Who would study psychology if they didn't have some kind of problem?

Chapter 594 The Fighting Spirit Abruptly Ended

As dawn broke and the rain subsided slightly, the sky remained a leaden gray.

The sound of raindrops hitting the bus window was like countless tiny needles, constantly pricking Li Lingling's nerves.

Having worked in the industry for so long, Li Lingling was no longer a newcomer. However, this was indeed her first time participating in a disaster relief mission, so she knew almost nothing about the scenario or the challenges she would face.

Li Lingling pressed her left hand against her chest, which was beating very fast.

It felt as if another hand was gripping her heart through her chest.

The tense and slightly suffocating feeling made her feel like she was experiencing her first time as a nurse rotating through the emergency room a long time ago.

Or perhaps—it was an experience from an even earlier time.

[Safe island, safe island...]

Li Lingling closed her eyes and subconsciously tried to adjust her state using techniques she had learned from a psychologist, imagining the "park" with sunshine and flowers.

Although it had been a long time since she had a consultation, Li Lingling had been practicing the skills that Nan Zhuren had taught her during her last consultation.

However, she stopped her thoughts from moving forward the next moment.

No, I'm not a client in the counseling room right now, and there's no Teacher Nan in front of me; I'm a volunteer, and I'm going to help the disaster victims later.

I shouldn't try to alleviate my feelings, I shouldn't be afraid, I shouldn't resist, otherwise what would I do if I went to the disaster area...?

Rain... flood... no, I can't think about it, I can't be afraid, I'm a nurse, a medical worker here to help...

Subtly, it seems that different little people are vying for control deep within Li Lingling's mind, trying to define her current role and way of thinking.

But deeper in her mind, it seems there are other little people observing, eager to join this cognitive battle.

"—Everyone, listen up!"

Suddenly, the tour leader at the front of the bus stood up: "We're about to enter the disaster area, let me go over the precautions one last time..."

As soon as that sound came out, the little figures in Li Lingling's mind that were still fighting immediately decided who would win.

Li Lingling's expression turned serious as she listened intently to every word the team leader said.

The world outside the window is being swallowed by water. The familiar cityscape has long since disappeared, replaced by a muddy, boundless expanse of water, with rooftops and treetops occasionally peeking out like isolated islands.

The farmland was gone, and only a corner of the low houses remained. The whole world seemed to have been pressed underwater by a giant, ominous hand.

"Get out of the car," came the order from the team leader, the doctor.

They are currently at a school, which is part of a frontline temporary medical station.

These temporary medical points are located on safe high ground in the most severely affected areas, such as village committee courtyards or next to dikes, and sometimes they are just one or a few temporary tents.

Once medical conditions are slightly better, then we can set up fixed medical stations at resettlement sites, such as large resettlement sites like schools and stadiums.

From this perspective, finding a school to serve as a temporary resettlement point is a good thing for the disaster-stricken people around the location where Li Lingling is now stationed.

This is also a good thing for medical personnel.

Although the location of the medical team has changed, the pressure from the disaster-stricken people will not be reduced in the slightest.

In a sense, the greater capacity of schools actually puts more pressure on the medical teams.

The team leader doctor immediately stepped forward and sent out some emergency room doctors to conduct a simple classification of the backlog of patients.

He then led the other doctors to quickly set up a temporary medical station.

Small signs such as "Emergency Department," "Dermatology Department," and "Internal Medicine Department" quickly divided the school into independent but interconnected areas, and diagnostic facilities and small operating tables suitable for different "departments" were immediately set up.

When many people think of floods, the word "drowning" may be the only thing that comes to mind, as if doctors should only focus their medical interventions on this area.

However, the damage caused by floods is actually very widespread:
First, there are acute injuries directly caused by the flood. In addition to drowning, there are cuts and lacerations caused by sharp debris in the water, such as glass, branches, and rusty iron pieces; crushing injuries, contusions, and fractures caused by being hit by collapsing objects or being swept into the flood; and skin whitening, wrinkling, and erosion caused by prolonged immersion in floodwater, which in severe cases may even require amputation.

Secondly, there are internal medicine and skin diseases caused by environmental degradation, such as diarrhea, dysentery, and typhoid fever due to contaminated drinking water; colds, fever, and pneumonia caused by exposure to cold and fatigue; and skin infections such as eczema, dermatitis, folliculitis, and impetigo caused by contact with sewage.

