Routine (open)

[Deleted]

After sitting in the dropship for nearly 2 hours, and a report form a soldier that he was still there, worried medical personnel came to get him out. They said he was temporarily paralyzed in his legs because he had walked by himself. Because he couldn't move his legs, they had no trouble putting him in a wheelchair, something he hated. He hated them because it made him double the size, and he couldn't walk, thus limiting his movement. The only way they were gonna keep him in one when he could walk again was by strapping him down really tight. If they didn't, he'd ditch the thing before he even was out of the med bay. When they arrived in the infirmary, they lifted him in one of the beds and told him to wait a few minutes because the doctor was still busy with something else. An hour later, the doctor finally came.

"Hrm, captain Aldman...

"Ehm, I'm not a captain yet, so please keep it at Lieutenant please"

"Whatever you want mate. Anyway, as the nurses have no doubt told you, you are temporarily paralyzed from the waist down. This should be over by tomorrow. After that I think I can let you leave in a week or so. I just want to keep you under observation for a while, just so I know you are fully healed. Your injury was quite severe, you know that? You're lucky it didn't hit your artery there. But, considering you've laid in a bed for a few weeks, I imagine your legs are weakened, and therefore I want you to slowly begin walking again, to strengthen the muscles again. It's not easy taking a man of your weight after not carrying anything for a while. Now, I'm gonna sedate you, you need to rest."

The doctor gave him a shot, and within seconds he was asleep.

[Deleted]

After dinner, John went to the infirmary to check in for his daily checkup.

"Ah, lieutenant Aldman. I see you've ditched the wheelchair.... Again. When will you learn that when I say you need to use something, it's better if you do! I don't want to have you around all the time, and I think you have something better to do as well! Now, are the medications working? Is there anything I need to know? Because if there isn't, I want to try to begin to lower your dosage, and have you walk with feeling again. I can't exactly say I approve that you walk, but I have noticed you can't be convinced to not walk."

"Well, great to see you too, doc. Yes, the meds are working, and I don't have anything better to do... Oh, by the way, thank you for signing my vacation. It was a welcome thing. Please lower my dosage, yeah, I think these medications have a side-effect. I burst today, started crying even! They make me so very emotional man, I just don't think I can handle that! But I also know I can't go cold turkey on this one, because it's a lot of pain I'd need to withstand. And you're right, I should use the wheelchair, I just feel so limited if I do! I can't explain it, I just don't feel good with it."

"I understand lieutenant, John, just don't try to be a hero, you deserve to be vulnerable now, everybody understands! You've crashed, lost your best friend, and it's a miracle you can still walk. I know you are a thoughass, but please, for your own sake, try to take it easy."

"Alright man, I'll try to take it easier. Now, I'm gonna go again! I have to check in with the psychologist. I'll see you tomorrow! ciou!"

John stood up from the bed he sat on, and walked out the infirmary.

[Jorge Silva]

Walking along the rail, Silva walked ever so slowly. He didn't want to fall. His leg was feeling better but he still had some trouble maintaining his balance, because at times pain would come. It would come in a quick stab and then going away just as fast as it had come. He walked slowly to avoid the pain. "Ok Silva now I want you to begin to walk faster." Dr. Greene said as he wrote something on the chart.


Silva was in a large room with other people receiving physical therapy. There were other patients as well being worked on with other therapists. Dr. Greene was Silva's therapist, he was wearing the white uniform of medical personal. Jorge walked foreword again this time faster then he had gone before. At first he didn't feel any pain. "Let go of the rail let's see how you can balance yourself." He was almost at the end of the rail track anyways. Letting go of the rail, he stumbled a little at first. He regained his balance and continued.

'Almost.' He was nearing the end of the track before he felt the pain come from his leg. His wound suddenly was in burning like pain for a few seconds. "Ahhh. God." he said to himself as the pain suddenly went away leaving that area of his body quite cool. He got off the path and onto the floor. "See what I mean? The pain is intense but it's short. I don't know what we can do for it." he said talking to the doctor.

The doctor finished writing something on his pad.
"Jorge, I think what your feeling is your muscles being used. You haven't waked without the cane for two days now and I'm glad. I'm going to prescribe you some pain medication. Take it for three days starting tomorrow. One in the morning and one in the evening. I think after those three days you shouldn't have anymore pain. Your balance is good, it's only when the pain comes you get of balance."

"So does this mean I can return to active duty?" he asked the doctor. "After three more days of therapy then yes. However if the wound does not heal within those three days or you continue to suffer from pain then it will be another week in here." Greene said. Silva took the prescription pad from the doctor. "Thanks." he told him and shook the man's hand. "Your welcome. Now go and get it filled." the doctor said.

Silva walked out of the therapy room and headed to get it filled.