Life is Like a Journey – Chapter 42
by Little PandaVolume 1: Rise
Dawn
Miaomiao, hold on, wait for me.
Xiang Nanke returned to the police station, handed over the collected fingerprints and hair to the forensics department, and when she got back to the office, a colleague approached her with a mischievous smile: “Captain Xiang, where did you go last night?”
“I went to investigate a case,” Xiang Nanke replied, opening her computer with a calm expression.
A sharp-eyed colleague noticed a faint lipstick mark on her neck, in a spot that couldn’t possibly have been self-applied, and his smile grew even more intrigued.
“Did you go on an anti-vice raid1?”
Xiang Nanke grabbed a folder and threw it at his head: “If you have time to gossip about your boss, shouldn’t you be getting to work already?”
The colleague ran away with a sad face, holding his head, and only then did she put her attention back on the computer. Facing the already open webpage, she hesitated for a moment but still entered two characters, which showed zero results.
She touched her chin and thought for a moment; the internet has only risen in the past ten years. If she wants to look further back into case files, she probably still has to go to the archives.
Xiang Nanke picked up the phone on her desk: “Hello, this is Xiang Nanke. Please help me retrieve a case from twenty years ago in Jinzhou City, involving a rape of a young girl.”
Feeling it was impolite to eat for free, after the meal, Lu Qingshi actively offered to help wash the dishes. Gu Yanzhi repeatedly refused: “No need, no need, how can I let a guest do work? If you’re bored, you can watch TV or play with Hamburger for a while.”
Lu Qingshi pursed her lips: “Are you afraid I won’t do it well?”
Although she doesn’t do much housework, she still knows the basic skills.
Gu Yanzhi was momentarily stunned, then suddenly laughed, realizing she had overlooked the doctor’s strong self-esteem.
“Then help me clean off the foam.”
A snow-white plate was handed over, and Lu Qingshi felt relieved: “Okay.”
June 5th, 2011, was destined to be an unforgettable day in Yu Gui’s career.
As usual, she was busy until seven or eight o’clock, hastily ate a boxed meal, and then went into the duty room to call Fang Zhiyou. The phone rang for a long time before it was picked up, and after exchanging only a few words, she was called away again. However, this time it wasn’t another emergency patient but rather a long-awaited piece of good news.
Shanghai People’s Hospital called to say that a brain-dead patient intended to donate organs. After initial screening, it was found to be a perfect match with He Miaomiao, and according to organ donation allocation principles, He Miaomiao was prioritized.
On her way, Lu Qingshi’s hands were shaking as she drove. Seeing the green light ahead about to turn red, she pressed the accelerator and sped through, only to be chased by a traffic officer who issued her a ticket.
Lu Qingshi quickly paid the fine: “I’m rushing to save someone.”
“Are you a doctor?”
She nodded, and the traffic officer’s gaze fell on the IC card2 placed on her passenger seat. He saluted and handed the ticket back to her with both hands.
“Safe journey, and take care.”
Renji Medical University’s First Affiliated Hospital convened a brief pre-surgery meeting with all departments, as Shanghai People’s Hospital did not have the qualifications for a transplant center. Therefore, the surgery was scheduled to be held at Renji Medical University. However, the next flight to Shanghai was about to take off, and the high-speed train would take at least four hours, significantly affecting the organ’s viability.
Liu Changsheng immediately responded: “I’ve already sent people to contact the airport and airline company. They have agreed to wait for us for half an hour and have reserved seats.”
Dean Meng stood up: “Good, let’s proceed. The cardiology OPO team3 should set out immediately. Emergency, anesthesia, ICU, and cardiovascular departments should prepare for the surgery. I will personally speak with the patient’s family. Director Liu, ensure our hospital’s blood bank is well-stocked for He Miaomiao’s surgery needs.”
“Yes,” everyone stood up one after another, bustling around, as Lu Qingshi pushed Yu Gui out of the crowd.
