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TODAY'S WORD:
luxer (loox-ay)
: to dislocate
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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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My 50th Birthday.
My 50th Birthday.
I am celebrating Advent and Christmas with my family, including children coming from afar.
I am celebrating Advent and Christmas with my family, including children coming from afar.
I am looking forward to celebrating this beautiful holiday season with my wonderful family and good friends! My daughter just became engaged, my son just got a job and my husband’s business is doing well. I am thankful good health and happiness for my family and wishing it for you and your family!
XOXO
I am looking forward to celebrating this beautiful holiday season with my wonderful family and good friends! My daughter just became engaged, my son just got a job and my husband’s business is doing well. I am thankful good health and happiness for my family and wishing it for you and your family!
XOXO
Tous!! I am celebrating each and every day of love and health for my cherished loved ones.
Tous!! I am celebrating each and every day of love and health for my cherished loved ones.
I am celebrating my first full year being a non-smoker. It has been more of a challenge than I anticipated, and at times, extremely difficult. After decades of smoking, it is the best thing I have ever done.
I am celebrating my first full year being a non-smoker. It has been more of a challenge than I anticipated, and at times, extremely difficult. After decades of smoking, it is the best thing I have ever done.
I am celebrating life and freedom after a terrible marriage and wretched separation/divorce. Cheers!
I am celebrating life and freedom after a terrible marriage and wretched separation/divorce. Cheers!
Dear Kristin,
I hope that your elbow is much improved by this time … so sorry that you had all of the pain and worry. Do take good care of it. And welcome home; you have been missed! (I know you had a wonderful visit with friends and family here in the States.)
Today is Pearl Harbor Day which reminds us to celebrate the freedoms which we enjoy. December is a month of celebrating in so many ways … two extra ones for me are three birthdays in my family.
Best wishes to you and your family, Cynthia
Dear Kristin,
I hope that your elbow is much improved by this time … so sorry that you had all of the pain and worry. Do take good care of it. And welcome home; you have been missed! (I know you had a wonderful visit with friends and family here in the States.)
Today is Pearl Harbor Day which reminds us to celebrate the freedoms which we enjoy. December is a month of celebrating in so many ways … two extra ones for me are three birthdays in my family.
Best wishes to you and your family, Cynthia
This month and in fact all this year, we have been celebrating 50 years of marriage, seven wonderful children, their spouses, and twelve lovable grandchildren. We’ve been blessed by the good Lord and what better way to celebrate than on Christmas when we celebrate the Word made flesh? Happy Christmas! Joy and health in the new year.
This month and in fact all this year, we have been celebrating 50 years of marriage, seven wonderful children, their spouses, and twelve lovable grandchildren. We’ve been blessed by the good Lord and what better way to celebrate than on Christmas when we celebrate the Word made flesh? Happy Christmas! Joy and health in the new year.
My husband and I are celebrating our fiftieth wedding anniversary by returning to our beloved apartment in the Marais, which we have had for more than thirty years and which has been a great source of joy for us.
My husband and I are celebrating our fiftieth wedding anniversary by returning to our beloved apartment in the Marais, which we have had for more than thirty years and which has been a great source of joy for us.
my husband’s birthday, new jobs, Christmas with visiting family, a healthy dog, looking forward to 2015!
my husband’s birthday, new jobs, Christmas with visiting family, a healthy dog, looking forward to 2015!
Christmas, family and new twin granddaughters!
Christmas, family and new twin granddaughters!
Oh Kristi,
I am so sorry about your dislocated elbow, with all the pain and fear. My son’s puppy (a LARGE puppy, a Bernese Mountain Dog), pulled me over and I broke my wrist. Was in a cast for 6 weeks last Spring. It’s going to hurt for quite awhile, but thank goodness Smokey’s fear didn’t take him into traffic. Feel better. All my best wishes, Linda
Oh Kristi,
I am so sorry about your dislocated elbow, with all the pain and fear. My son’s puppy (a LARGE puppy, a Bernese Mountain Dog), pulled me over and I broke my wrist. Was in a cast for 6 weeks last Spring. It’s going to hurt for quite awhile, but thank goodness Smokey’s fear didn’t take him into traffic. Feel better. All my best wishes, Linda
Decided while I was here, I would post all the things we celebrate.
