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Author Topic: Story: Leigh and Joel  (Read 35159 times)

Offline napacaster

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Re: Story: Leigh and Joel
« Reply #135 on: 29. January 2025, 04:30:49 AM »
Ch. 229 - Our Wedding 2
 
By: Blakely Santos-Jones
 
 
It's the big day—our wedding day! After breakfast the guys took Chris off to get ready while all the girls gathered around my cabin. It didn't take too much for me to get ready; my hair is just in a ponytail, and I decided to go without makeup—a plain and natural look. Collene and Judy helped me into my KAFOS and cute boots along with my special low-profile back brace. My gown was perfect, and I looked so adorable with my bonnet with its ribbon tied around my chin, hiding the throat mold of my spinal brace. I really liked how I looked, and other than the limited range of motion my leg braces cause and my perfect, rigid posture, it was impossible to tell I was braced from head to toe. The only thing that was visible were my orthodontic bands, which sparkled in the light and looked super cute. We called for a jitney, and several of the girls escorted me to the chapel while the others who had been helping me got ready themselves.
 

Upon arriving at the chapel, I made sure everything was in order. Many of our friends had already gathered and were chatting and joking. The pastor from our church, Larry, was waiting to speak to me and assured me that everything was in order. With a laugh, Larry said he had spoken to all three grooms; Chris had arrived and was very excited, and the two grooms attending to Gordie and Blackie would be bringing them up shortly for Chris and me to ride away on after the ceremony.
 

With the appointed hour almost upon us, the ceremony would soon begin. It's not at all traditional, but Chris and I put a lot of thought into things. Instead of the traditional American-style wedding party, we went with a Brazilian tradition—madrinhas and padrinhos, couples who have a special meaning to the bride and groom. With Gary and Rita's arrival, they are of course included, along with Lori and Scott and Collene and Billy. All three ladies helped me so much, and Chris has become close with all their husbands, too, often getting advice on life's challenges, with Scott's military experience helping Chris to learn to be a great leader at work.

 
As the wedding march began to play, both my parents walked me up the aisle. It's a little different, but a great way to honor both of them. Chris looked so handsome in his outfit, which I hadn't seen yet. Since getting his WEDD protraction device removed, Chris has grown a beard and mustache and wears his dark, wavy hair long but well-groomed. With his western-style suit and tie, he looked like Kenny Rogers from 'The Gambler' music video; in other words, extremely handsome and dignified, yet rugged and manly. Chris looked so different from the awkward kid I fell in love with in high school—yes, some things do get better with age, and I fell in love with him all over again. As I approached Chris, I could tell his heart was melting, too. The look on his face as he watched me walk towards him with my parents, I could tell he was falling in love all over again, too. We were both smiling from ear to ear, with our bands sparkling in the subdued lighting. 
 

Our ceremony was short, as we wanted it to be. Vows were exchanged, then rings, and finally a kiss for the ages. As Chris pulled me in for the kiss, my back brace pressed into my body, and the feeling was electrifying. There is just something about a romantic moment while I'm all braced up that really does it for me. After our kiss, well, we kissed again, then made our way outside with our friends and family cheering us on, where the grooms were waiting with Gordie and Blackie. Chris helped me mount Gordie, which was a bit awkward. You see, I'm used to riding western style, not sidesaddle. It's something that I have just learned how to do, and it's hard all braced up. Chris mounted Blackie, and we were off, and instead of riding directly back to the lodge, we went for a ride in the woods despite the snow and cold.

 
Chris and I rode around the retreat property for probably a little too long. It was just so beautiful with the snow falling that time got away from us. When we finally returned to our lodge, several of the guys were forming a search party to go looking for us. Everyone was relieved that we were OK and understood our desire to be together in nature on our special day. The grooms took Gordie and Blackie to the stable, and Chris and I went inside to warm up.
 

After spending time by the roaring fire warming our bones and receiving congratulations and well wishes from our friends and family, we got on with one of the Brazilian customs—the cutting of the groom's tie. Basically, the groom's tie is cut up into small pieces and auctioned off to the guests. The money traditionally went to the newlyweds to help them get established, but in our case, we decided to donate to the charity that Collene and Billy run that provides orthopedic braces and prosthetics to those in need both here and abroad. I'll just say that some pieces were sold several times and many thousands of dollars were raised for charity. It felt great to give to others on our special day.
 

