CIVIL DISTRICT HOSPITAL (JAPAN, 2010)
"It's fascinating!"
"What's fascinating, Doctor?"
Wearing a white coat, Dr. Takamaru examined his new patient records.
"Our brain plays many different games with us in the most weird but fascinating ways."
The nurse standing beside Dr. Takamaru glanced at the sheet, which contained the clinical interview notes written by him.
"So, Doctor, does that mean it's a case of DID?"
"Well, the tests so far suggest a possibility. DES and SCID-D confirm it. Although, I'll do some additional tests as well..."
"Is that so, sir?"
"So, tell me, why are you here?"
"Oh, yes, sir! It's that kid again."
"You mean Jack is here?"
"Yes, sir. It seems they are going back to England."
"Hm…"
Takamaru opened the window and lit a cigarette upon hearing this.
"That family has faced quite a few challenges in the past years. I don't blame them for leaving."
"Yes, sir... After all, they were in a car accident. The couple lost their daughter, and Jack was seriously injured. If it weren't for you leading his surgery, they would have lost their son too."
"It was a miracle that the couple sustained only minor injuries while their kids had to endure something like that."
"Yes, it's like their kids took the bad omen upon themselves."
"Bad omen, huh…"
Dr. Takamaru stared blankly into nothingness through the window.
He remembered the day when the family was brought to the hospital. The girl had already lost a significant amount of blood and passed away before they could even reach the hospital. The 11-year-old boy had barely any pulse, multiple fractured bones, and a brain hemorrhage.
"That was a very messy day."
"So, should I let him in? It seems that after he woke up from his coma, he took quite a liking to you."
Hearing that, Dr. Takamaru recalled the past.
The boy named Jack had been in a critical condition. His brain swelling and the anti-seizure medications took a heavy toll on him, causing him to slip into a coma. When he finally woke up, the damage to his brain left him with an intense fear of every little thing, triggering hyper-reactions.
Only I know how hard it was to earn his trust after six months of constant rehabilitation.
Dr. Takamaru sighed at the memory, throwing his cigarette into the trash can. He instructed the nurse to let the family in.
A little while later, footsteps echoed down the corridor as a family of three entered Dr. Takamaru's clinic.
"Hello, Dr. Takamaru," the man greeted in English.
It wasn't a problem for Dr. Takamaru, who replied in the same language, though with a heavy accent.
"It's good to see your family doing well."
"Yes, and it's all thanks to this hospital and its staff."
"The pleasure is all mine."
"We also came because Jack wanted to see you one last time before we leave."
"Oh, I would love to see him," said the doctor.
The lady standing behind pushed open the door and walked in with a boy in a wheelchair.
Although the surgery and treatment were successful, Jack sustained spinal cord injuries, which left his legs numb.
"Jack, I heard you're leaving soon."
Dr. Takamaru approached Jack. The boy, though much better than when he first woke from his coma, remained largely unresponsive.
"He's been through a major change in his life. You must take good care of him. I would advise against long-distance travel, but knowing everything you've been through, I understand your decision."
"We want to go back, and I'm sure even our son wants to return to a more familiar place."
"Hm…"
Dr. Takamaru heard their response and looked at the boy one last time before bidding his farewell.
I will remember this case. Even though it was nothing new from a surgeon's perspective, every story teaches something new.
This family—who lost their daughter and now have their son in a wheelchair, undergoing constant medication and rehabilitation for six months—still looks grateful, knowing that their son survived.
The human brain is very fascinating. It doesn't matter how much is lost as long as the person we care about survives. The brain finds ways to preserve sanity by ignoring 99 losses and focusing on just one victory, no matter the cost.
"We should leave now."
"Yes."
Dr. Takamaru didn't say much and simply watched the couple walk out of the hospital with a small smile on their faces.
"The brain is fascinating… but there's something equally fascinating—or perhaps even more so."
"And what is that, Doctor?"
"The human heart."
"Huh?"
The nurse was confused. After all, Dr. Takamaru was a neurosurgeon—why was he talking about the heart?
While she pondered, Dr. Takamaru stared sharply at the door.
It's still fascinating that neither the husband nor the wife sustained any major injuries in that accident… and neither showed any remorse after losing their daughter.
After a long pause, Dr. Takamaru shook his head and lit another cigarette.
"The brain is fascinating, but the heart is a mystery."
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