Ch. 113 - My Hip Spica, Part 1

 
I have been out of my Petrie cast for some time now, and I'm using my wheelchair, and my legs are braced 24/7. Judy has started her last semester of college, taking night classes and working days. She's really enjoying living in the cottage that we built for her and has really made herself at home; Joel and I are so happy for her. Jimmy is getting discharged from the Army soon, and we are all excited to meet him. With everything going so well for all of us, I was ready to begin the final part of my plan to let go of my legs.
 
 
People at work have been asking me when I will begin walking again. I explained that things are not going well with my legs, hips, and back, and I made up a story about needing to undergo a minor surgical procedure to hopefully alleviate my issues. After this procedure, my legs, hips, and spine will have to be completely immobilized for several months.

 
No one asked about how I would be immobilized, but I knew how it would be done. It will be a lot of fun for Joel and me and hopefully make my legs completely useless from atrophy. I have not walked without my KAFOs for almost a year before I decided to let my legs go, and since beginning the process, I have not walked at all and only stood a handful of times. All the arrangements have been made for my cast, and I am very excited.

 
This Friday, I'll be getting the biggest cast I've ever worn. Billy, Gary, and Rita will apply it for me. It's going to be a double-hip spica with two spreader bars. My cast will have toeplates to protect my cute little toes from getting hurt, too. You should have seen all the scuffs and dings on the feet of my Petrie cast; I was always hitting them on doorways. What is taking some figuring out is how to support my spine and neck since I have so much pain if I am not in a spinal brace or cast.
 
 
We thought of several ways to support my spine and neck. One was to incorporate parts of a Milwaukee brace into my hip spica. Another idea was to apply a halo ring to my head and have the uprights attached to my hip spica cast. That appealed to me, but if I were to wear a halo again, I wanted it to be a dedicated adventure. Another option was to make my hip spica extend up into a Risser or Minerva cast. Joel and I decided that a Minerva would be the most fun; I'll be casted from head to toe with only my arms free!
 
 
Today is the day I get my double hip spica-Minerva cast applied. Joel is taking me to my appointment, and Judy is coming along to watch. She is sort of jealous that, in under a year, I have accomplished what took her years to do. I would say that my legs are almost as skinny as hers are and are equally weak and useless.
 
 
When we arrived at Gary and Rita's shop, everything was set up and ready for me to get my cast applied. Collene followed all of us to the cast room; she wanted to watch, too. The only thing was what color I wanted my cast to be. There wasn't any choice when it came to stockinette; they only have the larger sizes in white. However, I wanted my cast to be very colorful. Since it's fall, I chose to have my left leg cast in orange, my right in red, and my Minerva in yellow—the colors of the falling leaves.

 
Gary and Billy planned to apply the Minerva part of my cast first, then cast my legs and combine the three casts into one. It's always easier to apply recreational casts since there is no actual injury to contend with. For me, the only thing that must be considered is that my spine really does need support. Joel helped me undress and remove my Milwaukee brace, leaving my KAFOs on. Then he carried me to the traction frame, where I stood with my knees locked.

 
Stockinette was draped over my body, with holes cut for my arms. The thin traction straps were placed under my chin and behind my head. Rita then put a smaller piece of stockinette over my head while holding the traction straps in place. Billy smoothed the stockinette over my head, and Rita attached the straps to the frame and tightened them, almost lifting my feet off the ground. The feeling was intense, like when I was in traction while in my halo. Billy then cut a hole in the stockinette for my face; the casting would soon begin!

 
Gary then observed Billy as he carefully applied padding all around my body, neck, and head, paying special attention to pressure points and leaving ample room for my breasts. I really like having my breast encased in a cast or brace, and Gary and Billy know how to make it very comfortable. My chest being covered allows me to go topless and fully show off my cast or brace, which I really enjoy. Now that all the padding has been applied, it's time for the many rolls of fiberglass in various sizes and colors to be applied.
 
 
Billy and Rita worked swiftly, and soon they were finishing the edges of my cast around my head, face, and arms. The warmth of the fiberglass curing felt wonderful in the rather cool casting room. It felt so good to have almost my entire head encased in fiberglass, and I really enjoyed the feeling of the unyielding band of fiberglass around my forehead. I could see Judy and Collene crutch into view every so often; they were constantly moving about to get a better view. After a few more minutes, my cast was completely hard, and Rita released me from traction. She worked the straps out from under my cast, and now I could be re positioned for my hip spica to be applied.
 
