Dr. Lin glanced at Jillian and nodded. "You handled that well."
By the time the surgery was completed, the exhaustion was evident on everyone's faces. Jillian stepped back, watching as Li Na was carefully moved to the recovery unit.
Later that night, Jillian visited Li Na in the ICU, where her parents were waiting anxiously. When the young girl slowly opened her eyes, her mother gasped, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"She made it," Jillian said softly, smiling at them.
Li Na's weak fingers curled around Jillian's hand, and in that moment, Jillian knew—this was why she had chosen this path.
After the intensity of Li Na's surgery, the surgical team decided to unwind with a small celebration. The hospital director, Dr. Lin Mei, and several other specialists joined in, wanting to acknowledge the effort put into the successful procedure.
The gathering was held in a private lounge near the hospital. The atmosphere was warm and filled with light laughter as the team relaxed, free from the tension of the operating room. Plates of traditional Shanghai cuisine were spread across the table, and Jillian found herself enjoying the camaraderie of her colleagues.
"Jillian, you were incredible in the OR today," one of the senior doctors praised, raising a glass.
Dr. Lin Mei smiled. "You've got the instincts of a true surgeon. If you keep this up, there's no doubt you'll go far."
Jillian, feeling a mix of gratitude and pride, nodded. "I couldn't have done it without the team."
As the evening went on, conversations shifted to future plans. Some doctors spoke of upcoming research projects, while others joked about needing a long vacation. Jillian took it all in, realizing how far she had come from the small village where she once dreamed of becoming a doctor.
Before leaving, Dr. Lin Mei pulled Jillian aside. "If you ever consider staying in Shanghai after your internship, there's always a place for you here."
Jillian smiled, the offer weighing on her mind. "Thank you, Dr. Lin. I'll think about it."
As she walked back to her apartment, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
In her apartment, Jillian decided to soak her yired body in a bathtub full of warm warm, the warm water soothed Jillian's tired muscles as she leaned back in the bathtub, letting the exhaustion of the day melt away. The scent of lavender filled the bathroom, her usual choice for relaxation after long hours in the hospital. After finishing her bath, she carefully went through her nightly skincare routine, enjoying the simple act of self-care before slipping into bed. The weight of the past few days settled on her, and before she knew it, sleep claimed her.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through her apartment window, casting a warm glow across the room. For once, there was no rush—no emergency calls, no high-stakes surgeries. It was a rare, slow day.
Jillian brewed herself a cup of tea and settled on the couch with her notebook. As she flipped through her neatly written notes, she reflected on everything she had learned so far. The intricate details of cardiology fascinated her more than ever, and she found herself mentally reviewing the complex cases she had encountered.
Her thoughts briefly drifted to Chloe and Clara. They were all carving their own paths, pushing forward in their respective fields. She made a mental note to check in with them later.
Just as she was about to return to her reading, her phone buzzed with a message from Dr. Lin Mei.
Dr. Lin Mei: Jillian, if you're free today, I'd like to discuss an interesting case with you. Let me know if you can stop by my office.
Jillian's heart quickened with excitement. A new challenge awaited.
Curious, she quickly responded and made her way to the hospital. Upon entering Dr. Lin Mei's office, she found the senior specialist reviewing patient scans with a serious expression.
"This case might interest you," Dr. Lin Mei said, gesturing for Jillian to take a seat. "A 32-year-old male, an athlete, recently collapsed during a game. He was rushed here, and after some tests, we confirmed he has Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)."
Jillian leaned in, intrigued. HCM was a genetic condition where the heart muscle thickens, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. It was one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.
Dr. Lin Mei continued, "The challenge is whether we manage him with medication or consider an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). The patient is hesitant about surgery, but his condition puts him at high risk."
Jillian nodded thoughtfully. "Has he experienced any arrhythmias or fainting spells before this collapse?"
"Yes, but he dismissed them as exhaustion," Dr. Lin Mei replied.
Jillian knew this was a crucial case. If left untreated, the patient could suffer another collapse—possibly fatal. She needed to carefully analyze his test results, discuss treatment options with him, and help guide him toward the best decision.
This wasn't just about medical knowledge; it was about communication, trust, and saving a life.
Jillian furrowed her brows as she studied the patient's chart. The standard treatments for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)—medications like beta-blockers or the possibility of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)—were effective, but she knew there were alternative approaches in integrative medicine that had shown promising results.
Taking a deep breath, she looked at Dr. Lin Mei. "Have we considered using the Nine-Needle Technique in combination with his treatment?"
Dr. Lin Mei raised an eyebrow, intrigued. The Nine-Needle Technique, derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), was an advanced acupuncture-based method designed to regulate heart function, improve circulation, and reduce myocardial strain. Some studies had even shown it could help manage arrhythmias and heart palpitations.
"That's an interesting approach," Dr. Lin Mei said. "But considering his condition, do you think it's enough?"
Jillian nodded. "If we combine it with targeted medication therapy, it might help regulate his heart rhythm and prevent further complications. More importantly, it could help the patient feel more in control of his treatment rather than jumping straight to surgery, which he's hesitant about."
Dr. Lin Mei leaned back, thoughtful. "We'd need to explain this carefully to the patient. Integrative treatments can work well, but we'll have to monitor his response closely."
"Of course," Jillian agreed. "We can begin with a few sessions while keeping his vitals in check. If his condition stabilizes, we continue. If not, we revisit surgical options."
Dr. Lin Mei finally smiled. "You're proving to be quite the innovative thinker, Jillian. Let's prepare a discussion with the patient and see if he's open to this approach."
Excited yet cautious, Jillian felt a surge of confidence. She was blending modern cardiology with traditional healing methods, proving that medicine wasn't just about protocols—it was about understanding the patient as a whole.