A life for a life
Please note, this episode may be disturbing. Read at your own risk as it contains emotionally intense and painful content. Additionally, please be aware that no real individuals are targeted, and everything written is purely fictional and imaginary. I hope there is no real-life scenario that mirrors the scene I have described.
[Arthur's family (his wife and son) in the hospital]
Alan (Arthur's son)
[A 7-year-old, dressed in sterile clothes for surgery, lay on the bed. His surgery was scheduled for 11:30 p.m. that night]
Mommy, Alan will be careful while playing in the park. I promise! Is the doctor still angry because I jumped off the slide?
Ella (Arthur's wife)
Yes, the doctor is a little upset because a sweet child like you is hurt. But don't worry, Arthur will talk to them, and then they'll take you for treatment. You need to be more careful in the future, okay?
[Ella lied to her son for two months by now. The doctors refused to start the surgery without the medical fee payment. But she didn't want to drag Alan and show that his surgery was delayed because they weren't able to pay his medical bills and how his surgery was seen as a business in the hospital. She felt helpless without Arthur]
Doctor
[walks to Ella who came out of the ward] payment should be done before 11 so that we can process the amount and proceed with his surgery at 11:30. Else, his surgery will be pushed to next month. How long do you plan on keeping your son under the influence of painkillers?
Ella (Arthur's wife)
Please, please proceed with the surgery. Arthur will get the money. His company is sold today, and he's going to pay in cash. Alan is just a child. We promise you that all the fees will be cleared today. Please proceed with the surgery.
Doctor
Hospital policy. First the payment, then the treatment. Already the surgery is delayed by two months, and you haven't covered up basic fees of this hospital. There's no guarantee that you'll be able to pay for the surgery later. So, if it's in cash, ask him to hurry up.
[leaves]
Ella (Arthur's wife)
[She calls Arthur] Please answer my call. They might postpone it if we’re late. Please, Arthur, pick up! [Her eyes welled up with tears.]
[On the other end, she heard the phone had been switched off.]
Ella (Arthur's wife)
Don't shut me out. I'm scared Arthur! [she calls again and again. But she got no reply from Arthur]
Ella (Arthur's wife)
[At 11 p.m., she walked to the hospital's accounts department]
'I’m Alan’s mother. His surgery is at 11:30. My husband seems to be busy. Please, please save my son. I’ll pay all the fees, but please don’t postpone his surgery. I beg you.
Accounts manager
Sorry ma'am. It's our hospital policy.
Ella (Arthur's wife)
Fine... I want to transfer my son to another hospital where they can give us more time.
Accounts manager
Do you have any collateral to support your payment for later?
Ella (Arthur's wife)
No...
Accounts manager
Did you pay for the basic facilities that our hospital provided?
Ella (Arthur's wife)
[She shook her head] No
Accounts manager
We can't let him transfer. And even if we did, no hospital will treat your son for free. At least pay the basic fee for transferring your son.
Ella (Arthur's wife)
Is there any other way!? He's suffering! He's just a child!
Accounts manager
You know? There's a way if you accept.
Ella (Arthur's wife)
What is it?
Accounts manager
Euthanasia. If you agree, we can prepare it for your son. It will end his suffering and relieve you of a great burden.
Ella (Arthur's wife)
I can't kill my son! I won’t let you take his life! He’s just a child. It's only a spinal cord injury, and the doctor said it’s not that serious. It’s temporary. A surgery will help him, and he’ll be able to walk again.
Accounts manager
I guess there's nothing I can do. So... Ma'am. [He got up from his chair and left the office]
Ella (Arthur's wife)
[She teared up and glanced at her phone. She called Arthur again, but when there was no response, she looked around for someone to help. That’s when her eyes caught the sign: 'Blood Donation.']
[in Alan's doctor's cabin]
Ella (Arthur's wife)
I’ve made up my mind. Is there anyone in the hospital who needs an organ donation? Can the payment cover my son’s medical bills?