The reception went all night and well into the next afternoon with much food and drink. Sometimes people would disappear for a few hours to get some rest and to change into comfortable clothes and then return to the party. It was a lot of fun but very tiring. A great time was had by all, and Chris and I were having thoughts of our honeymoon, too. I had to wonder if Chris had read the 'Miss Naughtia' book I had set with his sports and car magazines after my bridal shower. 
 

On Monday morning, everyone prepared to part ways. Dad hitched up the trailer, and Mom and I got Gordie and Blackie loaded up for the trip home. Joel warmed up the bus that brought the majority of our friends and parked it near the cabins. Then, Billy asked Chris for the keys to his truck, and with a smile, Chris handed them to him. I didn't' know what was up, but I did see Billy loading several large boxes from the cargo hold on the bus to our truck. When we said goodbye to Gary and Rita, they said they would be sticking around for a few months, staying at Billy and Colleen's guest house so I could come visit before they hit the road again. After more goodbyes, everyone was on their way, as were Chris and I. 
 

On the way home I asked Chris, "What's in the boxes Billy put in the back of the truck, honey?"
 

With a smile, Chris replied, "Oh, it's nothing, sweetie. Just some things for our honeymoon. I read that book you left for me and... well... I assumed..."
 

I excitedly replied, "You assumed right, Chris! But can we do it all? I mean, the story is fantasy; no one would ever be in that many casts. Oh, and the brace, too." 
 

"Yes, it's all possible. You just won't be doing much for yourself for a while." With a mischievous smile, Chris added, "It will be fun for both of us, my soon-to-be broken bride."
 

When we got home, Chris carried me across the threshold. We got unpacked, and he did the laundry while I carefully hung my gown and his suit in the closet. Since we had been away from home for so long, there was nothing to eat, so we ordered some Italian to be delivered. After eating, I brushed my teeth and my appliances, then took a long, hot bath and thought about what I will soon be experiencing from the story Chris and I had read. I'll be living out the second half of the story—I don't know if I could stand being in the casts in the first half. However, if asked about my situation, that's the story I'll tell.

 
After my relaxing bath, I put on my protraction appliance, which I have been slacking off on wearing lately. According to Dr. Joe, it doesn't matter too much at this point in my treatment anyway. Chris and I mostly only wear our protraction appliances for pleasure now. Wearing only my panties as I left the bathroom, I called out for Chris, and he said he was ready for me in the spare bedroom. When I walked in, there was a tarp spread on the bed and a CTLSO lying on the bed. It looked like a standard off-the-shelf brace like Leigh gave me years ago when I was experimenting with wearing such things, but Chris said Billy custom made it for me. There was also a bucket of water and multiple boxes of casting supplies at the ready. 

 
My spine was a bit sore from wearing my new brace so much—it's not as supportive as my other braces—so I had Chris put me in my new CTLSO right away. It covered my entire torso, cupping my breasts comfortably and holding my spine in position extremely rigidly. The headpiece and chin rest are well padded and very comfortable with a forehead strap I can wear when I'm not wearing my protraction headgear. My brace felt great and will be super cozy to wear in the cold weather.
 

Then Chris got started applying the first of my casts—a LATS—on my left arm. As always, Chris did a great job; my cast was very comfortable. Next was a Muenster cast on my right arm, a challenging cast to apply. Chris took his time and used the dry method to apply this cast to give himself some extra time to work. I liked the immobilization it provided, preventing me from rotating my wrist or straightening my elbow, but I think I'll still be able to feed myself.
 

Next was a hinged long leg cast on my left leg—a type of cast Chris has put me in many times. Then he applied an identical cast on my right leg. I have never worn so many and such immobilizing casts, along with a big back brace, at the same time before, and I loved how it felt. While my casts were curing, I enjoyed the warmth that was spreading throughout my body as Chris placed a catheter inside me. With my casts and Chris fully hard, he picked me up and carried me to our bedroom, where we made love in our own bed as a married couple for the first time.
 

******
 

The next morning, we got ready for our honeymoon trip to the city, which would coincide with New Year's. Chris helped me to the bathroom to poop and brush my teeth, and he gave me a sponge bath. Then, instead of replacing my headgear, he put the forehead strap on my CTLSO, which completely immobilized my head and neck—it felt heavenly. He got me dressed in a wool skirt and knit sweater, then he put thick wool socks on my feet before strapping on my cast shoes. Chris took a quick shower, cleaned his braces, and got dressed. Finally, we were ready to go, and Chris took my casted left arm and walked me to the truck and helped me in before starting the engine to get the heater going. He returned to the house for our bags and my wheelchair, put them in the back, and we were off.
 