 
Joel carried me to the casting table and removed my KAFOs. The procedure here would be like when Emme got her body cast. My legs would be placed in LLCs with toeplates with my knees bent. Billy got to work on my left leg and Rita on my right. Soon, both of my legs were in casts, and spreader bars were placed at my ankles and knees. Billy and Rita each secured the side they were working on, and the two colors of fiberglass met in the middle of each spreader. I was now in a Minerva cast and a Petrie cast, with my legs spread wide apart. Now, these two casts would be made into one.
 
 
While my leg casts were being applied, Gary and Joel configured the traction frame to support my upper body and legs so my cast could be completed. When my casts were dry, Joel carried me to the casting frame, where Gary and Rita secured me in it. The slings that supported my legs were raised so my hips would be in a reclined sitting position.
 
 
The stockinette from my leg casts and Minerva cast was smoothed out and trimmed. More padding was applied, overlapping what was already there. Orange and red fiberglass tape was now used to combine the cast immobilizing my legs with my Minerva cast, and the edges were neatly finished around my private parts. A final wrap of yellow fiberglass formed a dividing line between my Minerva cast and the orange and red casts on my legs. I'm now wearing the biggest cast I have ever worn, and I'm completely immobilized from head to toe. It feels absolutely wonderful!
 
 
Some time was given for my cast to fully harden. I could feel the warmth of the freshly applied fiberglass curing and the cool dampness of the parts of my cast that had already cured. Now, some of the reality of being in a cast this large and immobilizing had to be faced; I needed to get dressed and into my wheelchair. Billy and Joel lifted me from the casting frame and laid me back on the casting table, and Rita then placed a catheter in me. Judy brought over one of the long skirts that Rebekah had modified for me when I was in my Petrie cast, and Joel lifted me up by the spreader bar between my ankles. Judy slipped my skirt under me and fastened the Velcro in the back. It fit well around my cast with its elastic waistband, and Joel set me back down on the table.
 
 
Gary adjusted my wheelchair to fit the angles of my cast, with the back reclined. Billy and Joel then lifted me off the table and placed me in my wheelchair. Judy brought over a sleeveless sweater and helped me put it on. Then Billy adjusted the leg rests to fit the angles of my knees and strapped me firmly into my wheelchair. I was going to be living in this cast for many weeks to come, and the thought was intoxicating. The entire time my cast was being applied, Judy and Collene were silent; they simply watched in awe as my body was slowly covered in brightly colored fiberglass.
 
 
Finally, Judy spoke and said, "That cast must be so intense to wear. You can only move your arms and hands now; what is it like, Leigh?"
 
 
I replied, "It's sublime, Judy, but at the same time it's very intimidating and even a bit scary. I have never been in a cast this large before, and life in it will be daunting. However, it feels incredible, and being this immobilized is like nothing I have ever experienced before. My spine and neck, which really do need support, are so comfortably supported by my cast. I, like you, Judy, have worn a Minerva cast, and I have worn a Petrie cast before, but combining them into one cast is electrifying!"
 
 
Collene then spoke up, "Your cast looks amazing, Leigh. Billy and Rita did such a great job, and I hope you really enjoy your time wearing it. So, Judy, you probably wish you could have worn a cast like that to help you let go of your legs. I know it took a long time for you to render your legs useless."
 
 
Judy replied, "I am very jealous, Collie. What Leigh has done in less than a year took me over four years to accomplish. Her skinny, withered little legs look so cute; I wish I could have had a series of casts and braces to help my legs go. I know Leigh will be so happy with her new life, completely dependent on her braces like we are."
 
 
Despite really wanting to get home to relax and have some fun with Joel in my cast, there were a few things I needed to discuss with Billy and Gary. As my cast was being applied, I decided I wanted to be cast for at least twelve weeks in a series of two casts. I told Gary and Billy this, and Billy suggested that when I get my cast changed, a new 3D scan of my body should be made and new plaster casts made of my legs and arms, too.

 
This was exactly what I was thinking because, as my legs have gotten thinner, my arms have grown more muscular, and my thumb spicas don't fit so well anymore. So, in six to eight weeks, I'll be back here for a very busy day of scans and mold making, along with getting a new cast. We didn't discuss the details of my new braces; Joel, Gary, Billy, and I are still figuring out exactly how I'll be braced for the rest of my life.
 
