“Lydia, can you please look up?” the doctor asked, shining a flashlight into her eyes. “Good! Now look left for me, then right. Perfect, thank you. You can relax now. You did so well! Don’t push yourself too much—your body’s been immobile for so long, it’ll take time before you can get back to your old self. Baby steps for now—any progress is good progress.”
Lydia nodded, straining to shift her body into a more comfortable position. At least the tube had been removed from her throat, and she could breathe on her own now. The rest? Well, they called it a ‘miracle,’ but to her, it felt like anything but.
When she wasn’t being tested or questioned, Lydia spent her time trying to go back. Back to her family. Back to her friends. Back to her life—her real life. Sleeping didn’t help. Praying d
