Chapter 97 An heartbreaking news
Chapter 097
RAVENNA
Today was the day I would start my physiotherapy sessions. I had been both dreading and looking forward to this moment since Doctor Harrison had first mentioned it. Dreading it because I knew the process would be painful and difficult. Looking forward to it because it meant I was one step closer to leaving this hospital and returning to some semblance of normal life.
I was lying in bed trying to mentally prepare myself when the door opened and Samantha walked in carrying a bag of what looked like clothes and supplies.
I blinked at her in surprise. "What are you doing here? Are you not supposed to be at school right now? You have classes."
Samantha set the bag down on the chair and gave me a look that clearly said I was being ridiculous. "I ought to be here with you since no one else is going to be able to help you get to your therapy session properly."
"There are nurses for that," I protested, not wanting her to miss more school because of me. "You do not need to worry about me. I can manage."
"Stop being stubborn," Samantha replied firmly, already pulling clothes out of the bag. "I am here and I am helping you. Now let me assist you in getting changed before we are late."
I wanted to argue more, but the determined expression on her face told me it would be pointless. So, I allowed her to help me change out of the hospital gown and into proper clothes. Even that simple task was exhausting and painful, my body protesting every movement.
Once I was dressed, Samantha carefully helped me into the wheelchair that had been provided for getting around until I could walk properly again. The loss of independence was humiliating, but I swallowed my pride and let her push me out of the room and down the corridor towards where the physiotherapy sessions were held.
The therapy room was much larger than I had expected. It was filled with various equipment I did not recognise and several other people who were in different stages of their own recovery. Some were walking with assistance. Others were doing exercises on mats. A few were using machines that looked complicated and slightly intimidating.
A huge man approached us as soon as we entered. He was easily over six feet tall with broad shoulders and muscular arms that suggested he took his own fitness very seriously. Despite his imposing size, his smile was warm and welcoming.
"You must be Ravenna Casmir," he greeted, extending a hand that completely dwarfed mine when I shook it. "I am Matt, and I will be in charge of your physiotherapy sessions for as long as you need them."
"Nice to meet you," I managed, trying not to wince at the firm grip.
Matt gestured around the room, beginning to explain everything whilst Samantha listened intently beside me. "We have various equipment here that will be used during your therapy. That machine over there helps with leg strength. Those parallel bars are for practicing walking with support. The mats are for floor exercises that will help rebuild your core muscles."
He continued pointing out different items whilst explaining their purposes. My head was spinning slightly trying to take it all in.
"Today we will start with some basic exercises designed to wake up your body," Matt continued. "Nothing too strenuous yet. We need to assess where you are currently and build from there gradually."
He turned to Samantha. "I am going to need you to let go of her wheelchair now."
Samantha's eyes went wide with panic. "But she is going to fall. She cannot stand on her own yet."
"That is why I will be here to catch her, if necessary," Matt assured her calmly. "But she needs to try. This is an important first step."
He handed me a sturdy walking stick. "Hold onto this and never let go. It will help support your weight whilst you try to stand."
I gripped the stick tightly with both hands, feeling the smooth wood beneath my fingers. Samantha reluctantly stepped away from the wheelchair, though she hovered nearby looking ready to dive forward at any moment.
"Whenever you are ready," Matt encouraged. "Take your time. There is no rush."
I took a deep breath and tried to push myself up using the stick for leverage. Pain immediately shot through my legs, sharp and intense. My muscles screamed in protest, having been inactive for so long. I made it about halfway to standing before my legs started shaking violently.
I staggered, losing my balance completely. Samantha lunged forward and caught me before I could fall, her arms wrapping around me whilst I gasped from the effort and pain.
"I have got you," she whispered, helping me ease back down into the wheelchair. "You are alright."
Matt nodded approvingly. "That was a good first attempt. Better than many patients manage on their first day. We will keep working on it."
Over the next hour, he put me through various exercises. Some involved trying to move my limbs in specific ways. Others required me to hold certain positions for as long as I could manage. All of them were painful and exhausting, but Matt was patient and encouraging throughout.
"You are quite strong," he observed towards the end of the session whilst I was catching my breath. "If you take these therapy sessions seriously and do the exercises I assign for you to practice in your room, you should be out of this hospital in approximately two weeks."
Two weeks sounded like forever, but it was better than I had feared. "That is good to hear."
"However," Matt continued, his expression becoming more serious, "you need to understand that even after you are discharged, you will need to take things slowly. No strenuous physical activity for at least a month after leaving here. Your body needs time to fully heal and adjust. If you push too hard too fast, you risk going into shock and having a complete breakdown that could set your recovery back significantly."
My heart sank. "A month? But I need to return to school for the hockey tournament. It starts next week."
Matt shook his head firmly. "I am sorry, but that is not advisable. Sports are exactly the kind of strenuous activity I am talking about. You need to give your body proper time to heal."
I wanted to argue, to insist that I would be fine and could handle it. But the exhaustion weighing down my entire body from just one therapy session told me he was probably right.
Matt handed Samantha a prescription paper. "These are some medications she should take to help with pain management and muscle recovery. Make sure she takes them as directed. And I will be expecting to see you tomorrow at the same time, Ravenna. Do not be late."
"I will make sure she is here," Samantha promised whilst I just sighed in frustration.
On the way back to my room, I could not stop complaining. "A whole month before I can play hockey again. The tournament will be over by then. Everything I have worked for will be gone."
"Will you please be quiet and listen to the doctor?" Samantha scolded gently. "He knows what he is talking about. Pushing yourself too hard is what got you into this hospital in the first place. Do not make the same mistake twice."
I knew she was right, but that did not make it any easier to accept.
When we reached my room and Samantha pushed open the door, I was shocked to see three people waiting inside. My father stood by the window. Theodore was sitting in one of the visitor chairs. And there was another man I did not recognize standing beside them.
"Father," I breathed out, joy flooding through me at seeing him here. "You came."
Dad crossed the room quickly and kissed my forehead gently. "Of course I came. I have been visiting as often as I could. I am so glad to see you awake and alert."
Theodore stood and gave me a small smile. "Good to see you conscious, sister."
I gestured to Samantha, who was standing awkwardly near the door. "Father, Theodore, this is my best friend and roommate, Samantha. Sam, this is my father and my half-brother Theodore."
Samantha's eyes went wide with surprise, but she recovered quickly and smiled politely. "It is nice to finally meet you both. Ravenna has told me about you."
We all settled into conversation, catching up on everything that had happened over the past two weeks. My father told me about developments with his pack and business. Theodore shared some amusing stories about training. Samantha chimed in occasionally with updates about what had been happening at the academy.
After about half an hour, my father leaned closer to me and lowered his voice so only I could hear. "Theodore will be joining Midnight Academy as a student starting this Monday."