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Chapter 22
Kyle's POV
I informed Kenny's doctor that he's awake so he followed me back in the room. "Hi Kenny. I'm Doctor Jackson." He extends his hand, but Kenny just stares at him. Dr. Jackson explains everything that he told Megan and me about his overdose and his diagnosis.
"Rhabdo what?" Kenny finally speaks. I notice he's speaking really slowly.
"Rhabdomylosis. Do you mind if I examine you?" Kenny nods slowly.
"You should leave for this. Kenny needs some privacy." I whisper to Megan. She nods and leaves the room. Finally!
"I'm going to gently touch your limbs where I see the swelling and I need you to tell me if you feel any pain." He touches his left arm.
"That hurts..." Kenny replies still slowly.
"Sorry about that." He touches his left hand. "How about now?"
"That hurts too..." I notice Kenny is tearing up. I wonder how much pain he's in. Maybe the doctor should stop.
He touches his side, his stomach, his right arm, hand, and leg and Kenny seems to be fine. He touches his left leg and... "That really hurts!" Kenny cries out.
"I'm really sorry. You're eligible for physical therapy, but because of your drug use, you're going to be sent to rehab as soon as you're medically cleared. You can attend physical therapy while in rehab."
"How long will that take for him to be medically cleared?" I ask.
"He should be cleared in another day or two. He'll experience withdrawal symptoms in the meantime." I nod as I figured that was a possibility. "I would like to get him up and moving first before he's transferred. The longer he stays immobile, the longer and harder his recovery will be."
"You'll be able to get the help you need dude." I tell Kenny patting him on the shoulder.
"How can I do any of this? No insurance…" Kenny struggles to get out.
"Don't worry about it dude. Your bills will be taken care of."
"I need to check on other patients." Dr. Jackson informs us. He looks at me. "See if you can help him get out bed and take a few steps. It will be painful for him, but as I've said before, the longer he stays in that bed, the longer it will take him to recover. Don't let him overdo it. His nurse will be around to help assist."
"Thank you doctor." He leaves the room. "Come on dude, let's try to get you up."
"I don't want to…" He looks away from me.
"You heard the doctor. You want to walk sooner than later right?"
"Yes, but-"
"No buts, except yours getting out of that damn bed!" I go to the right side of the bed and help Kenny put his arm around me. I assist him in sitting up and he slowly slides to the edge of the bed. Everything seems to be going well until Kenny gets his left foot on the floor.
"STOP!" He screams.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't do this!" He starts to cry. "It hurts too much!"
"Okay dude, we'll try again later." I lift him up to get him back in the bed.
"Is it okay for me to come back in?" Megan asks sticking her head in the door. Kenny quickly wipes his eyes.
"You're still here?" I ask rolling my eyes.
"I told you I'm not leaving!"
"I'm tired of telling you to leave! Maybe I need to call security."
"Please, stop fighting." Kenny tells us.
"Sorry about that dude! I don't want to upset you."
"Where's Drew?"
"Stan and Wendy are taking care of him." I inform him.
"I want to see him."
I shake my head. "Not like this dude. Wait until you're in rehab."
He shakes his head. "I want to see my son! I miss my son!" I can tell he's starting to get irate.
"I know you do, but this isn't the place. Do you really want him to see you hooked up to an IV?"
He lowers his head in shame. "No..."
"Right now you need to focus on getting better."
"I just want to give him a big hug and tell him how much I love him." Kenny looks down.
"I know you do, but get better first then you can see him."
"Kenny, you know he's in good hands." Megan smiles and I can't help, but roll my eyes again.
"I know…"
There's a knock on the door, this time it's a nurse. "Hi Kenny. I brought you some gelatin and water." She sets them down on his tray and moves the tray closer to him.
"I don't want to eat this." He says as he pushes the tray away.
"You need to try to eat something. You need to get your strength up." She moves the tray closer again. "I'll bring around the menu so you can choose what you want for dinner."
"Fine..." He grabs the cup and the nurse leaves. He's trying hold the cup with his right hand and open it with his left hand, but to no avail. He tries to switch hands, but he's having trouble gripping the cup with his left hand. I can tell his frustrated.
"Do you need help?" I ask.
"No..." He pushes the cup away.
"Come on dude, I'll help you." I open the cup for him and feed him some gelatin.
"This really sucks!" Kenny exclaims as his face turns red.
"The doctor said it will be hard for you to use that hand."
"I can't even hold a cup gelatin!"
"It's okay. Keep trying, it will get better eventually."
"What if it doesn't?"
"Don't think like that."
"It's true. What if Drew grows up and wants to play sports? I won't be able to teach him because of limited mobility." He sniffles. "I won't be able to teach him how to throw a ball!"
"This is only temporary."
"No it isn't! You heard him! I have a long road to recovery!" He looks at me. "I really fucked up this time, didn't I?" I really don't want to answer that question. It's either lie to him or tell him the truth and hurt his feelings. He's already feeling down and vulnerable as it is.
"Oh Kenny!" Megan hugs him.
"Leave me alone." I smile when I hear that.
"Come on Kenny, we just want to help." No Megan, I'm here to help! You're a pain in the ass.
"I don't want help!" Kenny snaps at her.
"Give him some space." I whisper to her.
Megan nods in agreement. "Kenny, I'll come back and check on you tomorrow. Okay?"
"Fine..."
"Do you want me to go too?" I ask him.
He nods. "Please. I just want to be alone." Damn, I wasn't expecting that.
"Dude..."
"I need time to take everything in." He wipes his eyes. I think he may be embarrassed by everything that's happened.
"I understand. I'll come back in the morning."
"Thank you." I look at him one last time before leaving.
