Week 16: Sept. 30, 2009

Day 112: Construction begins!

I wheeled Travis through freezing wind and rain for our first visit to the prosthetist's office. We were glad to be inside the warm office, out of more than one storm, and ready to move ahead. The doctors went right to work. They rolled a pre-measured silicon sleeve onto Travis' right thigh. Then, they had him put on cream-colored, knit, pajama-looking pants (like old trappers wear). Next, they wrapped wet fabric enmeshed with plaster of Paris over the sleeve and the pants to cast the thigh. Travis had to hold very still for a few minutes to allow the cast to harden. Then off it came and we were done with our first visit....back into the cold, but happy to have taken that first figurative step to creating a leg that will allow Travis his first physical steps since the accident. Food nourishes the body and soul. To celebrate, Travis requested Albertson's fried chicken. He enjoyed it so much he suggest we do this on every date! We have several more visits to adjust the "socket" they will make from the cast. I sure would enjoy more chicken too!