Chapter 38
Daeho glanced over things briefly, just going through the motions.
Swish, swish.
Then he looked at Dukki again and said bitterly,
“I have something I need to apologize for.”
“Apologize for what?”
“You’ve heard about the Sick Sinus Syndrome you’re dealing with, right?”
Daeho asked gently, and Dukki frowned.
“That’s the heart problem where the electrical signals don’t work properly, right?”
“That’s correct. But according to the ECG monitoring, hmm… your condition has worsened sharply.”
“So that’s why you’re saying we should do surgery.”
“Unfortunately… I don’t think my skills are enough to handle it yet.”
Daeho made his refusal very clear.
Dukki’s chubby cheeks scrunched up as he growled in rage.
“What do you mean by that? You can’t do the surgery?”
“I wanted to, truly, but I’m sorry.”
“What kind of doctor is this…? Get out! Right now!”
Dukki shouted furiously.
Watching him, Daeho spoke calmly, almost as advice:
“Getting that angry isn’t good for your heart.”
“That’s what a doctor would say now?!”
“If a sinus pause happens, even briefly, you’ll need surgery immediately.”
Daeho explained with utmost seriousness and care.
“Wha… what?”
“That could lead to sinus arrest. You should get another surgeon ready as soon as possible.”
“What the heck are you saying!”
Dukki yelled from behind, but Daeho, having given his warning, didn’t look back and left the room.
It was after the scheduled surgery had been canceled.
Surprisingly, Daeho was having tea with Raphael, the head of Orthopedics.
Raphael laughed heartily.
“Hahaha. That’s so like Richard.”
“What can I do… I completely lost the desire to operate because of my displeasure.”
“That’s understandable. But what if the patient really had a problem?”
Raphael asked gently.
Daeho’s expression didn’t change as he replied,
“If arrhythmia occurs, I’d manage it and perform emergency surgery.”
“Who would do that?”
“Someone?”
Daeho shrugged.
Raphael frowned slightly.
“Is there really a doctor who could handle such a surgery right now?”
“There are plenty of doctors far more capable than me.”
“Stubborn, huh? Well, only Richard could have such guts.”
Raphael seemed to understand after all.
Daeho didn’t mind and shifted the topic.
“What about Dr. Son I met yesterday?”
“He’s probably observing a DDH surgery right now.”
“That’s a high-level surgery.”
“Observing such a surgery, I hope they’re treating him well?”
Raphael asked mischievously, raising his eyebrows.
Daeho smiled gently.
“Yes, they’re paying attention to him.”
“Don’t forget I cared about him too.”
“Of course. I remember.”
Just then, Daeho’s phone rang.
Beep beep.
“Hmm? CS nurse’s station.”
“Sounds like something happened with the patient. Aren’t you going to answer?”
“That would be rude. Excuse me a moment.”
Daeho politely excused himself and answered the call.
“Hello, Richard…”
“Doctor, Dukki is urgently calling for you.”
“He’s not usually that desperate.”
“He just had a sinus pause. Other doctors refused surgery, so he wants you back.”
“Hmm… he’s a bit fickle.”
“He’s terrified and anxious. Even sedatives aren’t helping.”
“Alright. The nurses are having a hard time, so I’ll go.”
Daeho ended the call and hung up.
Swish.
He stood up and nodded to Raphael.
“Enjoyed the tea.”
“Looks like it’ll be a long trip back.”
“I probably won’t see you before leaving for the day.”
Raphael narrowed his eyes as Daeho admitted that.
“Seems like you expected the patient to call Dr. Richard again.”
“I won’t deny it.”
“How could you be sure?”
“If you tell a patient they might die, they won’t feel it. But if they experience even a brief taste of death, everything changes instantly.”
Daeho explained simply and headed out.
He leisurely walked toward Dukki’s room.
Swish, swish.
“Still alive… can’t even gauge that?”
It took him twice as long as usual, but he finally arrived.
Rumble.
He opened the door, announcing himself.
“Dr. Richard. You called for me?”
“D-D-Doctor… please save me.”
Dukki’s face was pale and panicked. His voice, his manner—he was a completely different person from before.
Beside him, the ECG monitor displayed his heartbeat.
Beep… Beep… Beep.
The rhythm was slow and irregular—a sinus pause.
The electrical signals from the SA node were malfunctioning.
But more than the signals, Dukki’s reaction was desperate and heartfelt.
