Saturday was a big day for Meghan. When physical therapy showed up, Meghan was already sitting in the chair, having been assisted by her nurse to get out of bed. She had been able to have the Foley removed, which thrilled her, and her second IV had been removed. Making progress, she thought.

Her therapist for the day was again Steve, and after putting a gait belt on her, brought her the walker and they headed out of her room to make a lap around the nurses’ station. They had managed one slow lap yesterday, and Meghan was aiming for two today.

The walk was still slow going, but the exercise was proving to help stretch her healing skin, and her pain levels were very low with the walking. She stopped for a moment after the first lap.

“Need to stop, or do you want to try to go a little further?” Steve asked.

“I want to try for one more,” she replied. “I just need a minute.”

“Okay,” Steve agreed. Meghan started walking again, and Steve followed her, one hand on her gait belt and the other wheeling her IV pole along with them.

Once they were back in her room and had settled her in the chair, Steve told her that he was going to bring a cane to her afternoon session. “I think you’re ready to graduate to a cane. You’re walking really well. How’s your pain levels?”

“I’m about a 3 when we start, but that drops down to like a 2 after a little bit,” Meghan replied. “A cane, then?”

“Yes. And I can say that you’re doing really well. One of the things that we discuss with your doctors is whether or not a patient would benefit from time at an extended rehab facility. You’re doing so well, we agree that you won’t need that. I don’t know when you’ll be discharged, but you should be able to be discharged home.”

“Oh, that’s good!” Meghan exclaimed. “I’d much rather go home than to another facility.”

Steve chuckled. “I don’t blame you. It’s good to be where you get the care you need, but nothing beats being in your own home.”

Making sure Meghan was settled, he removed the gait belt from her waist and headed out of her room. Alone, Meghan sighed and reached for the TV remote and started flipping channels. Not for the first time, she wished she had a knitting project with her to do. She finally settled on a movie and started watching that.

Meghan had a frequent supply of visitors that morning, with the nursing staff helping her bathe, changing her linens, doctor’s rounds, and respiratory therapy. One of her coworkers had stopped by for a visit, and regaled her with stories of recent calls. Meghan was grateful for her visit – it kept her in the loop as to what was going on outside her hospital room.

Someone knocked on her door, and she looked up to see who was coming in. “Chief Renolds! What a pleasant surprise. Do come in!” Meghan gestured towards a nearby chair.

He pulled the chair a bit closer and sat down. “Thank you. How are you feeling?”

“Getting better. They’re even starting to talk about letting me go home, although I don’t know when.”

“Sounds like you ate a lot of smoke,” he observed. “Are they planning to send you home on oxygen?”

Meghan nodded. “No real estimates as to how long I’ll need the supplemental oxygen, but it sounds like I’ll be chained to a tank for a month or two.” She made a face.

“And how are your burns?” he asked.

“Healing nicely. They still want to keep the leg covered, but they’ve got the ones on my neck open to air, now. The skin graft is also healing well.”

He smiled. “That’s excellent news! I’m glad to hear you’re healing up well, and I know several of my men ask for updates when someone’s been by to visit.” He cleared his throat. “One of my men passed along that you’re going to need oxygen when you get discharged, and I wanted to talk to you about that.”

“Oh?” Meghan wasn’t sure where he was going with this.

“I know that your insurance will only cover the oxygen compressor for the home, and the larger oxygen tanks that you have to wheel behind you – the fire department and EMS departments are on the same insurance,” he explained. “Those tanks are bulky and hard to maneuver, especially if you’re on the go, which your supervisor said described you perfectly,” he chuckled. Meghan laughed.

“So, I wanted to let you know that the Firefighter Fund is going to pay the additional out-of-pocket costs to rent a portable oxygen concentrator for you for as long as you need to be on oxygen.” He smiled again.

“Oh. Wow. Thank you! I don’t know how much that will cost, but I definitely wouldn’t have been able to afford it right now.” Meghan grew quiet for a moment. “Can I ask you a question?”