 
Joel and I thanked Gary, Rita, and Billy for their work. We said goodbye to Collene and invited her and Billy to dinner. Judy helped Joel get me into the van, and it was a lot like when I was in my Petrie cast. Judy and I would have to practice getting me in and out of the van without help this weekend since she will be the one taking me to work.
 
 
Once back at the house, I asked Judy to text Rebekah and Emme and invite them to dinner. Rebekah suggested that we all meet at her house; she would cook for us, and Pete and Emme could spend the weekend there. We thought that was a great idea, and I was anxious to get some tips and tricks about living in my cast since Rebekah and Emme had both done some big casts in the past.
 
 
Since Judy and I were going to hang out together for the rest of the day, Joel decided to run some errands. We went outside so she could take some pictures of me in my cast to send to friends. We were down by Judy's cottage when it began to rain, so we went inside to relax, talk, and watch the rain come down. It's so beautiful where her little cottage is, and I fully understand why she is in no hurry to ever move on.
 
 
Judy made us a pot of tea, and we got settled in to talk and watch the passing storm. Judy said she got some exciting news last night but didn't want to bring it up because today was my big day. I asked what it was, and Judy said that Jimmy is being discharged from the Army in two weeks, and his first stop is to meet her in person. I said that was wonderful news, and he is welcome to stay in our guest suite.
 
 
Judy said that Jimmy would be staying with Pete and Emme for a while since they have a lot of catching up to do. I told Judy that I hoped everything would go well when she finally meets Jimmy, and she is sure it will. They have become very close, talking on the phone and doing video chats; the only thing that they haven't done yet is hug and kiss. I think Jimmy will be living with Judy almost right away, even if that means he's just staying in her guest room for a while.
 
 
It's getting late in the afternoon, and Judy wants to help Rebekah make dinner. I texted Joel that we were heading to Rebekah's and to meet us there. Since it was wet and slippery, Judy decided to use the old wheelchair that I had given her. It's a clunky manual chair, and she only uses it around the property. We then carefully made our way to Rebekah’s home.

Ch. 111 – Back In My KAFOs
 
 
I awoke this morning wearing my 3D-printed LLCs that Joel placed me in last night before bed. They sure don't fit like they used; my legs are beginning to waste away. Joel was already up, and I could smell coffee brewing and bacon frying in the kitchen. I took off my 3D-printed LLCs and decided to try standing for the first time in two months and almost a year since I stood without my KAFOs. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I grabbed my crutches and tried to stand. My legs felt like jelly; they had no strength, and being top heavy with my CTLSO on, I fell backwards onto the bed. Eight weeks ago, I would have been able to get out of bed and stand with no trouble at all, but now my legs can no longer support me. This must be what it's like for Judy, and I really think I want to be like her.
 
 
I sat up in bed and put on the KAFOs and sandals I wore the night before—my white ones with a pair of white Doc Marten sandals. I got everything firmly strapped in place on my legs and feet, grabbed my crutches, and stood up, locking my knees in place. I began to try and crutch to the bedroom door, but I kept bumping my feet with my crutches. My legs were still unnaturally spread apart from their time immobilized in that position; bringing them together was painful, and I had little strength in my hips. At this point, I simply couldn't walk, even with my KAFOs and crutches. I put on my robe and sat down in my wheelchair to think.
 
 
Do I want to regain range of motion and strength in my legs and hips, or do I want to be like Judy? What would it be like to actually need to wear my KAFOs and use a wheelchair or crutches for mobility? If I let my legs go as Judy has, would it ever be possible to regain strength and walk unaided again? I had so many questions about what I might want to do and how I wanted to live the rest of my life. With retirement coming, I could do as I please and let my leg become weak and useless if I desired. I have always been fascinated by handicapped women and dreamed of being one myself. Life in a wheelchair or on crutches would be wonderful. I truly wish I had been born with more than just scoliosis or had contracted polio as a child. A crippled body is the body I was meant to have.
 
 
I wheeled myself to the kitchen, where Joel poured me a cup of coffee and asked how I felt this morning. I told him I felt great, but he could tell there were a lot of thoughts swimming around in my head, and we had a little chat:
 
 
J - What's going on, Leigh? Is it about your legs?
 
