Original subtitles

[Get Well Soon, Sakaguchi-san]

Kazuo Sakaguchi, age 48.

Originally he had a pancreatic cyst, but it developed into acute pancreatitis, so he's been placed in the surgery ward.

Sakaguchi-san works for an advertising agency. He's married and has a daughter in high school.

- What kind of work does he do? - He's a salesman.

- Is he in pain now? - He's being administered morphine, so he's not complaining of pain.

Kazuo Sakaguchi ...

Wow! I can't believe how many flowers I'm getting!

- Ristorante Benestare. - Their crab spaghetti is superb.

Are these all from your client restaurants?

My job is practically nothing but taking my clients out to eat.

- I've finished signing. - Thank you.

OK, so that takes care of the consent forms.

This pancreatic necrosis excision operation is not a difficult procedure, ma'am.

- There's no need to worry. - Thank you.

How long will I be hospitalized, doctor? I want to get back to work as soon as possible.

- Why are you thinking about that now? - Well ... three weeks.

If the results are good, then maybe even sooner.

- Alright. Take care. - Thank you, doctor.

- The surgery will be tomorrow, so please take it easy today. - Sure.

I'll be back later to take your temperature.

Thank you.

What's wrong with wanting to get out of here as soon as possible?

It's your own fault that you got sick.

- Huh? - But you must be very pleased with how much everyone worries about you.

Oh, please. Just leave.

OK, I will.

Now you can start doing anything you want with your hair.

You should try putting it up. I'm sure you'll look nice that way.

- Don't you agree? - Yes.

- I'll try it. - OK, sensei. Thank you.

No problem.

- Thank you. - Take care.

Sasai sensei.

- I never expected to see that. - What's that?

You've got an eye for pretty girls, I see.

It's only natural.

How 'bout a hostess club tonight?

- What? - They've got girls in super-miniskirt nurse uniforms.

Sasai sensei.

- What? - About Sakaguchi-san ...

I don't think we should rush releasing him.

We should reconsider his postoperative care.

What're you talking about?

You know what I wonder ...

Why do our nurses wear slacks?

You girls really need to show off more.

Let's go, Sagara sensei.

[Hostess club]

Uhm ...

That's sexual harassment!

- I knew it! - That's right! He wants us to wear skirts to show off our legs.

- That Sasai sensei is such a creep! - Ewww! It's giving me the willies!

Would you quit shouting!

- But Head Nurse! - I know.

- Aihara-san. There's something wrong with Sakaguchi-san's medication. - Yes?

60 mg daily of ulinastatin is way too much.

- You're right. Something's wrong. - That's 10 days worth, isn't it?

60 mg seems like too much. Is this a mistake?

Uh-huh. Your mistake.

- But that's what you said ... - Now, why on earth would I say that!?

- Holy ...

Of course it's 6 mg. It's ulinastatin after all.

Don't be blaming your mistakes on someone else.

I ...

Wrote it down just like you said it ...

- There's no way a doctor would prescribe that much. - Use your head.

Wait a second here ...

Are you, a nurse, talking back to me, a doctor?

I'm sorry.

That's enough, Aihara-kun.

Get back to your work.

Excuse me.

Mind to your own business! ... You're only a nurse ...

- Unbelievable. They sure aren't getting trained right. - What a pain in the ass.

Those nurses sure are useless.

She should have said something when Sasai sensei gave the order.

- That's right. - It's a good thing they noticed.

- That was 60 mg ulinastatin a day. - There would have been big trouble.

Oh, that's right. Sasai sensei.

I'd like to assist with one of your operations.

- Huh? - I'd like to watch you work.

- Sagara sensei ... - Yes?

You're finally fitting into this hospital.

Thank you.

- Oh, Ami-chan. What did Sasai sensei say? - 60 mg was a mistake, right?

What's wrong, Aihara-san?

Ami-chan ...

That's unforgivable.

That jerk's got no respect for us nurses.

Ami-chan ...

Head Nurse ...

I'm going to complain to Sasai sensei.

You know he's always been like that.

- But, Head Nurse! - Do you want us to just put up with it?