“By all means.”

“Why? Why am I receiving all this attention from everyone? I just did what needed to be done, helped where it was needed. I’m no hero.” Meghan listened intently as the Chief responded.

“To Roger Avery, who you pulled out of harm’s way at your own expense, you’re a hero,” he countered. “To those close to Roger, whether through work or as friends, you’re a hero. To other firefighters and EMS personnel, you’re someone who did something brave and to be admired for that. And to everyone in the first responder community, you’re one of us, part of the brotherhood. We take care of our own. I’m sure you’ve felt the same way when someone else got sick or injured.” He nodded meaningfully. “Why did you run to help Roger yourself instead of waiting for someone else to get him?”

“Because he needed help, and no one else was in a position to do so, or even aware that he was in need of rescue,” she replied.

The Chief smiled kindly. “Just as you helped a fellow firefighter in need, the guys and gals in our first responder community want to help you with whatever you need while you recover.” He thought for a moment. “How many of them have you helped in a situation before?”

“None to this extent, of course, but a few of them ‘owe’ me favors,” Meghan replied, wondering where he was going with this.

He chuckled. “Well, then, consider this a good time to call in those favors.”

“True,” Meghan replied slowly, nodding slowly as she thought about that.

“We want you well, and back to being bored at our fire scenes,” the Chief replied, laughing. Meghan chuckled. “Whatever you need to get there, we will have your back.”

“Thank you. I just want to get well and get back to my job,” Meghan replied.

Chief Renolds stood. “I’m sure you do! I need to get back to work. If you need anything else, let us know. And call in on those favors!”

“Yes, Sir! Thank you for stopping in.” Meghan shook his hand, and he left her room.

Dr. Troy visited Meghan after the burn care team left that afternoon. “How are you feeling, Meghan?”

“I’m doing pretty good, thanks,” she replied.

“Mind if I?” he gestured to a chair. She nodded, and he sat down, pulling it close to her chair. “So, I was wanting to talk to you about discharge. Would you like to go home Monday?”

She perked up. “Oh, absolutely!”

He chuckled. “I figured you would. Everything is looking great, your burns are healing well. We will educate you on how to care for the burn on your leg tomorrow during dressing change. I know the Fire Department people have been working with the social worker on oxygen equipment for you when you go home. Discharges typically happen in the afternoons, just so you’re aware. Any questions for me?”

Meghan thought for a moment before shaking her head. “This will give me plenty of time to arrange a ride.”

“A ride for what?” Mitch asked, as he, Kelsey, and Rick entered her room. Dr. Troy stood and shook hands all around.

“I’m sending her home on Monday,” Dr. Troy replied.

“Oh, Meghan, that’s terrific!” Kelsey exclaimed.

Dr. Troy excused himself, and the visitors found chairs and sat down. “How are you feeling today, Meghan?” Rick asked.

“Oh, I’m doing pretty good. And stoked that I get to go home Monday. It’ll nice to be home again, in my own clothes.”

“I’m sure! How much stuff are you still going to need once home? I’m assuming they’re sending you home on oxygen.”

She nodded. “Yeah, I’ll be on oxygen for a while, per the pulmonology team. Chief Renolds from the Fire Department was by earlier, and the Firefighter Fund is covering the extra expense for me to get a portable oxygen concentrator instead of having to drag around oxygen bottles. And they’re ordering a concentrator for home use.”

Kelsey spoke up. “What about wound care for your leg?”

“They are going to teach me how to take care of it tomorrow.”

“Sounds like you’re good to go,” Mitch observed. “Do you want to come back to our place while your leg continues to heal?”

Meghan shook her head. “Thanks, but I think I just want to go to my apartment. I should be cleared to drive, and you and Kelsey are just a phone call away if I need help.”

Mitch nodded his head. “Of course. But if you change your mind, you’re always welcome.”

“I know, and I appreciate it.” Meghan smiled.

