Joshua's Cast

Last night Joshua hurt his leg while going down a slide with Joe at the playground. Afterwards he couldn't walk, and if he even tried to stand up he cried and fell down in pain. So this morning I took him to the pediatrician, who took one glance at his leg and sent us to the orthopedic doctor. An x-ray revealed that Joshua's lower left leg had a big crack! The doctor remarked that Joshua was a very tough boy to withstand the pain it must be causing him. We left the doctor's office later this afternoon with a big orange cast encasing the full length of Joshua's leg and foot. They even gave him a cute little shoe to wear over it.

This evening Joshua practiced standing and walking a little with the cast, but it either hurt or proved to be too frustrating of an endeavor to pursue. So basically his mobility has reverted back to what it was when he was about 6 months old. He can sit and scoot around on his tummy, dragging his heavy cast behind him. This is proving to be extremely frustrating to Joshua, since he is accustomed to always being on-the-go. I almost feel as though this would have been slightly less tragic had it happened to Caleb instead, since he is more apt to be entertained while stationary. For instance, Caleb is usually the passenger in the wagon while Joshua jogs along pushing from behind. Not that I would have wished this fate on either boy, but you know what I mean.

I am beginning to think that having a twin brother who tempts you with fun and rambunctious activities does not make having a cast on your leg any easier! Tonight Caleb was jumping on the couch and Joshua was so upset that he could not join in on the fun. He looked at me pleadingly, asking me to take the cast off of his leg, and oh how I wish I could have-- I now realize why they make casts that can only be removed with a saw! I wish we could explain to Joshua the purpose of the cast in such a way that he would fully understand. And maybe he does understand, to a certain extent. Anyway, the next 3 weeks should be interesting. Please join us in praying that God will heal Joshua's leg very quickly so that he can return to being his normal happy active self!