 
L - Well, Joel, when I awoke, I took off my 3D-printed casts and tried to stand up. Even with my crutches, my legs couldn't support me, and I fell onto the bed. Then I put on my KAFOs, and you know how loose they fit when you put them on me yesterday. I could then stand using my crutches, so I tried to crutch around the room. Since my hips are so stiff and I can't bring my legs together, my crutches hit my feet. I felt like I was going to trip myself, so I got into my wheelchair. I know my hips will loosen up and I will be able to walk with my KAFOs again, but I don't know what I want to do about my legs; I think I really want to become like Judy.
 
 
J - I can help you with an exercise plan to get you loosened up and regain strength in your legs and hips if you want, or maybe just your hips. It is obvious you have lost a lot of muscle mass in your legs with the way your KAFOs fit now. Even before wearing your Petrie cast, it seemed like they needed to be buckled one hole tighter. If I understand correctly, Leigh, you're seriously considering letting your legs waste away even more and becoming dependent on your braces like Judy?
 
 
L- That's the thing, Joel; I don't know what I want to do. Part of me wants my legs to be normal again, to be able to walk without my KAFOs, and to wear them just for fun. But a much bigger part of me wants to become like Judy and depend on my braces and wheelchair for mobility. I really am leaning towards trying to make my legs even weaker, like wearing braces 24/7 or big casts to completely immobilize my legs and hips for a long period of time. What do you think, Joel? How would you feel about me actually needing leg braces or a wheelchair to get around?
 
 
J - Leigh, I love you very much, more than anything in this world, and I support any decision you make. You have been wearing your KAFOs for a long time and know what life with them is like; you basically live as if you are already handicapped. I would just ask that you think about whether there is anything you can't do in your KAFOs; you'll never be able to do those things again if you let your legs go. If, as I presume, your life is complete and full wearing your KAFOs as you have been, then you should proceed and truly become dependent on them.
 
 
L - My life is complete and full, except for one thing, Joel: I am not really handicapped. I am going to ask my friends to brunch tomorrow and talk it over with them, especially Collene and Judy. I value their opinions, especially Judy's, and I am very relieved that you support me no matter what choice I make.
 
 
J - That sounds like a great plan. I'll be more than happy to drive you ladies around tomorrow in the small bus if you desire.
 
 
L - Oh, Joel, that would be great. I'll text everyone now. Thanks for being so supportive; I love you so much!
 
 
J - I love you very much, Leigh. I just want to see you happy and living life on your own terms.
 
 
And with that, Joel came over to me, gently removed my headgear, and lifted me from my wheelchair with my knees clicking as they locked. We hugged and passionately kissed, exploring each others orthodontics, as we always do when we kiss. I felt his tongue crib and his Forsus appliance with my tongue, and he explored all the metal in my mouth. I think Joel now likes the additions to his braces, and I sure love his cute little lisp.
 
 
After our long kiss, I unlocked my knees, and Joel gently set me down in my wheelchair. He then replaced my headgear, gave me a final little kiss on the cheek, and finished cooking breakfast. I texted my friends to see if they could meet tomorrow, and I let them know that I had something very important to discuss. Everyone will gather here at nine tomorrow morning.
 
 
The rest of the day, Joel and I hung around the house and shop. I stayed in my wheelchair the entire time, keeping my knees locked with my legs sticking out in front of me. In the afternoon, we went down to the shop building so Joel could start making plans for a wheelchair lift for our bus. He had found a unit that mounts in the basement storage area and uses an oversize door in the side of the bus. Joel will call and order it next week; he is sure he can adapt it for our coach. I'm sure Paul and Rebekah will want their coach modified, too.
 
 
That evening, we had dinner delivered, and Joel and I watched a movie. This was the only time I was out of my wheelchair. I sat next to Joel on the couch, still with my legs locked straight and resting on the ottoman. I am so lucky to be living the life that I am with such a sweet and kind man. We then took a shower together, with me sitting on my little bench and Joel gently washing me; it felt heavenly. I love it when we shower together. He dried me off, and he helped me into my wheelchair, free of any braces, and I wheeled into the bedroom. Joel then sat me on the edge of the bed, and I put on my headgear and my CTLSO brace for the night. He once again placed my legs in their 3D-printed LLCs to keep them immobilized while I slept. Joel and I then had quite a romantic evening in bed, with me in all my braces.
 
