LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 50 - "Your Patient"
This was an unexpected gain.
As I left Professor Yeon Jae-wook’s office, I lightly whistled.
It was just a thirsty man saying he would dig a well, but I didn’t expect to receive such special guidance from the professor.
‘He did say he would make some time for me after the rounds from now on.’
Just a moment ago, he casually shared a few insights with me, and each one was a gem.
These were pieces of knowledge that couldn’t be found in books or papers, knowledge that could only be gained through clinical experience.
I had been accumulating indirect experiences through acupuncture and charts here and there, but…
‘Indeed, it feels like I’m filling in the gaps in my knowledge.’
I nodded in satisfaction.
By the way, true to the reputation of Hanbit University Hospital, all the professors are holding important positions somewhere.
President of the academic society, textbook authors, heads of national policy projects, candidates for the president’s personal physician, and so on.
Having seen them every day, I had become somewhat desensitized, but I suddenly realized how remarkable all the professors are.
Having received the professor’s permission, I would start special management for Kim Jin-ah today.
On days when I’m not on duty, I should consider it a gym day without question.
Although I would have quite busy days ahead, I felt a sense of fulfillment.
But what was that earlier? I abruptly stopped in my tracks.
‘Shim Ji-seop mentioned that he participated in the development of Osartjeong and said it was unfortunate.’
It seems that the name of the drug Shim Ji-seop was involved in developing is “Osartjeong.”
I wondered why the professor said it was unfortunate. I thought it was a successful study since the drug was said to be selling well.
‘Osartjeong, Osartjeong…’
It felt like I had heard that name before. I would have to look it up when I had the time later.
For now, I headed to Kim Jin-ah’s hospital room to explain the treatment plan.
“…So starting today, I will be coming at 5 PM instead of 2 PM.”
“Wow, Teacher! I’m so excited!”
Jin-ah’s eyes sparkled as she smiled broadly.
It’s surprising how happy she was about receiving treatment.
Anyone would think she was doing something immensely fun.
I was glad she was happy, but at the same time, it felt a bit bittersweet.
After that, I busily spent the day completing the tasks assigned to me.
‘I don’t want to hear that I’m neglecting other patients.’
Especially from that punk Shim Ji-seop saying something like, “Didn’t I tell you? Why are you wasting time on unnecessary things?” is absolutely out of the question.
I made sure to mention this to Min-hwa as well.
Originally, both of us were supposed to be on duty today and have dinner together.
“Wait…? You want me to eat first…?”
“Yeah. I don’t know what time it’ll end.”
Min-hwa tilted his head but didn’t ask any more questions.
And finally, it was 5 PM.
Various sizes of needles, electroacupuncture machines, Zihua medicine, bee venom acupuncture, and alcohol cotton…
The ward cart was filled with the supplies needed for the treatment.
I was fully prepared and made my way to the patient room with a serious determination.
‘Clatter-’
Upon seeing the cart I pulled in, Kim Jin-ah and her guardian were left speechless.
The first thing Jin-ah said was this:
“Doctor… is all of this for me? Am I getting all of this today?”
“Yes.”
“Whoa…”
“Shall we get started?”
Thus, the grand adventure began.
I had anticipated it wouldn’t be easy, but an unexpected challenge awaited me.
When I usually insert needles into the seven points for stroke, I don’t need to change the patient’s position. However, according to my treatment plan, I needed to treat the whole body front and back, which meant I had to keep changing her position.
But helping an adult who couldn’t manage her body was not easy.
Thank goodness Jin-ah’s father, the caregiver, and I were there together.
Even though the air conditioning was working well in the room, beads of sweat began to form on my forehead.
Seeing this, Jin-ah looked uneasy and kept making a sad face.
While I was holding the patient’s knee to perform the MSAT technique, passively flexing and extending it repeatedly, I heard:
“Doctor… this must be hard for you, right? I’m so sorry.”
