In For A Year

   Leah awoke near the end of the fourth week since her paralysis shot and felt funny. It took her a minute to realize it was a bit of feeling in the back of her left leg. Sara came in to begin their morning routine.

   “Good morning,” she said brightly, “how's my invalid this morning?”

   “I THINK MY SHOT IS WEARING OFF, I HAVE SOME FEELING IN MY LEFT LEG.” Leah replied.

   “Well the doctor did say that the feeling would begin to return around this time.” Sara said. They began the morning routine.

   During her stint on the leg bike Leah realized she could feel from her left foot all the way up past her knee.

   “I THINK I WANT A BOOSTER SHOT.” She said when Sara returned her to her iron lung. “I LIKE BEING PARALYZED FOR REAL AND NOT HAVING TO FAKE IT. PLEASE, CAN WE DO ANOTHER MONTH? I DON'T WANT THE FEELING TO KEEP COMING BACK.”

   “Yes dear,” smiled Sara, “I was hoping you would say that. I love taking care of you and all your bodily functions; it's been more fun since you've actually been paralyzed. I'll make an appointment.”

   Two days later they arrived at the same small clinic and were ushered into the same room. By this time, Leah could feel almost her whole left leg, her right toes and her left forearm. Leah desperately wanted the feelings gone again.

   They waited a few minutes and the doctor came in.

   “Good day ladies,” he said, “how's it been going?”

   “OH IT'S BEEN SO WONDERFUL,” Leah said. “I LOVE BEING A QUADRIPLEGIC. BUT UNFORTUNATELY FEELING IS STARTING TO RETURN. I’M HOPING I CAN GET A BOOSTER SHOT AND GO ANOTHER MONTH.”

   “Well, actually I've consulted with a psychologist friend of mine about your case and he's diagnosed you with body dysmorphic disorder due to your strong desire to be disabled. This means that we can treat you again and maybe even in the future discuss a permanent solution should you so desire. We've actually been working on an implantable device that disrupts nerve signals for chronic pain patients. If we implant one of these along your spinal cord, you could live as a ventilator dependent quadriplegic for a full year. At that time, if you wanted to replace it we could do that or if the psychologist agreed, we could consider a permanent solution and surgically sever your spinal cord, permanently rendering you a ventilator dependent quadriplegic for the rest of your life. How does that sound?”

   Leah looked at Sara. She had a big smile on her face. “WHAT DO YOU SAY DEAR?” Leah asked, “WILL YOU KEEP CARING FOR ME FOR A WHOLE YEAR? WITH THE MONEY MY GREAT UNCLE LEFT ME WE CAN EASILY BOTH QUIT OUR JOBS AND KEEP UP OUR CURRENT SITUATION.”

   “Of course my little invalid,” Sara replied, “I will care for you.”

   “It's settled then, a long term implant” said the doctor. “I'll get it ready, please wait here.” He left and came back shortly accompanied by the same nurse as last time. He showed them the implant, it was slightly larger than a grain of rice and would be injected through a hollow needle.

   The nurse and Sara unbuckled Leah and laid her forward like before. The doctor carefully inserted the needle into Leah’s neck along her spine and pushed the plunger inserting the implant. There was no stinging like before and Leah sighed in relief as, almost immediately, the feeling in her legs and arm disappeared and she again couldn't feel any part of her body below her neck. They left the clinic, but instead of going home Sara drove to the mall.

   “This calls for some shopping!” Sara said, enthusiastically. They shopped for several hours. After a quick bite to eat in the food court Sara drove them home.

   They arrived home and went through the usual evening routine. Leah fell asleep to the comforting whoosh of her iron lung which she would spend the next year in and maybe more.

   The next day they both put in their notices with work, freeing them to continue with Leah's situation. They explained that Leah had had a terrible accident on vacation and now needed full time care but hopefully she would recover.