"Alright, are we ready to proceed?" Damon's calm voice asked the surgical team waiting in the operating room.
It was time to start this operation. Huge displays showed all the surgeons from around the world who were witnessing it via video feed. They would have time to ask questions later. Each surgeon had been briefed on the purpose of this operation and given information on previous surgeries done by Mimi. This was the moment to introduce The Salvatore Method to the world and solidify its reputation.
The patient had been prepped and anesthetized, and despite all the preparations, Damon felt a slight tension in his body and some doubts in his mind. But they focused. He knew he could do this. Mimi, who was pregnant, was being protected. It was not healthy for her or the babies to be part of this operation.
Damon had perfected a caustic solution to scar the arteries, and to his dismay, the solution to keep the cut-out piece of the patient's brain alive was also flawless. He had analyzed both substances and sent molecular information to the surgeons, but they would be patented if someone tried to synthesize them.
It wouldn't be easy, but Damon was prepared to provide the solution if someone needed it. However, it would remain a supernatural medicine, similar to what he made in his sinuses - his dental substance. So unless someone found a way to recreate this solution in a laboratory, it would remain supernatural and not accessible to everyone.
He had prepared himself, put on his gloves, and it was time to begin the operation. He was fully focused, supported by his team comprising number two, four, nine, and ten. The other five Salvatores were in the ward, ready to assist in the case of an emergency. They also had to ensure that all the patients scheduled for surgery were taken care of and referred elsewhere if needed. Additionally, they had to attend to the patients who were still recovering in the ward.
The task ahead was difficult, and each member of the team would be busy throughout the day. Only time would tell how long the operation would take, depending on how quickly the tumor would die or the arteries would fully scar and wither away, reducing the danger. It could be three days, five days, or even seven days.
The previous operations performed by Mimi had taken three and six days respectively, so anything was possible. Since this was a new technique, surprises could arise.
Inside the cold and clinical atmosphere of the operating theater, the predominant colors were steel and green surgical attire. The surgeon, dressed in a gown, gathered around the anesthetized patient who was securely strapped to the surgical seat.
The main sounds in the room were Damon's low voice giving orders or inquiring about instruments. No monitors beeped, and nobody asked any questions. If someone had a question, numbers three and five would answer by writing. However, at this moment, it was crucial to avoid any distractions.
The most delicate part of the procedure was still to come, but even the steps leading up to this point were not easy. Damon remained focused as he opened the patient's skull, exposing a portion of her brain. He wasn't a neurosurgeon, but he had gained significant knowledge from Mimi's expertise and experiences in previous operations.
His hand was steady as he began to excise the wedge of brain tissue in order to reach the tumor. The soft and spongy brain tissue offered no resistance as he carefully and precisely cut through it. The size and depth of the excision had to be strictly measured to ensure that he obtained the wedge in one piece.
The next challenge was to handle the warm liquid that was ready to receive the excised brain tissue. However, this wouldn't be his responsibility. Mimi's substance worked best at a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, which was the temperature within her body.
However, there was a problem. The human brain couldn't tolerate such high temperatures for a long time, so they had to find a compromise. The liquid would be around 38.5 degrees Celsius, as warm as the brain cells could withstand. Occasionally, it might need to be slightly hotter, but one of the Salvatores would have to monitor the vitality of the brain wedge and ensure that it didn't suffer too much.
Damon acted swiftly, suppressing any doubts that lingered in his mind. He wondered if it would have been wise to involve Mimi, as her expertise could have helped in extracting the wedge. However, it was too late for that now. Carefully, he removed the wedge and placed it into a jar filled with a slightly pink, strawberry-scented liquid. He then placed the jar in a warm cabinet.
Damon needed to ensure clear visibility of the tumor, so he allowed his eyes to transform into yellow feline eyes. There it was, glowing faintly. Satisfied with the access and visibility of the arteries, it was time to bring in the robot.
As Damon announced, "Alright, it's time for SAR. Let's proceed," several doctors asked questions while he walked towards the control unit to position the robot.
The staff worked quickly to align the robot correctly. Soon, the display in front of Damon showed the surgical site with the robot securely fixed in place. With his hands on the controllers, Damon began the challenging part of the operation.
The robot's sensitivity was astounding, requiring only delicate movements of his fingers. The instruments, made from special metals, were tiny and delicate, leaving no room for error. Damon had to ensure everything was in place perfectly on the first try.
Though the operation was grueling and daunting, it also filled him with a sense of thrill and increased heart rate. He was starting to understand Mimi better. She was chasing the ultimate high that these groundbreaking operations provided, where the slightest mistake could lead to catastrophe. It was an addictive feeling, Damon had to admit.
Remaining as clinical as possible, Damon positioned the injection needle and administered the first dose of substance into each of the three arteries. He then withdrew the robot. The patient remained stable, showing no adverse reactions. Furthermore, the initial scan taken after the operation already showed a decrease in blood supply to the tumor, indicating that the treatment was already taking effect. The tumor was slowly suffocating.
It was time for the Q&A session after completing this part of the operation. Damon had been having conversations with numerous surgeons from around the world, and it was truly a breakthrough. Many doctors had adopted a more open and transparent approach to supernatural healing, no longer hiding the fact that it was an option.
Some doctors viewed it as cheating, but this notion stemmed more from jealousy than from a lack of understanding. Damon had explained at length that even as a healer, surgeon, and vampire with teeth capable of extraordinary abilities, he couldn't save everyone due to various reasons.
For instance, someone's body might reject his magic. Vampire blood didn't heal everything, and the sad reality was that the human body was fragile. While miracles did happen and boundaries were pushed in the medical field, the time for everyone to be healed was still far off.