We had a light breakfast on the road and a late lunch when we arrived in the city. I enjoyed the ride, looking straight ahead the entire time, my spine completely immobilized. After getting settled in our hotel room—a handicap-accessible room—we rested for a few hours. Well, not really rested, we cuddled, talked, and kissed. At around six we decided to have dinner. Since my hinged leg casts are much like my KAFOs when it comes to range of motion, I have no trouble walking in them, but Chris supported me by my casted left arm, which is rather useless in its LATS.
 
 
After dinner, I waited in the hotel lobby while Chris went to get my wheelchair. I would rather be on wheels than on my casted feet in the large crowd gathering outside. As always when people-watching, I was on the lookout for casts, braces, crutches, and wheelchairs, and I was not disappointed: A middle-aged man who was an LAK amputee on crutches, a young couple with metal orthodontic braces, an older woman in KAFOs walking awkwardly without crutches, but there was one very interesting couple.
 
 
The couple were both wearing metal braces and headgear—J-hook on the man and cervical on the woman—with the man, presumably her husband, pushing the woman in a wheelchair. The wife had a short leg cast with a toeplate and cast shoe on her right leg and a long leg cast on her left leg with some sort of metal bar protecting her toes. Both her casts were white, possibly glow-in-the-dark. I wanted to go talk to them, but with my arms in casts, my very immobilizing CTLSO, and sitting sunken down in the chair, I couldn't get up quickly enough before they were gone.
 
 
When Chris returned with my wheelchair, he helped me transfer to it as I told him about my sightings. We both wanted to talk to the couple, and we would keep our eyes open for them—I'm really curious if her casts are glow in the dark; they would look really cool. We got our wristbands for the bar crawl, then headed out onto the street for an evening of casted fun.
 
 
And did we have fun. Thanks to our large dinner, both Chris and I could hold our alcohol fairly well, and I got a ton of questions about my casts and back brace. I recited the story from the 'Miss Naughtia' book... A skiing accident where I blew out both knees and broke both ankles, broke both wrists and my left thumb, along with two spinal fractures. After 6 weeks in my first set of casts, I got these with hinges at my knees so I can do therapy and walk... What I didn't tell people was the part of the story where the girl began to enjoy enjoying her casts and developed a fetish for them and her back brace, too. I loved telling my story, and Chris enjoyed listening to me tell it each time—I was almost beginning to believe it myself.
 
 
As midnight approached, everyone gathered for the ball drop in the town square. The crowd was very large but spread out; I was never jostled the few times I stood up from my wheelchair for a better view. The entire time we were on the lookout for the couple I saw in the hotel, but only caught glimpses of them. However, I was able to confirm her casts were glowing in the dark when she rolled past a bar with black lights outside—her casts glowed an eerie greenish blue. After the ball drop and the fireworks show, Chris and I made our way back to our room. Of course we made love, celebrating the new year and our new marriage before going to sleep. 
 
 
The next morning, I was awake before Chris. I managed to pull on my skirt and sweater from the night before, then got in my wheelchair to head to the cafe to get us coffee. Chris drank a bit too much last night, so I know he will appreciate coffee and a pastry. When I rolled into the hotel lobby, I saw the couple from yesterday heading to the cafe, the woman crutching along gracefully in her casts. They got in line, and I caught up with them and introduced myself. Lainey and Kip seemed very kind and caring, and Lainey and I talked about our casts, with her telling her story first.
 
 
When I told my story, it was the well-rehearsed one from the book I read. Upon finishing, Lainey said, "That's quite the story, Blake. There's a book that tells the story of a girl that had the same thing happen to her." That got me to thinking about a couple of other stories we had read at my bridal shower. They seemed to fit the situation that Kip and Lainey were in. I became very nervous and blushed, unable to find words. Seeing my discomfort, Lainey introduced herself once again, but this time as 'Miss Naughtia,' and said, "I think we have something in common, Blake; don't be embarrassed."
 
 
I regained my composure and said that I had read many 'Miss Naughtia' books and enjoyed them greatly. Lainey then confirmed that they were living out a couple of her stories and that was her first adventure wearing casts. We wanted to talk more, but I needed to bring Chris his coffee—he probably woke up and is wondering where I am, so we decided to meet for breakfast in an hour. 
 
