Edinburgh
1-Day Post-Op
The first blush of dawn streaks through the window of the rehabilitation wing of the hospital where Sean Parker is recovering. It casts a soft glow across the room and Sean finds himself tangled in a web of discomfort. His knee is throbbing with every movement, a constant reminder of the risk he took to have the surgery. Dr Metcalfe had warned and warned and warned him about the pain and whilst it was painful afterwards, this was nothing compared to what he was feeling now. Michelle and Sean’s Aunt Diana, who had arrived early to be with him during his first session, stood nearby. Michelle, seeing the obvious pain and discomfort he was in, quickly rushes towards the bed, stroking Sean’s hair, a comforting hand rubbing his arm.
(Michelle): Careful, Sweetheart!
Sean grimaces, biting his lip as he tries to press himself off the bed. However, as soon as his foot of his injured leg touches the cold linoleum floor, a roar emanates from his mouth that initially catches Michelle off-guard.
(Sean): Jesus suffering F*CK!
Michelle winces at Sean’s expletive outburst but she realizes it’s just because of the pain he’s in and ignores it as he collapses back on to the bed. Sean mops his face with his hands.
(Michelle): It’s ok, Sweetie, breathe through it and take your time.
Sean looks like he could almost cry, a pleading look crossing his face as he nuzzles into Michelle like a puppy.
(Sean): I’m…I’m so sorry, Shell. I should’ve listened…this was a bad idea…I can’t do it… it’s too much…
It was jarring seeing Sean like this. So many times had she been the one seeking comfort and solace in his arms during times of difficulty. Now here Sean was, as vulnerable as she’d ever seen him, like a lost child seeking comfort. As much as she wanted to hold him close and tell him it was going to be alright, she knew she had to put it aside and put on her big girl pants.
(Michelle): Now, you listen here, mister. You can do this. You’ve gone through too much now to give up here. I love you and I know you can do this.
Just then there's a gentle knock on Sean’s door and in strides a young athletic looking woman, wearing jogging pants and a navy blue-coloured polo shirt with the hospital’s crest stitched into the left breast. Her demeanor is a blend of warmth and professionalism. This is Sarah, Sean’s assigned physiotherapist. She greets Diana and Michelle with acknowledging nods, having met them already beforehand at Sean's immediate post-op consultation.
(Sarah): Good morning, everyone! Are we good to go? How are you feeling, Sean?
Sarah had a bubbly nature about her that brought a smile to Michelle and Diana’s faces but Sean was in no mood for her pish. Michelle turns to Sarah.
(Michelle): He could barely get his foot on the floor without being in agony, is there anything we can do to make it easier for him?
(Sarah): Unfortunately not, this is going to be a very brutal and painful rehabilitation but the quicker we get to work, the easier it will become. Now come on you, a big strapping young lad like you can do this.
Sarah approaches Sean with purpose, crutches in hand, their metal frames gleaming under the fluorescent lights.
(Sarah): I’m going to need you to try and stand up, Sean but try not to put any weight on your weaker leg for now. You need to be steady on your feet whilst we get you familiar with these crutches.
Sean takes a big, deep breath through his nose, exhaling sharply out of his mouth, as if getting himself psyched up. With a grunt and a groan, he stands up as tall as he can, balancing on his uninjured leg as Michelle helps him keep his balance. With practiced ease, Sarah adjusts the height of the crutches to fit Sean’s frame, ensuring a snug fit under his arms.
(Sarah): These will be your new best friends for a while. They'll help you get out and about in-between your sessions.
Sean eyes the crutches warily, a sense of unease settling in the pit of his stomach. They represent both freedom and limitation, a reminder of the hurdles he must overcome. With painstaking precision, Sarah demonstrates the proper technique, guiding Sean through the motions until they become second nature. Step by step, they traverse the room together, Sarah's steady hand a lifeline in the sea of uncertainty. Soon though, he manages to at least get the hang of moving around the room, despite the agony he’s in.
(Sarah): Excellent work, Sean! Well done, that’s the first step.
Michelle looks so pleased she might cry and claps her hands as Diana looks on with pride as well. Sean manages a light smile through the grimace and gritted teeth.
(Sarah): Right, no time like the present, let’s see if you can hop yourself along to the gym where we’ll start your exercises?
Sean looks up, his face almost ashen.
(Sean): Are you kidding hen? Am knackered just getting round this wee rom with these.
(Michelle): Like she said, Sean, the quicker you get started, the quicker you get better.
Sean purses his lips in a pouty manner. He knows both Sarah and Michelle are right and throws a last-ditch desperate glance to Diana. She just smirks, holding her hands in mock innocence.
(Diana): Dinnae look at me, ya big dafty, am no savin’ yer arse this time! You heard yer missus, hop to it, quick like a bunny noo!
Sean looks at all the three women staring at him with the same expression. He knows he’s not winning this round.
