Commander He Yaobang Rejects Conservative Treatment for High Amputation

In September 1947, it was the season when the autumn wind was cool and the sweet osmanthus was fragrant. But it was a special period for all the comrades in the third rest and recuperation center of the second field and the sixth vertical in Linjiadeng, Hepu Town, Luotian County. Because in another month, the six columns responsible for field medical services will follow the instructions of the central government and will diagnose and treat an unusual patient, Comrade He Yaobang.

Comrade He Yaobang is the deputy commander of the Eastern Hubei Military Region. He is seriously injured, especially his feet are infected and ulcerated. If he is not treated in time, he will be life-threatening. This clank man still insists on commanding and fighting on the front line with amazing perseverance. He leads the team to carry out guerrilla warfare in Dongdashan, Henan. For the sake of revolution, he has already put his life and death out of the bottom. He is a real "desperate Saburo"!

On October 13, Minister of Health Zhan Shaolian, Deputy Minister He Zhenqing, Director of the Third Recreation Center Wang Zifeng, Chief of Surgery Bai Shenxing, and Doctor Li Xi were ordered to consult Commander He's injury. When I saw Commander He's injury, I suddenly became serious one by one. At the moment, everyone was silent, and the air seemed to freeze. For a long time, Wang Zifeng, the director, first broke the silence and said slowly and firmly: "It is not too late, we must immediately perform high-level amputation". Commander He had already seen his condition was unusual from the expressions of his comrades, but what could he do when he thought of the future battle without legs? Then he said in an inquiring tone: "Can we do conservative treatment without amputation?" "Only amputation, and only amputation above the knee, can we be sure of treatment. "The doctors patiently explained how they understood the commander's mood at this moment, and what was more important than a pair of healthy feet for a general who galloped on the battlefield and fought bloody battles with the enemy? But right now Commander He's injury is too serious to be cut off!

"To amputate, it must be below the knee. "commander he said in an indisputable tone. "I understand what you're saying, but how can I command a war when my knee is sawed off and I can't even ride a horse? Comrade, please think of something, if the operation really fails, I won't complain! "What a noble spirit, what a great personality!

Yes, in case the operation fails, what does that mean? Look at me, I look at you, all of them are moved by Commander He's radical revolutionary spirit. After a short medical meeting, they unanimously agreed to respect Commander He's opinion and change the original plan.

Once the plan was determined, the medical staff re-examined the medical technology issues and were fully prepared to achieve the best results. But the most disturbing thing is, can the weak Commander He survive the treatment? You know how poor the conditions here are!

That morning, it was a severe test for the doctors in the recuperation center and Commander He himself.

They used a door panel as an operating table, with Wang Zifeng as the main surgeon, Bai Shenxing and Li Xi as assistants. That is why the commander performed double leg amputation under such crude conditions.

In the operating room, the atmosphere was serious and tense, and outside, people were eager and worried, all sweating for them. "Cha-Cha," the only sound of sawing bones in the silence. Commander He was in a good mood. Although he was in a cold sweat, he gritted his teeth and never snorted. During the operation, he fell into a coma twice, but when he woke up, he whispered Mao's poems. Looking at Commander He's pain, beads of sweat soaked his clothes, his face red from patience, and still whispering poems, all the doctors present were moved by his strong will and amazing perseverance.

The operation took more than three hours. As Commander He took the initiative to cooperate actively and was estimated to be very successful, the comrades finally put down a hanging heart, only to find that the original worry was unnecessary. The host doctor Wang Zifeng held Commander He's hand and said affectionately: "It's been hard for you! "Commander He also said wittily:" The King of Hell didn't accept me. I was kicked back as soon as I reported for duty. "This general who fought on the battlefield and his strong and optimistic performance on the operating table are equally admirable. The story of Commander He's amputation and healing is still being told in the local area.

2017-06-27 Source: Dongli Party History