A Million Reasons | K. Danvers ✔

[75] Step By Step

• August 03, 2017 •

The day Zach had been patiently waiting for came at last. His cast had to be removed and after that, he could finally try to stand up and take a few steps. Of course, he would need help at first but the doctors were certain that with care and effort, he would be able to walk again.

Though he was nervous because he hadn't stood up in so long and staying confined to a wheelchair had made him fear that he might never be able to walk again. True, he tried to look at the brighter side of things but there were times when it became difficult for him to find the silver lining.

And through that current stage of his life, he was learning why it was so hard for people to be optimistic, how there could be so many visible and invisible constraints forcing them down. In a sense, he had had enough time to reflect on his situation and compare it with others.

"Guess what day it is today?" Ava's cheerful voice shook him out of his thoughts as she pushed his wheelchair to the dining table.

Breakfast was laid out and they had to leave for the hospital shortly afterward.

"Aw come on, Zach, cheer up," she squished his cheeks, making a reluctant smile tug up at his face, "I know deep inside you're jumping from excitement."

"I can't jump."

"You soon will," she remarked off-handedly, "now hurry and eat up. Get this ugly-looking cast off as soon as possible."

"Alright I get it," he filled up his plate, by then both his arms had recovered well and he had no problem doing his daily tasks. The only issue was the cast and that too would be removed shortly. 

After breakfast, Jonah helped him to the car and they took him to the hospital. Ava was staying behind with Solar but Morena had insisted to come.

Though Ava had been right in saying that Zach was internally jumping from excitement. He knew it was foolish to hope for an immediate change after the cast would be removed but at least he wouldn't have to tolerate that heavy burden over his leg all the time and he would be able to stand up and eventually walk as well.

Of course, that was enough to get him excited albeit a little nervous too.

After the routine appointment with the doctor, he was taken to the surgical room where the cast had to be cut through with a machine that worked akin to an electric drill. First, a line was drilled through the thick plaster and then the crack was deepened so that it could be split into two.

Zach couldn't feel a thing because his leg was already very stiff from staying in the cast for a month. It would take a few days for the stiffness to lessen and also for his muscles to get used to functioning normally.

Though when the cast came off at last, the most shocking thing for him was to see how damaged his skin had gotten underneath. Since the white plaster had been wrapped around his leg for so long, the skin underneath had gotten dry and flaky.

"It looks like a monster's leg," he mumbled and the intern who had cut his cast off laughed at his remark.

"This is old skin layer and will peel off gradually, just don't pick on it," he replied, "since you couldn't wash it properly with the cast on, your skin dried up. I'm sure the doc would have prescribed something to take care of this too."

Zach nodded, looking again at his slightly swollen but stiff leg. He tried to move it but it didn't budge, staying as stiff as a log.

"It will take some time," the intern patted his shoulder lightly, "you should start slow. Take these two days to get your leg used to your normal routine. Don't stress yourself out and I'm sure by the third day, you will see improvement."