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Chapter 25
He was always busy with work, so busy that he could hardly carve out thirty minutes for her. It was rare for them to be face-to-face, an opportunity to talk about divorce.
But Leanne hesitated, reluctant to shatter the delicate warmth lingering between them. after so long.
“Nothing.” she replied.
Maybe next time.
They would talk about it next time.
Curtis laughed softly, a gentle tease in his voice. “Nothing? Why the sweet tone, then?”
Leanne’s ears flushed, unsure how to counter that. She had merely called his name, not understanding what was supposedly sweet about it unless he thought his name sounded
sweet.
“Could you please stop getting over yourself?” she retorted.
Curtis’ eyebrows arched, his stance all too confident. “.I’m always getting over myself. Don’t you know that?”
As he spoke, his hand reached for Leanne’s waist as if to pull her closer.
The untimely ring of the phone shattered the rare moment of harmony between them. Crisp and clear, it demanded attention.
Leanne picked up her cell phone. It was her colleague, Amy, from the hospital.
“Dr. Castillo, we’ve got a car accident victim with an eye injury. It’s tricky, and Director Marshall specifically asked for you. You’d better come quick!”
The situation was urgent, so Leanne didn’t hesitate. “I’ll be right there.”
After ending the call, she looked up at Curtis. “I must go to the hospital.”
Curtis withdrew his hand. “Go. Have Jake drive you.”
Leanne quickly changed and rushed to the hospital. The conference room was packed. Neurologists and trauma surgeons were deep in consultation.
A dignified middle-aged woman was seated on a chair against the wall, her eyes red from crying, probably the patient’s family.
Sandra was also there, though she seemed under the weather.
Marshall sat at the head of the table and waved Leanne over when she arrived. “Leanne, come and take a look at these scans.”
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Having risen from the head of ophthalmology, Marshall had always
she started at the hospital.
ored Leanne since
Leanne examined the patient’s CT scan and analyzed it aloud without wasting a moment.
“It appears the force of the crash caused compression and contusion, leading to bleeding. and swelling of the optic nerve and sheath, compressed within the narrow confines of the
canal.”
Right after Leanne finished, the middle-aged woman asked eagerly, her voice choked with emotion. “Will that affect her vision?”
Leanne inquired, “Is the patient conscious now?”
“The patient’s still unconscious,” Amy replied.
With the patient in a coma and unable to assess her vision, it was up to the doctors to make the diagnosis.
The optimal window for treating optic nerve damage was within the first 24 hours. Missing this window could lead to permanent blindness.
Without hesitation, Leanne responded, “Given the damage to her optic nerve, I believe immediate surgery is necessary. The patient also has an intracranial hematoma. It would be best to decompress the optic canal while performing the craniotomy.”
Marshall nodded in agreement, and his tone was full of praise. “Exactly my analysis.”
Sandra abruptly stood up, knocking over her chair and stalking out with a dark expression.
Leanne glanced up, and Amy leaned in to whisper. “She was the first to review the sca when the patient arrived, suggesting to wait until the patient woke up to decide on sur But when Marshall arrived, he concluded that immediate surgery was in need.”
Leanne shook her head. “She made a misjudgment. When the patient will regain consciousness is uncertain, and missing the optimal treatment window makes saving vision nearly impossible. Besides, a second surgery would only add to the patient’s
trauma.”
“You said what Marshall did!” Amy’s expression was one of outright admiration. “So, the family has lost faith in Sandra. And with Marshall personally requesting you for the surgery, she’s probably fuming.”
Leanne didn’t care whether Sandra was upset. The unconscious patient in urgent need of care was her priority.
Marshall’s involvement in the consultation highlighted the importance of the surgery.
Representing ophthalmology, Leanne discussed the treatment plan with the neurologists and trauma surgeons, then wasted no time preparing for surgery.
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Penelope, the patient’s mother, followed Leanne to the operating room door, where Amy comforted her. “Ruben’s out on an exchange. Aside from him, Dr. Castillo is the steadiest hand and top expert in ophthalmology. Mrs. Turner, you can trust her.”
Penelope clutched Leanne’s hand, her swollen eyes brimming with earnestness. “Dr. Castillo, my daughter is in your hands.”
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