(Sean): Fine, let’s go then.
About fifteen minutes later, after a few pit stops and respites, they finally make it to the rehab center. The air is thick with the scent of antiseptic, mingling with the faint aroma of sweat.
With Diana and Michelle watching on, Sarah takes Sean through a series of exercises, each one designed to stretch and strengthen his surgically-repaired knee. With each movement, pain flares to life, like an exposed nerve being touched. Each instance is like a lightning bolt coursing through him and he flinches each time, trying his best not to show. But his expression tells it all.
Hours pass in a blur of sweat and exertion, until finally, Sean slumps down onto his back, his weakened leg in the air. His hands go to his face, mopping his face again.
(Sean): I need a break, please! I can’t take this anymore!
Michelle trots over, squatting down next to Sean, running her hand through his hair.
(Michelle): Sweetheart, you’re doing ever so well, I’m so proud of you. Come on, you can do this.
(Sarah): It’s fine, he’s put in a ton of effort today, a really good start. I think this is a good finishing up point today but I’ve got some exercises I want you to do in the meantime before our session tomorrow, Sean. Resistance bands, and moving as much as you can.
Michelle looks up at her with a nodding smile.
(Michelle): Thank you, Sarah, you’ve been great, we really appreciate it.
(Sean): I just wished dad was here, he said he’d come…it’d be so much easier with him here!
Michelle throws Diana a concerned glance at Sean mentioning his dad again, giving her a nodded signal. Diana recognizes it and approaches the physiotherapist, speaking a lowered tone of voice.
(Diana): Here, listen. So ever since, Sean came out of surgery, he’s been asking about his dad.
(Sarah): Well, it is natural, even for adults to want their parents with them in times like this when we’re in pain, whether it’s physical or emotional.
(Diana): Aye hen I get that, but Sean’s dad died 25 years ago, when he was just a bairn. At first we thought he was just a wee bit doolally with all the meds he was on and all that, y’know? But surely they should’ve flushed out his system by now?
(Sarah): Ah right, yes, that is quite peculiar, not common but certainly not unheard of either. It’s obviously a bit outside my expertise but I can speak to Dr Metcalfe, see if we can run some more tests to see if there’s anything underlying?
A look of relief passes across Diana’s face along with a grateful smile.
(Diana): Thank you, we appreciate it.
(Sarah): Not a problem. If you’ll excuse me, I have a session with another patient…
After Sarah takes her leave, both Diana and Michelle help Sean up even though he is getting used to the crutches, he’s in an incredible amount of pain still and they help back to his room. After he gets back into his bed, he immediately grabs his phone, scrolling through his contacts. Soon a look of frustration finds its way on his face.
(Sean): What the hell? Where is he?
(Michelle): What’s wrong?
(Sean): I’m trying to call dad but I can’t find his number!
The worried look on Michelle’s face is more telling now and Diana recognises it as well. She sits beside Sean on the bed, placing a hand on top of his.
(Diana): Sean, son, you need to hear this. Your dad’s dead…
Sean immediately looks up, his face crestfallen, like this is the first time he’s heard this. A dismissing smile crosses his face for the briefest of moments.
(Sean): Why would you say that?!
(Diana): It’s true, Sean. He died years ago…I’m sorry. It’s the medication you’ve been on for the pain and when you came out of surgery, it’s messing with yer head, son.
Sean looks devastated at this point, like his entire world has just crumbled around him. He looks to Michelle for clarity, as if she will debunk what his aunt is saying. She looks at him somberly, placing a comforting hand on his cheek.
(Michelle): Sweetheart, your Aunt is right. And before, when you talked about our….
Debunking something like this really tore at her heartstrings but she needed to do it.
(Michelle): Our…wedding…that’s not happening either…we’re not engaged, Sean… look…
She holds up her hand.
(Michelle): No ring, my love. It’s the medication you’ve been given, I promise you, sweetheart.
Sean looks completely devastated, like he’s struggling to make sense of everything that’s going on in his head. It’s all so confusing, coupled with the crippling pain from his knee. He lies back on the bed, looking up at the ceiling. Michelle takes a seat next to him, rubbing his arm.
(Michelle): Hey, it’s ok, it’s not your fault, it’s just a side effect of the medicine, it’ll pass. I know what might get your mind off things, why don’t we put Havoc on and you can catch up on what you’ve been missing! Jeremy and Matt also called for you earlier and were asking for you.
Michelle immediately goes to work on finding a remote controller for the television in his room, trying to find the network that Havoc is aired on in the UK as Diana Parker looks on with a mixture of concern and admiration on her face. Concern for her nephew but admiration at this strong, beautiful young woman that he was completely besotted with and likewise for her too. Meanwhile, Sean tried his best to concentrate on the action on the TV but his mind was still swimming with a thousand different thoughts, all out of place. As “Lost” by Linkin Park signaled the start of Havoc, the scene fades to black.
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