Finally, there are infectious diseases caused by mosquitoes, bacteria, and so on. In ancient times, this was equivalent to the "major epidemic" that followed "major disasters."

Therefore, don't think that the death toll and missing persons in some news reports of so-called "major disasters" are "just a hundred" and not a big deal; on the contrary, the economic losses reach tens or hundreds of billions, which seem particularly exaggerated in comparison.

Many people might even feel that the severity of a disaster is measured by placing more emphasis on economic losses.

But in reality, without a comprehensive disaster relief system and medical support, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Li Lingling, who had been transferred from Beidu, was on high alert. She had already received relevant training and had undergone intensive training on her way here.

After helping the team leader establish a basic medical and disaster relief system at the resettlement site, he immediately got to work.

In addition to the injuries and illnesses directly caused by the floods, the disaster area will also experience aggravation of many chronic diseases, such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes.

And the special circumstances that Li Lingling is currently facing—

……

"Doctor! Doctor! Please look at my wife! She...she has a stomachache!"

It was a man's voice that was calling out. But only his voice could get through; the person was left outside.

Meanwhile, the man's wife was quickly brought in by medical staff.

The other person was covered with a thick blanket, wearing only a very thin, loose dress. The hem of the dress was soaked through, and it was impossible to tell whether it was amniotic fluid, rainwater, or something else.

She was writhing in pain, large beads of sweat forming on her forehead, her hands tightly protecting her swollen belly.

Dr. Hu also arrived here with the volunteer team. With a gesture, the nurses and doctors immediately came forward.

A moment of tension rose in Li Lingling's heart, but it was quickly suppressed.

Although the medical staff who arrived for the first time were a little flustered, their basic training and the guidance of experienced seniors helped them quickly divide the tasks.

With a "snap," Li Lingling, who was disinfecting her hands, suddenly felt her hand being grabbed. The weak pregnant woman's strength was surprisingly great at this moment, and the skin on Li Lingling's wrist quickly began to turn red, but she herself ignored it.

"Doctor...Doctor...Is the baby...will the baby be alright? When the water rushed in...I slipped and fell..."

Although it was a disaster area, pregnant women's reactions in emergency situations are generally similar, and Li Lingling handled this situation quite skillfully. She exchanged a glance with the doctor next to her and immediately handed over her work.

He then crouched down and asked softly, "What's your name?"

"Chen... Chen Jing."

"Chen Jing, take a deep breath and try to relax. If you're tense, the baby will be uncomfortable too," Li Lingling said softly. "Come on, breathe with me—hiss—"

Regulating the emotions of postpartum women is also a required course for obstetrics and gynecology staff.

However, Dr. Hu still took a moment out of his busy schedule to glance at Li Lingling, feeling that her actions at that moment seemed to resemble those of someone else.

Li Lingling keeps a close eye on the pregnant woman's body. Her job may seem to be easing the woman's psychological tension, but it can also help other doctors assess the pregnant woman's physical condition.

With each deep breath, the frequency and amplitude of the pregnant woman's chest rise and fall were visible to the medical staff—although slightly rapid, the rhythm was regular, there was no three-recession sign, and the airway was clear.

At the same time, the fact that the pregnant woman was able to follow the nurse's instructions indicates that she was conscious.

Li Lingling also took this opportunity to establish a simple doctor-patient trust relationship with the pregnant woman and quickly learn about her background.

While the other doctors were preparing to measure her blood oxygen and blood pressure, she immediately reported to Dr. Hu: "Pregnant woman Chen Jing, around 30 weeks pregnant, suddenly experienced regular contractions, fetal heartbeat is normal, and she reports a history of falls..."

Dr. Hu quickly performed an abdominal palpation to confirm the presence and intensity of uterine contractions.

Persistent contractions are a sign of premature labor and must be suppressed. In this environment, premature birth poses a significant risk to both mother and baby.

"It is necessary to suppress uterine contractions and prevent premature labor. Start with an intravenous infusion of ritodrine hydrochloride at an initial dose of 0.05 mg per minute. Gradually increase the infusion rate every 10-30 minutes, depending on uterine contractions and the patient's heart rate, until uterine contractions are suppressed. Closely monitor the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, fetal heart rate, and uterine contractions..."

