"No, that's very uncomfortable." Mattie tried to keep her balance as she walked with her cane a few steps past the examining table. "The strap digs into my upper leg."
"Well, I have a couple of other prosthetics we can try, then I'll get your measurements, and hopefully, you won't have the problems with the new leg." The prosthetist got up from the stool and left the room. Mattie hobbled over to a chair just as he returned with two other prosthetics. "Let's try these, shall we?" He removed the offending apparatus and attached one of the new ones.
"This is much better." She looked at herself in the full-length mirror as she hiked up her skirt to view the leg, and smiled. "This is comfortable, and I don't lean to the side as much." Her smile broadened. "Yes, this one will do."
"Excellent. Let me get the measurements, then, and you'll have your new prosthetic in six weeks, or less. Let's see now." He checked a calendar on the wall. "Expect it to be in sometime during the first week of December." He looked at her somberly. "With the war going on, the wait-time has lengthened, unfortunately."
"I'm certainly not going to complain about a longer wait, if that's the reason." She returned to the chair, and untied the laces from the corset around her thigh and removed the prosthetic, sitting patiently as he took the measurements. "Hopefully, I won't have to rely on my cane as much."
"This one might do the trick." He looked up at her cautiously. "There will be an adjustment period, as you are well aware."
"Yes, but I'm very relieved that you had one that's so much more comfortable and secure. It makes all the difference."
"Well, I hope the adjustment to your present prosthetic helps somewhat until your new one arrives." He helped her with putting on the old apparatus, pulling the laces securely.
"Thank you." Mattie picked up her cane, and left the office, anxious now to get home. She had an hour's drive ahead of her to get back to Brooksford, and she desperately needed to grade her students' papers before she went to bed.