Chapter 83, Part 2: I Am an Intern (3)

The night before my internship.

I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling.

The thought of starting work at the hospital tomorrow filled my mind with various thoughts.

Among them was a tragedy I had to prevent.

There were things I needed to improve in my skills.

And there were people I had to form connections with, and others I had to cut ties with.

In any case, I had a hunch that my hospital life would be as glamorous as a movie.

Considering the special nature of a hospital, and the special circumstances of my regression, it made sense.

'This was truly the last supper.'

I chuckled and stroked my protruding belly.

An hour ago, my mother had prepared a hearty dinner for me.

I had eaten two bowls of rice with ribs, egg rolls, and various side dishes.

Once I start my internship, most of my meals will probably be instant noodles and bread.

To avoid getting acid reflux like in my previous life, I would have to manage my diet.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound of knocking came, and the door opened.

Sarang poked her head through the door.

"Bro, are you sleeping?"

"No, come in."

Sarang sat on the edge of my bed and looked at me.

My beloved younger sister, now a middle school student.

Not knowing when I would see Sarang's face again, I cherished her image in my heart.

"I read online that once you start working as a doctor, I won't see you much."

"That's true. Plus, I'll be applying to the thoracic surgery department after my internship, so it will be even harder."

"Even though I'll miss not seeing you..."

Sarang lowered her head slightly and continued.

"But I hope you do what you want to do. If you're happy, I'll be happy, and our parents will be happy too."

"Wow, you're acting like an adult even though you're still a kid."

"I already get called an old soul at school. Don't do it too, bro."

Sarang flared up at my teasing.

Sarang then handed me a coated photo.

It was a family photo taken at a nearby park after we went out to eat a few days ago.

Come to think of it, it was Sarang who suggested taking the photo.

"Here, a gift. I couldn't think of much else to give you."

"..."

"I'll always be healthy and keep in touch. I won't be upset if you can't answer my calls."

"Kid, you even prepared something like this."

My heart warmed at my sister's thoughtfulness and love.

Sarang probably didn't realize it.

In my previous life, Sarang herself was the greatest gift I could have ever received.

"Bro, good luck."

Sarang left the room shyly, as if confessing to a crush.

I was the only one left in the quiet room.

I gazed at the family photo Sarang had given me.

When would we all gather again to take such a harmonious family photo?

* * *

"Are you really starting your real doctor life now? Are you nervous?"

"A little?"

"It looks more like a lot. Your hands haven't stopped moving since we left."

"Is that so?"

Nam Chorong laughed awkwardly.

I was on my way to the hospital, chatting with Nam Chorong.

Coincidentally, I had been assigned to the cardiology internship with Nam Chorong.

6:00 PM.

While office workers were busy leaving work, we were heading to the hospital.

Shinwon University Hospital was one of the top five hospitals in the country and was close to the station.

Thanks to its proximity, we could see the towering hospital building, a landmark, after a short walk from the subway exit.

I was half excited and half nervous about starting my doctor life again.

I wouldn't be the disrespected intern in the pulmonary department anymore.

In this life, I would make a grand A-turn and be reborn.

(Hospital staff often classify interns based on their performance as A-turn, B-turn, or C-turn.)

"I'm getting more nervous as we get closer. What should I do?"

"Don't worry, I'm here."

As we entered the hospital, I tried to lighten the mood for the increasingly nervous Nam Chorong.

"You did well during the OT when we reviewed surgical techniques. Just do the same, and there won't be any problems."

"Really?"

"Of course."

I tried to ease Nam Chorong's tension as we entered the hospital lobby.

We took the elevator to the 7th floor, where the cardiology ward was located.

With the help of Professor Kang Min-sik from the emergency department, I chose cardiology as my first training department.

In simple terms, it's the internal medicine department for the heart.

Along with the respiratory internal medicine department, cardiology is one of the most frequently interacted with by thoracic surgery.

Why?

First, both departments deal with the heart.

Second, patients who reach the limits of treatment in internal medicine are often referred to thoracic surgery.

The second reason I chose cardiology was for the training.

There was a renowned doctor in cardiology whom I wanted to learn from, just as I had learned from Yang Sun-jae during my medical school days.

It was uncertain whether he would accept me as generously as Yang Sun-jae did.

By the way, in my previous life, I didn't start in cardiology.

My first job was in the emergency department, and I had never worked in cardiology.

"Hello, I'm a new intern starting today. Where can I find the on-duty intern?"

I asked a nurse at the station (the desk where nurses work).

"Follow the left corridor to the end, and you'll find the on-call room."

"Thank you."

As I walked down the ward corridor, I glanced at the patient rooms on either side.

The patients and their families I saw through the windows didn't feel like strangers.

Perhaps it was because I would be spending at least a month with them.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in."

A voice invited us in after we knocked.

