me updated."
The nurses nodded their heads immediately. It wasn't a battle to save a patient, rather to survive as well. Thus, everyone was on their toes. However, there was consolation and a sense of unity in knowing that all of them were on the same boat.
"Be alert. No mistake is allowed here." Mian told the other sergeons while swiftly casting glances at them, and with that she started the surgery.
Using the guidance of computers and imaging from MRI to reach the exact location within the brain that is to be treated, Mian removed a section of bone from the skull called the bone flap to expose the brain. This bone flap was removed during the emergency surgery as well, and it was replaced after the that surgery was done.
This technique required the use of a frame placed onto the skull. However, Mian went with the frameless system using superficially placed markers or landmarks on the scalp.
At first, the atmosphere was very tense inside the OT but after observing Mian's ninja-like swift movement, all of them automatically relaxed. It was the aura Mian released, that brought out solace in everyone. She was doing the most crucial and major parts of the surgery, however, still her expression was as calm as the ocean.
Under Mian's influence, others started to have faith in themselves as well. It was as if, they felt like a sponge just soaking in all the brilliance Mian had.
The surgery lasted for a full six hours. After a six hours long surgery, the surgery light finally turned off. Mian pulled off her gloves slowly, looking at the little boy.
"The surgery was successful!" Wen Ning looked at Mian with shiny eyes, "You are truly God gifted Dr. Mian! You have literally brought him back to life from death bed."
"I have seen and done many surgeries, but this one—you are truly miraculous, Dr. Mian. I have become your fan." Gu Chen's eyes were brimming with tears as he became emotional.
"This is the most remarkable surgery in my entire career, even though I was an assistant surgeon today. This was a real chance to enhance my knowledge and broaden my competence." Xia Chuqing said.
Everyone was very pleased; as not only were they part of such a phenomenal surgery, but also their lives were out of risk finally.
Mian didn't respond to any of these compliments, she just nodded her head slightly for the sake of formality. She was mentally drained off as most of the surgery, especially the risky parts were done by her, she couldn't let her guard down, not even for a second.
After staring at the boy for two seconds, she said with a faint smile, "Congratulations sweetheart, you have won this battle."
"Shift him to the ICU." Giving her last instruction, Mian exited the operation theatre.
Nonetheless, no sooner had she taken two steps than she bumped into Qian Juexi, who had been pacing back and forth in front of OT the entire time. His wife, on the other hand, long ago collapsed on the chair. Her eyes were slightly opened, as she was leaning on the wall lifelessly.
Seeing Mian, Qian Juexi immediately halted in his step and his wife, Su Meilin jumped out of the chair. Both of them looked at her anxiously, holding their breaths.
"Surgery was successful, and he will regain sense in 24 hours."
Qian Juexi heaved a huge sigh of relief, while his wife burst into tears in front of Mian. "Thank you doctor, thank you so much! If it wasn't for you, my Yangyang wouldn't-" Su Meilin's voice cracked at the end of her sentence, as she couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence.