LA Gang (Book 2)

5. Physical Therapy

5. Physical Therapy

It's been about three weeks since Matt's leg was amputated and he is doing good, it was hard for him to accept it but he is slowly coming to terms with it. Scott is doing better as well, he doesn't need the NG tube anymore and he is gradually gaining back all the weight he lost in those few days that he was sick. Now, Matt has to do physical therapy, as well as Scott for his scoliosis.

Scott was wheeling Matt to the physiotherapy area, ready to start physical therapy, but they didn't know they would encounter Kevin there.

"Hey, Kev? What are you doing here?" Scott asked Kevin with a smile.

"Physical therapy is part of my treatment after the transplant. I need it to strengthen my heart," Kevin answered.

"Let's go in then. They are already waiting for us," Matt said and Scott wheeled him inside the room. Different therapists approached the boys and started teaching their corresponding exercises. Matt had to gain equilibrium on his good leg and try to move with the help of parallel bars; Kevin had to walk and run on a treadmill; and Scott had to roll with a big yoga ball.

"I-I can't d-do this," Matt cried, he was struggling with the exercise he was given, and it hit him the fact that he wouldn't walk normally ever again.

"You can do this Matt. It is your first session so we'll take it slow. Take it easy and try again," his therapist said, trying to encourage Matt to keep trying. Matt nodded and tried again, but it was still too hard for him.

Meanwhile, Kevin was jogging on the treadmill while he was connected to electrodes that measured his heart rate. He was also having a hard time, he was already getting tired and got out of breath relatively quickly.

"And...stop. You did a great job Kevin," said Kevin's therapist and gave him some water. "Let me take out the electrodes and you are free to go. You will soon know when your next session will be."

"Alright, thank you," Kevin said tiredly and left the room.

In the meantime, Scott had to roll over a big yoga ball, it was painful since his scoliosis was bothering him, plus, he was getting tired and dizzy. "I don't think I can keep doing this. It hurts and I'm really tired," Scott said to his therapist.

"I guess we can stop for now, I know you are still recovering from what happened. Just remember to do the stretches every time your back hurts, okay?" Scott's therapist said to him.

"Got it, I'll see you soon," Scott said and left the room.

Outside, all three boys encountered and told each other how their PT went. It was hard for all of them and painful too. They were dreading going back again. They went to each of their rooms to shower and rest for a bit.

A few hours later, Mitch was walking around the halls when he saw Kirstie in her room, he was confused and worried so he went to ask her why was she back.

"Hey Kitty," Mitch said and hugged her tightly.

"Hi, Mitchy. It's good to see you!" Kirstie said.

"Yeah, you too. But...what are you doing here?"

"I have an infection, it is bad but not life-threatening."

"Ok...should we go and tell the others?"

"Ok, they should know too."

Both of them walked to the lounge where the other boys were and all three were excited to see Kirstie again but confused about why she was there.

"I have an infection. I will be here until the infection is fully gone. I don't want my new kidney to fail so quickly," Kirstie said calmly and the boys nodded. "How was your day guys?"

"Great!" Mitch said.

"Awful," Kevin said.

"Painful," Scott said.

"Horrible," Matt said. Kirstie was surprised, but she nodded anyway. "Wow," she said, she didn't know what else to say.

"Why?" she asked in disbelief.

"Physical therapy," Scott, Matt, and Kevin said at the same time.