The on-call room, about six pyeong (19.8 square meters), was cramped.

Two bunk beds, a work desk, a small refrigerator, a bookshelf, and two cabinets filled the room.

The smell of stale air and disinfectant filled my nose.

In the midst of this, a male intern with greasy hair was busily entering prescriptions.

He looked like a homeless person if not for his doctor's gown.

However, I didn't feel sorry or pity for the intern.

His appearance was a glimpse of my future.

When is the hardest time for a doctor?

I could answer this question without hesitation.

During the internship and the first year of residency.

"Is this the first time we meet, sir?"

"Looks like you're from a different school."

I responded to Nam Chorong's whispered comment about the intern.

Just because it was Shinwon University Hospital didn't mean only Shinwon University graduates worked there.

"Wait a moment. I'm almost done with the input."

The intern continued entering prescriptions for over five minutes, oblivious to our presence.

"Phew, finally done. Did you wait long?"

The intern turned to us and continued.

"I'm Namgung Yun-ho."

"Hello, I'm Lee Min."

"I'm Nam Chorong."

We exchanged brief introductions, and the handover began.

Namgung Yun-ho, with his gentle appearance, explained the routine tasks we would perform in the cardiology department in a relaxed manner.

Nam Chorong, standing beside me, took notes and listened intently, but I only half-listened.

In my previous life, I had been an associate professor in thoracic surgery.

In this life, I already had the knowledge and practical experience of a fellow in the esophageal part.

I didn't need to pay close attention to the intern routine.

"The work won't be easy. Cardiology is one of the busier departments."

"..."

"Still, it's fortunate that both of you seem capable."

"Thank you, senior. Where are you going now, senior?"

Nam Chorong asked with bright eyes.

"I'm going to start my residency in dermatology."

"Wow, you must have had an A-turn. I heard it's hard to get into dermatology residency."

"You just need to do your work moderately and be quick on the uptake."

Namgung Yun-ho scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed.

I also had a question for him.

The most important part of the handover was missing.

"Senior, I have a question too."

"Go ahead."

"What are the senior residents like?"

Managing interns was the responsibility of the residents.

Depending on who the resident was, an intern's life could either thrive or suffer.

The presence of a superior was as important as the work itself.

That's why I was more curious about the residents than the routine.

"I didn't want to scare you, but since you asked, I can't not answer."

Namgung Yun-ho hesitated, looking troubled.

This made me unable to shake off a foreboding feeling.

Something was up.

"There's a first-year resident named Kim Seulgi. Try saying 'Seulgi' quickly."

"Seulgi. Seulgi. Seulgi."

The model student Nam Chorong followed Namgung Yun-ho's instructions.

"Saying 'Seulgi' quickly sounds like 'trash.' So, the first-year resident Kim Seulgi is trash."

"..."

"Just be careful around her, and you should be fine."

Namgung Yun-ho sighed, lowering his head.

He must have had a lot of trouble with Kim Seulgi.

* * *

After the handover, Nam Chorong and I went to the administrative office.

We received our doctor ID badges and put them around our necks. We then went to the CSR (Central Supply Room) to get our doctor's gowns, green surgical scrubs, and call phones for emergency contact.

"Feeling like a real doctor now."

Nam Chorong, who had been tense, now looked excited.

She even checked her reflection in the transparent wall pillar.

"Changing into the uniform makes you look like a doctor from a drama."

"Min too."

Returning to the cardiology ward in a friendly atmosphere, we saw our call phone numbers posted on the ward bulletin board.

From this moment on, we were official cardiology interns.

"Know that you're on duty from today. I'll take the night shift."

I volunteered for the night shift.

I had some things I wanted to start doing from tonight.

Just because I was an intern didn't mean I couldn't train.

"No way. That's unfair. Let's play rock-paper-scissors to decide. The winner chooses the night shift. Rock?"

"If that's what you want... But I'll throw rock, so you decide."

"Psychological warfare, huh? I trust you, Min."

After counting, I threw scissors.

Nam Chorong threw paper.

Nam Chorong probably threw paper because she thought I would throw rock.

"Cheater, cheater. You said you'd throw rock."

Nam Chorong frowned, dissatisfied with the rock-paper-scissors result.

"Chorong, I'm giving you a life lesson. You can get hurt by the very trust you place in someone."

"..."

"Anyway, I'm on duty tonight. You can rest while you organize your things."

"Okay, good luck. See you in the morning."

After parting ways with Nam Chorong, I moved to the male on-call room.

I started unpacking my backpack into the locker.

It felt like a new beginning.

Reflecting on my life, it seemed like just yesterday I was wearing diapers, and now I was starting my internship with a medical license...

While organizing my things, I also organized my goals for the cardiology department.

I thought I would need to rely on the connections I had built so far during this cardiology stint.

Just then.

The on-call room door opened, and the residents appeared simultaneously.