[voiceover] The first 24 hours after surgery are critical. Every breath you take, every fluid you make, is meticulously reported and analyzed. Celebrated or mourned. But what about the next 24 hours? What happens with that first day turns to two and weeks turn into months? What happens when the immediate danger has passed, when the machines are disconnected and the teams of doctors and nurses are gone? Surgery is when you get saved, but post-op, after surgery, is when you heal. But, what if you don't?
“Adrift and at Peace” · Season 7, Episode 10
In this episode: Meredith Grey (3), Lexie Grey (2), Mark Sloan (1), Owen Hunt (1), Jackson Avery (1)
EEli
Look, if Dr. Bailey wants it put back in, then I will.
She's in surgery.
EEli
Well, then it'll just have to wait.
Fine. I'll do it myself.
EEli
You're not touching that patient.
Excuse me?
EEli
You have your list. But I have 12 years of experience that tells me putting that drain back in right now could actually put him at more risk for infection. 12 years I've been here. 12 years. Now, you residents, you come and go, but this is my home and you are my guest, and right now you are no longer welcome.
Listen, I don't know what's going on here but I know better than to mess with you on turf so do me a solid, nod and act as if we're havin' a big debate here 'cause Dr. Grey over there, she agreed to go out with me if I talked to you.
EEli
She's bossy.
I know, I dig it.
EEli
What's in it for me?
Seahawks. Sunday, box seats.
EEli
Parking?
Of course.
EEli
Okay. [shouts] Unless Dr. Bailey herself orders that drain put back in I...
Now mention how highly I think of her.
EEli
... I don't care if you think Dr. Grey is the best resident you've ever seen come through this program.
I understand, and I respect that. Thank you. [walks back to Lexie] Ah, I did what I could. What time do you get off?
What?! That's it? You didn't do anything!
See you at nine. [walks off]
You're going out with Sloan tonight?
One drink. And then you are gonna interrupt us and tell me that there#s a medical emergency.
There might be a medical emergency if you don't get that drain put back in your guy. I'm just sayin'. I guess you can observe when I'm taking out that gallbladder through dude's mouth.
Do you want to know what I think? I think you're reckless. I think you're reckless with your own life and today you were reckless with a patient's life. I don't care who you are. I don't want that in my OR, and I do not want that around my wife who is struggling just to hold on.
Your wife is struggling just to hold on because you married her and let it be OK for her to completely fall apart.
...
You are fearless, and I don't mean that in a good way. Most people don't tell the guy with the gun to shoot them. Most people are like Cristina. Most people are afraid. So what she needs isn't what you need. She isn't you, Meredith.
[voiceover] The goal of any surgery is total recovery - to come out better than you were before. Some patients heal quickly and feel immediate relief. For others the healing happens gradually, and it's not until months or even years later that you realize you don't hurt anymore. So the challenge after any surgery is to be patient. But if you can make it through the first weeks and months, if you believe that healing is possible, then you can get your life back. But that's a big if.
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