Doctor
Well, there aren't many. But, there's one available.
[he looked at his watch] it's 11:20. I have to leave.
Ella (Arthur's wife)
What about my son? Wait... I'm ready for any organ donation. Kidney? Liver? Anything! Please don't postpone his surgery. He's growing weak.
Doctor
Heart. We require a heart for a 45 year old man. Are you ready for that?
Ella (Arthur's wife)
[Quiet] Heart?
Doctor
It's getting late. I know this surgery will be postponed. [He got up]
Ella (Arthur's wife)
Fine... I'm ready. Please, please save Alan.
Doctor
You are just 32. And you'll die for a 45 year old man?
Ella (Arthur's wife)
For my son...
Doctor
But the scheduled time...
Ella (Arthur's wife)
Please don't delay.
Doctor
Okay. We'll schedule your son's surgery at 1 am. Since you are donating your heart to a VIP. We'll hold his surgery before your son's. At sharp 1 am your son's surgery will be conducted. I'll take personal responsibility for this.
Ella (Arthur's wife)
I have to give my heart first?
Ella (Arthur's wife)
Okay... When should I be ready?
Doctor
ASAP. We don't have time, do we?
Ella (Arthur's wife)
okay... I'll just write a letter for Arthur and talk to my son. Just once... Please...
Doctor
Sure. I'll make all the arrangements.
Director
Let Alan sleep. His surgery isn't really necessary.
Doctor
As his doctor, I must inform you that his mother’s heart donation has already covered his medical fees twice. It’s only fair to proceed with the surgery now.
Director
Subject him to euthanasia. It's for his own good.
Director
He doesn't have a mother or father now. Arthur is dead. The news is out. And this boy, he might be bedridden even after the surgery. The surgery might just relieve his pain. But the probability of him healing is-
Doctor
high. He can walk again. it's not a complete spinal cord injury.
Director
After that? Where will he go? Until he learns to walk he'll be in the hospital. It will charge us more. Moreover, who'll raise their voice for him?
Doctor
How do we record it legally?
Director
Did you make sure his mother has a legal record for the donation, or will the surgery be conducted after her heart donation?
Doctor
No, there was no time for her to think about that.
Director
Subject him to euthanasia. We can document it legally, stating that he was an orphan found by us. We tried to treat him, but unfortunately, we couldn’t save him. And he was asking for death.
Doctor
... let's keep him alive. I can't let him die.
Director
Why? Is he YOUR son? Why are you concerned?
Doctor
He might not be MY son but, he is my patient. His mother died for him. He deserves to stay alive. The surgery has to be done. Well, see if someone wants to adopt him.
Director
How long will he stay alive?
Director
TSK... fine. But he’ll consume resources. Move him to a wheelchair, and you will personally take care of him. I’m not paying anyone to keep him company. As for the surgery, it will only be done after his ADOPTED parents cover the costs.
Doctor
This is cruel! You can be sued in the court.
Director
Who is going to complain? Oh, you? Doctor, you were the one who urged his mother to donate her heart. Your hands aren't clean either.
Doctor
I did not. She came to me asking if-
Director
consoling yourself?
Director
I see, your consciousness also tells you that you are wrong.
[he left the room]
[Next morning Alan was moved to a wheelchair. He was feeling uncomfortable and his spine hurt. He was pushed to his doctor's cabin. His doctor handed over a voice recorder that was left by his mother. The cabin was empty. He listened to his mother's last words but didn't realize that they were her last words for him]
In the next episode. The new fate of Daniel starts.
Comments
bunny
did the hospital really have to be so cruel 🥺 I'm scared to visit doctor already now I'm more scared of them.
2024-11-16
1
su lu
that's the peak of cruelty, your doctor is supposed to save people not kill innocent kid. no don't do this to him
2024-11-12
1
su lu
poor baby, I'm sure someone will take you out of this hell 🥺🥺🥺
2024-11-12
1