 
I returned to our room where Chris was just waking up. He was indeed a bit hungover and enjoyed his strong coffee before getting dressed. We met Kip and Lainey for breakfast and shared our real stories. I showed Lainey a picture of me wearing the braces I usually wear for my scoliosis and joint issues, and she expressed a desire to wear the same things—an idea Kip was thrilled about. We really enjoyed our time together and agreed to keep in touch; it's always great to meet another cast and brace enthusiast.
 
 
******
 
 
Over the next few days, Chris and I had a great time together, but we were happy to get back home and get settled in as a married couple. It was at this point I decided to keep my casts for a while longer since I was getting by with them so well, but I decided to switch back to wearing my usual Milwaukee or Kuehnegger braces. We decided that each year, we will celebrate Christmas with friends and family, then our anniversary and New Year's with a cast adventure. So, here we are back where my story started, with me in my comfortable yet a bit cumbersome casts for another month or so and Chris and I happily married, living our best life. We love each other so much and know our lives together will be perfect.

Offline jayson2517

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Re: Story: Leigh and Joel
« Reply #136 on: 29. January 2025, 04:46:05 AM »
Great story! Love all the different braces you incorporated in the story!

Offline napacaster

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Re: Story: Leigh and Joel
« Reply #137 on: 29. January 2025, 05:16:00 AM »
Great story! Love all the different braces you incorporated in the story!

Thanks so much!

Offline anton08

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Re: Story: Leigh and Joel
« Reply #138 on: 29. January 2025, 06:56:28 AM »
Congratulations for such a wonderful and well written story. It may be among the best ones around here imho.

It would be very nice to read some more stories from this author in future times.

Offline napacaster

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Re: Story: Leigh and Joel
« Reply #139 on: 29. January 2025, 17:21:43 PM »
Congratulations for such a wonderful and well written story. It may be among the best ones around here imho.

It would be very nice to read some more stories from this author in future times.

Wow! What a compliment. In the near future we'll be seeing Gilly from 'Gilly's Journey' again, and I have some very orthodontic chapters coming soon after that. Thanks!!!

Offline napacaster

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Re: Story: Leigh and Joel
« Reply #140 on: 05. February 2025, 18:05:23 PM »
Ch. 230 - Lungs of Iron - 4
 
By: Joel Jacobson
 
 
Blake and Chris had such a beautiful wedding and reception. We all loved how the newlywed couple rode away from the chapel on their horses. Blake looked so good, and her gown and bonnet hid her braces so well, too. Only her rigid posture and stiff gait alluded to the fact she was so heavily braced. Only when she took off her bonnet could the neck ring and throat mold of her spinal brace be seen. This is what she wanted—she wanted to have her braces be discreet. Everyone else was so good about only wearing the braces and orthodontic appliances they absolutely needed, too. Even though Blake has adjusted well to her braced life and actually enjoys wearing braces that are far more restrictive than necessary, she did want to look and feel 'normal' on her special day—a goal she accomplished.
 
 
While we were on our trip to Kings Mountain for Blake and Chris's wedding, I often saw Collie and Judy talking with doctors Moore, Northridge, and both doctors Johnson—Myra and Mike, who had recently received his PhD in bioelectronics. I don't know what they were discussing, but their conversations seemed rather serious. Upon returning home, Collie was very interested in getting our iron lungs and cuirass ventilators finished, and we are making great progress. Pam and Myra even stopped by to check them out along with several staff members from The Clinic on multiple occasions. Word has gotten around that we are restoring these pieces of medical history, and there is a lot of interest at the college and with the local medical professionals. There have been many requests from people to stop by and check things out, but so far we have refused. We are all very private people when it comes to strangers, but not at all with each other, as you know from some of our past adventures. I think we have all seen each other undressed to some degree or another when applying casts.
 

******
 

After another few months of work, our project was wrapping up, or at least the restoration stage was. We had all the parts for the iron lungs ready to reassemble, but first we finished up the cuirass ventilators first to make some room in the shop. They were much more compact devices and fairly simple. Even though these will all just be museum pieces, we wanted them to be in perfect working order. Who knows, there might be a pandemic someday where devices like these could become useful again. Plus, we all want to try them out to see what it is like. Who knows what will happen since we all can breathe normally? Collie said that when she was beginning to regain her ability to breathe, her body just went with the flow of the machine—she didn't struggle or fight the air being forced in and out of her lungs. 
 

