Chapter 2382: Lessons Learned
As a doctor, it was only right to show some concern for the family members who had fallen ill, even if he was a pediatrician.
Hearing him say this, Director Hao and Mrs. Hao looked up and saw that warm, sunlit expression on his handsome face, and were instantly moved to the point of almost bursting into tears.
Sometimes the family members need a doctor’s care just as much, especially psychologically.
How to interact well with families has always been one of the key subjects for doctors. Coming in, Xie Wanying felt that she had once again learned a lot tonight. A pediatrician’s parent-like concern for the family really worked wonders—far more effective than parent-like concern just for the child.
Thinking of it this way, the words Second Brother Cao had said to her and her mother during that home visit that night were even more meaningful. The more adult someone is, the more hardship they’ve been through, the more they may need that parent-like caring attention—because they’re so exhausted they desperately want to go back to being a child who can lean on an adult. Adult psyches are fragile too, maybe even more easily shattered than a child’s.
Director Li had called in a nurse to help take the blood pressure of the child’s family members.
"Sit." Vice President Lin pointed to the seat beside him and spoke to his subordinate.
Cao Zhao turned around and sat down next to the hospital leader, at the same time quietly signaling to his two "kids" not to run around anymore. Things really were a bit complicated tonight.
"This is Director Cao." Director Li solemnly introduced the attending physician to the family again. "Director Cao is one of the most renowned pediatric cardiac surgeons in our hospital. He’s currently the director of our emergency department."
The family had already asked around about the situation. Madam Hao nodded vigorously. "We’ve heard of Director Cao’s great reputation before. We had someone call Director Cao, hoping he could save my grandson’s life." As she spoke, Madam Hao’s eyes turned red, her gaze full of supplication as she looked at the doctors. Don’t think that just because they had money they were somehow above it all; in this moment their feelings were no different from any other family’s. The thought that their child might die left their hearts just as fragile, to the point of collapse.
"When we doctors save people, we definitely go all out and do everything we can. But there are some things we need to make clear with you family members first. By the time the patient arrived on scene, his condition was already very serious." Director Li soothed the family while also needing to explain the patient’s condition.
"So what needs to be done for my grandson now?" Madam Hao asked about the treatment plan.
Director Li looked over at Cao Zhao.
Cao Zhao said, "Based on our initial examination of the child, we believe his heart has likely suffered significant damage from the electric shock. If we don’t seize the time and operate on him as soon as possible, I’m afraid we’ll lose the window for treatment, and it will be very hard to save him. We urgently need your signatures as family members to consent."
"Surgery?" Mrs. Hao was clearly stunned by that one word. Any parent would tremble at the thought of their own child being cut open. Her voice quavered, her face growing even paler, as if she were about to keel over from heart disease just like her husband, and she asked the doctors, "If he has surgery, is there any risk?"
In response to the family’s question, Director Li cut in and said, "Any surgery carries high risks."
A whimper rose in Mrs. Hao’s throat. The suddenness of it all made it hard for her and her husband to accept reality. What had her perfectly fine grandson done to deserve suddenly having to suffer through some kind of open-heart surgery?
Director Hao was gasping for breath. The nurse taking his blood pressure was afraid that if he got any more agitated, no medicine would work.
"How about this—let’s find a place for Director Hao to lie down and rest a bit first." The doctors at the scene assessed the family’s condition as they spoke.