“In the OPO team, add her as well.”
The chief physician of cardiology raised his glasses and looked at Yu Gui: “Director Lu, you’re joking with us, right?”
“Not joking with you. Last time during the emergency rescue, she was the one who did the suturing. She knows He Miaomiao’s heart condition very well. Specifically, let her explain it to you on the way. Take my student to see some of the world.”
She rarely spoke such a long passage, with a serious and earnest expression, not looking like she was joking.
Lu Qingshi has always been reliable with patients, so the cardiology chief reluctantly nodded: “Alright then, Dr. Zheng, take Dr. Yu along to assist you.”
Time was tight, and the doctor who was called nodded without saying much: “Meet at the hospital entrance in two minutes.”
Yu Gui turned and glanced back: “Teacher Lu⦔
She nodded: “Do as I said.”
With her presence, there was an inexplicable sense of reassurance, and Yu Gui quickly nodded: “Okay!”
“Quickly get in the car!” As Yu Gui ran to the entrance, a Toyota stopped right in front of her. She opened the car door and got in, and before she had time to fasten her seatbelt, the car was already moving.
A fellow doctor joked: “Dr. Zheng, with this pace, you’re going to collect quite a few tickets.”
The other doctor turned and smiled: “There’s no choice, planes don’t wait for people, and patients certainly don’t.”
Luckily, the day was going well, with green lights all the way, and they moved without obstruction. Before boarding the plane, Yu Gui contacted the ground liaison at Shanghai People’s Hospital, who informed her that the patient’s family had already signed the γOrgan Donation Informed Consentγ, and they were just waiting for their surgical team to retrieve the donor heart.
It felt as though the stone pressing on her heart finally fell away, and Yu Gui let out a long breath: “Thank you all.”
When they heard the news, Father He and Mother He were in disbelief, as if they were dreaming. They repeatedly confirmed with the medical office, and after receiving an affirmative reply, Mother He covered her face and cried.
Father He stood up, tightly grasping Liu Changsheng’s hand, his eyes reddened: “This time, really, thank you all, thank you⦔
His words trailed off as he began to choke up, and Liu Changsheng gently guided them to sit down: “Alright, now Dr. Lu will provide the surgery explanation and risk assessment.”
“Once the cardiology team finishes retrieving the donor heart, we will immediately proceed with Miaomiao’s open-heart surgery. The lead surgeon is Director Zhang, who has extensive experience in heart transplant surgeries.”
The cardiology director sitting beside nodded: “I will do my utmost.”
“And I will serve as the assistant.”
This team was arranged by Dean Meng. Although Lu Qingshi is an emergency doctor, she has accumulated rich surgical experience at Xiehe, with notable achievements in cardiology, thoracic, and hepatobiliary surgery, breaking the traditional exception of emergency doctors not being on the surgical table. She was specifically arranged into the surgical team to fully ensure the success of this heart transplant.
Mother He looked at her gratefully: “Thank you, Dr. Lu.”
“But, Miaomiao’s current pulmonary artery pressure is very high. Anesthesia is the first hurdle. Her current cardiopulmonary function cannot support a major surgery lasting more than six hours. This means it’s very likely that once she’s on the operating table, she might not come off. You must be mentally prepared for this.”
Although the reality was very cruel, Lu Qingshi still spoke out without reservation.
“If the anesthesia hurdle is passed, even after a successful heart transplant, there may be subsequent risks of infection and rejection, hovering at the gates of death.”
As soon as Lu Qingshi finished speaking, Mother He immediately grasped her hand: “We understand this, and we are willing to take a chance. Even if there is just a glimmer of hope, even if it only extends her life by a few months, we are willing to try.”
“This time, the donor heart is very young, from a ten-year-old boy. If Miaomiao can really endure these three hurdles, with proper follow-up treatment and regular check-ups, living to adulthood won’t be a problem.”
