It was an overwhelmingly challenging task.
'Still, I must proceed. Utilize skills, Hand of a Warrior, Experience of a Warrior!'
His sensory stat surged as he activated the skills.
[Stat]
[Sense: 70 → 86!]
The sensation in his hands became more fluid, and Raymond advanced through each step.
'First, let's sever the blood vessels.'
The thyroid gland housed arteries in the upper, middle, and lower portions.
Raymond needed to sever the upper artery.
'Hold on.'
Raymond briefly paused before maneuvering the scalpel.
'Severing the blood vessels also impacts the thyroid tissue.'
Blood vessels served as lifelines.
Severing them naturally affected the surrounding tissue.
'So, the moment I sever these vessels, the thyroid hormone levels will commence rising.'
However, there was no other option.
All Raymond could wish for was that the endurance of this young cat tribe boy would last as long as possible.
"Mary, how's the blood pressure?"
"It's 80/50."
It teetered on the brink, barely sustained with the aid of epinephrine. At this rate, even for a Trueblood cat, he wouldn't endure for long.
'I need to complete the surgery swiftly. There's no other option.'
As fast as possible.
Then, with precision.
The most daunting task lay ahead.
"..."
A weighty silence enveloped the room.
Raymond concentrated to the maximum as he maneuvered the scalpel.
Although his heart was fraught with anxiety, dreading an immediate decline, he suppressed the unease and persisted in the surgery.
'If I make a mistake in this state of anxiety, it's all over. I need to stay focused.'
Perhaps due to the desperate concentration, fortunately, the surgery advanced without complications.
He first severed and ligated the upper thyroid artery, then detached the upper thyroid while avoiding the upper laryngeal nerve.
Afterward, he severed and ligated the middle thyroid artery.
The true challenge lay in the next step: resecting the lower thyroid.
'I must locate the recurrent laryngeal nerve first.'
The recurrent laryngeal nerve traced along the outer edge of the thyroid, playing a crucial role in vocal cord movement.
Failure to avoid this nerve could result in damage to the vocal cords.
'In thyroid surgeries, this is the most common complication. I have to be careful.'
Raymond traced the nerve from the lower outer side of the thyroid.
However, a problem arose.
'... I can't see it. Could their anatomy differ from humans?"
Raymond sighed.
Come to think of it, the cat tribe was a distinct species.
In other words, a humanoid species similar to humans but not precisely the same.
There could be differences in minute anatomical structures.
Moreover, another issue surfaced.
'I can't see the parathyroid gland either.'
The parathyroid gland, a small hormone organ located behind the thyroid, resembled a small bean.
Its size and color, similar to the surrounding tissues, made it challenging to identify.
'What should I do?'
The standard procedure was to meticulously confirm the nerves and parathyroid gland before cautiously removing them, ensuring maximum safety.
However, the current situation didn't allow for such a leisurely approach.
"Master, the blood pressure is dropping!"
"Increase the epinephrine dosage!"
Fortunately, with the elevated dosage, the blood pressure rose, but the anxiety intensified.
'Hurry.'
Amidst anxiety, Raymond began to lose his composure.
Then, at one moment, he nearly made a dizzying mistake—almost cutting the lower thyroid artery from the proximal side instead of the far side.
"...!"
Raymond gritted his teeth.
'Get a grip. What are you doing? Are you going to lose this patient?'
He needed to stay calm.
No matter how anxious and restless, losing composure was not an option.
'One step at a time. That's the fastest way.'
Raymond suppressed his unease and resumed his movements, this time more composed than before.
'Even if they're cat people, the recurrent nerve shouldn't follow a completely different path than in humans. Let's check the inferior thyroid artery, Berry ligament, and Z node.'
These were the major paths taken by the recurrent nerve.
'Even if the anatomy of cat people is different, these three structures should still be present.'
Fortunately, his expectation was correct.
He could confirm the recurrent nerve deep within!
'Next is the parathyroid gland. It's so small that the surrounding fat layers are not distinguishable.'
Fortunately, he had a skill to use in such situations.
'Activate, Eagle Eye!'
The surroundings dimmed, highlighting only the back of the parathyroid gland.
He could now see the tiny protruding area clearly.
It was the parathyroid gland!
'These tiny nodules need to be detached from the thyroid. Be extremely careful not to damage anything during the process.'
There were a total of four parathyroid glands.
After removing the bean-like parathyroid glands, he cut the inferior thyroid artery.
Subsequently, with precise movements, he separated the inferior thyroid from the surrounding tissue.
"Haah."
Raymond let out a deep sigh.
'We've overcome a hurdle.'
But the surgery wasn't over yet.
He had to repeat the same procedure on the other side.
'The thyroid has two lobes, left and right. I need to perform the same procedure on the opposite side.'
The situation was worse than before.
Despite being as careful as possible, had there been an impact?
The patient's condition worsened again.
"Master, the blood pressure keeps dropping!"
'This is bad.'
Raymond gritted his teeth.
'Can he endure it?'
He was doing his best, but dark thoughts kept creeping in.
