Martha nicknamed first cast “The Hulk” because of its huge size and weight. It was solid plaster and inflicted pain because it restricted the leg and ankle’s tendency to swell that naturally occurs with injuries such as Martha’s. Unfortunately the swelling also cut off the blood supply to her foot, resulting in blue toes, and that is NOT good. Eventually, the cast had to be split up the sides to relieve the pressure ... upon which it was dubbed, “The Clam”.

Next came a pretty little cast known in the bone and joint world as a patella tendon bearing cast (or PTB for short). For uncomplicated leg breaks, the PTB normally permits walking, but in Martha’s case, it simply provided more comfort because she could bend her leg at the knee and sit normally. Instead of heavy old, messy old plaster, it was made of lightweight fiberglass. And it was VERY tight-fitting. Tight-fitting to the swelling world translates as PAIN. Lots of it. The only way to relieve the pain was to completely desecrate this lovely piece of artwork by cutting out ‘windows’ where the worst of the pressing occurred. The cut out pieces were then reinserted to facilitate stability, and the whole thing wrapped in a series of ace bandages. Pretty no more, it earned the appropriate name “Frankenstein”.

Our dual suicide watch ended when cast #3 entered the scene. Looking like a piece of wardrobe discarded by Darth Vader, this new beast attaches via a bevy of wide (and very noisy) velcro straps. Designed to be a walking cast, as was Mr. PTB, this iteration has the distinct advantage of being adjustable (good for relieving the pressures of swelling ankles) AND removable (good for taking showers!). Although actual walking has been WAAAY out of the picture, for the past week Martha has been able to ‘crutch’ it a bit. She’s been practicing around the house - has even managed the half-step between our entryway foyer and garage (the full-step between entertainment room and living room still remains an elusive Holy Chalice - but we’re getting close!).