Uncle Douglas and the Broken Arm

 courtesy photobucket.

 

Boys will do stupid things at times; they will rough house, and jump off high places. 

How it happened, was not exactly a mystery, but Douglas came into the house with an arm that was swollen.   It didn’t take an expert to recognize that his arm was broken.

Hastily I gave him a large heavy magazine to support his arm, and we bundled him into the car after phoning the Dr that we were on our way.

This was the early 1960’s and in those days they usually put a Plaster of Paris cast on broken bones after setting them.   The doctor carefully moved his arm into place and then covered his arm with gauze.  Next went on the soupy mix of “cement.” 

It hardened quickly and soon Doug was ready for his friends to sign his cast and draw goofy pictures on it.

The Doctor gave me instructions to call him if there were any problems and to return in six weeks to remove the cast.  “Pay the receptionist at the front desk as you leave,” he added 

In those days we did not have insurance, but Doctor Bills were reasonable and considerable cheaper than they are now.

Time passed – not so quickly and Douglas would tell me his arm itched.  At least he was not in pain, and he could insert a pencil up his wrist and into his cast to scratch his arm.

Eventually six weeks went by and we could view the calendar where I had marked a big X and a note to return to the Dr to have his cast removed.

Honestly, I was and still am a money saver where ever I can squeeze it. 

I knew a return visit to the Dr would be another $25 that we could use it somewhere else better; like maybe a trip to the grocery store...

Douglas offered a good suggestion.  “Hazel, why don’t you get those big scissors that Bob has and cut this thing off for me?  It is already six weeks, and I am sure my arm has healed by now.” 

(You may remember that Doug was my young brother-in-law who lived with us.  He was the same age as our son Steve, and our children enjoyed calling him “Uncle Dougie.”)

So it was that I got the scissors, and carefully cut and snipped until the cast was gone.  Then we washed his arm and put some hand lotion on it - - Good as new !!

He was happy, and so was I.

This post is shared at:  “Tell Me a True Story”

http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

And at Sharing His Beauty Monday   http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/