Eventually, it seemed like he might lose the patient.
However,
'I won't let it happen like this.'
As a healer, he had a duty to save a patient dying before him, regardless of other reasons.
'I won't let him die.'
Raymond moved the scalpel again, more focused than ever, doing his utmost.
There was no clear solution.
Despite all efforts, the chances of this child surviving were slim.
It unfolded beyond anyone's control.
Nevertheless, Raymond exerted every ounce of effort.
In the direst of circumstances, a doctor, a healer, is tasked with fervently striving to salvage the patient.
Thus, Raymond clenched his teeth and embarked on a desperate endeavor.
With a subtle sound, the thyroid gland was extracted.
The excision was successful!
However, contrary to the usual response, Raymond refrained from releasing a relieved sigh.
The culmination of the surgery did not signify the conclusion of the treatment.
He needed to assess the child's condition.
"How are the vitals?"
"Blood pressure 60/30. Heart rate 170."
Raymond bit his lip.
The shock was severe.
As anticipated, the thyroid hormone secretion during surgery had significantly exacerbated the condition.
Yet, the child persisted in life.
Surviving this critical moment was paramount.
Now, with the removal of the thyroid, hormone release would cease.
If he could endure the shock now, there was a chance of survival.
No, he would make sure it happened.
"For the next 24 hours, no one is allowed to enter this room."
Raymond held the child's hand.
"I will provide intensive care."
Intensive care.
The phrase meant exerting all efforts to save a patient.
Another battle had begun.
***
Mien, the cat child, lay in a profound slumber.
'It hurts.'
His initial thought was that the pain was overwhelming.
'Am I going to die like this? I'm scared.'
Mien sobbed within his dream.
'I miss you, Mom. Dad.'
He had never met his parents.
Mien's parents passed away shortly after his birth, and he lived as a descendant of noble lineage, receiving the care of other cat people.
Nevertheless, it had consistently been a time of solitude.
Abruptly, amid these isolated days, he was besieged by agonizing pain.
'It hurts. I don't want to die. Mom, Dad.'
In the midst of the cries within his dream, a faint voice resonated.
'I will definitely save you.'
A perpetually warm voice that conveyed both comfort and unwavering trust.
'... Dad? Mom?'
Mien mumbled in the haze.
If his parents were still alive, wouldn't they speak with a voice filled with warmth and unyielding trust?
However, the elation was fleeting.
Soon, the excruciating pain resurfaced.
'It hurts! It hurts! Go away!'
But then.
'Administer more medication! Reduce the epinephrine a bit!'
Incomprehensible conversations. All Mien could discern was that the voices were solely focused on him.
'How's the blood pressure?'
'Administer more saline!'
'It's arrhythmia! Prepare the emergency empty vein treatment!'
Urgent and unintelligible shouts persisted.
'Mom? Dad?'
Not his mom or dad.
However, they showed equal concern for him.
Mien closed his eyes.
He sensed the pain gradually subsiding.
His mind relaxed, and he slipped into a deeper sleep.
The descendant of the great tribe leader, Mien, ultimately pulled through.
While he would need to undergo thyroid removal and take thyroid hormones in the future, it was a small price to pay compared to the fact that he had survived.
[Achievement: 'Benefactor of the Cat Tribe'!]
[Perk: 'Blind Favor of the Cat Tribe' is granted!]
[Additional perks are awarded for consecutive achievements!]
['Item: Increased Skill Proficiency (A)' is granted!]
'I'm relieved.'
Reading the messages, Raymond let out a deep sigh.
Honestly, he wasn't confident this time.
When arrhythmia occurred, and the blood pressure couldn't stabilize, he felt it was all over.
'I was lucky.'
Or, should he call it luck?
Anyway, without some divine intervention, he was sure he couldn't have saved the patient.
But others perceived it differently.
They believed Raymond had orchestrated a miracle.
"To save a patient like this..."
"As expected of Master. Master is truly great."
May and Mary, the sisters, marveled with stoic expressions.
Their naturally composed demeanor might not reflect intense admiration like others, but inwardly, they were profoundly shocked.
Achieving something so extraordinary left them in awe.
"I thought it was an impossible case to save. How did he manage to save such a patient?"
"Master worked a miracle."
With these thoughts in mind, the two engaged in a conversation.
"May, could we become like that too?"
"Give up, Mary. It's impossible."
"It's cool. I want to be like that too."
"It's not possible."
"I know it's not possible, but it's so cool and admirable. I want to be like Master."
"Even so, it's not possible. Impossible."
"...Really impossible?"
"Yeah, give up."
"Then, how about taking the position of Master's apprentice?"
Mary's words illuminated May's eyes.
"That's entirely possible."
"We'll surpass seniors Hanson, Christine, and Lyndon."
"Yes, a great idea. From today, it's special training, Mary."
"Sure. Let's do it together, May."
Already diligent and earnest like bears, they were further ignited by Raymond's example.
The future of the Penin Treatment Center looked promising.
And the cat people, with tears in their eyes, knelt before Raymond.
Raymond had an intuition—it was time for his favorite reward.