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Dr. Benson's beeper went off and he groaned as he saw the emergency code. Christmas Eve. Of all nights for a child to need emergency surgery...
He took the elevator to the ER to assess the situation.
The young child was on a ventilator, and unresponsive.
"What's the story?"
"Head trauma after a sledding accident. The CT scan shows hemorrhaging in the brain, but we can't locate the source of the bleed."
"The parents?"
"They're in the waiting room. They've already signed the consent forms and have been informed of the risks."
"Get her ready. I'd like to talk to the parents."
****
"Hello? Mr. and Mrs. Thompson? I'm Dr. Benson, and I'll be performing your daughter's surgery."
Mrs. Thompson stood up and shook Dr. Benson's hand. "What are her chances?"
"I'm sorry. I won't know much until I get in there. But I know Someone who does. Are you Believers?"
"Yes! We've been praying the whole time."
"They are prepping your daughter. I'd like to take a few minutes to pray with you. Do you mind?"
"No. Of course not."
***
Dr. Benson tossed his MP3 player to the assistant before scrubbing up. "Set it to random play for Christmas songs." He always had his music piped in the OR sound system as he operated. It helped him to focus, oddly enough, and helped drown out some of the sounds of the machines that would be keeping the young patient alive.
He worked delicately, as he tried to locate the source of the bleed. That was only the first step. Next he had to stop it.
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright.
Dr. Benson muttered a victory cry under his breath. "There it is!" Now to stop it. The girl's vital signs were holding steady for now, but time was of the essence.
O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant
The girl's vital signs were dropping. If he didn't stop this quickly... He sealed off what he thought was the last of the vessels responsible for the bleed. He held his breath. No more active bleeding. Her vitals stabilized.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
*****
"Mr. and Mrs. Thompson?"
The girl's parents stood up, worry evident on their faces.
"The next 24 hours are critical, but she made it through the surgery. We were able to stop the bleed. She'll see Christmas."
****
Author's Note:
Songs, in order of appearance
Silent Night
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Holy Night
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