But if we start fighting, it's the patients that'll suffer.

- You've just gotta ignore what those doctors say. - You're sure mature about this, Head Nurse.

That's right.

Nurses just have to grin and bear it.

Grin and bear it?

But it's the same everywhere you go, you know.

No matter what kind of outrageous orders a superior gives ...

The workers just have to put up with it.

Sagara sensei ...

We do not work for the doctors.

I'm just making a generalization, Head Nurse.

OK, could you take care of this, please.

Head Nurse.

- Assistant director? - Yes, I want you to start getting involved with the running of the hospital.

You will, after all, take over this hospital someday, Moriyama sensei.

A hospital is made up of many different kinds of specialists like doctors and nurses.

In order for us to continue surviving, we need an assistant director to bring all these different people together.

We think that person should be ... you, Moriyama sensei.

- No way. - What?

Yum.

Convenience stores sure have gotten fancy lately.

- Suguru-chan! - Obasan.

I'm here to be a surgeon, right?

Right now I'm way too busy cutting open patients.

Why would I want to deal with management of a hospital when you're always whining about being in the red.

We've climbed quite a way out of the red.

We're doing more surgeries ...

- And last month more emergency patients and outpatient ... - Like I said ... I don't wanna have to think about all that petty stuff.

But if you paid me 50 million a year, I'd do it.

50 million ...

Yes, come in.

Excuse me.

What's wrong, Tokiko-san?

There's something I need to discuss with you, Director.

- What is it? - Is there a problem?

I'd rather Moriyama sensei wasn't here.

What's that, Head Nurse?

Is this something you don't want me to hear?

- No, I don't really mind. - Then go ahead.

Please, over here.

What is it, Tokiko-san?

Sasai sensei shouted at Aihara-san.

He said nurses shouldn't talk back to doctors.

He also said the nurses should mind their own business.

Oh dear ...

Though we follow the orders of the doctors, we nurses are our own profession.

- We should not be looked down upon. - You should be saying that directly to Sasai sensei.

- That's nothing to be tattling to the director about. - Moriyama sensei ...

It's not just Sasai sensei. I believe that every doctor at this hospital thinks the same way.

- Head Nurse ... - Us doctors have been to medical school. You nurses haven't at all!

Stoppit!

If Sasai sensei really did say that ...

He was being very inconsiderate of the nurses.

Obasan!

But ... since you all work together here, I'd appreciate it if you could all get along.

I agree.

- Director ... we've been putting up with this treatment all along. - OK, OK, I understand ... I understand very well.

I'll figure out some way to take care of this. But for today, let's just leave it at that. OK?

All the nurses are very upset.

All of them?

If any of them says they want to quit ...

Then I won't stop them.

- Whaaat!? - I'm going now.

- Tokiko-san, wait! - Head Nurse!

Ohh! Not another problem!

It's just one thing after another. Ohhh!

That's so ridiculous.

Running a hospital ...

Sure is a pain in the ass.

See you.

Can I ... be frank with you?

What is it?

Moriyama sensei is completely unfit for assistant director!

I know that!!

Sensei, I brought you the data on the medication.

- Tomorrow. Tomorrow! - But yesterday you said tomorrow too.

Wait.

OK, I'll be back again tomorrow.

- Are you all right? - Yes, I'm OK.

The operation should be finished by 11 o'clock.

OK, I'll wait here then.

- Isn't Manami coming today? - Are you kidding? She has school.

- Alright, I'm ready. - OK.

I'll take him away now.

There certainly is strong adhesion around the pancreas.

- How are his vitals? - Stable.

OK, time to excise it. Prepare the endoscope.

Small forceps.

Uh-oh. Hemorrhaging.

Gauze.

The splenic artery's been damaged.

A pseudoaneurysm may have burst.

Sensei, BP dropping. He's hemorrhaged more than 800 ml.

Inflammation of the spleen is very bad, so excision won't be easy.

We also can't be sure we can restore the artery either.

- What should we do ... Sasai sensei? - Quiet!

We'll perform a splenectomy. Prepare vessel loops.

Even if we restore the splenic artery, if the circulation isn't good, the spleen will necrose.