Rick had his phone out and was looking at his schedule. “Meghan, I have clinic until 4, but I could take you home after that. I can drop you off at your place, go home and change, and then pick you up for dinner. Would you like that?”

She smiled widely. “Oh, that sounds heavenly!”

He chuckled. “It’s a date, then. Anything in particular you’re hungry for?”

“Any place that doesn’t serve lime Jello,” she deadpanned.

Everyone laughed. “Hmmm. Guess that means the hospital cafeteria is out of the question, then. How about a steak at Bob’s Steakhouse?”

“Works for me,” she declared. “I’ve been dreaming of a decent steak dinner for several days now.” She thought for a moment. “I might have you swing by the store, as well. I’ll need to get some milk and such, since I know Kelsey cleared out the perishables from the kitchen for me.”

“I can do that,” Rick assured. “We’ll go and do whatever you need to do so you’ll be settled for a few days.” He thought for a moment. “Do we need to swing by the station so you can get your stuff?”

Meghan shook her head. “Nah, I can do that in a few days. But I do need to put a find on my keys. They were in my pants. Kelsey, could you bring over that belongings bag for me? I think it has all of my cut clothes in it.”

Kelsey brought over the bag and pulled out the pants. “Here you go.”

Meghan sighed as she looked at the burned and hacked pants. “Mitch, I need to start charging you every time you tell the staff to cut my clothes – it’s getting expensive to replace them!”

He chuckled. “I don’t think you’ll want to keep that pair, anyway.”

She looked at the charred pants legs and nodded. “Yeah, these are pretty much destroyed,” she agreed. She felt along the pockets, opening them and removing contents. Soon she had a paramedic field guide, her wallet, a couple pens, a pack of gum, and her keyring lying on the bedside table next to her. She pulled the belt out of the pants, and handed the burned, tattered garment to Kelsey. “Would you throw these away, sis? I don’t need them anymore.”

Kelsey nodded, accepted the wad of fabric, and threw them in the large trash can near the door.

“Thanks.” Meghan put the items she’d removed into the bag of patient belongings. “Guess I should be thankful my field guide survived,” she remarked. “Jerry had to replace his, the day of the fire – he’d accidentally washed it,” she explained.

Mitch chuckled. “I’ve done that twice with my wallet.”

“Me too,” Rick chimed in.

“Meghan, I’ll swing by your place later and pick up some clothes for you,” Kelsey offered.

“Thanks, Sis. I’d rather not be going home in a hospital gown,” Meghan replied, drily.

“Who’s going home?” a voice asked from the doorway.

“Thom!” Meghan exclaimed. He came in and gave her a cautious hug. Meghan made introductions around.

“It’s about time you blow this joint,” he said, perching on the edge of her bed. A knock sounded, and a couple more firemen came in, shaking hands, giving hugs, and standing where they could find room.

Meghan looked at the crowd and laughed. “Well, I am getting stir-crazy,” she admitted.

“So when do you get to go home?” Thom asked.

“They are letting me go sometime Monday afternoon. Rick – Dr. Brant – is going to get me after he gets off shift, around 4 or so.”

Eric, one of the firefighters, smiled. “That’s great! Do you need anything? How are you set for groceries?”

“I think I’m good for the moment. Dr. Brant is going to take me to the store so I can restock my fridge.” Meghan saw Eric and Thom shaking their heads.

“Nah. Give us a grocery list; we got you covered.”

“But –“

“No buts. Least the guys can do. Also, someone will be at your place around 7:30 Tuesday morning to pick you up for breakfast,” Thom informed her.

Meghan was feeling a bit steamrolled, but she acquiesced. “When do I ever turn down breakfast?”

Mitch chuckled. “Sounds like you don’t need to worry about anything, Meghan.”

“Nope. They have everything covered, including my social calendar.” Meghan winked at the fire guys.

Tones sounded through a radio, and the fire guys hustled out the door, saying quick goodbyes. Meghan watched them leave wistfully.

“Well, I guess this means I don’t need to grocery shop after all,” she stated.