Destination Love

Destination Love-Chapter Twenty-One

Taylor sat nervously on the exam table waiting for Dr. Jason Henderson to give her the results of her x-rays. Her injured leg laid uncovered along the table, while her good leg dangled off the other side. The stitches from the surgery had healed, leaving several long uneven scars along her shin. 

In celebration of walking again, she wore a pale pink sundress with matching sandals. She'd spent part of the day before at the spa, spoiling herself with a manicure, pedicure, and hair style.

"Taylor..." Jason entered the exam room of his clinic in Muskegon, "You look lovely." 

"Thank you." 

"I have some good news." He crossed to the table, and handed her a black elastic brace. "This is a new brace, you will need to wear it whenever you are moving around." 

"As in walking?" Taylor asked hopefully.

He grinned, "Yes, Taylor, as in walking." He helped her strap the brace around her knee, his fingers brushed against her inner thigh. "It will give your leg the support it needs while your muscles learn how to walk again." 

Feeling slightly uncomfortable, Taylor brushed his hands away, and adjusted the brace. "My muscles need to learn how to walk? I already know how to walk." 

Jason laughed, "I am as aware of that as are you, but when muscles are not used for a long period of time, they often forget what they are supposed to do. Physical Therapy will help." 

"Great." 

"I don't want you to push it. If you feel pain, stop. Use the crutches when you need to." 

"Got it." She swung her legs over the edge of the table. 

"No running." 

"I kind of guessed that one." 

"No high heels for a few months." 

"Yeah, that's not going to be to difficult." With his help holding onto her arm, she put her weight first on her good leg, then on her healed. Her knee immediately buckled, he caught her before she could fall. 

"See what I mean?" He grabbed one of her crutches. 

"I see. My knee doesn't want to cooperate." 

"It'll take time. Just walk with one crutch for a little while. It'll get easier as your muscles relearn the familiar behavior." 

With the assistance of one of the crutches, she managed to walk across the room. "So when can I drive?" 

"Are you kidding? You just got back on two feet, give it some time." He opened the door. "Who's driving you back to the resort?"

"Shawn is in the waiting room." 

"Well, then, I'll see you back here next month for x-rays. The nurse will give you a list of physical therapy clinics for you to choose from." 

"I have to go to a clinic?" 

"Unless you have a home gym to work out in." 

"I have a spa." 

"Good point. But you still need to contact a therapist to work with. They'll give you the exercises that will strengthen you leg." 

"When can I run again?" 

Jason sighed, "Well, honestly, I don't know. It's completely up to your leg. Let your pain level be your guide. If it hurts, don't do it. At least unless you're in therapy. Then they will give you instructions." 

"You mean they're going to make me hurt?" 

"They're going to make you push yourself it may hurt, yes."