A Cruel Lesson

Medical Center.

Operating Room 2.

"Call Dr. Montgomery and tell her to come over as soon as she's done there."

"Dr. Burke instructed."

"Yes, doctor."

The nurse responded and left.

"Ultrasound instruments are still not advanced enough."

Adam shook his head. "I can't see that."

"You will never have a perfectly accurate measurement until you actually perform surgery."

Dr. Burke said in a deep voice, "That's why we doctors need to constantly improve our skills."

Because of developmental delays, the atrial septum of baby Emily was separated by a thin membrane, and her aorta was much narrower than imagined, with a diameter of only 1 millimeter, resulting in insufficient blood flow.

No matter how well Adam prepared or how skillful Norwood Procedure was, Emily would not have survived without a continuous and stable blood transfusion from the aorta.

He estimated that it would happen within 24 hours.

Dr. Montgomery arrived quickly upon hearing the news.

"Crap!"

They were all renowned professionals; a single glance was enough to tell the situation. Dr. Montgomery closed his eyes and muttered a curse under his breath.

"If you have no objections, we'll have to close the chest."

Dr. Burke reminded him.

The Norwood Procedure could not proceed.

The only thing we can do now is to stitch her up as soon as possible, restore her to her original state, and give her more energy to live a few more hours.

"Um."

Dr. Montgomery opened his eyes and nodded sadly.

"Let's get started."

Dr. Burke gestured to Adam.

Adam nodded and, with the fastest speed and best technique, closed Emily's chest.

"Take her to the neonatal intensive care unit."

The surgery is over.

"Dr. Duncan, come out for a moment, I have something to tell you."

"Dr. Montgomery greeted us."

"Good."

Adam removed his surgical gown, gloves, and mask, walked out of the Operating Room, and followed Dr. Montgomery to her office.

What a huge office.

In hospitals, and indeed anywhere else, a large, private office is a symbol of status.

To entice Dr. Montgomery to work for them, the Chief of Surgery Richard, offered the best private services, including a large, independent office like this.

"Dr. Duncan, I hope you will not tell Dr. Stevenson about the results of the surgery."

After Dr. Montgomery sat down, he said the following.

"Why?"

Adam was astonished.

"Emily won't live more than 24 hours."

Dr. Montgomery looked at Adam and said seriously, "I hope Dr. Stevenson will take full responsibility for her."

"You mean..."

Adam glanced at her and understood what she was thinking.

"That's right."

Dr. Montgomery nodded. "Dr. Stevenson is quite talented in pediatrics, and I want to train her well. Emily is already like this, so let her take care of her throughout."

During this process, she will feel fear and apprehension.

But once she pulls through...

Next time she encounters a similar situation, she will be able to handle greater pressure.

Only by letting go of excessive emotional focus on patients can one become a better doctor.

Dr. Stevenson's biggest flaw also lies here.

I went through the same thing back then.

"I see."

Adam nodded.

At this moment, he believed in Dr. Montgomery's sincerity.

Because if one didn't value something very much, they would never choose such a cruel method to teach students.

Often, these are thankless tasks.

"I hope you will not only not tell her, but also not respond to her calls."

Dr. Montgomery said, "If Emily can hold on until tonight, I hope you won't be at the hospital tonight. Let Dr. Stevenson handle everything himself."

Are you sure you want to do this?

Adam looked at her and said, "Knowing Liz as I do, she most likely won't appreciate what you've done, and might even give up her career in pediatrics because of it."

"Then we can only say it's a pity."

Dr. Montgomery shook his head. "Whether it's pediatrics or any other department, you have to go through this hurdle to become an excellent doctor."

If she can't overcome this today, she'll have to give up on pediatrics.

Are we going to give up every time we encounter this again?

"Perhaps she can only become an ordinary doctor."

Adam reminded him.

"Perhaps."

Dr. Montgomery paused, then said, "But at this moment, I want to give her a chance so that her talent won't be buried. As for what she chooses in the future, that's her freedom."

This kind of opportunity is actually quite rare.

If the Attending Physician hadn't been certain that the patient couldn't be saved, they would never have allowed their intern to practice like that.

Moreover, this also involves risks.

Once the family finds out, they may sue the Attending Physician in a fit of emotion.

Dr. Montgomery was willing to teach in this way.

If it were Cristina and Adam, they would be very grateful if they found out later.

Certainly.

If it were Adam and Cristina, they wouldn't need this kind of instruction.

Call them indifferent or heartless if you will.

They already possess the mindset of an excellent doctor.

"I hope Liz can understand Dr. Shepherd's good intentions."

Adam nodded. "I know what to do."

"I hope so."

Dr. Montgomery smiled helplessly.

Adam understood.

Besides this completely altruistic factor, there were also some personal motives of Dr. Montgomery himself.

After Adam declined.

She only had one option: to train her own assistants.

Originally, we could only take it slowly.

But now this opportunity has suddenly come, and if Liz can overcome it, his mentality will be significantly improved.

The mindset of a mature and excellent doctor, combined with Liz's remarkable talent, and the full support of Dr. Montgomery himself.

Liz is someone who can rise to prominence quickly and become a great asset to her.

So even if there are some risks, Dr. Montgomery is willing to take them.

Adam left the office.

During the day, he intentionally avoided Liz.

There wasn't even a special meal served at night.

Of course, even if you wanted to, you couldn't open it.

Mrs. Rusebin's quintuplets in the neonatal intensive care unit each had a designated doctor to care for them.

Liz was naturally in charge of Emily.

The remaining four consist of Meredith, Cristina, George, and an intern, one for each of them.

Adam, being on his own, could naturally communicate with Alice Grey.

But he had promised Dr. Montgomery, and fearing that Liz might actually come looking for him, he simply left the hospital and went to Robin's apartment to change her dressing.

She was wounded in her conscience.

It needs extra care.

Late at night.

Adam's pager kept ringing.

Liz was frantically calling out to him, which showed how desperate and terrified she was.

Why aren't you responding?

Even Robin, who had fallen into a deep sleep from showing off, was repeatedly woken up and asked in confusion.

"Well."

Adam then recounted the events.

"Hiss."

Robin gasped, incredulously asking, "Doctors have to undergo this kind of training?"

"No."

Adam shook his head. "Only excellent doctors need to have this mindset. It's either innate or cultivated. Tonight is a crucial moment."

"But isn't this too cruel?"

Robin looked reluctant to let it go.

"The cruelty of tonight may save hundreds or thousands of patients in the future."

Adam sighed.

"I doubt Liz will forgive Dr. Montgomery, nor will she forgive you."

Robin murmured.

"I don't need her forgiveness."

Adam smiled nonchalantly, "All I need is your forgiveness."

"Hiss!"

Robin gasped again, unsure whether she was shocked by Adam's sudden witty remark or something else; the entire atmosphere instantly changed.

The harsh reality is indeed painful, but life goes on...

P. S.: Thank you to Lost in Ten-Thousand-Fathom Mountain for the donation!