Damon shared a story with the doctors about a terminally ill woman whom Mimi had tried to help. All her teeth could do was provide strong pain relief, and Damon also mentioned the heartbreaking loss of three cubs, where their teeth couldn't do anything except offer an euthanasia agent. He didn't reveal all the details, but the doctors understood that he, too, had experienced devastating losses.
Damon shared several more examples, some tragic and some successful, clarifying that he would be with Mimi after the operation. He needed to be by her side. The previous night had been magical, with little sleep as he held her in his arms, their chakras intertwined, while Wulfe extracted and erased all the memories, including her backup.
Damon was tired after the five-hour operation and the subsequent four-hour Q&A session. Soon, he would be ready to go home. The upcoming days would be easier without any more Q&A sessions, just the operation itself, which would be shorter as the brain was already exposed. All he had to do was to operate the robot and then assess the scans to see their progress.
As they made their way home, exhaustion consumed them more than they had anticipated. But they accepted the reality of the situation and knew they had to push through. Renovations were underway in their house, with floors being ripped open and fixed. There were packets of flooring piled up in the corners, and Damon couldn't even muster the energy to contemplate what they were doing.
He headed to the shower and then walked into the kitchen, where he noticed the females cooking. Once again, he was both tired and hungry. When Mimi placed food in front of him, he ate without asking questions or having the strength to give orders. The females continued to cook and feed the Salvatores as they entered the kitchen one by one.
Damon was surprised at how demanding and exhausting the operation had been. Several days were still left, each with its own challenges. At first, they had to see improvements and ensure that there was no swelling. They constantly monitored the patient's brain activity. Number Two was tired from keeping a spell on, ensuring that the wedge of the brain stayed alive. This combination of spell and telepathy drained him more than he had expected.
After finishing their meal, it was quite late, and Damon, feeling tired, said to Mimi, "Come on, baby, it's time to go to bed. No arguments. You need sleep, as do I. We can cook more tomorrow."
Mimi glanced at him and obediently put her supplies in the fridge and cleared the countertops. Mariella, the wolves, and the girls were also called to sleep. To Damon's surprise, Charles was taking care of Mariella, and he felt no jealousy. Perhaps he was too exhausted to bother with jealousy, or maybe he already had the main prize: Mimi.
They went to sleep, once again connecting their chakras and using magic symbols. Mimi was overflowing with power, and although Damon's updated magical tattoo with embedded stone chips helped, he couldn't absorb her power as quickly as he wanted.
It would take several nights for him to slightly reduce her power while also allowing some of it to seep into the Salvatore hive and the rest of the pack's larger hive. This power equalization would require time and effort, but Damon knew he could focus on it once the surgery and hospital work were complete.
The following days were just as grueling as the first one. Although the surgeries took less time, they became increasingly delicate as the vessels shrunk. The injection points became even tinier, but it was effective. After three days, less than 40% of the tumor remained. The arteries were scarred and slowly withering away.
On the last day, they would clamp the veins and administer one final dose, killing them off in fifteen minutes. With a larger audience watching remotely, there would always be a Q&A session after the procedure.
Damon made sure that this method would be known as The Salvatore method, with Mimi's name attached to it. There would likely be a gala in the future, and they might receive rewards and greater reputation.
However, what truly drove Damon was his desire for more publicity regarding supernatural healing methods. There were factions that opposed supernatural abilities and criticized healing through supernatural means. It was time to gain more exposure, and Damon planned to involve Mariella and her magic house for public relations. The witches there were skilled in handling such matters, and it could make a real difference in the world by helping both humans and supernaturals.
At the end of each day, they returned home, ate, and slept. Damon always brought Mimi to sleep beside him, embracing her slender body. Even though her middle was not as slender, having her by his side was the best way for him to sleep. Mimi was like his sleeping aid, and their chakras remained connected all night, strengthening their bond.
Their souls almost merged, but every morning, Damon had to disentangle himself and go to the shower before leaving for work. He was happy knowing that there weren't many days left. Soon, it would all be over, and he would be free to spend time with Mimi and others.
The other Salvatores were equally exhausted, as being a doctor involved rounds and handling surgeries. It was not an easy task for any of them. Damon realized that he wasn't so sure anymore if he wanted Mimi to work at the hospital for extended periods of time, whether she was pregnant or not.
He was fiercely protective of her, even though she might not be too thrilled about it. Damon couldn't help himself - their bond was incredibly strong, and his feelings for her had grown even stronger. He genuinely wanted to keep her safe, even if it meant restricting her life.
However, the grueling nature of his job made him ache at the thought of Mimi working like this all the time, especially when they were supposed to be on holiday. He was determined to care for her and came up with an idea for a pampering day, where all the females, including Elena and Katherine, would be spoiled with food and rest. The expressions on their faces would be priceless.
Damon sat in Mimi's office, feeling accomplished. The operation had been a complete success - the patient had awakened; the brainwedge had regrown as if it had never been removed, and she was functioning perfectly. The tumor was completely gone, leaving no trace of anything sinister.
Damon leaned back, feeling an incredible rush. He finally understood why Mimi pushed herself so hard. This feeling was the reason, but he was determined to find less demanding ways for her and the entire pack to experience this rush.
It was time to head home, to start their real family life. Thanks to all those nights he had spent feeling Mimi more intensely than ever before, any lingering doubts from the holidays had vanished. All that remained was love and determination to make this work, with Mimi and with all of them.
It was time for him to show them all how much he could love and choose others besides Mariella for a while. He was truly letting go of the crutch that Mariella had once been to him. He was ready, eagerly awaiting their arrival home, even if it was already evening. This time, he wouldn't have to leave in the morning. He could finally sleep next to Mimi, beside their children, sheltering her in his heart - his true love.