A splenectomy is less risky to the patient.

It'll go fine.

I'm counting on your assistance, Sagara sensei.

OK.

- Senju sensei, order a transfusion. Four units of plasma. - Yessir.

The operation went 100% perfectly.

There's no need to worry.

- Thank you. - Thank you, sensei.

If the morphine wears off and you're in pain, tell us right away.

Don't hesitate to use the nurse call button.

I can hardly wait to get out of here. Hospital food is so bland.

For a gourmet like you, Sakaguchi-san, it must be a disappointment.

- OK, take care. - Thank you.

You must be extremely busy at work, Sakaguchi-san.

You should take this opportunity to get lots of rest.

Eating out with people is practically my job. That's how I make money for my company.

He's a workaholic.

My daughter and I have given up on him.

That cocoa smells delicious.

Would you like some, Minagawa sensei? I'll make it for you.

Oh, OK. That would be nice.

- I heard that you assisted Sasai sensei, Sagara sensei. - Yes.

It was my first time to watch Sasai sensei operate. You know ...

He's got excellent decision making and operating skills.

He's quite a good surgeon.

However ... you know ...

He's got a few character faults.

Not just a few. It's only natural that the nurses are angry at him.

So you know about it too, Minagawa sensei.

Those poor nurses.

The director and Momoi-san tell them to be patient ... But they haven't say anything to Sasai sensei.

Sounds like your angry too.

Though I am a doctor, I am also a woman.

I see.

OK ...

Shall we teach him a lesson?

What?

Sasai sensei is an important member of this hospital.

But ...

The way he is now, he's causing too many problems.

Could you ...

Assist me with something, Minagawa sensei?

Assist you?

Wait! Hold that elevator!

Whew!

Thanks.

Are you finished for the day?

- Yes. - Me too.

- Why did you say that earlier? - Say what?

About nurses working for the doctors.

How would you like to have dinner with me now?

- What? - How 'bout it?

- Excuse me. - Yes?

- Is Moriyama sensei still occupied? - Moriyama sensei ... ?

For the past week he keeps telling me, "Tomorrow. Tomorrow." I'd really like to speak with him today.

He's already gone home.

- He has? - Yes.

- Here's your tofu and hijiki hamburger. - Here's your healthy and colorful vegetable set.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

- Do you come here often? - Yep. Almost every day.

Every day?

That's right. I live alone, you know.

And the dishes here are nutritionally well balanced.

- Delicious. - I told you so.

So ...

What is it you wanted to ask me?

Like I said ...

Why did you say such a terrible thing to us?

No matter what kind of outrageous orders a superior gives ... the workers just have to put up with it.

So you're angry too.

I ...

I don't think that's your true opinion, sensei.

What is it you're planning?

Miyabe-kun ...

You're a very promising ally.

- Your back's as hard as a shell. - Yes, it's like a turtle shell.

It's stuck to my back, making it really hard to breathe.

I think stress is making your neck and back stiff.

You're probably right.

All done.

Thank you.

- Your blood pressure's slightly elevated, but your heart sounds fine. - Good.

You've got a lot of problems to handle, director.

Problems? That's an understatement.

For example ... the surgeons and nurses fighting ...

But, you know ...

I can't get too strict with Sasai sensei. We'd be in trouble if he quit now.

At one hospital I know about ...

- Every single nurse quit. - All of them?

They couldn't stand the doctors' attitude.

Six months later that hospital went under.

It went bankrupt!?

You need to be firm in dealing with this ...

Director!

The nurses need to be firm in dealing with this.

This is your third year in the surgery ward, Miyabe-kun.

That's right.

Before that you were in the cardiovascular clinic, so you know how to read a cardiogram.

- Wha? - Yoshikawa-kun's been in internal medicine, pulmonology, and heart surgery.

Even though Aihara-kun's been here only two years, she already worked in pediatrics before coming to surgery.

And Tokiko, the head nurse, is a super veteran.

She's been there 20 years and in every department. She knows everything.

You ladies ...

Are professionals.

If you've got pride, then you ought to stand up to those doctors.

