637 V2 ch109 (1/2)
I've had bruises like this before though so it didn't mean much to me. ”It doesn't hurt so much now.”
She pushed the boot off to the side and got a better look at my bruise, carefully turning my leg. ”Are you sure? It looks like it definitely hurts.”
”Jake has a high pain threshold.” Noah told her. ”One time he got his arm cut by a cleat when sliding into home, and brushed it off like it was nothing. Needed stitches too.”
She frowned. ”Well, let's see what the doctor says.” She headed for the door. ”I'll be back.” She left.
”I didn't realize how bad this looked.” Jeremy hovered nearby, looking at my leg with worry. ”It doesn't hurt to walk?”
I shrugged. ”I wear the boot, it's a little bothersome, but it's not too bad.”
”Okay, just don't move until Dr. Shanfield can look at it.” Jeremy's eyes didn't stray from the bruise on my leg.
It was bigger than the shape of a baseball, and it looked like it was spreading down the leg.
Dr. Shanfield came into the room with nurse Francince right behind him. He sat in the small chair and rolled over, smiling. ”Hello Jake, how's the leg?”
”It's okay.” I told him.
”Looks like a textbook hematoma.” He chuckled. ”Fancy word for a more serious bruise. But to be safe, let me ask you a few questions. Has your leg or foot become numb?”
I shook my head. ”Not really.”
”And do you think the pain has gotten worse, better, or still the same?”
I shrugged. ”I would say better.” Last week I was scared that I broke my leg.
”That's good.” He then had me move my leg, bending the knee and ankle, rotating my ankle, and any other movements he could think of. After that, he sent me back for x-rays again to confirm that nothing was wrong structurally.
”Alright, so everything checks out.” Dr. Shanfield told us after examining the x-rays. ”Continue to ice and elevate. Use the boot for at least the weekend. I'll send you home with a few instructions for strengthening exercises. You'll do three sets of each for a week. If that goes well, you can start running and playing next week.” He glanced at Jeremy. ”But if there are any changes, notify me immediately.”
”What kind of changes?” Jeremy asked.
”Changes in pain level.” Dr. Shanfield explained. ”Changes in how the hematoma feels. Especially during the exercises. It should be sore at first, but it shouldn't be painful. I see some green which means it's healing and breaking down, but if becomes more blue or purple, call me.”
”Sure! I'll watch out for him.” Noah declared.
”I'll inform his parents as well.” Jeremy said. He and Dr. Shanfield both stood up and they shook hands. ”I appreciate you taking the time to look after Jake.”
”It's no problem at all.” Dr. Shanfield replied. They exchanged a few more words before we left.
I hobbled out with the boot on.
Noah glanced at the suitcase we shared. ”I don't think I can take this in with us? What are we going to do?”