Rebirth Into My Second Chance

It was like when we were kids. Richard would head out for snacks, telling me to wait for him at the orphanage. He promised he'd return safe and sound! I nodded. "I'll wait for you."

He was the only family I had left. I prayed for his safety. I couldn't bear to look at the scene unfolding before Richard. I was afraid of the fear it would bring.

A patient gripped my hand tightly, her voice weak as she asked, "Doctor, am I going to die?"

Looking into her cloudy eyes, before I could respond, she smiled, "I've lived into my nineties. I've had a good run. It's okay, dear. Go save others." Seeing the IV needle in her chest, she comforted me with a smile.

My heart ached, but I held back tears, reassuring her, "Ma'am, I'll save you. We're almost at base camp. They have the surgical tools we need there."

I wasn't sure about the completeness of the surgical setup, but I still encouraged her to keep fighting. She smiled in response.

Faces of people who decided to survive flashed through my mind. I couldn't give up, either.

There was so much of the world I hadn't seen yet and so many things I hadn't done. To live was to hope.

The kayak's battery was nearly dead. Ahead, the tents of the makeshift base camp were visible. Close yet far, the only option was for the rescue team to get down and push the kayak forward. "One, two, three, push!"

"One, two, three, push!"

each other with their

or sitting on

to help us ashore. I

moment, the phrase "united we stand" took on a

I was stunned to find over a dozen

the surgeons,

another, stitching wounds without a moment's rest or a backward

something far more significant. Others needed his help, waiting for

followed the rescue team as they carried the

"Is there a doctor

a doctor. Prepare the

surgical gown from nearby and quickly dressing in sterile gear. The nurse hesitated, perhaps doubting my capability for

said firmly,

elderly patient was already fading out due to blood loss.