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TODAY'S WORD:
luxer (loox-ay)
: to dislocate
AUDIO FILE:
Listen to today's word in context: Download MP3 or Download Wave file
En promenant Smokey en laisse, Kristi s'est luxée le coude droit.
While walking Smokey with a leash, Kristi dislocated her elbow.
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A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
The night before I was to leave on a three-flight, four airport journey home I dislocated my elbow!
I should have listened to my daughter when she said, "Reste à la maison!" But no, I wanted to watch her and her father play tennis our last day together! I had packed my suitcase and was ready for my 3:30 a.m. wake-up call. A little exercise before the long journey would be good! I would bring Smokey along and, after a brisk walk around the tennis club, the two of us would watch the father-daughter match.
I had a strong premonition as Smokey and I wandered forth into unknown territory. Looking around le voisinage that circled the tennis courts I noticed the houses, each with a tall fence enclosing its yard. What sorts of dogs lived behind those fences? What if one of them began to bark? My gut told me to turn back, but it was a pity to miss this chance to give Smokey some needed exercise.
Approaching a cul-de-sac at the top of the road, I was relieved to have an excuse to turn back. But wasn't it strange that not one of the houses we'd passed had a dog? What a quiet neighborhood! A little too quiet. I wound my wrist around Smokey's leash, to tighten my grip and to assure my unquiet mind….
No sooner had I secured the leash than Smokey began to bolt, taking me hurtling towards an angry dogue de bordeaux–or what some call an English Mastiff! The dog was barking like mad from behind a tall fence.
My first thought was how am I going to land? Currently I was hurtling towards a wire fence, the gravelly ground below me getting closer and closer. This was going to be a painful meeting. Would I land face first?
A split second before the face-plant, Smokey made a hairpin turn. Because my wrist was wrapped so tightly around the leash, I made the hairpin turn right along with him! No longer was my head in danger, given my new direction (still downward!), I might break my hip–and never make tomorrow's flight!
Instinct kicked in and I threw out my arm to break the fall. Only, when my hand hit the ground–followed by the rest of my body–something snapped. I looked up to find my forearm twisted gruesomely away from me!
It was surreal to see my arm so deformed. Given the unusual angle in which it rested, I thought, It must be broken! In my current state of shock my brain overrode my usual tendencies. The tendency to depend on someone else! Besides, there was no one else! No one around to ask "What do I do? How to fix this? Help!"
My body seemed to know the answer. Quickly, my left arm grabbed my right forearm and flung it back toward my rib cage. That's when I heard the pop. The elbow snapped right back into place!
Cradling my arm I scooted across the road like a snake. And when I reached the fence I began to began to moan. Smokey ran up and I managed to used use my free hand to lace his leash through the fence opposite the mastiff (who was safely behind his own fence).
Once my elbow and my dog were secured, reality hit: something was very wrong with my arm and this meant I would not be travelling to see my family tomorrow!
NO! NO! NOOOO! I shouted, wailing from the pain and the loss. NOOOOO!
A neighbor, who turned out to be the dog's owner, ran up and began to assist me. Her husband arrived next.
"Réspirez! Réspirez!" the kind-faced woman said, when I complained of nausia.
"Je crois que je vais vomir," I said. The woman's husband ran inside to get a down coat, returning to lie it over me. Crying from the pain and apologetic for the chaos, I tried to tell them how to reach my husband. The rest was babbling: vous êtes gentils. merci. désolé. mon chien! aïe! ça fait mal… qu'ils arrivent vites!
I could now hear the speaker on the tennis courts, just behind the couple's house: "Monsieur Espinasse. Vous êtes demandé à la reception…." But when Jean-Marc arrived the question remained: How to transport me to the emergency room? What to do with Smokey? We couldn't all four of us ride to the urgences!
The tennis court manager, who had accompanied Jean-Marc, suggested calling les pompiers. "It's a bumpy road all the way to the hospital, better for her to ride in an ambulance…."
Three fireman arrived next. They placed what looked like a deflated raft beside me. On the count of un, deux, trois I was lifted into the "raft" (located on a gurney). One of the firefighters began pumping air into the contraption which began to hug my entire body.
"There. Do you feel secure now? Can you move your hand?" The pompier wanted to know.
Entombed inside the inflatable body-brace, only my front sticking out, I felt like a swadled baby. Looking down I tried to wiggle my fingers and saw that they could move.
At ER I was wheeled to the x-ray room where nurse asked me to lift my arm up onto an x-ray table and I informed her I could not move it.
"Well I don't know the reason for which you are here!" she said, in her defence.
The rest of the staff were just as sympathetic, and when my x-rays finally arrived on the attendant-doctors desk I watched, in amazement, as she tossed them across her desk!
"I don't have time for all this now!" she complained.
From my gurney in the ER entry, facing the giant window behind which the doctor and colleagues processed the paperwork, I watched her storm off.
