Highway to Hell

Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Today Meredith was being fitted her HFAKO brace. This brace would practically force her legs to stay straight and her hips to balance and keep her up. She'd have to use a Walker to help get around, but to her, anything would be better than the wheelchair.

"So, I did a little research on this brace thing. Apparently it's pretty successful in incomplete spinal cord injuries." Derek said as they ate breakfast.

"Yeah?" She asked. Derek nodded. "You're getting closer to walking, Mer. The spasming is getting more frequent, which is technically a good thing." He said. "Hopefully it helps."

•••

They got to the hospital around 10am and went to Lucy's room. "You nervous?" Derek asked. "A little. I just hope it works." Meredith replied.

"Meredith, Derek hi." Lucy greeted with a smile. Meredith wheeled farther into the room and transferred herself to the exam table.

"So, we're getting you fitted for the HFAKO brace today, are you ready?" Lucy asked. "Yes." The two replied. Lucy nodded and grabbed the Device from the closet.

"What will this do for her? Long term?" Derek asked. Lucy smiled. "Basically, we're going to strap the leg pieces around her like a normal knee brace you'd use for an ACL tear or sometning. Then, the other connected part will strap around her hips. The point is to get your standing up and for your legs to get used to that position and hopefully adjust." Lucy explained.

"But if it's all kind of one device, how would I move?" Meredith asked. "You would have to one of swing your hips. As I said, it's to just get your Body used to standing up straight, not the actual walking part yet." She replied.

"Okay." Meredith answered. "Derek, to start, I want you to hold Meredith up so we can actually get her into the brace." Lucy guided.

Derek nodded and held Meredith up under her arms. Lucy went to work and strapped the leg part of the braces on.

They felt weird. Meredith wasn't a fan of the tightness on her legs, and it was very weird having to stand up straight. "How's rhat feel Meredith?" Lucy asked as the leg piece was attached.

"Weird. But fine." Meredith answered. Derek let go of her completely, and she was standing on her own. Of course, she didn't actually feel any of it, but she was dling it.

"Wow." Derek said in shock. "I'm...standing." Meredith smiled. "You are." Lucy said. This was one of the reasons she loved her job. Seeing her patients progress.

"Let's do the hip part now." Lucy said. Derek helped strap it on and Meredith was standing all on her own still. She felt kind of like a robot, but in a good way.

"How's ehat feel? Is it too tight?" Lucy asked. "No, it's okay." Meredith answered. "Want to try taking a few steps?" She questioned. Meredith looked at Derek, who shrugged and nodded.

Lucy grabbed a Walker and handed it to Meredith. "Now, nicd and Slow. You may only be able to take one step, or you might not even be able to, which is fine." She warned.

Meredith held a firm grip on the Walker and took a deep breath before attempting to shift her hips. She frowned when nothing happen. "Try to rotate your hips. When you do, your legs will follow." Lucy said gently.

Meredith did so, and to her amazement, her right leg moved after her hip. "Woah." She said with a big smile. "You're...walking Mer." Derek gasped. Meredith moved her left leg, then her right.

"Wow." She said, breathing heavily. "Take a break. That was awesome, Meredith." Lucy praised. "This....this is amazing." Derek breathed. "It is. The HKAFO brace has been very successful with patients with SCI's. It helps guide the spine into the correct position." She explained.

"It's amazing." Meredith agreed. She couldn't believe she was standing on her own. Again, she didn't feel any of it, but the mere fact that she was standing shocked her. She didn't know if she would ever stand, let alone walk again.

"So when exaclty am I supposed to wear this?" Meredith asked. "For now to start you off, I only want you wearing it for only an hour to two hours at a time to get used to it. Like right now, you can try to take a few steps around the hospital, but then I want it off." Lucy replied.

Meredith nodded. Lucy talked a bit more about the braces, and then left. "Want to try to walk out to the car a little?" Derek asked. "Sure."

Meredith grabbed hold of the Walker once again and slowly shuffled out of the room. Derek stood close by, watching her cautiously and in awe of her walking.

They had to take multiple breaks, but eventually they made it to the car. "You did great." Derek whispered, kissing her on the forehead and he began driving.

•••

They got home and Meredith very slowly walked up to their front door. Believe it or not, the braces were very tiring.

"Let's get you in bed and we can take the brace off." Derek suggested. Meredith nodded and got to the steps. Derek awkwardly swooped her into his arms and ascended upstairs.

"I'm tired." Meredith mumbled as Derek placed her in their bed. "I know." He replied, unstrapping her brace. Meredith sighed in relief as it was taken off.

"You okay? I gave you your meds earlier, right?" Derek asked. Meredith nodded. "Yes. I'm okay." She answered sleepily. "Okay. Get some rest. I'll wake you up in a few hours." He said, kissing her forehead. Meredith nodded.

"Love you." She mumbled. "Love you too. I'm proud of you." Derek whispered, leaving the room with a grin plastered on his face.

Hey guys! We hope you all enjoyed this chapter and hope your all doing well. As always, go follow my co-writer to this story, _Ktje_  Thanks for reading!!