"Alright, let's try to get you upright for a little spell…" the physiotherapist named John said as he placed the walker closer to the bed.

Luca nodded, he knew it was necessary to get back on his feet as soon as possible. That was a lesson he had learned repeatedly ever since some doctor had figured out that it wasn't beneficial to just lay around until sprains hurt less, or fractures grew back. He didn't know exactly when the negative effects of bedrest had been discovered or linked to slower healing and greater chances of complications, but he knew his doctors, and nurses had become increasingly more persistent since the mid to late 90's.

That being said, he never felt quite ready to up for the first time after surgeries.

"Let's take this slow and you let me know if you start feeling light-headed or need to sit down." John said, and Luca agreed, "Can you sit up and lift your leg towards the edge of the bed? Help with your hands."

Luca nodded and grabbed the brace around his leg. The epidural had been switched off since last night, so the only thing offering him pain relief was the pills. But he figured he was as well relieved from pain as could be without starting to get dizzy or unsteady.

"How does it feel?"

"Alright…" Luca answered with a slight grimace, "Can't expect to be completely pain free, can I?"

John shook his head, "No, that's very rare considering the amount of damage you managed to land yourself."

Luca nodded.

Once Luca had his foot right next to the edge, John asked if he needed help guiding his leg down towards the floor. Luca shook his head.

"Okay, once you're seated on the edge of the bed, you take a short break just to make sure you're not dizzy or anything."

Luca nodded, and took a few seconds to collect himself.

The physiotherapist placed the walker in front of Luca.

"Do I really have to mess around with that thing?" Luca asked as he tapped two fingers to the walker, "Can't I just use crutches?"

"We take a test run with the walker first." John replied, leaving no room for discussion, "If I see that you're not wobbling or in too much pain we'll move you onto crutches."

Luca scrounged up his nose, but nodded. "I just don't like those walker things."

"Yeah? Any specific reason for that?"

"Just feel more comfortable with crutches." Luca shrugged, then placed one hand where his hand would naturally go when he was standing up, and the other one to push off the bed he was now sitting on.

"So this definitely isn't your first time meeting a walker then?"

"No. I think the first time I ever used one was when I was ten or something. Broke my leg after being hit by a car while riding my bike."

"Ouch…"

Luca nodded before he stood up, grimacing slightly before he offered up a slightly cautious smile. "Was in traction for the first three weeks. Then I got a cast and was allowed to hobble around, but for some reason I think they made me use a walker for like 10 days until they figured my balance or something was good enough to try out crutches. -Which I found 10 times easier by the way."

John chuckled.

"My brother and I had played around with our dad's crutches a few times though, so that experience probably helped." Luca chuckled.

John nodded, "Okay, whenever you're ready place the walker a few inches in front of you, then follow it."

Luca nodded, "No weight on my left leg, right?"

"No, you can put as much weight on it as you can manage. You just can't bend your knee." the physiotherapist corrected, and Luca lifted the walker forward then braced his shoulders and stepped forward. The grimace on Luca's face told John that the man ought to lift more of his weight than on the first attempt, which he commented out loud.

After a few steps he paused and looked over at John, "How many more steps before I can switch to crutches?"

"How are you feeling?" John asked, "Any dizziness? Feeling of weakness?"

"Good, and nope." Luca shook his head, "There's some pain, but I can't expect anything else."

The physiotherapist nodded, "Well, you're moving like a pro… If you can hobble out to the door of the first restroom in the hallway, then I'll trade your walker with crutches and we'll see how it goes."

Luca nodded, "I have to turn left when I reach the hallway then?"

"No, right."

"Alright." Luca nodded.

SWATSWATSWAT

Once he reached the door he placed all of his weight on his hands and dangled like he was about to do dips. He wouldn't be able to actually do the exercise, due to the straight locked leg. Then he locked eyes with John, "Do I get the crutches now?"

John nodded, and told Luca to take a seat in one of the chairs in the hallway while he went to fetch some crutches.

SWATSWATSWAT

A few minutes later John returned with the crutches, and had Luca stand up using the crutches. "Let's see if you're a pro on crutches as well…"

Luca chuckled.

A few minutes later John nodded to himself, "Still no dizziness or feeling of weakness?"

"None."

"Alright." John grinned, "Then I'll let your nurse know that you're ready for using crutches only. And later today I'll decide if you're ready for moving around without supervision. Okay?"

"So I'm not allowed that yet?"

"Not quite yet." John answered, "Maybe later today, if you still move with the same ease and steadiness."

Luca nodded.

"So for now, if you want to up and walk around a bit, you push the call button." John informed.

Luca nodded.

"Do you feel like going back to your bed, or to the common room?"

"Is there something I can prop my legs up on there?"

"Yeah, there is." John nodded.

"And other people?"

"Usually."

"Okay, common room." Luca decided.

"Okay, end of the hallway then."

Luca nodded and started hobbling in the direction.