 
 
The next morning, it was quite pleasant to once again wake up with my legs immobilized. I sat up in bed, and Joel removed my 3D-printed LLCs and replaced them with my carbon fiber KAFOs with a pair of new Teva sandals on my feet. He then went to make coffee while I got into my wheelchair on my own. I unlocked my knees and, with some effort, transferred to my wheelchair and got comfortable.
 
 
I am going to try to do as much for myself as possible without help today, and getting out of bed and into my wheelchair was my first challenge. I wheeled out to the kitchen just as the coffee was ready, and Joel brought me a cup. We chatted over coffee, and nothing was mentioned about what I was going to do with my legs. The only thing Joel said was that I might want to start getting ready for brunch early, as doing things by myself might take longer with me in my wheelchair and with my legs virtually useless. He was right; I'd better get ready.
 
 
I went to the bedroom to get dressed for this warm summer day. The first thing I did was choose what braces I wanted to wear. White braces again today, but with a pair of clog sandals. No chunky Doc Martens for me today. For a bit of color, I put the red throat mold and occipital pads on my Milwaukee brace before swapping it for the CTLSO that I was wearing. Then I removed my carbon fiber KAFOs and Tevas and put on a diaper; I'm having leakage from using a catheter for so long. I got into my white KAFOs and clogs before putting on a long, pink pleated skirt and a floral print blouse with red flowers to match the pads on my Milwaukee brace. I fitted my red facebows into my molar bands and put on my red interlandi straps and big red-framed glasses. I fixed my hair around my headgear and just needed to do my makeup. I looked and felt great in my colorful outfit.
 
 
Just then, I heard Joel greeting Rebekah, and soon she was knocking on the bedroom door. I invited her in, and she was also in her white Milwaukee brace and KAFOs with her white facebows between her lips and white interlandi straps. Rebekah looked great in her long, flowing green dress with white high-heeled Mary Janes attached to her KAFOs. Her makeup was perfect as always, and I asked her to do mine for me. She did an excellent job with my eyes, giving them a multicolored cat-eye look, and they looked really good when I put my glasses back on. I wheeled over to the full-length mirror, and boy did I look great!
 
 
While we were waiting for the other ladies to arrive, Joel went to get the small bus, and Rebekah and I talked. She asked what was going on and mentioned that she noticed my KAFOs were two holes tighter on the straps. I said that was what I wanted to talk to everyone about this morning; my legs had become very weak and atrophied while I was in my Petrie cast, and that I was thinking of becoming like Judy and letting my legs waste away and become practically useless.
 
 
Rebekah said she often has thoughts of doing the same thing but isn't quite ready yet; maybe someday. She still enjoyed doing some things without her braces on occasion, especially dance competitions with Joel, but she has seriously considered Judy's situation quite often. It was then that we heard a couple of cars pull up outside, and we went out to greet them.
 
 
Judy, Collene, and Emme had come together since they had spent the previous evening together, and they had all crashed at Emme's place last night. It was unlike Collene and Judy to go out like this, and I hope Emme is not a bad influence on them; she can be a bit of a party girl at times. Kathy and Lydia soon arrived, and then Rita turned down the driveway. All of us were wearing some sort of orthopedic and orthodontic braces except for Lydia and Kathy, who were only wearing their orthodontic braces and headgear. Kathy still has a mouthful of appliances similar to mine; I wonder if she will ever have them removed. We all went inside and talked for a few minutes until Joel arrived with the bus.
 
 
Once in the house, everyone wanted to know what I wanted to talk about and if everything was OK. I said everything was fine and that I was thinking of becoming like Judy through the use of casts and braces, letting my legs atrophy and become useless. Everyone got quiet for a moment before Judy said, "Go for it, Leigh! I love living like this, and you will, too." Then Collene said, "I support any decision you make, Leigh, just like I now support my little sister's choice; it was wrong of me to ever question her decision. We all have the right to live in the bodies we desire to live in, even if that means parts of them don't work anymore."
 
 
The other ladies all expressed their support for anything that makes me happy and fulfills my lifelong desire. It was then that Joel arrived with the bus, and we all got on board and headed to enjoy brunch and what was sure to be some very interesting conversation.

Maybe a halo is even harder to wear than a Milwaukee brace?

The classic Activator may be right for you.
With the classic Activator, the bite can also be blocked further so that a significant impairment is achieved.

Bei 1 Stunde 10  ein Bericht über die " Verdienste " bei Sonderleistungen.