Divorced! Now what?

Chapter 48

Bethany POV



After I cleaned up, I was tired, but a good tired. Today was the best day we have had in ages. Dad was in top form. It's spouting stuff, and Theo's Dad could join in on it. What Dad or I did not, Hanke knew. It was great teamwork, and the laughs were plentiful. I felt comfortable, not at all embarrassed, as I screamed at the screen as if those in the room were doing the same thing. I don't think we have ever had a day like this one. I look forward to next week when we can do it all over again.

They kept me busy with food and drinks, and I only thought of tomorrow once the promotion started. Then, it was a good feeling when Hank complimented me on my achievements, making my Dad puff up in pride. The compliments meant a lot, coming from a fellow doctor who would have understood what was involved to have reached this far.

The morning came, and it showed signs of a good day. I woke up in a good mood and not the least bit nervous yet. I took a quick shower and made a toasted sandwich, which I ate as I headed off to work. There was a lot of prep work to do before we wheeled Mr Green into the surgery. I had to meet up with Robson, too. He was umming and ahhing about whether to join us in the theater or watch from outside. The whole process was going to be videoed so we could review it later and see if there was any way to improve what I was about to do. I was happy they were going to do this. I needed to see the video and review it myself, there is always room for improvement, and trying to remember stuff when you are under pressure to perform is only sometimes good.

Robson was in his office and smiled when I entered with coffee for both of us. He had the files of today's operation on the table and was reviewing them.

'Mr Green had a good night, he has been prepped, and the drip started half an hour ago. He should be ready in about another hour. Are you ready for this?' He seemed pumped and ready for this. It is a new step for the hospital and a milestone for heart research.

'The best I can be, what about you? Have you decided if you would like to come and join us?' I had offered to have Robson scrub in with us.

'No, I am going to stay outside and watch. I have four cameras covering you and your team, plus the ones on your and Theo's heads. This is a big day, not just for you and Mr Green, but for all those suffering from heart disease.'

'You sound more nervous than I am.' I joked, trying to calm Robson down. This was a big step for the hospital, and I understood his worry; he was putting the hospital's reputation on the line with this operation. 

'Theo has offered to be your assistant, and Drake will be your anesthesiologist. You have a good team working with you. It will depend on how well Mr Green has recovered from his recent operation. I hope it was not too soon.' 

'He was doing much better than if he had not had the previous surgery. I am confident he is going to pull through this.' I was trying to figure out who I was trying to reassure, Robson or me. If I am honest with myself, I was a bag of nerves and worried I would make a mistake we could not return from.

Together, we went to see Mr Green, who was fast asleep, as he should be. This was what I had planned, for him to sleep as much as possible before the operation. Everything was as I had expected, and I was glad he was not giving me any last-minute surprises. We double-checked the video link and quickly looked at the list of instruments I had asked for, and the blood wanted; everything was ready to go. We just needed Theo and Drake to arrive, and we would go over what I wanted or, should I say, needed, and then it all began.

'Morning, Mr Philips. Are you going to watch the operation?' I was surprised he was there.

'No, I am going to sit with the family and get an interview from them on their side of the operation.'

'I liked your media releases, and they were spot on.' Robson complimented Saun. He nodded his appreciation of the compliment, but you could see he was either nervous or eager for this all to start.

The team was ready, and I scrubbed up. I had given the heart I was to insert into the patient a good inspection before dropping it into a solution. I was going to keep it until it was placed in the body.

We stood around the patient and watched as Drake put him under, and the clock started to tick. Time was of the essence, and we could not risk wasting any time on chatter in the beginning. Once I was comfortable with how things were progressing, I could talk to the staff about their weekend.

Several hours later, my legs were aching. We watched as the new heart started to pump blood through the body. I found no leaks from the arteries and everything seemed to be a go. I let Theo close him up, and I watched the monitor and the drain to make sure no fresh blood was running out. So far, it's been so good. He was wheeled out an hour later, and we headed to the room the family was waiting in.

The moment we walked in, Saun stood up with his camera and took pictures of us entering the room and of the family's faces as they waited for the news.

'The operation went well. Mr. Green is stable and in recovery. He will then be placed back in the ICU room. You can see him through the viewing window in about half an hour.' I said, and left Theo to answer any questions. My brain was through the operation, and if I had done all I could, this behavior was normal for me. I was often harder on myself than any other person could be. Saun was good, asking questions that the family may not have thought of asking, and I hope the next release he makes is a good one.

We left after the family talk, and Theo followed me to the changing rooms. I needed to get out of scrubs. It had been a long day, and although it was already time for most to go home, I decided to stay, maybe for the night, just in case I was needed in a hurry. I had already organized a room to sleep in, that is, if I could sleep.

'Come on, come to the cafeteria, and let's eat. I can hear your tummy rumbling from here.' Theo joked as we walked out of the changing rooms. My thoughts were not on food, but Theo was right. We had gone all day with no real food, a sip of drink that a nurse served us, and a banana. We could not touch the drink or food, but a nurse would feed us.

The cafeteria was not busy. Theo grabbed something for both of us, and I sat down and reviewed the notes I was taking on the operation. There were small signs that Mr Green was struggling. 

Theo and I talked as we ate. He had no negatives to say about the operation. He was honored to be part of it and heard that the nurses were fighting to be there, too. I had to wait to hear about the video. I asked Robson to make an unedited version available to me so that I could see it from all the cameras, and he agreed that he would give me access once it was available for viewing.

Theo headed home, and I visited Mr Green. He was now back in his ICU room and was doing better than I had hoped for so soon after the operation. The family had seen him and had left a little while ago. They could not enter this room for a couple of days, but they could see through the window and talk to him.

Tired, I headed to the room to sleep, with the night staff knowing I was there. If any changes happen during the night, that would be great.

Chapter 49 - Divorced! Now what?