Chapter Text
There are certain days in a person’s life that they remember distinctively for better or for worse, the 1st of December 2019 was one of those days.
Jane McCain a 19 year old striker that played for Sheffield united charged towards her teammates in celebration. The match had been a physical one they only just managed to scrape a 2-1 win against the London city lionesses, the last goal being scored thanks to an absolute screamer by McCain. Jumping up and down the team cheered with the fans, their hearts filled with joy. But that’s when she felt it. Pain. Spinning her head towards the coach as the world blackened around her. She didn’t remember her body crashing down onto the grass. She didn’t remember her teammates surrounding her. She didn’t even remember the medical team taking her pulse. Her world just went dark as unconsciousness drowned her.
The medical team panicked as she went rigid. McCain wasn’t unconscious she was dead! Moving quickly the team started to perform CPR, the stadium was completely silent, not a single noise was heard other than the heavy breathing of the medical team. The silence made it feel like hours when it was really only a few minutes. Thud. The defibrillator shocked her but there was no sign of life, they continued chest compressions, sweat falling off of his head. Thud. It shocked her again, still no sign of life. Thud. It shocked her for the third time, I suppose the third time is lucky for a reason.
“WE’VE GOT A PULSE!” The man shouted as the not only the players and staff but also the fans erupted into cheers, people’s tears of fear, sadness and worry became tears of joy. The faint whirr of an ambulance played in the background as the team formed a circle around her. Unconsciousness still sided with McCain as her breathing started to become more regular.
The first thing she sees is the bright white ceiling tiles. She slowly pans her head around the room, the second thing her eyes land on is a vase of vibrant red and white roses. They bring a small smile onto her face however the thing that brings her the biggest smile is the image of her brother sat reading a book in the chair next to her.
“Hi Adam” She smiled, “Hey Jane” He simply replied. They didn’t need words to have a conversation their eyes spoke a thousand words. They just looked at each other for what could have been 5 minutes, “do you remember anything?” he calmly questioned. The room once again fell silent as she combed through her mind. “I remember winning, I remember my body feeling weak and then that’s it” She carefully explained. Trying to change the topic to something a bit more light-hearted she nodded over towards the flowers, “they’re nice” she uttered. “Don’t thank me they’re a gift from some Arsenal players” He casually established. A tiny shriek escaped from her throat, “WHAT?”. “Apparently some of them watched the match and they brought you some flowers as a get well soon present” He further explained.
Before anymore words could be said there was a knock on the door as one of the nurses entered. “Your awake, I’ll just check your vitals then I’ll go and see if I can find a doctor” She stated as she walked over to perform her duties. A few minutes after the nurse had left a doctor came walking in, his face was solemn and he took a big gulp as he began to speak, “Miss McCain I’m afraid to say that you suffered a cardiac arrest and (he hesitated slightly) died, but luckily your medical team managed to resuscitate you”. Shock and confusion plastered her face. She felt as though her whole world had crumbled down all over again.
Looking up at the doctor worry filled her eyes, “will I be able to play football again?” she choked out. The doctor stood there for a moment he knew the news he was about to give would probably destroy her life, but he had no choice. “I’m sorry to say this but it is an almost certainty that your football career is over, this is mainly because even though we have run tests we are still not sure what caused your cardiac arrest” He calmy spoke. A single tear fell and her limp trembled. “Bu bu but there has got to be a way because no way am I giving up my passion that easily” The doctor went to speak again when he was cut off. “I will play again, I have to play again, I can do it!” McCain assertively said.
And that’s how she got the nickname Trooper.