It took four days and then just five minutes to get the cast applied, but now Kathleen's wrist is completely immobilized, no longer merely shackled by the looser velcro splint. It's better this way, the doctor sez, because there's no danger of accidentally bumping and opening the green stick fracture. So there's some more daily adjustments to be made (she can still drive) and further consequences to be paid for the unfortunate Sunday morning slip and fall on the icy patch guarding the newspaper box.
Kathleen's wasn't actually plastered, they quit using plaster of paris, opting now for a rock hard fiberglas and adhesive kit. She'll be wearing it for four weeks... including during her brother Danny's upcoming April 11 hip surgery.
It's a drag, to be sure, but Kathleen feels lucky when compared to two unfortunate sisters-in-law who suffered far worse wrist mishaps -- involving the misery of screws and pins. And that's not to mention another sister-in-law who is still walking in a boot, now that the cast has been removed from her ankle.
Kathleen got a break, a good one, it turns out.
Pass the Advil, dear.