As I began to regain strength in my knee, I was eventually able to ditch the crutches altogether. This was great news for my recovery progress, but terrible news for my guaranteed seat on the metro. I’d gotten quite used to this little luxury during my trips to and from the physiotherapy room.

These hospital trips were soon replaced by my commute to the office, as I was abruptly discharged from one day to the other. I told Fernando this over sushi one Tuesday evening, and then was rudely awoken by my alarm the following morning: my first day back at work.

Some would moan about going back —most of my fellow patients certainly did— but I was quite happy to be back. It was a bit painful at first, but I didn’t care, as the return to a routine and a sense of purpose did me wonders. I’d also really missed having creative challenges and, more than anything, the company of my colleagues. All this time left me with time to reflect on how lucky I am to work in such a varied job with such great people.

The best thing about all this was I was back to some normality just in time for spring. This meant I could enjoy a meal for Sara’s birthday, celebrate my own birthday, and even spend an hour or so on my feet at a gig for San Isidro just down the road from my house.

I was started to feel like me again.