Y... you mean you were trying to get us worked up?

First we need to fire up the head nurse.

Unless Tokiko gets serious about this, nothing will change.

- You're so backwards. - What do you mean?

Why are you acting like the bad guy?

I mean ... it's not like I think you're a nice guy either, but ...

You're so hard to figure out, I can't stand it.

What?

Well ...

I never expected to be scolded by you at a diner.

I'm not scolding you!

- I'm sorry. - Sorry.

- I'm sorry. - Sorry.

We did it again.

All that "tomorrow" nonsense ... That really pisses me off, dammit!

Oh no! Oh dear!

Oh god, what should I do!?

I could take a photo.

I'll take you home.

No, that's OK. Just to the station is fine.

OK, then to the station it is.

Thank you.

- Hn? - Oh, nothing.

- Don't you want to drive a car like all the other doctors do? - Ohh.

This just doesn't seem to suit a doctor.

This is the car that my wife drove.

Get in.

I think ... I'll walk instead.

Really?

The air's nice and cool. It feels nice.

Thank you for the meal.

Good morning.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Good morning.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Good morning.

I received a very interesting photo last night.

Woah! Such an incredible scoop. Whatta shot!

It's a photo of you, Sagara sensei, and the nurse Miyabe-kun on a date!

What restaurant is that?

It looks nice, but it's just a diner, right?

If you're gonna go on a date, take her somewhere more expensive, like shabu-shabu or something.

- That's right. You're a doctor after all. - Oh brother.

- Hey, aren't they holding hands? - Hmm... It's hard to tell.

Would you cut it out!

Grow up!

I didn't think you were interested in women, Sagara sensei.

I mean, it's only been a year since your wife died.

Or ... is it OK to go hunting after only a year?

- What do you think, Senju sensei? - Hmm ... That's still too soon, I think.

Now, now ... This is more an issue of morals, I believe.

She's your type, right? ... Miyabe-kun ...

I know. Cute but serious.

- Doctors! - I was just having dinner with her. We weren't doing anything wrong.

It's all right. We don't mind. It's natural for a man and a woman.

But right now ... there's a little trouble between us and the nurses.

So if you go and hit on them, it could end up causing trouble.

- You really oughta lay off the nurses. - I understand you're lonely after losing your wife, but ...

We're the ones that'll suffer for it.

I guess you're right.

I should have been more discreet about something that could be misinterpreted.

I apologize.

You're so immature.

I've finished with Nakamura-san.

- Miyabe-san. - Yes?

So, you were with Sagara sensei last night?

Huh?

- How dare you be out having fun with a doctor at a time like this! - That's not what we were ...

- I swear, Ami-chan. It wasn't like that. - You don't have to make excuses to me.

- That was a job well done. - Thank you.

I'll make sure I have time for you today, so bring me the data about that new medication later.

Thank you so much.

You really put Sagara sensei in his place again, Moriyama sensei.

- He'll be out of action for a while. - I can't believe he's chasing a nurse.

- He's the type who'll go after whatever's close by. - Shows how stupid he actually is.

Sasai sensei.

- Sorry, but the director would like to see you. - Me?

The biggest reason my muscles are as stiff as a shell is ...

You, Sasai sensei.

- Like a shell? - Yes, like a turtle shell.

- You don't have to explain. - Oh, sorry.

Sensei ...

I heard that you said the nurses shouldn't question what the doctors say.

So, what about it?

In order for there to be medical care, there needs to be both medical treatment and nursing care.

Here, here!

I would like you to completely rethink your ideas regarding the nurses.

Doctors and nurses are equals.

No, no. That's not true.

- If you say we're equal, then we wouldn't be able to do our jobs. - Sasai sensei.

I don't understand why you're taking sides with the nurses. It doesn't make sense.

- Don't you see? - Doctors are the ones who heal the patients.

Look, if you want me to quit, that's fine.

There are tons of places looking for doctors.

But I'm not the kind of person that would do that.

I understand very well that this hospital needs me.

So, why don't we just stop this silly nonsense.

OK, then.

I would appreciate being able to work in a more accommodating atmosphere.

