“Sanford, you’re awake,” Rosalynn said, her voice filled with relief.
Sanford blinked, his thoughts slowly bing clear.
Looking around and recognizing the hospital room, he asked, “Brian, Rosalynn, are we all safe?”
“Yes.” Brian nodded reassuringly.
Sanford chuckled weakly.
“Getting shot really stings!”
He tried to shift his position and sit up, prompting Brian to quickly move in and help.
As Sanford adjusted, he noticed something wasn’t right.
“Hold on,” he said, his voice strained.
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He tried moving his legs but found them unresponsive, heavy and lifeless.
His smile vanished, reced by concern as he patted his legs.
“Brian, what’s happening to my legs? I can’t move them, and I can’t feel anything.”
Brian’s face showed a brief sh of guilt and pain.
“Sanford, please try to stay calm while I exin everything, okay?” he said gently.
Sanford’s heart pounded with a sinking feeling as he looked at Brian.
He pinched his thigh firmly, but still felt no sensation.
“Brian, am I paralyzed?”
Brian took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking, his voice steady but honest.
“The doctor said the bullet damaged your spinal nerves.
This could leave you paralyzed from the waist down.”
Sanford’s heart seemed to sink in his chest.
He stared at Brian, his expression grave and lost.
Rosalynn quickly interjected, her voice warm and reassuring, “Sanford, don’t worry too much.
I’ve examined you, and with ongoing acupuncture, you still have a 50% chance of walking again.”
Sanford’s eyes briefly brightened with hope before the light seemed to dim again.
“Only a 50% chance? So there’s a 50% chance I might be paralyzed for life?”
Brian tried to encourage him, his tone firm.
“Sanford, think positively.
You will walk again.”
“Yes, Sanford, I ammitted to helping you recover,” Rosalynn added with determination.
Sanford forced a smile, said nothing more, and just stared nkly at the ceiling.
Brian and Rosalynn exchanged a concerned look, their faces reflecting the weight of the situation.