Some days just don’t go the way you plan and for me, yesterday was one of those days. As you can see from the date on the plastic vial in the photograph above, it was 1/11/11.
Yesterday morning I was running around…in a hurry…never a good thing. I had my earnings (see above) in one hand and my vitamins in the other, or so I thought. Toss vitamins in mouth…wash down with water. Gulp. What the heck was that? Open left hand to see only one earring. Gingerly swallow again.
Yes, I did…I really did! I couldn’t believe it either. I swallowed one of my earrings! My first thought was to stick my fingers down my throat to see if I could pop it back up but I thought better of that when I remembered the hook.
So instead, my day went like this…leave breakfast on the stove, jump into the car, drive to the hospital and watch everyone there that I tell my story to, try not to laugh. I know, I'm fully aware of the humour here but…that hook was sharp and it was hurting and I didn’t want a perforated esophagus.
Luckily for me the gastroenterologist happened to be in our small hospital yesterday and came to see me right away. She whisked me into the OR and two hours later I woke up wondering why there were so many people in there with me…I was actually in recovery and it was all over. By late afternoon they sent me home with my earings in a plastic vial.
This morning I examined the contents of my palm very carefully before I took my vitamins.
Today, I’m very, very grateful that my earrings are on the outside of me where they belong! Moral of the story…slow down. Be mindful.
“Mindfulness isn't difficult, we just need to remember to do it.”
Sharon Salzberg
This post and the photograph are doing dual duty for the 30 day gratitude project and week 28 of 52 Photos Project where the theme is "trick or treat". This was definitely a "trick" I don't want to repeat!
OMG, what a tough day, kate! I would do that. Absolutely. I've almost done things like that, many times. So I appreciate your admonition to slow down and be mindful. I am astounded that you even had to have surgery to remove it! It will be funny years from now, but not today, I'm sure. And I'm glad that it didn't have to sit in there for hours, perhaps to cause worse damage than it did. Heal well, my dear, and I am so sorry...sorry but happy that it worked out as well as it did!! Peace and love, Olivia
Posted by: olivia | 11/02/2011 at 07:04 PM
OMG from me too Kate!
I am grateful too, that you are ok after all!
Posted by: Patti | 11/03/2011 at 01:48 AM
OMG x 3!!! That was a big flashing sign to slow down a bit!!! I am going to try to read it from this safe distance. ;) I'm so glad you are okay and that there were no serious injuries! Blessings to you, Kate! tanna
Posted by: tanna | 11/03/2011 at 04:13 AM
Wow, Kate, what a story!! I am so glad you are ok, don't even want to think about how this may have ended! If there ever was a reminder to slow down, this is it. I actually hate taking pills and have never liked to swallow those bulky vitamin ones and your stories makes me even less inclined to do so now. Again, so glad it all went well :)
Posted by: Kerstin | 11/03/2011 at 12:44 PM
wow, that's quite a story. glad it all worked out ok for you!
Posted by: urban muser | 11/04/2011 at 04:18 AM
OMG, Kate!!! What an ordeal!!! The scary thing is that it's something I could probably have done myself because my mind is always racing about and I often lose focus on the task at hand. I'm just very, very relieved you're okay. My immediate concern was the hook too.
I am grateful to your Gastroenterologist for her quick actions. xo
Posted by: Serena | 11/04/2011 at 06:44 AM
jeez...I thought that it was a joke at first. I'm glad you're fine. But it does make for a good story after the fact though :) Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Posted by: lauren | 11/04/2011 at 05:12 PM
Oh my goodness!
What a story ~ so glad you are ok!
Posted by: bella | 11/06/2011 at 05:58 AM
Good grief! Glad your story had a happy ending!! And yes, slow down and focus. How many of us rush about - and are just lucky that a similar thing hasn't happened.
You are lucky, lucky, lucky. So glad that all is well with you now.
Posted by: martie | 11/06/2011 at 06:56 AM
Oh Kate! That is quite an event. I had to reread to make sure I read it right. I hope that you are feeling well now, and you will look twice before popping your pills from now on! Take care, my friend.
Posted by: Ruth | 11/06/2011 at 04:06 PM
Oh my goodness! What a story!
Thank goodness it came to a quick and happy conclusion. You just never know where the day is going to take you!
Something you can laugh about, after the fact.
They look so sharp!
Posted by: jaime | 11/06/2011 at 09:45 PM
My eyes are wide open at this, Kate! Oh my! Thank goodness you had the presence of mind to get help right away. And thank goodness you are okay. What an adventure, of the inadvertent kind! xo
Posted by: Georgianna | 11/07/2011 at 11:58 PM