Gordon slid down the outside of the Casualty door, clutching his right side as blood seeped through his crisp white shirt. A pair of medical scissors buried deep into his body with the handles still sticking out. His colleagues surrounded him, barely able to take in the sight they were witnessing. And in that crowd of people was his wife; horror sprawled across her face.
'Gordon' she cried as she dashed towards him, the middle aged fellow now spread across the floor. Jill knelt beside him holding one hand and cupping his face. In times of emergency she was usually able to stay calm after all it was part of her job but the sight of her husband in distress caused her world to come crashing down around her. Instead she panicked and started to cry whilst trying to take everything in. Thankfully a handful of other highly qualified Doctor's surrounded them; their friends. Mr. Rose, always the one to keep his head in an emergency, joined the two of them on the floor and quickly started to examine Gordon's injuries.
Within minutes Gordon had been carefully manoeuvred onto a trolley and was racing towards theatre with his wife right beside him. He'd been in this situation once before after crashing his car. Thankfully the only major injury he'd sustained was a shattered leg. This time it was obvious he was in a much more critical condition.
'It's okay; you're going to be okay!' Jill stroked Gordon's head with her right hand as she clung onto his hand for dear life. The words were aimed to reassure him and put the injured man at ease. Instead it just unnerved Jill even more. They looked deep into each other's eyes as Mr. Rose listened to his chest and the rest of 'The Royal' staff looked on distraught.
'Air entry's reduced on the right. The scissors have gone through the fourth intercostals puncturing the lung and he's haemorrhaging. We're going to need to take you into theatre to sort this out, do you understand?' Mr. Rose questioned Gordon, making sure he was aware of his condition. It showed the respect in which they held him in as the senior partner of the hospital.
'Just do what you have to do' stated Gordon as cool as ever.
'Good man. Let's get him into theatre right now please, not a second to waste!' ordered the surgeon. Gordon was rushed off down the corridor as he and Jill said their quick goodbyes.
'You're going to be alright you'll see. I love you!' the female Doctor blubbered through her tears
'I love you too' her husband whispered back. And that was it. Doctor Ormerod's life was now in the hands of the people he trusted the most. Jill, his beloved wife, stood on the other side of the operating door clinging on to the porthole window as she watched. Mr. Rose's booming voice and Dr. Ellis' smooth voice could still be heard in the corridor as they worked with urgency and precision.
Their efforts seemed to continue for hours, each person determined not to give up. They'd have done the same for any patient but this was more far vital and a lot closer to each of their hearts.. Gordon was rolled on his side. His left hand flopped over his body and hung off the bed with an intravenous line tape to the back of his hand. He looked ashen and it was clear how critically ill the poor Doctor was but they all refused to give up. How could they ever forgive themselves if they did?