With these machines all restored to working order, we thoroughly tested them per the manuals we had. Paul even rigged up a simulated human torso using a mannequin with a pressure gauge fitted to it for further testing. We chose the cuirass that best fit the mannequin and strapped it into place on our plastic patient. The hose was hooked up and the machine turned on. The rhythmic sounds of the machine pushing and pulling air in and out of the cuirass filled the shop. The needles on the gauges on the machine and the mannequin moved in unison with the rhythm of the machine. Everyone watched with great curiosity as the controls were manipulated, causing the speed and depth of respiration to change.
 

Finally, we were all satisfied that the operation was correct and proceeded to test all the other units that we had restored. All functioned perfectly except for one that didn't power up. Judy knew right away what the problem was. It was missing its main power fuse. During initial testing, she was short a fuse and robbed it to use in another machine. She crutched over to the electrical supply cabinet and brought me a fuse of the correct value, which she had memorized. With a fuse in place, this machine also passed its tests with flying colors. Now we all just looked at each other in silence, all wondering the same thing—who would be the first one to see what the machine was like to use?
 

Pretty much all of the ladies were out of the running, at least for now. They were all wearing their Milwaukee braces, and there was no way the cuirass would seal around their braces. I thought that Leigh and Judy would be disappointed, but they were not. Later in the evening when we all went home, I expected Leigh to want me to bring a device home for her to try without her brace, but she never asked—it was strange that none of the ladies were interested. So that left it up to us guys to be the guinea pigs; Collene suggested that Billy go first. This was fitting since he was the only one of us whose wife had been on a ventilator before.
 

From our extensive testing, the operation of the machine was well understood. We also knew how modern versions worked from watching videos online. What stood out was how abruptly the machine transitions from inhaling to exhaling and vice versa; the action is rather abrupt, almost violent. With this in mind, Billy had an idea of what he would experience, and Collie told him to simply relax and to not try and fight against the machine. That is what she had done when she was being weaned from her vent and was breathing on her own for short periods of time before being hooked back up.
 

The ladies gathered around as Paul and Jimmy fitted the cuirass to Billy's body, strapping it tightly in place with the new straps that Billy had made. It fit well and appeared to seal properly around his body over his thin t-shirt. Jimmy went to my office and brought in the chair from my desk, and Billy took a seat and tried to calm his nerves and get his heartbeat and breathing back to normal. Collie was in her wheelchair and rolled over to him and took his hand, telling him to relax. The others backed off a bit, with Jimmy and Paul sitting down next to their wives. The air hose was already disconnected from Billy's cuirass, and I turned on the machine, making adjustments so it was paced to Billy's breathing. Collie had said this is how it was done when she would be connected to her vent, and then once she was hooked up, it was readjusted to the desired rate and depth of respiration as prescribed.
 

Air hissed in and out of the hose at a rate that nearly matched Billy's breathing. He had calmed down but still looked nervous despite Collie comforting him. We could all tell that this was something he really desired to explore to bring him and Collie closer together with yet another shared experience. At just the right moment, as both Billy and the machine exhaled, I attached the hose to his cuirass. Immediately the inhalation stroke began, and Billy's body was jolted by the machine; he gasped as air was drawn into his lungs. He looked shocked and scared, and as the air was forced out of his lungs, Collie told him to relax his body and let the machine breathe for him.
 

Billy closed his eyes and leaned his head back and seemed to relax. We all just watched as the needles on the gauges moved with each breath Billy was forced to take, a mechanical device controlling how deeply he inhaled and how often. Finally, without opening his eyes, Billy began to speak, his words interrupted by being forced to inhale:
 

"It feels .... strange but .... not bad at .... least I can .... speak unlike ... you, Collie, .... with your .... trach. But I .... don't like it .... Joel, please...."
 

With those words, I shut down the machine, and Paul helped Billy out of the cuirass. None of us said anything for a few minutes—we were all thinking about the few words that Billy had said. Collene would not have had such a rough time during her illness if this old technology was still in use then—she would have been able to speak. Billy just sat there with Collie holding his hand, and then she said, "Thank you, Billy. This meant a lot to me. Now you know a little more about what it was like for me. It was done differently, but now you know what it's like to have a machine help you breathe. I love you so much." With that, they both took off their orthodontic headgear and kissed. A gentle, loving kiss, not a passionate one. Billy and Collie's loving kiss lightened the mood, which had been rather serious to this point. We then all said goodnight and that we would see each other for breakfast in the morning as usual.
 

