Woman writes this question on her knee before surgery: the doctors' answer is surprising

Greenville (South Carolina) - Before a medical procedure, patients often have a lot of questions that are primarily intended to take away their fear of the operation itself. Aidan Rohrer Tate (26) from the US state of South Carolina alsowanted to know something from her doctors. But instead of asking them directly, the 26-year-old simply wrote the question on her thigh. The doctors' answer surprised her.

Instead of finding out about the upcoming cruciate ligament reconstruction, the patient had a completely different matter on her mind. She wanted to find out what the hospital staff who would be cutting her open were like by answering an elementary question.

With a waterproof pen, Aidan therefore wrote upside down on her healthy leg: "Did Ross and Rachel have a break?" She also offered "yes" and "no" as possible answers.

Her question might be a little confusing for outsiders.

But anyone familiar with the TV show "Friends" knows how important the answer to this question can be for die-hard fans. The popular sitcom from the 90s revolves around a group of friends, of which Ross Geller and Rachel Green are also a part.

During their relationship, a situation arose where Geller assumed they were both taking a break from each other and dated another woman. Green, who shared very different views, was deeply affected by his action.

Even two decades after it aired, fans are still debating: Were the couple actually separated? Were Rachel's feelings appropriate? Should Geller have kept his hands off the other woman despite the supposed break in their relationship?

Patient Aidan seems to depend at least so much on the opinion of others about the controversial "Friends" topic that it accompanied her all the way to the operating theater.

She had been inspired beforehand by another person who had written something on her body before a procedure. "I wanted to do something similar and make it interactive."

According to Newsweek, she was initially a little "nervous" about her action because she didn't know how the doctors would react. And indeed, the 26-year-old initially received no response and no cross on her leg.

"I was really disappointed when I woke up and saw that they hadn't ticked a box," the US American recalls. In truth, however, her question had actually been an issue during the procedure.

This was confirmed to her by a nurse anesthetist and a surgeon Aidan spoke to after the operation. "They said that everyone thought it was hilarious," says the 26-year-old. Why no one had ticked an answer was also quickly clarified: the medical staff had simply disagreed.

However, Aidan was later told that the whole thing was discussed again a day later during a meeting and the general consensus was that Ross and Rachel had indeed had a break in their relationship.

Aidan, who was able to agree with this, however, feels that this does not justify Ross' behavior. "Ross still acted so wrongly and Rachel's feelings are justified," the US-American is certain.

The patient is celebrated on TikTok for her funny action. The clip has received more than 21 million views so far.