Gym Adventure III -- The Prognosis

GYM Adventures III - The Prognosis

GD 052020

Things have quieted down around the gym after the “action” between Billy Ray and Jack.  Word travels fast especially when the man seen as the gym’s champ, that everyone saw as indestructible, was virtually destroyed so easily and quickly by the “new guy” and amazingly enough, some country hick fresh off the farm!  Other than the normal “heads down” training and concentration the only real “action” has been guys working out their jaws in my office about what happened and what is going on with Jack?


Finally having a little time on my hands and Billy just wrapping up a three-hour workout, we headed over to the hospital for his daily visit with Jack.  As normal, it is hard to get a word in edgewise when Billy Ray is in the room, while the guys talked about Billy’s workouts, I saw Jack’s doctor walk by the door and ducked out to see what was up.

Normally with all the new laws the doctor would not be able to talk about it, but he works out at our gym and we’ve known each other since we were kids, we headed back to his office.  He explained that while Jack’s sunburn was painful it was no problem medically and in reality is being treated with Aloe, an old treatment, but still the best.  The big problem involves Jack’s feet.  His burns were so deep that very little of his skin could be saved and skin grafts were the protocol.  This treatment should be successful if infection can be avoided but Jack would have to be off his feet until they healed, meaning he would most likely miss his next wrestling season and certainly all the workouts in between!  The news was devastating to me and I can only imagine what it was like for Jack!

Fortunately, Jack’s doctor is not a man to take these things lightly and spent his nights doing research on the subject.  There is a new treatment, only in testing at this point, that involves some kind of stem cell research that could be administered topically.  Jack would have to be hospitalized for a while and stay off his feet but if he is found to be a candidate and the treatment were successful it is possible; he could be up and around in weeks instead of months.  It would all depend upon if he was accepted for the treatment and how well his system would tolerate it.  It still would take time but there is at least a chance that he could be good as new in a couple of months.  He would need some heavy-duty training to be whipped back into shape in time for wrestling season but at least NOW there is a chance!  I couldn’t wait to get back to Jack’s room to see his reaction.

The last thing I expected was to walk into Jack’s room and find Billy Ray solidly gripping two big fists full of the wrestler’s abdominal muscles!  “What the HELL!” I blurted out but that didn’t slow down Billy Ray, but then I’m learning not much does! 

“Just a good deep-tissue massage to keep the kid loosened up”.  Billy smiled giving Jack’s amazing abs two more good grips before releasing his “workout partner”.  “We’re working out our training program for when this guy gets back.  Jack is going to train me to turn my beer can abs into a magnificent rack like these!”  He gave the wrestler’s lean abs a good slap as the patient relaxed even just a little.

Jack is going to train me to drive the girls crazy and scare the hell out of the guys and I’m going to teach him how to harden these big muscles like armor plating.  This is going to be SO great!  Just as soon as the kid is up and around!”  Just about then, the doctor arrived.  I couldn’t help but think it was lucky I got there first!  Can you imagine what the doctor would have thought!!!!

Doc explained everything pretty much like we had discussed.  Jack was stunned at the thought of a graft and missing wrestling season and that was if it went well with no complications!  The news about new technology was more than welcome.  Doc continued “Now be prepared, even if you are accepted for this treatment and it works as we hope, even when you leave the hospital someone is going to need to apply the serum and massage your feet every day.”   

Jack gave that a thought as he looked around the room until he saw Billy Ray’s eager grin.  Jack looked a little worried as Billy eagerly replied: “No sweat, Doc.  I got it covered!  I’ll be more than happy to whip this little son-of-a-bitch into shape for you!”  Jack could only lean back in his bed and think “OH SHIT!”