After the Patient's Chest Opened, Colleagues Forced Me Out

The heart transplant was about to begin. I took a deep breath and headed for the operating room.

Murray Gilbert, the department's deputy head, was scheduled to second-assist and see the case through with me.

But at the door to the operating room, he put out an arm and stopped me.

"Bailey Whitfield, you can't go in."

I froze. "Why? The patient's already waiting."

Gilbert said coldly, "Hospital rules. No operating within twenty-four hours of drinking. You've been drinking."

I shook my head at once. "I haven't—"