The Death of Mr. Lazarescu Page #10

Laura what kind of cell phone

do you have?

- Like this one?

- Yes.

Can I have the battery for a minute?

My wife is traveling with the boy

and I have to wake her up

so she won't forget

to get off the train.

- You can use this.

- No, just the battery.

- It's alright, really.

- OK, I'll make a quick call.

- And the paramedic gave us a lecture.

- I only said he needs surgery.

And who decides that?

You or a specialist?

- The doctor from Universitar...

- So, a specialist...

Yes, dr. Breslasu...

- And what is dr. Breslasu?

- A specialist.

His id card.

- No coverage. Can I try again later?

- Sure.

- Who's with him?

- Me.

No, lady, has he someone?

Wife, sister, mistress?

He has a sister

coming from Targu Mures.

So he hasn't.

Pay some attention.

Like this.

I'll come here

so you can follow me better.

My name is Mirica

and I'm the neurosurgeon on duty.

Let me explain you where we stand.

According to the CT scan,

there are reasons to believe

you have a subdural hematoma.

This causes the head aches

and the vomiting.

- My head aches from the ulcer.

- Yes, it aches, but from the hematoma.

It is normal to be so, although

the vomiting could be from the liver.

- I have a headache and belly sir.

- Hold it.

Your stance is good,

but stop moving and talking

I don't understand

what you're saying,

You're not in a coma,

you're not lethargic.

You feel a bit sleepy. Me too.

It's 3.35 am.

- Do you have any relatives?

- I have ulcer.

He has a sister, I told you.

He requires immediate surgery.

He has dysarthria.

Dr. Breslasu told me this.

And look, he also has a hemi paresis.

Unbelievable, isn't it?

I thought the doctor was exaggerating

but you really

don't show us any respect.

I'm sorry, but I only said

that we need to hurry up.

- We've been on the road since 10 pm.

- You don't say!

You should start by learning your place

and letting us do our job.

But you told me to get out, miss.

We're all medical staff in here.

No, we are medical staff

of different qualification, nurse.

You don't go teaching me, a doctor,

the procedures.

Doing that is called insolence.

And from this very moment,

if you want to stay

I will ask you to keep your mouth shut.

- Or else, you can wait in the hallway.

- Stamp my record and I'll go.

- What did you say?

- If you stamp it I will go.

I thought it's the doctor

who decides that too.

I'll have to repeat myself:

nurse, you can either shut up

and let me do my work

or exit, down the hallway.

So, you have a subdural hematoma

that requires surgery.

Please bring a disclaimer.

Fill it in, please.

We have to operate this hematoma,

but to do this, I need you to sign

that you agree

to undertake all the risks.

- Now, you know what a hematoma is?

- Yes, I have a cruise.

- What?

- A bruise.

Right. It's a broken vessel that bleeds

between dura mater and the arachnoid.

It creates a pressure, to be more

specific, it pushes on the brain.

And this is where we intervene.

If we don't, it's lethal.

- Doctor, watch the trolley.

- Yes,

Pay attention.

The surgery is not without hazards and

it is my duty to inform you about them.

There are some colleagues that do it

differently, but I don't think it's fair.

The patient must be fully informed.

Yes, it's a problem of mortality.

Oh, be serious.

Can you die from appendicitis?

It's just like appendicitis.

There is a risk of paralyzing. It's true.

Loosing control of the limbs.

I don't want paralysis, to hand,

in here.

You don't want to paralyze.

Who says you will?

Can you hear me? There is a risk.

Because of it the patient has to sign.

- Have to go to...

- No. Pay attention.

You got drunk. You smell of booze.

You fell, hit your head

and you got a hematoma.

We will take it out

but for this, I need you to sign.

Say again, I didn't get you.

Have to go to Christmas...

with girl Bianca.

Rest assured,

we won't get to Christmas.

Look, we're going

to the operating room.

But before, I need your signature.

- Eva with her husband comes.

- Pay a bit of attention.

Pay attention.

She will take care of you.

You have to sign a paper.

Give me the form please.

Sign this, so I can operate you.

Place it on something.

Do you understand me?

You have to sign a paper.

Mr. Lazarescu.

This is a disclaimer. You see?

I've filled in your name,

Now you have to sign that you agree.

Come on, I'll help you. Take this pen

and sign, so that he can operate you.

- I can't paralyze.,.

- You won't, sign here.

- Sign here Mr. Lazarescu.

- ... Evelina on New Year's Eve.

Mr. Lazarescu, do you sign?

What do we do, doc?

So, what's it gonna be? Will you

sign so I can operate you, or not?

Doc, he's in no condition to sign.

He can't even hold the pen.

Should we break the law, nurse?

Look at her, she wants me in jail.

If I operate without the signature

and he dies on the table

I'll go straight to jail, madam.

Come on, sign and we'll admit you

to the hospital, we'll clean you,

operate you and tomorrow

you'll be brand new.

- No.

- No what?

Want medicine in my home,

at drugstore,

You're aphasic and you have dysarthria.

I don't know what you are saying.

- Do you want to go home?

- Will you come to my home?

Calm down, we're not gonna force you.

If you don't want to sign don't do it.

Have you recorded his admittance?

Good.

the patient refuses the surgery.

It's the patient that has to sign,

not you.

Didn't you see he doesn't want to?

- On my record, I mean.

- No kidding.

And if he signs, but he's mentally

unable, then the signature is useless.

Better admit you don't want

to operate him and I'll take him away.

- Take him where?

- To Bagdasar Hospital.

Or back to Universitar,

I guess they're not swamped anymore.

Sorry, but I think I can tell

when a patient is confused or not.

Now you're quarrelling

with the doc too.

Or you know what? Get him in the car,

drive for about an hour,

get him in a coma

and then bring him for surgery.

No need for signatures

or relatives, anymore.

Right now he didn't sign,

so I can't operate him.

As you're so good at Law and Medicine,

find him the proper hospital.

He didn't sign me the paper so I have

no obligation or responsibility.

Or go to Bagdasar and find a doctor...

.. that will operate

without a disclaimer.

But if he dies in the car

it will be your responsibility.

Don't want.

- What do you not want?

- Don't want.

Nurse, get him out of here.

When you decide what you want

from us I'll be here, on duty.

Call for an orderly, to get him out.

Why are you staring at me?

Get him in the car

and take him to Bagdasar.

Good bye, have a nice trip.

Come on Mr. Lazarescu.

We're going to Bagdasar.

I'll go downstairs, to get a croissant.

Would you like anything?

- It doesn't smell that bad anymore.

- I didn't get that.

- What did you say?

- I said I didn't get that.

The smell is not so bad anymore.

Can you let us pass?

Hold on. I'll go with the record.

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