Free Remember by Girish Karthikeyan Page A

orders up my food and pops open the delivery shelf.
     
    (—)
     
    I wake up to the identical sunny day. Everything returned to normal. I refer to my forearm, 6:30 in a crisp white font on black. We'll see if I get out of here today. Too many people come and stop me from doing anything.
    "Hello, Mr. Abby. It is Dr. Kim. Sorry, you looked asleep. "
    "I can't wait to get out."
    He raises his eyebrows. "I think today is the day. How did the H-tech work out? I hear you had some initial problems."
    "It looks like I passed out." A dry chuckle passes through my lips.
    "Some people take time to adjusting to it. Today, you should try using the assist with your PT. By the afternoon, you should be leaving the hospital. I'll be back, then."
    "What is happening with the graduates?"
    Dr. Kim searches the room looking for the missing staff and presents his findings. "They are off today. See you in the afternoon."
     
    (—)
     
    "Hi, it's Vue. You remember me, don't you?" Vue holds out an expectant smile.
    "I'm doing much better today. Thanks for asking."
    "Let’s try using the tech today."
    "I don't have it on me yet. Can you get me the clothes over there on the sofa?" I point through her to the stack of clothes with the tech.
    "Oh, you mean these?" She spins around with the unfurled shirt and pants.
    "Yes."
    "I'll come back in a few."
     
    (—)
     
    "Are you ready yet, I've been growing old out here." She feigns a groan.
    "Yes, I'm all ready to go."
    "Using the tech isn't that difficult. You just start the standup mode and try standing up. After you have good footing, change to walking mode."
    "What happens if I mess up?"
    "You fall down. Don't look so worried, you'll always fall back onto the chair. Are you prepared to try it, yet ?" She offers her outstretched arm for support.
    "Yes."
    "Good, try to stand now."
    Pivoting to the edge of the bed and attempting getting up feels easy. I almost make it, but fall back at the last second. Her calls of "again" drive me forward. This time I can do it! I leverage all the way up and the floor starts coming up, alarmingly fast.
    Vue scoops me up and throws me back, more gently than it at first feels. “I got you, don't worry. Back to bed you go. That's it. I'll have to turn down the tech."
    My fear-induced panting demands an answer. "What happened back there?"
    "The tech is too strong. I haven't set it to a good level. Are you ready to try again?"
    "Yeah, all set." A tremble denounces my agreement.
    I get up with no struggle, walk over to the sofa, and try to sit. This actually launches me into standing. What now, I can't sit down. I try again. This time it has to work. It happens, again! I throw my arms down, dejected. “I can't get onto the sofa. It keeps fighting me."
    She grabs my arm, vigorously swiping and prodding at it. "I just have to enter into sitting mode. Now try it."
    "No, let me try going back to the bed."
    "Just give me a second to fill you in on all the details."
    "Sure, we can take a break, if you need it."
    We adjourn to the sofa. "The tech has three modes, you are going to use. Your allowance covers the stability modes — walk, standup, and sit down. Each mode helps some physical exertions and stops others. As you can see, trying to sit or sand without the correct mode causes you to stay standing or sitting. Let's try walking down the hallway."
    "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
    "Yes, let's go!"
    I verify standup mode is set, stand up, and schlep out the door into a wide-open space with too much light. A second adjusts my eyes, and I start walking. I get pretty far, but after that, each step becomes tougher, more labored. A seat in one of the lounges draws me in.
    "I think that is enough for today. You can go back to bed."
     

Discharge
    Wed 4/19/17 3:15 p.m.
     
    "G ood, you're back, Dr. Kim. I can't wait."
    Dr. Kim unceremoniously produces a sheet (plastic and clear, besides the black text) and hands it over. "Time to leave. This is a list of medicines and the schedule