Before Dr. Hu could finish speaking, Li Lingling had already found the necessary medication. She was almost multitasking, listening to Dr. Hu's instructions while simultaneously preparing for the procedure.

Once Dr. Hu finished giving his instructions, we could begin almost immediately.

swoosh-

During the medication infusion, Li Lingling did not forget to comfort the pregnant woman.

"Xiaojing, we're starting to use a medication called 'Ritodrine Hydrochloride,' also known as 'Anbao,' which is specifically used to relax the uterus and relieve contractions..."

For the first 10 minutes after the infusion began, she measured her heart rate and blood pressure every minute.

After confirming that the patient had no complaints, the monitoring frequency was changed to once every 15-30 minutes. At the same time, the timing was strictly controlled, and the frequency, duration and intensity of uterine contractions were recorded. The nursing record sheet was filled out with detailed information on each time point, each rate adjustment, corresponding vital signs data, uterine contraction status, fetal heart rate status and the patient's complaints.

Everything turned out alright, though there were some close calls.

After the critical period has passed, the pregnant woman is transferred to another place for care.

The pregnant woman's husband thanked Li Lingling profusely, saying, "Doctor, my wife said she's so glad you were here. She feels so safe and secure when she hears your voice..."

Li Lingling first showed a standard smile, but then the corners of her mouth began to uncontrollably continue to turn upwards.

The reason why Dr. Hu, as the director, takes her so seriously is not only because her own experiences and problems are truly lamentable, but also because her professional skills are truly outstanding.

That's why they are taken seriously by their superiors.

……

The entire medical team operated smoothly yet intensely.

Although Li Lingling is classified as an obstetrician and gynecologist in the hospital, this does not mean that her other medical background is weak.

Pregnant women were a minority among the disaster victims. After being properly settled, Li Lingling immediately joined the emergency room team.

Some of the medical team members were from Li Lingling Hospital, while others were sent from other hospitals.

Those from the same hospital but different departments all had a sudden realization after working with Li Lingling; those from other hospitals, after working with Li Lingling twice, would habitually seek her out again for the next time.

Li Lingling is like a tireless machine, cleaning wounds, bandaging, administering IV fluids, and comforting disaster victims.

She was always in a state of high spirits, as if the more she did something, the more energetic she became.

Just as Li Lingling's emotions were building up—

"Make way! Emergency casualty!" Two rescue team members, covered in mud, rushed in carrying a middle-aged man on a stretcher.

The man was soaking wet and covered in mud. His left thigh was unnaturally twisted and swollen in the middle. His pants were torn, and the exposed skin was a terrible cyanosis. Sharp bone fragments could be seen almost piercing the skin—this was an extremely serious open femoral shaft fracture.

Even more alarming was that his face was ashen, his breathing was shallow and rapid, his forehead was covered in cold sweat, his consciousness was somewhat blurred, and he was slow to react to his surroundings.

"The wall collapsed a second time while we were clearing the rubble, and I was crushed!" a rescue team member quickly reported. "We suspect internal bleeding, but my blood pressure has come down!"

The doctor, who had arrived shortly after hearing the commotion, examined the patient's pupils and carotid artery while issuing instructions: "Early signs of hemorrhagic shock! We must immediately establish two intravenous lines and rapidly resuscitate fluids to expand blood volume! Prepare for crossmatching and contact the hospital in the rear to prepare for surgery! Lingling, you are in charge of the left upper limb intravenous access!"

Li Lingling nodded, and seeing the rescue team members panting heavily, she quickly stepped forward to help them lift the man.

"……what!"

The moment he was put down, the man involuntarily let out a groan-like scream.

Suddenly, a woman who looked like the wife rushed out from the side. Upon hearing the man's groans, she burst into tears as if she had been choked: "Be gentle! Can't you see how much pain he's in?!"

"Do you even know what you're doing?! Tell that weak nurse to leave and bring in a more professional one, we..."

The wife was quickly taken away by other skilled staff.

The doctor breathed a sigh of relief: "Lingling, prepare for the injection...Lingling?"

The doctor waved his hand in front of Li Lingling's eyes.

He was surprised to find that the person in front of him had shown a visible sign of fatigue in just one minute.

(End of this chapter)