Seeing my son walk into ER was a great soulagement. Then came the tears. The sum-total of this freak accident hit me. I looked at the clock which crept toward the dinner hour. I should be getting up 8-hours from now… getting on my flight.
"You have a flight tomorrow?" the doctor said, when she finally arrived with the x-rays. "Well, your arm is back in place, but you shouldn't be travelling like this. Is your trip for business or for pleasure?
"I'm going home to see my family…"
"Well, it's up to you but I would not recommend it," the doctor concluded, with a reminder that I should be seeing a specialist the next day, one who would review the x-rays and examine my arm–beneath which my tendons were flairing from pain. (The codeine only made me more nausious.)
After stopping at the pharmacy to buy a sling, or un gilet d'immobilisation d'épaule, Jean-Marc and I rode home. On the way, my husband kept assuring me I'd be just fine, each time I voiced my doubt about flying with an elbow of frayed tendons and a giant sling. But the constant encouragement to go ahead and fly tomorrow was beginning to sound suspicious.
"Do you happen to have any plans this week?" I asked, fishing for an answer to my doubts.
"No," Jean-Marc said. "Apart from seeing all my girlfriends," he joked.
" Seriously, you seem intent on getting me on that flight tomorrow. Are you sure you don't have any plans at all this week?"
"No, there's nothing in particular…"
* * *
(To be continued… Dear Reader, please excuse any mistakes in today's edition. I just arrived home and am catching up on a lot of stuff… but wanted to be sure an get this post out to you!
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FRENCH VOCABULARY
reste à la maison = stay home
le voisinage = neighborhood
réspirez! = breath!
je crois que = I think that
je vais vomir = I'm going to vomit
aïe = ouch
ça fait mal = it hurts
qu'ils arrivent vite = (I hope) they hurry!
soulagement = comfort, relief
les urgences = ER
les pompiers = firefighters
un, deux, trois = one, two, three
un gilet d'immobilisation d'épaule = sling for dislocated shoulder
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Those posts above are so worthy of winning that I hardly dare say a thing, but I do try to be mindful of all that I have and to be grateful for my many blessings, family, friends, and such delights as your post affords us! Sending love to you and your family
Those posts above are so worthy of winning that I hardly dare say a thing, but I do try to be mindful of all that I have and to be grateful for my many blessings, family, friends, and such delights as your post affords us! Sending love to you and your family
I always enjoy your stories and daily antics! The love you have for your dogs is heartwarming.
Keep them coming and heal quickly. Christmas is coming.
I always enjoy your stories and daily antics! The love you have for your dogs is heartwarming.
Keep them coming and heal quickly. Christmas is coming.
Amid the celebration of Advent is the birth of another grandchild. This is joy upon joy. The blessing of Advent is for all people.
Amid the celebration of Advent is the birth of another grandchild. This is joy upon joy. The blessing of Advent is for all people.
Besides the celebration of Christ our Savior, my husband and I will be celebrating 43 yrs of marriage on the 19th of December. Hard to realize this many years have flown by. Three children and seven grandchildren. It’s been a great ride!
Besides the celebration of Christ our Savior, my husband and I will be celebrating 43 yrs of marriage on the 19th of December. Hard to realize this many years have flown by. Three children and seven grandchildren. It’s been a great ride!
We are celebrating Advent and looking forward to Christmas.
We are celebrating Advent and looking forward to Christmas.
i am celebrating the solstice! welcome home.
i am celebrating the solstice! welcome home.
I am celebrating Christmas by making homemade tamales with family.
I am celebrating Christmas by making homemade tamales with family.
This month I celebrate two of my friend’s birthdays and Christmas!
This month I celebrate two of my friend’s birthdays and Christmas!
Our dear Kristi,
You are our inspiration! That you kept going while in pain and stress gives all the rest of us courage that we too can go on in the face of adversity!
We celebrate having you in our lives (and,of course, the extended FWAD family!)
Also (ESPECIALLY) celebrating and thanking God to have my family around me.THE greatest of blessings and gifts!
Love
Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
You are our inspiration! That you kept going while in pain and stress gives all the rest of us courage that we too can go on in the face of adversity!
We celebrate having you in our lives (and,of course, the extended FWAD family!)
Also (ESPECIALLY) celebrating and thanking God to have my family around me.THE greatest of blessings and gifts!
Love
Natalia XO
I’m so sorry to hear of that horrid accident. I hope you still got to go, as i think I have a hint when you say you just returned.
I’m celebrating my husband’s birthday on the 2nd, my daughter’s birthday on the 17th, and Jesus coming to show us what God is like.
I love following your adventures and trying to learn a little French. God Bless.
I’m so sorry to hear of that horrid accident. I hope you still got to go, as i think I have a hint when you say you just returned.
