The Cowboy and the Mermaid

The Cowboy and the Mermaid

Dwight goes to the hospital for his follow up appointment with his doctor. The assistant at the desk tells him to go on in room 1. He tells the doctor how he has followed the instructions for stretching, exercise and swimming. He is surprised at how much he has improved in just a week. He still hurts, but the soaks and massages have been helping that. Doctor Tibazzi examines Dwight thoroughly, checking his reflexes and pushing here and poking him there. He decides to get another set of xrays to compare with the first set.

"I see improvement in your reflexes and movement and your mood is recovering from the use of pain killers and the alcohol. Exercise releases natural simdorphins and that will improve mood and lift depression and improve the pain in a natural way."

Dwight looks at Dr Tibazzi and nods his head. "I think Lorelei, a young lady I met is part of the reason for my improved mood." He grins happily.

"Ah, you have met our young diver. She is a delightful young lady and it is good to have friends since you are new to the area."
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"Lets talk about the xray's. The neck fusion is stable. I don't see any signs that it is a reason of concern right now. I think for safety's sake you must have xray's of that neck at least monthly for the next year. The damage you sustained to your neck in that accident should have paralyzed you. You had a very skilled surgeon and your guardian angel was watching over you mighty close to survive as well as you did. You must continue to be vigilant about certain activities that could cause problems with the fusion and endanger your life or cause paralysis. You should come straight to the hospital if you experience any numbness or tingling in your hands or feet."

"I want you continue the stretches, exercises and swimming and you can start gentle jogs. I want you to increase to at least an hour twice a day. Do the stretches everyday. You can vary the jogging, exercise and swimming program, but do at least two of them each day. Go slowly and increase the time every couple of days until you are up to two hours with minimal pain."

"The leg rods are firmly in place, the bones are healing, knitting together as they should between the rods. Keep taking those vitamins I gave you. The bones have calcified enough to start gentle jogging and that will continue to strengthen the bones. It may be possible in a year, maybe two years that the rods may be removed, but, you may always have a limp. You should try some snorkeling in the ocean and as your stamina improves you might be able to dive with your Lorelei."
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Dwight sighs softly with a look of sadness on his face. "They told me I could never race again let alone ride a horse. Racing and training was my whole life. I'm learning to accept what I cannot change and face the challenge of making a new life instead of looking backwards at what I had. Thank you for your honesty and your cautions. I will be careful and vigilant and return in a month for the follow up xrays."
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Dwight takes a class that afternoon in diving and learns the basics. He purchases some supplies and snorkels in the waters off his rental. He finds a couple of seashells, saw some funny fish and thoroughly enjoys himself amazed at the beauty in the underwater world.
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He has been studying cook books and decides that he wants to try grilling a dinner. He doesn't want to buy a grill yet so he goes to one of the local parks to use a grill there. He calls up Lorelei and invites her over and she accepts. She arrives just as the sun is going down. Dwight is happy to see her and gives her a big hug. They enjoy their meal as the sun sets into a violet sky.
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