The cardiology director spoke, providing them with reassurance, and Father He and Mother He cried tears of joy.
But he and Lu Qingshi exchanged a glance, both knowing that the surgery carried very high risks. If the transplant is successful, Miaomiao will be China’s first and youngest heart transplant patient, but being the first case often also means higher risk and a greater chance of mortality. No one dared to be careless.
Qin Xuan sat by the bed, talking with Miaomiao. She gently drew a watch on Miaomiao’s wrist with a black pen, the long hour hand pointing to twelve: “Miaomiao, be good, don’t be afraid. Look, Aunt Qin drew a watch for you. When it reaches this time, I promise, you’ll be out.”
Miaomiao lay on the bed, her eye sockets deeply sunken, attached to a ventilator, without even the strength to raise her hand, she barely nodded.
Qin Xuan’s heart ached unbearably, as she leaned down and hugged her head: “Miaomiao⦔
He Miaomiao was delivered by her, and she watched her grow up. Over the years, she has come to consider her as half her own child, and she can somewhat understand Mother He’s feelings.
Feeling the scorching tears fall onto her neck, the small child slightly turned her head and, through the oxygen mask, kissed her cheek.
“Aunt Qinβ¦ don’t cryβ¦ waitβ¦ until Miaomiao comes outβ¦ then draw a watch for me again⦔
The nurse came in to push her for pre-surgery preparation, and Qin Xuan wiped away her tears, watching her depart for a gamble with an uncertain outcome of life and death.
Gu Yanzhi stood in the corridor, wearing a clean, brand-new flame blue uniform, and saluted the child lying on the hospital bed.
The small child tightly grasped the badge on her chest, laboriously raised her wrist, and extended her thumb towards her, both cheering her and encouraging herself.
Due to her young age, parents were specially allowed to accompany her before general anesthesia. Mother He, wearing a surgical gown and mask, leaned over her daughter’s bed, tightly holding her hand.
After the ventilator was removed, she finally could whisper a few words: “Momβ¦ will I die?”
Mother He shook her head, desperately controlling the tears about to burst out: “Noβ¦ the hospital’s best doctors are all hereβ¦ your Aunt Lu is also hereβ¦ everyone is working very hardβ¦ so Miaomiao must also be strongβ¦ okay?”
The child laboriously nodded, her eyes dim: “Momβ¦ will I always be your baby?”
Mother He kissed her cheek through the mask: “You are, you have always been Daddy and Mommy’s best baby.”
Lu Qingshi, wearing scrubs, came in: “It’s almost time.”
The anesthesiologist was also prepared, having adjusted the anesthesia plan according to He Miaomiao’s overall condition, doing their utmost to extend the surgery time and ensure its success.
Lu Qingshi walked to her bedside: “Miaomiao, do you remember what you promised me?”
“I rememberβ¦ Aunt Lu saidβ¦ when I get betterβ¦ you’ll take me to play ball together⦔
Lu Qingshi extended her pinky: “Pinky swear, hang for a hundred years, not allowed to change.”
He Miaomiao also smiled, as a big and a small finger tightly linked together: “Whoever breaks it is a puppy.”
Yu Gui, dragging the incubator, ran while calling Lu Qingshi: “Teacher Lu, the donor heart extraction is complete. As you said, Dr. Zheng and I preserved more of the pulmonary artery and inferior vena cava4.”
The phone was directly connected to the operating room, where Lu Qingshi was putting on her surgical gown, and a nurse was helping her tie the straps from behind.
“Okay, are you at the airport?”
Yu Gui placed the precious heart in the incubator into the trunk and locked the car door: “Not yet, the donor’s situation was more complicated than imagined, and the extraction took some time.”
Lu Qingshi frowned: “Hurry up.”
Compared to Jinzhou, Shanghai’s traffic conditions could only be described as worse. Dr. Zheng was honking the horn and weaving through gaps, turning the ordinary sedan into a race car. By the time Yu Gui was feeling dizzy from the jolts, they finally arrived at the airport.