No matter how seriously I replied that it was okay, she would just keep apologizing.
So, I responded lightly, trying to make a joke.
“Then, Jin-ah, you just need to get better quickly and move around.”
At that, the patient broke into a bright smile. It seems just the thought of it makes her happy.
“Wow, I want to get better and walk around soon!”
“You will get there.”
“Really?”
Unfortunately, the future I can foresee isn’t very long yet.
The image of her in a week doesn’t look much different from now.
“Of course.”
I confidently reassured her for now.
The MSAT technique also includes the Jiyeon Golon therapy.
Jiyeon Golon therapy is a psychological treatment in traditional Korean medicine where the doctor communicates and encourages the patient according to their mental state, similar to modern counseling or supportive psychotherapy.
‘To be honest, I’m not very confident in encouraging others.’
But I’ll learn it properly when I get to the traditional Korean psychiatry turn later.
…Wait, psychiatry.
As my thoughts spiraled, I suddenly recalled what Professor Yeon Jae-wook taught me in the morning.
“When caring for stroke or limb paralysis patients, there is something you must always pay attention to.”
Professor Yeon had warned in a serious tone.
“It’s crucial to be on the lookout for symptoms of depression. More than a quarter of patients experience depression within a year after a stroke. Especially for conscious patients like Kim Jin-ah, it must be incredibly distressing.”
…That’s what he said.
Although we conducted a depression assessment upon admission based on the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association), it seems I need to keep a close eye on her condition.
Especially since Jin-ah has PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) from the car accident, which wouldn’t be surprising.
“Miss, are you sleeping well?”
“Yes, I’m managing okay.”
“Are you not having any bad dreams? For example, dreams about the car accident?”
“……!”
At that, Jin-ah looked startled and momentarily glanced at her father.
The caregiver next to them visibly flinched.
“Well, the thing is… I don’t remember the day of the accident at all! It’s actually a good thing.”
“Hmm. But that’s not entirely good either. Do you feel fear or anger if you recall that incident?”
“Um, Doctor, could we not talk about that anymore?”
Jin-ah bit her lip awkwardly with a serious expression.
Seeing her reaction, I decided to drop the line of questioning related to PTSD diagnostics.
I’ll need to find another opportunity to ask about it later.
‘But if she doesn’t remember the accident, did they catch the perpetrator?’
Could it be that they were involved in a hit-and-run, which is why this father-daughter pair is reacting so sensitively?
With a lingering unease, I proceeded to perform the final treatment, scattering the needles.
After densely placing the needles in her limbs, I felt a bit…
“Oh wow, the attending physician has turned Jin-ah into a porcupine.”
“!”
When the caregiver exclaimed, I felt a twinge of guilt despite having worked hard on the treatment.
In the end, the treatment took a full hour, just as the professor had said.
“Doctor.”
As I tidied up the items in the cart, Jin-ah and her guardian called out to me.
“Thank you so much for your hard work. This is the first time I’ve received such meticulous treatment. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s session.”
“I was worried at first because the attending physician looks so young, but I’m grateful too.”
“……”
I was momentarily at a loss for words due to their unexpected expressions of gratitude. And to hear thanks from that guardian was surprising.
Suddenly, Jin-ah turned to her guardian and made a request.
“Dad, could you pick one of the pink flowers from that vase and give it to the attending physician?”
“What, this one?”
“No, the one in the white vase.”
Following Jin-ah’s words, her father plucked a single pink artificial flower and handed it to me.
It was a flower shaped like a sunflower, with several oval petals surrounding the wick.
“Doctor, that’s a gerbera. I don’t have anything else to give you, so please take this.”
“Ah, thank you.”
I smiled slightly and carefully tucked the flower into the pocket of my gown.
Even though I was tired from the hour-long treatment that should have taken only five minutes, I felt that
‘It’s moments like this that make it all worthwhile.’
The fatigue seemed to melt away with that single flower.
I left the patient’s room with a light step.
