Now that I am more fully awake (post Sam Yo) I have something to contribute here. A story in the reverse. I was riding my e-bike several years ago with my adorable Stanley in the basket when his leash caught in the spokes and MON DIEU he was yanked into the spinning wheel of my bike and his head pulled up into the disc brakes. There was blood, I screamed (unlike votre amie) and strangers helped me to get my bike out of traffic, to untangle Stanley. I was a wreck, he was shaking, we called vet hospitals and no one could see him. So, an orthopedic surgeon friend was called in! He arrived post haste with his surgical dop kit, and, like in your story, a clean towel was arranged on the picnic table. Unlike in your story, lidocaine was administered. Another friend was scrub nurse, and little Stanley was stitched up. I did not have the grace and calm of Martine, but rest assured Stanley did. All hail doctors in the wild, whether it's a vet caring for a human, or a ortho surgeon caring for an canine!
Oh, Natalie! Ai yi yi. That is such a nightmare. I'm glad your sweet boy and YOU are okay. This is also evidence that on some level a mammal is a mammal is a mammal. All hail these big-hearted healers.
I love this!! Thank you for bringing your world to us - fabulous. I admit I would also handle like an American woman(!), but do agree, "There’s no reason a little field surgery should disrupt the apéro."
Thank you, Carolyn. We're still talking about this -- as is the French way -- and will probably be dissecting this evening for years to come. For me, the crux of the matter was that no one thought there was a better idea before opting for on-the-fly minor surgery. I mean, Collioure is a little remote, but it wasn't like we were lost in the Amazon jungle with medical care days away.
One of the reasons I love it is because you've not only got the French down pat (never let a mere medical emergency get in the way of meals, or apéro for that matter). You've got us (Americans) down too. ("Shouldn't I have a tetanus shot?" That would be me! :-) )
Yes! A tetanus shot! They're so blasé, the French. Conversely, today a friend and I were getting ready to leave a crowded sea-side café when a young French guy asked if he and his girlfriend could have our spot. Before I could say, "sure" he went pale and said, "oh no! Please forgive me! I ask the question before I say bonjour.“ Now that's a big deal!
Yes that mistake that we all make all the time. Even when we know better! It is just so hard to not go straight to the business at hand for Americans :-)
OMG….you’ve got that right. My first trip back to Walgreens, there was homeless gentleman trying to pick up his prescriptions. He was told that his Medicare didn’t cover his prescriptions even thought his doctor ordered them for him. My husband and another gentleman offered to pay for his heart medication and they were told they couldn’t even pay cash!
Thank you Karen, this is what I look forward to in your pieces. Not so much how you find yourself stumbling and struggling but the joys of living in a totally different environment .. And I much rather the procedure be done outside with friends.
Thank you, Rita. And for the record, a few nights later an actual doctor was playing Pétanque, when Martine happened past he took a look at how she was healing up. He said, "pal mal!"
It's a whole existential dilemma! Normally, yes, we play, but this time of year Pétanque time is also optimal swim time, and swim time trumps Pétanque. In theory, one could do both, but for some reason we don't!
Although I confess I would have wanted the whiskey before the stitches
RIGHT?
Now that I am more fully awake (post Sam Yo) I have something to contribute here. A story in the reverse. I was riding my e-bike several years ago with my adorable Stanley in the basket when his leash caught in the spokes and MON DIEU he was yanked into the spinning wheel of my bike and his head pulled up into the disc brakes. There was blood, I screamed (unlike votre amie) and strangers helped me to get my bike out of traffic, to untangle Stanley. I was a wreck, he was shaking, we called vet hospitals and no one could see him. So, an orthopedic surgeon friend was called in! He arrived post haste with his surgical dop kit, and, like in your story, a clean towel was arranged on the picnic table. Unlike in your story, lidocaine was administered. Another friend was scrub nurse, and little Stanley was stitched up. I did not have the grace and calm of Martine, but rest assured Stanley did. All hail doctors in the wild, whether it's a vet caring for a human, or a ortho surgeon caring for an canine!
Oh, Natalie! Ai yi yi. That is such a nightmare. I'm glad your sweet boy and YOU are okay. This is also evidence that on some level a mammal is a mammal is a mammal. All hail these big-hearted healers.
I love this!! Thank you for bringing your world to us - fabulous. I admit I would also handle like an American woman(!), but do agree, "There’s no reason a little field surgery should disrupt the apéro."
Thank you, Carolyn. We're still talking about this -- as is the French way -- and will probably be dissecting this evening for years to come. For me, the crux of the matter was that no one thought there was a better idea before opting for on-the-fly minor surgery. I mean, Collioure is a little remote, but it wasn't like we were lost in the Amazon jungle with medical care days away.
😄😄😄
This piece is pitch-perfect in every single detail. Thank you! :-)
Bonjour Janet, that means a lot to me. Merci!
One of the reasons I love it is because you've not only got the French down pat (never let a mere medical emergency get in the way of meals, or apéro for that matter). You've got us (Americans) down too. ("Shouldn't I have a tetanus shot?" That would be me! :-) )
Yes! A tetanus shot! They're so blasé, the French. Conversely, today a friend and I were getting ready to leave a crowded sea-side café when a young French guy asked if he and his girlfriend could have our spot. Before I could say, "sure" he went pale and said, "oh no! Please forgive me! I ask the question before I say bonjour.“ Now that's a big deal!
Yes that mistake that we all make all the time. Even when we know better! It is just so hard to not go straight to the business at hand for Americans :-)
And it’s so comforting to know that MotH will be there if I chop off a finger during Come to Your Senses.
Chopped fingers, yes. Dangling participles, no. That's my department! Looking forward to seeing you soon. Sam!
You are a great story teller. Have you ever considered doing stand up comedy?
That's really kind of you Richard. I have thought about it, then I took a nap and the urge went away.
´Medecins sans frontieres, indeed!
However, I was waiting for the suppositoire to be administered post op ;)
HAHAHA! Possibly this did happen after the fact, but not in our garden, alors.
Love this…like usual. 😍
Oh! How I miss the French pharmacies!
When I'm in the States, all it takes is one trip to sad Walgreen's to remind me of the majesty of the French pharmacy. Hope you're doing well, Lisa!
OMG….you’ve got that right. My first trip back to Walgreens, there was homeless gentleman trying to pick up his prescriptions. He was told that his Medicare didn’t cover his prescriptions even thought his doctor ordered them for him. My husband and another gentleman offered to pay for his heart medication and they were told they couldn’t even pay cash!
I love this! Can’t wait to try Martine’s paella in a few months!
Sara, are you going to be there in September? Because I am!
Oh, yay! Yes, I am. Spending 3 decadent weeks in Collioure.
Thank you Karen, this is what I look forward to in your pieces. Not so much how you find yourself stumbling and struggling but the joys of living in a totally different environment .. And I much rather the procedure be done outside with friends.
Ha! Thanks, Devorah. It was quite a scene. What struck me was that there was no hesitation, no "what should we do?"
They have a wonderful kind of confident assurance, don't they? :-)
Wonderful, Karen. What a world in this small event.
Thank you, Rita. And for the record, a few nights later an actual doctor was playing Pétanque, when Martine happened past he took a look at how she was healing up. He said, "pal mal!"
S’il vous plaît, est-ce que les femmes jouent pétanque?
It's a whole existential dilemma! Normally, yes, we play, but this time of year Pétanque time is also optimal swim time, and swim time trumps Pétanque. In theory, one could do both, but for some reason we don't!
I am team swim! to be sure...