My oldest grandchild had her birthday a few days ago, and the youngest one had her birthday yesterday. My son’s birthday was last week, and my daughter’s big 40th is on December 19th. My wonderful daughter-in-law has her birthday on December 31, and in-between we will all be celebrating Chanukah. After that, I’m celebrating that all these celebrations are over!
Decided while I was here, I would post all the things we celebrate.
My oldest grandchild had her birthday a few days ago, and the youngest one had her birthday yesterday. My son’s birthday was last week, and my daughter’s big 40th is on December 19th. My wonderful daughter-in-law has her birthday on December 31, and in-between we will all be celebrating Chanukah. After that, I’m celebrating that all these celebrations are over!
Caring for sick children at the Women & Children’s Hospital,Adelaide,South Australia.
Caring for sick children at the Women & Children’s Hospital,Adelaide,South Australia.
Celebrating Christmas with my wonderful family!
Celebrating Christmas with my wonderful family!
Celebrating Christmas with our family and being grateful for all we have. Hope your elbow has healed well. Quelle misère! Wishing you bonne année and a Merry Christmas!
Celebrating Christmas with our family and being grateful for all we have. Hope your elbow has healed well. Quelle misère! Wishing you bonne année and a Merry Christmas!
Kwanza!
Kwanza!
My birthday! I will be 50 and my husband is taking me to Quebec and Montreal so we and our kids can practice our French!!!
My birthday! I will be 50 and my husband is taking me to Quebec and Montreal so we and our kids can practice our French!!!
Hi Kristin,
Aside from Christmas, my husband and I are celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary on December 15th, as well as my own birthday on December 19th. We’ll be heading to Petit Louis in Baltimore, my favorite French restaurant, which also happens to be where Bob proposed to me nine years ago. 🙂
Hi Kristin,
Aside from Christmas, my husband and I are celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary on December 15th, as well as my own birthday on December 19th. We’ll be heading to Petit Louis in Baltimore, my favorite French restaurant, which also happens to be where Bob proposed to me nine years ago. 🙂
i am celebrating 2 very important births this month…one on december 24th and the other imporatnt one that made me a mother. twenty five years ago on the 27th december our beautiful daughter olivia was born. that is the best gift i have ever received!!
i am celebrating 2 very important births this month…one on december 24th and the other imporatnt one that made me a mother. twenty five years ago on the 27th december our beautiful daughter olivia was born. that is the best gift i have ever received!!
I am celebrating Advent and Christmas. Still using Advent calendars bought in France and Germany many years ago.
I am so sorry about your painful experience and pray that you are ready to celebrate Noel soon.
I am celebrating Advent and Christmas. Still using Advent calendars bought in France and Germany many years ago.
I am so sorry about your painful experience and pray that you are ready to celebrate Noel soon.
We are celebrating a full year of my youngest daughter not having to have any surgery. She was born with a congenital heart defect that has also caused nutritional issues for which she eats with a feeding tube in her stomach. This is the first year since her birth that she didn’t have to have either an open heart surgery or a surgery on her stomach. We get to be home for the holidays!
We are celebrating a full year of my youngest daughter not having to have any surgery. She was born with a congenital heart defect that has also caused nutritional issues for which she eats with a feeding tube in her stomach. This is the first year since her birth that she didn’t have to have either an open heart surgery or a surgery on her stomach. We get to be home for the holidays!
My kids and grandkids and I will be celebrating Christmas, as well as two family birthdays . . .
My kids and grandkids and I will be celebrating Christmas, as well as two family birthdays . . .
Australians go mad at Christmas with parties to attend each weekend to spread the Christmas cheer among friends. We will also be celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary the on the 19th and recall how two people from Adelaide who did not know each other before, met in Montreal, Canada and have been together ever since.
Australians go mad at Christmas with parties to attend each weekend to spread the Christmas cheer among friends. We will also be celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary the on the 19th and recall how two people from Adelaide who did not know each other before, met in Montreal, Canada and have been together ever since.
Our son and his family will be in France for Christmas but we’ll be with them in spirit.
We will also be looking forward to the lovely French chocolates which we receive every year from the inlaws in St. Etienne!
Hope you are healing!
Edie from Savannah
Our son and his family will be in France for Christmas but we’ll be with them in spirit.
We will also be looking forward to the lovely French chocolates which we receive every year from the inlaws in St. Etienne!
Hope you are healing!
Edie from Savannah