If you'd like to quit, then be my guest.

- What? - Like you said, there aren't enough doctors out there.

- There are lots of hospitals looking for surgeons. - But there aren't enough nurses either.

If you made me decide between you, Sasai sensei, and the nurses ...

I'd have to ...

Choose the nurses.

Hold on a second.

The nurses are the ones who understand the patients the best.

A doctor that doesn't listen to the nurses ...

Is the same thing as a doctor that isn't inclined to listen to the patients either.

I think you understand what we're saying, Sasai sensei.

I don't reeeeeally ...

Want to quit.

- Excuse me? - I don't want to quit.

- You don't want to quit. - Don't make me quit!

Why?

If I quit, where would I go!?

It took quite a long time before I got the position here.

I was criticized about my character a lot ...

Here ...

Moriyama sensei takes good care of me.

If possible, I'd like to be a member of the Moriyama team.

Moriyama team?

There's no such thing at this hospital.

Oh, you're right. There isn't. Sorry.

But if I could just work as a normal surgeon, that would be more than enough.

Hello?

- Sagara here. - Oh ...

I know this is out of the blue, Director, but ...

How about holding a joint conference?

We should hold a conference regarding all the inpatients, and include the nurses as well.

- Include the nurses? - Yes.

It would be an opportunity for everyone to share their frank opinions for the benefit of the patients. If you would please.

A joint conference ...

What's that?

That just might be an excellent opportunity.

Thank you for the meal the other day.

Miyabe-kun.

I'm sure you're catching a lot of flack since everyone misunderstands what happened between you and I.

I apologize for that.

No, it's all right now.

Wait a moment.

Have you heard about the joint conference?

Uh, yes. It's today at 4 o'clock.

This kind of chance ...

You shouldn't let go to waste.

What?

I'm ...

Expecting a lot from you.

- Let's go! - OK!

[Joint Conference]

Can we really ...

Say anything we want, Head Nurse?

Of course. The director said it's OK to.

But whether or not the doctors will listen is a different story.

Oh ...

Everyone's here already?

Welcome, everyone.

Thank you.

Thank you for coming, everyone.

This conference is in regards to our inpatients.

But since we have this chance, I'd like you to speak your minds regarding anything at all.

- Anything at all? - Yes. Please don't hesitate. Anything at all.

I give you permission.

- Then I have something to say. - Go ahead.

We are all very angry at Sasai sensei.

Your harsh words to Aaihara-san are unforgivable.

Apologize to Aihara-san and all the nurses.

Well, you see, I ...

Why does he have to apologize?

- That's right. - It's such a petty thing.

We're talking to Sasai sensei!

Apologize ...

Sasai sensei!

There's no need to apologize.

If the nurses can talk back to the doctors, this hospital will cease to function.

How can you say that!?

- How awful! - Have you ever heard such a thing!?

Moriyama sensei ...

You doctors really must reconsider that way of thinking.

You really need to learn to be more humble.

- That's right! - Absolutely right!

You people!

What did you say!?

- Moriyama sensei! - That's exactly what you have to stop doing!

I ...

I ...

I don't want the doctors to apologize to us.

- What? - Sempai ...

More importantly ...

- I want you to understand what we nurses do here. - We do know!

No ... You don't know.

When a patient is admitted ...

We make a medical record for that person.

We record information about their job and their family ...

What kind of lifestyle they lead ...

What kind of care they prefer.

For example, Kazuo Sakaguchi who's here for acute pancreatitis.

Aihara-san collected the information for his medical record.

Of course Sasai sensei knows all about his illness.

But ...

As for Sakaguchi-san himself ...

Aihara-san knows much better.

It's for just that reason that Aihara-san felt that Sasai sensei's method of treatment is improper.

Improper?

What do you mean by that?

What do you mean? ... Please explain.

Well ...

You should explain it yourself, Ami-chan.

Me ... ?

Go ahead, Aihara-san. Today you can say whatever you're thinking.

Sakaguchi-san ...

Will be released in two weeks.

But ...

Basically, the major reason he developed acute pancreatitis ...

Is because he's neglecting his own health.

Neglecting his health?

