“You didn’t try to cause her pain. You did it because you knew it was best for them, didn’t you? You don’t enjoy seeing people hurt?”

“Of course not. It’s no fun seeing someone in pain. Maybe I could enjoy it on a couple of ex-boyfriends.” Her smile got almost fiendish. “Boy would I like to have a shot at two of them. I keep a smile here but I go home some nights and cry because of some of the things I see. I just want my patients to get better as quickly as possible. The temporary pain is justified only it helps in the long run. You believe me, don’t you?”

There were tears in her eyes.

“Sure, Doc wouldn’t have you here if you didn’t care. He says you’re the best. I think he really believes it and I know he is right. And I know it with the work you did with me.”

“I’ve always wondered what he thought. I guess we’d better get started.”

“Sure. I want you to lay with your feet and lower legs over the end of the table, out in mid-air. I’ve put a screen behind them so the camera can get a good picture. I want to photograph the portion of your leg that

corresponds to the part of mine that I’ll have reattached.” Kathy took a pen and marked points on Joyce’s legs. “I believe that’s about the place, three inches above the knee.” Kathy aimed the camera and took the controller to the computer console. She plugged the computer into the chips in her stumps to allow the computer to record her own motor impulses. She started asking Joyce to make every movement of her feet she could think of. After the move was made and photographed several times, Joyce described the muscles involved and the type and amount of movement. Kathy entered this data and then rewound the tape and tried to think the movement. The computer recorded the nerve activity. It took four days but slowly the computer started to be able to sort out patterns. By then a movement could be described and the computer could predict what impulses to what muscles would be generated by that movement.

Dr. Western was advised. He called the two women into his office. “I had expected this phase to take as much as six months and never thought it could be done in less than three. You two have cracked the code in four days. I think you need to start with the legs.”

“You mean you’re going to attach them? I thought you’d do that now.” Kathy asked excitedly.

“No, we can’t yet.” Kathy hung her head. He went on. “If we were to attach them now, you would loose mobility. It would be back to the mobility level you had when you had the stiff knees. We need you with the increased mobility the prosthesis still gives you. In addition, you wouldn’t have any feeling and could harm the legs without knowing it. The bones in your lower legs were broken and have healed enough to work with but I’d not want you to try to support your weight right now.”

“So the bottom line is I have to wait.” Kathy said with disgust.

“Yes, but I want you to see your legs. You need to start to work with the impulses from them like you did with your stumps. Find out what sensations, heat, cold, pain, pressure, itching, whatever, create impulses and categorize the impulses. Can you use the same technique?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“When can you start?”

“Today, now.”

“Let’s go.”

Joyce cleared her throat. “Are you done with me?”

“No. We need you too for now. Come along.” The doctor added. “Kathy has told me you’re essential to getting this done. She doesn’t know the muscle names and positions and you do.”

“No rest for the weary. The walking wounded still have to fight.” Joyce quipped and followed them. Kathy realized Joyce was still on the Codeine.

Kathy’s Legs: Chapter One, The Accident

Kathy’s Legs: Chapter Three, Kathy Meets Her Legs