After tidying up the ward cart, I realized it was already past 6 o’clock.
On my way to the staff cafeteria, I sent a text to Director Han Mi-young.
I informed her that I couldn’t come today due to being on duty, but I would visit the volleyball team tomorrow to deliver Ji Yeong-sook’s herbal medicine.
I received an immediate reply from the director.
[Director Han Mi-young, Blue Whales: Yes]
She has a cool vibe for sure.
I can hardly imagine her praising me to Professor Yeon Jae-wook.
After finishing my meal, I stopped by the café on the first floor before heading back to the ward.
The café still offered me iced Americanos for free.
After accepting a few times, I felt uncomfortable and insisted on paying, but the owner adamantly refused.
“Doctor, this is a trade secret… An iced Americano doesn’t even cost much to make. Just enjoy it comfortably.”
“But still…”
“If that’s the case, then just make sure to do a good job whenever I need a health consultation next time.”
So, I figured I could just prepare some herbal medicine for him next time.
As I made my way to the café, I spotted a familiar figure at the entrance.
It wasn’t the long lab coat worn by residents but rather the shorter coat worn by fellows and above.
A head of long, curly hair with a reddish tint was tied back loosely.
As I got closer, I confirmed it was Lee Hyun-Seung, a cardiovascular fellow.
“Hey! Acupuncture intern! Long time no see. How have you been?”
“Hello, Professor.”
“A fellow is not a professor. Just call me teacher.”
“When you practice under your own name, you are a professor.”
Once residents reach a certain level, they can conduct outpatient treatments on their own.
However, these sessions are opened under the title “general practitioner,” not their own name.
Lee Hyun-Seung smiled at my words and gestured towards the café menu.
“Hey, fine. Call me whatever you want. Since we’ve run into each other like this, I’ll buy you coffee. What do you want?”
“Ah, I…”
I was about to say that it was okay since I had a coffee pass, but Lee Hyun-Seung suddenly looked flustered and started rummaging through his gown pocket.
“Ah, crap. I think I left my wallet. Hey, intern, I’m sorry, but coffee will have to wait until next time…”
“I’ll have an iced Americano and an iced latte.”
I ordered the coffee for us and handed my card to the staff.
Lee Hyun-Seung stared at me intently. I shrugged my shoulders.
“Iced latte, right?”
“Uh, uh… you remember that?”
“I do.”
“Hmm, hmm.”
I replied without much thought, but then Lee Hyun-Seung suddenly turned red and cleared his throat.
What’s going on with her?
Soon, our ordered coffee was ready, and as I reached for it, Lee Hyun-seung pointed to a nearby table.
“It’s been a while, so why don’t we sit for a bit?”
Sure, why not.
I pulled out a chair and sat down.
“So what department are you in now?”
“I’m in the Department of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation.”
“Oh, right! I saw that on YouTube. What was it? Holmes?”
“!”
I nearly spat out the Americano I was drinking at that moment.
Lee Hyun-Seung burst into laughter.
“Why? The video was quite popular. The comments were positive too.”
“Please don’t make fun of the poor intern.”
While she was still laughing, Lee Hyun-Seung noticed the flower in my gown pocket.
“Huh? Where did that flower come from?”
“Oh, one of my patients, who is a florist, gave it to me.”
“Is she a tetraplegic woman in her twenties?”
I was surprised by her question and asked back, “How do you know?”
“It’s not common to have a florist as a patient in the rehabilitation department. That patient was one I consulted when she was in the Western medicine rehabilitation department.”
I see. With those characteristics, it makes sense that he would remember her.
As I was processing this internally, Lee Hyun-seung shook her head.
“I’ve seen quite a few patients like that, but hearing their stories was shocking.”
“Was it a car accident?”
It’s unfortunate, but car accident patients are not that rare.
When I tilted my head in confusion, Lee Hyun-Seung looked at me strangely.
“Hmm? You said she’s your patient. Don’t you know?”