Sakaguchi-san ...

Eats out every night with his clients ...

And almost never ... eats dinner at home.

When he's released ... he'll return to his old lifestyle.

So I'm sure ... the exact same thing will happen again.

Rather than just doing postoperative care as normal and releasing him in two weeks ...

We should speak with him and his family about living a healthier lifestyle.

If we don't, he will never return to full health.

Sasai sensei ...

Somehow ...

Could you please speak with Sakaguchi-san?

Please.

That was fabulous.

Head Nurse.

You've trained your nurses well.

Don't you agree, Director.

Well, yes ...

But ...

There is a limit ... to how much the nurses can do.

There are some patients that just won't listen no matter how much we nurses explain.

But at a single word from the doctor, they change.

So, of course ...

There are things that only the doctors can do.

For the patients' sake ...

Please ...

Work more closely with us.

Please.

Why don't you ever eat at home?

I understand it's for work, but eating out every night isn't good.

Even if I went home, there's nothing for me.

My wife doesn't even wait for me at all and my daughter finishes as soon as she can.

So I just come home late ...

And take a shower ...

My home is not where I belong.

If you take that way of looking at it ...

You'll end up like me.

I was the same.

I thought my family would always be there, even though I ignored them.

But then my wife left me.

She won't even let me see our children.

But, Sakaguchi-san ...

It's not too late for you.

Why don't we talk it over together.

With your wife ...

And me ...

And your nurse.

OK?

The atmosphere around here sure has taken a turn for the worse.

Are we really on equal footing with the nurses?

That's what is seems like.

Sagara ...

Sagara sensei.

Yes?

- You sure seemed awfully relaxed in that conference. - Really?

Could you possibly ... tell me why ... that conference was called?

Gee ... I really have no idea.

Hey, pal ...

That was your doing, wasn't it?

Me?

What did I do?

I'll be going now.

What's wrong, sensei?

This hospital ...

Is truly taking a turn for the worse.

That's it ...

I'm going to become the assistant director.

Assistant director?

I thought it would be a good idea to give it a try.

I'll be taking over this hospital someday anyway.

- Suguru-chan ... - I need to be at the center of hospital operations from now on, right?

- Moriyama sensei ... - Please, call me Assistant Director Moriyama, sir.

You're not the assistant director.

What?

- I asked Tokiko-san to be it. - Tokiko-san?

- Tokiko Tamura. - Who's that?

You don't even know the name of the head nurse?

The head nurse?

- She gladly accepted the position. - Wait a second here!

- Why is a nurse becoming the assistant director? - Because she knows this hospital better than anyone else.

Unlike the doctors, the nurses transfer between departments, and get lots of experience.

They know about the hospital as a whole.

So the head nurse is the most natural choice for becoming the assistant director.

And besides, Tokiko-san has worked for this hospital for 20 years.

You know, I looked into this and found that around the nation, there are several examples of the Head Nurse becoming the assistant director.

What's more, almost all those hospitals improve financially afterwards.

Amazing, isn't it. We almost missed the forest for the trees.

I never thought we'd find such a perfectly suited person right in our own back yard.

You are so right.

I'm so glad we did.

- Assistant director!? - It surprised me too.

- That's great! - Did you accept?

Of course. I can represent all the nurses.

Congratulations!

- Takako. - Hm?

From now on ...

I'll come home early every day.

What?

Will there be dinner for me?

Of course there will.

If you're going to come home ... then I'll prepare it and wait for you.

Manami ...

She says that just eating with me is depressing.

She's always saying that.

Really?

I see.

It's been a while, Kumiko.

I was just wondering how you were.

It's been a while, Kumiko.

I was just wondering how you were.

[Kumiko]

Then number you have dialed is no longer in service.

This is a new patient.

- Cholangitis. - I'd like to have you do the surgery, Sagara sensei ...

But any surgeon will do really. I'll leave it to you.

Certainly.

This hospital sure has changed.

Maybe ...

Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?

- Dinner? - Don't tell me you're OK with nurses but not with a female doctor.

I'd love to.

OK .. how about right here in 30 minutes?

OK.

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