******
 

A few days later, Paul and I took all the things that we had restored to The Clinic and began to figure out how we would display them. This got us a bit of a head start in setting up the displays and freed up space in the shop. Three iron lungs take up a lot of space, especially when you need room to work on them. We also thought about how the iron lung would be displayed in the museum and where we would place the other two in the 1950s ward upstairs. With the help of her sister and one of the docents in our museum who was a nurse back in the day, Judy began to work on the write-ups for our displays. Emme did the graphic design work, using historical photos, and would use some current photos with people posing in our iron lungs. However, for that to happen, we needed to finish our restoration work.
 

With our twice-weekly work nights, which we have grown to love, quick progress was made on the iron lungs. Not only are Jose and Rose great bus mechanics and businesspeople—the shop is more successful than ever with them running it—they are both excellent with body and paint work. Rose did all the preparation work, and Jose did the painting. We have the best-looking iron lungs that ever existed. With the paint cured, it didn't take long for the parts spread out on tables to become subassemblies: the motor assembly, the top of the tank with its lights and viewing ports, the end door with the bellows, the main body with access ports, and of course, the seal assembly that fits around the patient's neck. All the subassemblies were then assembled into fully operational iron lungs.
 

Finally, we were done and had three fully restored and operational iron lungs. We decided to do one final test and then go out to dinner to celebrate our accomplishment. In all the research we had done, other than the few machines that are still in use, there are no fully restored to original condition and fully functional iron lungs in the world. We were proud of our work and had the right to be with the amount of time and money invested.
 

Our final tests were once again performed by Paul using a stand-in for a real patient. It was simply a piece of eight-inch plastic pipe about a foot long with a cap on one end. The cap had been drilled and tapped for a pressure transducer for our new data logging system. The tests were made, and everything was perfect. Paul then performed the same tests on the other two machines, with both of them operating with perfection, too. While Paul was doing the tests, we watched the bellows at the end of the tank move in and out, along with the emergency handle, we thought about manually operating the machine. Someone would be pulling and pushing the lever the proper amount and at the proper rate to keep the person in the iron lung alive. Imagine having a loved one in an iron lung at home and the power going out. It would be up to you and whoever might be there with you to keep your family member alive. No stopping, no going to the bathroom, no eating, just moving the handle back and forth, forcing life-sustaining oxygen into someone's lungs. It was a surreal thought.
 

I thought it was odd that no one wanted to try out being in an iron lung for even just a few minutes; the ladies were not interested, and I thought they would be. No one even wanted to get inside to pose for pictures for the museum display. They have all been so into this project, working so hard despite their real or induced disabilities, but none of them seem to be interested in experiencing the devices. It was probably for the best anyway since all the mattresses, bedding, and pillows they had made were all packed away to be taken to The Clinic.


Anyway, with our many months of work complete, we decided to celebrate by going out to dinner. Nothing fancy since we were all in our work clothes, just the Texas-style BBQ joint at the highway junction. Since Jimmy had made his annual New Year's resolution to give up alcohol, he offered to drive so the rest of us could drink—we'll see if he makes it to March this year. We got on board our party bus and made our way to dinner. I love watching Leigh eat BBQ, then helping her clean her bands and appliances once we get home. All that metal doesn't slow her down one bit, and I enjoy getting an up-close view of all her orthodontic hardware.
 
 



Offline napacaster

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Re: Story: Leigh and Joel
« Reply #141 on: 12. February 2025, 18:22:50 PM »
Ch. 231 - Lungs of Iron - 5
 
By: Joel Jacobson
 
With our restoration work complete, Paul and I took a day to move the iron lungs to The Clinic. Loading up on the bed of the old Dodge was done with extreme care. Paul put the boxes with the manuals, spare parts, and bedding into his truck, and we headed into town, taking our time and going slowly with our rare cargo. Upon arriving, we unloaded the iron lungs and gave Collie a call since she had made herself in charge of displaying these items. With care, we unloaded the three iron lungs and got one into the freight elevator and headed up to the ground floor.
 
The only way into the museum with something this large is through the main doors in the lobby. Pushing the heavy machine was easy with the new bearings in the casters that Judy had made; one person could do it with ease. Paul pushed, and I guided the head end and ensured people were out of the way. When we entered the lobby, Collie and Judy were there, both on crutches, with my beautiful Leigh in her wheelchair with her skinny, atrophied legs strapped in place so her high-heeled-clad feet were held firmly in place on the footrests. Damn, she is so gorgeous! 
 
