Physical Therapy

Posted on Fri May 7th, 2021 @ 10:00am by Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Lieutenant JG Heather De La Rosa {Kelea-Salik}

Mission: Season 5: Episode 2: Operation Save Humanity
Location: Recovery/ Physical Therapy Ward
Timeline: MD-1 0730 Hours
1548 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON

Naxea cradled her new arm as she walked gingerly into the physical Therapy Ward with S'hib escorting her. At the moment, she could only move her fingers on her arm but she couldn't feel any strength with it.

Heather had arrived just ahead of Naxea and S’hib, she wanted to be there to do what she could to help Naxea with her therapy. It was obviously going to be frustrating and difficult having a new artificial limb.

"If you keep holding it, it's never going to learn to hold itself up." S'hib remarked stubbornly while squeezing her closer, to him, her arm was a newborn Sequus, trying to stand on legs it had never used before, and there would be plenty of trips and falls.

"Better than let it hang limp at my side. I can't even bend it on my own," she replied gruffly as she approached Heather. "Hi Heather. How is Fernando?" she asked.

“He’s fine thank you” Heather smiled warmly. “I didn’t get chance to say a proper thank you for saving Fernando and the others. You’re a hero in my book.” She motioned to a nearby chair. “Grab a seat in the comfy chair, and let’s see how you’re doing with this arm.”

"From what I've heard, Fernando did just fine on his own," she said sitting down in the chair and sinking in a bit. 'Yeah, a little too comfy. Should be right up Commander Gary Taylor's style,' she thought recalling when she last sat in the XO's chair on the bridge. "The arm is next to useless. I can barely move it on it's own."

Heather nodded. “It’s going to take some getting used to I’m afraid. It’s not just a case of putting it on and away you go, you have to learn how to control it.”

S'hib remained silent as he moved behind Naxea, standing sentry over her as he rested the tips of his hooved fingers against her shoulders. "Think of it like a weapon you've never used before Naxea," S'hib interjected, leaning his lanky frame forward and craning his neck to one side so she could see at least one eye of his.

"You wouldn't call a rifle useless simply because you don't know how to operate it... the same goes for the arm." He said sternly, gently squeezing both of her shoulders. "So next time you call it useless," S'hib snorted as he stood back up. "I'm going to flick your ear."

"Do, and I'll make a mare out of you," she teasingly threatened, waving a finger at him. "So what's first?" she asked, turning back towards Heather.

“First we teach you how to control that arm” Heather smiled. “In Earth’s past false limbs were simply a strap, or fix on item that was made to look real. Now they’re a lot more technical, your replacement arm incorporates technology that reads your nerve impulses. When you learn to think of it as your arm it will function just as your original arm used to.”

"Easier said than done." She had tried to move her arm multiple times and all she got was a slight movement from her elbow, wrist, or fingers.

“I know it sounds simple but it’s not” Heather took a seat to make it easier on her back. “Right now you are still processing the fact that your arm is gone, that it’s no longer there, and you’re wearing a prosthetic. You have to learn to think of this new arm as the arm that’s always been there, it’s not easy.”

Naxea tried to bend her arm only to find it bent a little. After a minute, she relaxed, taking a breath. "No, it's not," she replied, frustration evident in her voice.

“It’s going to take time, and a lot of practice.” Heather smiled. “It’ll come eventually, don’t become disheartened by lack of progress. Actually Doctor Sthilg wants you to see a Counsellor, the choice of whom you see is up to you. It’s all a part of your recovery program.”

"I don't have eventually. I need to get back to being with my Detachment," she replied as she focused on bending her arm again.

Heather watched with interest as Naxea focused on her arm. She could see the determination in Naxea’s eyes. “Try this...” Heather took a seat opposite to rest her aching back. “Close your eyes, let yourself fully relax, put everything else out of your mind.”

Deciding to listen to Heather, Naxea sighed and tried to do as she had been instructed.

“That’s it” Heather smiled and nodded as she looked at S’hib. “Now focus on your arm, concentrate on bending your fingers, just one finger at a time. Small steps.”

It was odd for Naxea to have to think about moving a finger--something that normally comes more of a reflex she was now having to try and make her body respond. She struggled for a moment before she finally felt her finger raise and curl in.

“Open your eyes and take a look.” Heather smiled warmly. “You did it Naxea, now you’ve done it once keep practicing. It’ll come as second nature once you get used to it, but it’s going to take time. I’m afraid you won’t be back out with the marines for a while longer.”

She opened her eyes and despite her smile, Naxea knew it was going to be difficult as she would be forced to pass the SFMC Physical Fitness Test before being allowed back on full active duty. "The sooner I get back, the better," she said as she repeated the exercise.

"No, the sooner you take the time to get better..." S'hib butted in, placing a heavy kiss on the back of her head. "They'll manage without you..." He huffed, lips still against her head.

"That's what I'm doing now, isn't it?" she asked as she repeated the exercise.

Heather watched, “You’ve gone through a lot Naxea, and I guarantee you’ll come back stronger for it.”

Naxea remained quiet as she continued the exercise of moving her fingers. She recalled her "dream" if that what it even was of Laan and fighting her altered self. And not to mention this new, unknown enemy. Was the Federation now at war? "Thank you," she said at last.

“My pleasure” Heather smiled. “Besides we marines, ex or not, are always there for each other.

"You will always be considered a Marine," Naxea said through a strained voice before relaxing her finger. Even though she was considered doing well, it still seemed excruciating slow to her.

"Sergeant..." S'hib asked quietly, looking up at Heather. "I think zero g therapy would be useful," He said before moving to his left and crouching down beside Naxea. "So you aren't thinking about its weight when you try to move it." He said, cupping his fingers around her new hand.

Heather nodded, “I completely agree, and please call me Heather.” She offered S’hib a smile. “If you’d like to try it I can arrange it?” She looked at Naxea.

"Wouldn't that slow my progress? If I can't move it in gravity, then how do I expect my arm to get stronger?" Naxea replied between breaths.

“It may benefit you to start, but only for a short duration.” Heather offered a smile. “As you said you need to be able to cope in normal gravity. The choice is yours of course.”

"The arm is strong Naxea, you aren't rebuilding muscle... just the connections to them." He said as he stood, leaning to nudge past the side of her head.

"Fine, we'll give zero grav training a try then," she replied breathlessly as she completed another exercise.

Heather nodded. “I’ll arrange that for you. We could probably fit you in tomorrow?”

"Sounds good," Naxea replied as she took a break from the exercises with sweat starting to bead on her forehead. She still didn't have the energy levels that she had before the injury which was another source of frustration for her.

“Okay” Heather smiled. “Just keep up the general physical exercise, nothing too strenuous we don’t want you overdoing it, and carry on with the reflex exercises on your fingers.

Naxea grinned and chuckled. "When was the last time I overdid anything?"

Heather gave Naxea a ‘you know very well’ kind of look before grinning. “Just bear in mind overdoing it will only result in you setting your recovery back even further.”

Nodding, Naxea again focused on doing another set of exercises with her fingers. "Will do." After a moment of performing the exercises, Naxea stopped again as she knew it was nearing the end of her physical therapy and the tiny exercises left her drained as if she had been running training scenarios on the holodeck all day long.

"Come on, S'hib. I need still need to shower and get ready for duty," she said tiredly, standing. She was grateful for S'hib's help as she wasn't sure what she would do without him as sometimes the most basic activities took alot out of her.