Trying to dance through the rain

Chapter 2

I awoke to pure pain, it felt like someone had stabbed me in the stomach going all the way through to my spine.

Well...probably a bit more like I'd been hit by a truck and then backed over by the same truck.

Someone entered the room, Dr Emily.

I was in too much pain and too tired to move.

She started to check all the tubes I was connected to.

As another wave of searing pain hit I let out a small moan.

It probably hadn't helped that I hadn't eaten in weeks but no one needed to know that.

Dr Emily immediately turned her attention to me.

"On a scale of 1-10 how bad is the pain?" She asked concerned.

"Eight" I managed to whisper.

She started fiddling with the machines pumping liquids in and out of my arm.

I started to relax as the pain diminished and I drifted back into a deep sleep.

This was how the next two weeks was spent with me drifting in-between sleep and pain.

Anytime I was offered food by Dr Emily I shook my head, I was too tired and I was never hungry enough to eat anything.

She didn't force me.

By that next Monday I was more alert and awake so I had to start rehabilitation.

I felt so weak, it was hard for me to even lift my leg.

Rehabilitation was worse than PE!

I spent hours trying to do different exercises so I could move my toes, feet, ankles and legs.

I even needed help to sit up.

On Wednesday Dr Emily decided I was well enough and strong enough to try and take a few steps.

This was the hardest challenge yet.

I had to try and sit up, swing my legs around to the side of the bed, stand and take a few steps leaning on Dr Emily and one of the nurses.

I managed to sit up and swing my legs to the side very slowly.

Then Dr Emily and the nurse carefully put their arms around my waist and put my arms on their shoulders.

I placed my feet on the floor and slowly tried to stand.

I lost my balance.

Pushing up on their shoulders.

I steadied myself before taking my first step, then a second, then almost connecting with the floor as I felt my ankles give way.

The nurse and Dr Emily quickly helped me back to the bed.

Two steps.

"Do you want to try again?" Dr Emily asked.

I nodded.

Three steps, then four, then weakness, I continued to try I had set a goal to be able to walk around the whole room.

"Well done Emma." Praised Dr Emily.

"You can try again tomorrow." I started to protest, why wait till tomorrow?

"Emma you've strained you back enough for today, pushing your limits is not going to help you, it will send you backwards."

She warned interrupting my seething thoughts.

I felt like a small child; fully dependent on others, being too eager and wanting to do the opposite of what adults told them to.

I laid there, sulking and I let a single tear roll down my cheek.

Why had I allowed myself to get into this mess?