We pushed the machine into the museum into the location that had been prepared for it. I hadn't checked out the exhibit—boy, did Judy and Emme do a great job designing it. The interpretive documentation was perfect, and I recognized the account of a polio patient was Collie's story, much condensed from what she told us that emotional night months ago. There were firsthand accounts from nurses and doctors the ladies had interviewed and many historical photographs of polio wards. 
 
The photo that impressed me the most and really brought home the seriousness of the polio epidemic was the one with rows of children and teens in iron lungs. There must have been twenty of them lined up in a row with the head ends facing a bank of windows so they could look outside in the mirrors mounted to the machines. Surprisingly, there were smiles on a lot of the faces, and were turned to look at each other, obviously having a conversations. It made me think of Collie, alone in her hospital room unable to speak and having no one to speak to. At least these youngsters were surrounded by others in the same situation, which had to bring some degree of comfort instead of the isolation that Collene faced for so many months.
 
 
Two cuirass ventilators were nicely displayed, with one of the child-sized ones on a very realistic mannequin. Pushing a button activated the device for about ten seconds, and the body of the mannequin moved with the rhythm of the machine. Judy said that several of the students at the college had made it. It was quite an impressive display, and I was glad that we had made extra parts for these machines.
 
Paul went to the basement to get the mattress, pillow, and linens for the iron lung. Colleen said that there was an adult-sized mannequin made by the same students to be placed in the iron lung. I went to the storeroom to get it, and when I arrived back, Paul was there with the things he went to get. Leigh couldn't do much to help being confined to her wheelchair, but Collie and Judy helped us arrange things and get the mannequin in place. Finally, the girls thought everything was right, and we plugged the machine into the same timer as the other unit and turned it on. Pushing the red button brought the machine to life, with the bellows moving in and out and the mannequin's chest heaving with each breath. Leigh wanted to see, so I unstrapped her from her wheelchair, lifted her up, and held her in my arms so she could peer through the viewing windows. 
 
I gently placed my wife back in her wheelchair and got her situated and strapped in. There is something about positioning her legs and feet and strapping them in, knowing that she usually has her BioTronic device set so she cannot feel my touch. Leigh's legs and feet are so lifeless, yet so warm and alive—it's a bizarre contrast. Once she was comfortable, Collie asked us to bring the other two machines up to the 1950s ward, and the ladies would meet us there.
 
Paul and I did as instructed and loaded both remaining iron lungs into the freight elevator and took them up to the fourth floor—the 1950s ward. We left one in the hallway and pushed the second to the designated room where Leigh, Collie, and Judy were waiting. This room was set up like a smaller version of the polio ward in the picture in the museum. We got the machine in position, where the someone laying in it would be able to use the mirror to look out the window. We went to get the second machine and found several of The Clinic's clients taking a look.
 
One man was on wooden crutches with his right leg in a heavy plaster long leg cast. There was a woman in one of the old wheelchairs we had restored with plaster short leg casts on both legs and a metal and leather four-post neck brace. Finally, there was a man who was also in an old-style wheelchair wearing a massive plaster shoulder spica cast and plaster long leg casts on both legs. His wheelchair was being pushed by a woman, his wife, dressed in the style of the early 50s—damn, she looked good in her outfit and her sexy hairstyle. I'll have to point her out to Leigh. Maybe I can get my wife to do up her hair like that—I like everything from the 50s. Paul and I answered their questions and asked how their 'recoveries' were going. Everyone blushed and said they were doing well and quite enjoying their treatments here at The Clinic.
 
We got the machines arranged as Collie thought was proper and it all looked really good. I have no idea if these machines are just for looks as people pass by in the hallway or if they will be offered for the enjoyment of clients. After seeing Billy try the cuirass ventilator, it didn't' look too comfortable to be using such a device when one can breathe normally, and I assume the iron lung would feel the same. However, to each their own; who am I to judge? My friends and I wear orthodontic braces we don't need and often orthopedic braces, too. My wife and dear friend both have electronic devices in their bodies that paralyze them and unnecessary metal in their mouths. We are a strange bunch, but we are all happy, and there is a loving bond between all of us.
 
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With the iron lung and ventilator project completed some months ago, I'm surprised that no one has really talked about it. I was sure that Leigh and Judy, with their adventurous spirits and love of medical devices, would have wanted to try out the things we restored. However, the only thing that Leigh has said is there has been an increase in traffic to the museum.
 