I’m celebrating my husband’s birthday on the 2nd, my daughter’s birthday on the 17th, and Jesus coming to show us what God is like.
I love following your adventures and trying to learn a little French. God Bless.
I am celebrating very good health, precious time with family and friends!
I am celebrating very good health, precious time with family and friends!
Joyeux Noel … I am celebrating the beautiful season of Christmas and my niece’s recent engagement!
Joyeux Noel … I am celebrating the beautiful season of Christmas and my niece’s recent engagement!
We are Celebrating Life, good health, moving to France four months ago, Steve’s one year retirement from his job of 35 years, spending the holiday season in Southern California with our Jonathan & Liz and Joshua & Lupe and all of our friends, celebrating and grateful for all of the blessings in our life, all of the beautiful people in our life, all of our new friends in France, our friends in England and the USA. Living Life to the Fullest, Loving Many People and Laughing Alot. Life is Good
We are Celebrating Life, good health, moving to France four months ago, Steve’s one year retirement from his job of 35 years, spending the holiday season in Southern California with our Jonathan & Liz and Joshua & Lupe and all of our friends, celebrating and grateful for all of the blessings in our life, all of the beautiful people in our life, all of our new friends in France, our friends in England and the USA. Living Life to the Fullest, Loving Many People and Laughing Alot. Life is Good
My husband and I will be celebrating our 50th
wedding anniversary with two dinner parties…one with family and the other with friends. Each year since 1964, our anniversary has been lost in the holiday shuffle as the date is just days before Christmas. This time we will celebrate twice!
My husband and I will be celebrating our 50th
wedding anniversary with two dinner parties…one with family and the other with friends. Each year since 1964, our anniversary has been lost in the holiday shuffle as the date is just days before Christmas. This time we will celebrate twice!
My enjoyment of still being able to keep in contact with you as each year comes to an end, still reliving my 10 years of travels to France and the wonderful friends I have found along the way many through your many letters May you have a joyful festive Christmas with you beautiful family
June ami artiste Qld
My enjoyment of still being able to keep in contact with you as each year comes to an end, still reliving my 10 years of travels to France and the wonderful friends I have found along the way many through your many letters May you have a joyful festive Christmas with you beautiful family
June ami artiste Qld
I am celebrating Advent, Christmas, music, love, family & friends. And praying for peace for all.
I am celebrating Advent, Christmas, music, love, family & friends. And praying for peace for all.
Like many of the above comments I am celebrating the blessings of children, grandchildren, a wonderful husband, health and an active retirement. I am also celebrating the just today booking for our 2015 Rhone River cruise to Provence with my siblings and their spouses. We travel together every other year alternating who plans the itinerary. We fought as kids but are loving our adult relationship!
Like many of the above comments I am celebrating the blessings of children, grandchildren, a wonderful husband, health and an active retirement. I am also celebrating the just today booking for our 2015 Rhone River cruise to Provence with my siblings and their spouses. We travel together every other year alternating who plans the itinerary. We fought as kids but are loving our adult relationship!
I’m celebrating the abundance of Christmas cookies!
I’m celebrating the abundance of Christmas cookies!
I am continuing to celebrate my recent trip, and first trip, to France — Paris, Vichy, Dordogne, and Normandy
I am continuing to celebrate my recent trip, and first trip, to France — Paris, Vichy, Dordogne, and Normandy
We celebrated Thanksgiving in Lyon with our sons, their wives and our grandson (6mos), who lives there in our younger son’s family. Our other son and his wife came from Berlin, and we had Dinde de Bresse, fried á American in the backyard.
We celebrated Thanksgiving in Lyon with our sons, their wives and our grandson (6mos), who lives there in our younger son’s family. Our other son and his wife came from Berlin, and we had Dinde de Bresse, fried á American in the backyard.
I’m celebrating my 75th Birthday on December 6…Egad 3/4 of a Century already!!
I’m celebrating my 75th Birthday on December 6…Egad 3/4 of a Century already!!
I’m going to celebrate all the wonderful things life has to offer…a smile, a laugh, great friends, divine family, spectacular fur children (my cats)and anything else I can get my hands on…including all your books!!
I’m going to celebrate all the wonderful things life has to offer…a smile, a laugh, great friends, divine family, spectacular fur children (my cats)and anything else I can get my hands on…including all your books!!
I’m celebrating completing the writing of all my students’ end-of-year reports!
I’m celebrating completing the writing of all my students’ end-of-year reports!
We celebrated my dad’s 79th birthday this. We are also celebrating the good report my mother received from her oncologist yesterday.
We celebrated my dad’s 79th birthday this. We are also celebrating the good report my mother received from her oncologist yesterday.
I am celebrating my mother’s birthday this month: it is on December 6. Also I am celebrating Advent and then Christmas.
I am celebrating my mother’s birthday this month: it is on December 6. Also I am celebrating Advent and then Christmas.