“Attention passengers traveling to Jinzhou City: your CA3387 flight has stopped boarding, and the cabin door is about to close. Passengers who have not boarded, please go to the counter to handle rescheduling procedures.”
A group of people was struggling through the crowded crowd, as Yu Gui, carrying the incubator, gradually felt the strain, with sweat beads the size of beans appearing on her forehead.
The accompanying doctor took it over, and before Yu Gui had time to say thank you, she dashed after her towards the boarding gate.
After a flurry of gestures, words, and showing their documents, the airport ground staff’s expression softened somewhat. Looking at these dusty and sweaty people, he took out the walkie-talkie.
“Captain⦔
The plane, which was originally taxiing towards the takeoff runway, suddenly returned to a safe area and gradually shut down its engines.
After waiting for about five minutes, some passengers became restless, patting the seat armrests and loudly saying: “What’s going on, what’s going on! Are we flying or not! I’m in a hurry to get to Jinzhou for a meeting!”
“Exactly! Didn’t we just get on the runway? Why did we suddenly stop?”
“We spend money to take a plane for the convenience, and your airline is messing around! If you’re delaying time, you should compensate us!”
“Are we flying or not? If not, give us a refund!”
“Yes, a refund!”
……
The cabin broadcast sounded: “Respected passengers, I am the captain of flight CA3387. We are currently waiting for four doctors who must rush back to Jinzhou City to perform a heart transplant surgery for a five-year-old child. If they miss this flight, that child will have no hope of survival. Please be patient and wait a bit longer, as they are handling the boarding procedures. Thank you.”
The broadcast was repeated three times in various languages, and the complaints in the cabin gradually quieted down.
Yu Gui, holding the incubator, rushed into the cabin, and the last colleague also ran in as the cabin door slowly closed before them.
Dr. Zheng, looking at her out of breath, said: “Not bad, you ran quite fast.”
Yu Gui, watching the plane taxi onto the runway, also breathed a sigh of relief: “Not at all, you weren’t slow either.”
For Dr. Zheng, who has spent many years hurrying across hospitals nationwide to remove donor hearts, this kind of thing is almost routine, with every instance involving running to and fro.
“Call your teacher Lu and tell her that we’ve already boarded and are about to take off.”
“Okay,” Yu Gui took out her phone from her pocket and pressed the call button. It hadn’t rung for long before a flight attendant came over to remind her: “Hello, the plane is about to take off, please turn your phone to off or flight mode.”
Yu Gui, feeling helpless, only had time to send a text message before quickly hanging up the phone.
The plane’s huge roaring sound began, and after a brief moment of dizziness, it gradually rose higher into the sky and flew into the clouds.
Yu Gui, holding the incubator in her arms and leaning against the window, thought to herself: Miaomiao, hold on, wait for me.
LP: I cried when Miaomiao asked if she’ll always be her mom’s baby (Λ ΛΜ£Μ£Μ₯βΛΜ£Μ£Μ₯ )γ₯β‘ Miaomiao better survive, author-san!
Footnotes
- Anti-vice raid: A police operation targeting illegal or immoral activities such as prostitution, gambling, and drug trafficking.
- IC card (Integrated Circuit card): A smart card that contains an embedded microchip used for securely storing and processing data. These cards are commonly used in public transportation, banking, and identification systems for contactless payments or access control.
- Cardiology OPO team: Refers to the group of cardiology specialists working with an Organ Procurement Organization (OPO), responsible for managing and evaluating heart donations and transplants. They ensure donor hearts are suitable for transplantation and coordinate with transplant centers for efficient organ allocation.
- Inferior vena cava: The large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body (legs, abdomen, and pelvis) back to the heart. It is one of the main veins in the circulatory system, emptying into the right atrium of the heart.
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