We enjoyed working together so much that we still get together at least one night a week to work in the shop, usually Tuesdays. If nothing else, the ladies just chat and prepare dinner in the kitchenette. We all have little projects or need various things fixed, so it's good to get together and share ideas and skills. Each of us has something that we really excel at, with Judy and Collie being the best precision machinists that I have ever met, so we sometimes do each others projects, and sometimes we do things for friends. Doing something for a friend is our project this evening.
 
I got a request from Dr. Mike Johnson to make something for him. Leigh had worked the reception desk at The Clinic, and Mike had given her a hand-drawn plan, several water- and pressure-tight Cannon connectors, some cable, and an electrical schematic to bring home to me. She seemed very excited about this simple project for some reason. The project was easy: make a quarter-inch-thick aluminum panel with holes in the perimeter for mounting and a hole in the center for the Cannon connector. He also requested two rubber gaskets and asked if I could make a wiring harness with the included connectors and cables. A very simple project.
 
When Collie and Judy arrived with their spouses—Paul and Rebekah were on vacation—and I told them Mike has a project for us, they seemed to get really excited. We looked over the drawing and schematics, and I thought the dimensions looked very familiar—they were identical to those for the access ports on the iron lungs. I think I know what is going on now, but I didn't say anything. I just got to work on the fabrication of the plate and gaskets with Judy and Collie soldering up the cables and connectors with their steady hands while the guys helped Leigh with dinner.
 
As I worked, I finally saw the big picture: Mike recently obtaining his PhD in bioelectronics. The discussions Leigh, Judy, and Collie had with the Johnsons and doctors Northridge and Moore at Kings Mountain—that is where they likely came up with their plan. The lack of desire for the ladies to try out the iron lungs and cuirass ventilators when we finished them—they had bigger plans. The unusually long ethics committee meetings at The Clinic with people from the university. Triple redundant mainframe computers are being delivered to The Clinic-Paul, and I had to install redundant backup power supplies for them. 
 
Mike and Myra have somehow devised an electronic device that goes far beyond the current BioTronic devices—they have created something that can exactly simulate what happened to Collene when she was sick. These panels are to allow for cabling to enter the iron lung to monitor the person inside and to pass electrical signals to electrodes on the person's body, which would allow them to be paralyzed to any degree, likely from the neck down. A part of me had to wonder if something went wrong, what would happen?
 
I quietly did my work and was in a bit of a state. I knew that it was likely that Collie and Judy would share this experience together, and it worried me. I love them and wouldn't want to see anything happen to them, but I also fully trust Mike and Myra. I also realized that Leigh would also want to experience the same thing, which made me nervous. The more I thought about it, the less I was worried—a cable could be unplugged, and the effects would immediately cease if something went wrong. I've never worried about Leigh or Judy with their implants, and they have never had anything go wrong with them, so why worry about this?
 
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It's been several weeks since we made the bulkhead panels for Mike, and none of the ladies have mentioned anything about what I believe is their plan until this morning over breakfast. Collie said that she and Judy have been working with Mike on a special project that would allow for someone to safely experience her illness when it was most severe—the period of time she could not move her body at all or breathe on her own for any longer than a few minutes. Mike's new computers and the software he wrote, along with special adhesive-backed electrode strips, were ready for use. Judy then said that they planned to be completely paralyzed from the neck down for a period of not more than one week, the period of time the ethics committee felt would not lead to weakness of their muscles that still work. During this week, they would require twenty-four-hour care and would be dependent on machines to assist their breathing.
 
Leigh was the only one who was not shocked by these words; she said she had full knowledge of their plan and will likely do the same herself someday. Even Billy and Jimmy had no idea what their wives planned to do; however, once they overcame their shock, they were extremely supportive. Collie said that safety was of paramount importance and protocols would be in place to ensure their well-being. Judy added that their oxygen levels and heart rate and rhythm would be constantly monitored with both automatic and manual methods to instantly return their bodies to normal. Leigh said that a doctor, nurse, and two teams of paramedics would be nearby at all times monitoring Judy and Collie's health from an adjacent room and would be ready to move in if there were issues.
 
Collie further explained that she and Judy wanted to keep their plan private—it will be a very emotional journey for both of them. Collie will be reliving a terrifying time in her life; however, this time she will be able to easily communicate. For Judy, who now lives with the same aftereffects of polio as her sister must, will experience for a short time something similar to what Collie went through—having her body completely paralyzed and depending on a machine for life.
 
The starting date for their week of complete paralysis has been set for next Wednesday, with both ladies asking Leigh and me to be present when the computers and iron lungs are activated.