Friday, October 28, 2011

Friday Flash 55 -- Dr. Smrt makes a housecall






Lauran thought she called 911 . . .
Because her ears were ringing she didn’t notice that someone answered: “Your number’s up."

“I’m alone!" she slurred. "Cannot move my right side…think I had a stroke." Panting shallowly, she strained to give directions.

"No problem, dear. We know your address. Dr. Smrt is driving up your road right now."
MLydiaM ~ October 2011


Note: In the Czech language, the word for death is smrt.

Image: Untitled (sunset with quarter moon and farmhouse)  Edward Mitchell Bannister

See the latest posts of weekly FF55s (works of fiction in 55 words)
at Mr. KnowItAll, the G-Man.


When reading this most of us would commonly envision an older woman as the victim. I learned that strokes happen in healthy, young people when a friend and former co-worker had a stroke in her 30s. She was a long-distance bicyclist in top, trained shape...the last person any of us would have expected to experience such an ordeal. She was single and did indeed live alone. When she woke up and realized something was wrong she called 911. The operator asked if she could make it to her front door to open it for the EMTs, not an absolute necessity because they could come in through windows or even break down the door. My friend dragged herself on the floor from her bedroom to the door and was waiting for them when they arrived. She underwent intense speech and physical therapy afterward and returned to work later, albeit in a less demanding position.

.

15 comments:

mythopolis said...

That is a scary story about your friend. Love the picture.....

Lydia said...

mythopolis~ I'm so glad you commented soon after my posting this, because I realized I had not given credit to the painter! So double-thanks to you. :)

Brian Miller said...

nice and spooky 55...you give just enough for the mind to fill in the gaps...nicely done lydia

izzy said...

Wow- good one- sad though, love the painting too! thanks.

G-Man said...

Lydia...
As always...FANTASTIC!
I'm running out of superlatives for you.
Your Story was Perfect in every way.
My daughter that now lives in Istanbul, lived in Praha for three years!
Thanks for playing, and have a Kick Ass Week-End

Hattie said...

Really something, that story.

author.nara.malone said...

Wow, it took a lot of courage for your friend to get herself to that door. Thanks for sharing her story, loved it and the painting.

hedgewitch said...

Well-written, eerie and btw, informative 55. My husband's family is prone to strokes, so we're always reading up on them, and yes, they don't just happen to old people. No matter how healthy you are, you can't ever take it for granted. Good one Lydia. I also loved the picture--gorgeous.

hope said...

Okay...that gave me goosebumps! But points for teaching me a new word. :)

Lydia said...

Brian~ Thank you. I look forward to reading yours this weekend. :)

izzy~ Thanks much. The painting really is rich and atmospheric! :)

G-Man~ Gee, you make me blush!
That is SO interesting about your daughter. Now I must look up info about Praha.....could it be as exotic as Istanbul, I wonder?!

Mama Zen~ Yup!

Hattie~ The painting made me write it. :)

Nara Malone~ Oh, I agree; she was and is a wonder. Very strong woman, inside and out. Thank you for your visit and comments.

hedgewitch~ Thank you for your comments about the post. I am sorry that strokes run in your husband's family, but glad you are aware and watchful. Good health really is one of our greatest gifts. I do not take mine for granted, that's for sure. :)

hope~ The painting, though very beautiful, gave me goosebumps and stirred the story.
And that is a smrt little new word to know!

Roxana said...

oh such a noire story, i read it a few times refusing to believe it was really so dark!!! but a relief to know that your friend has recovered.

Rob-bear said...

Delightful poem, and suitably spooky picture.
Went through a TIA with J. A bit scary, and it led to changes.

Lydia said...

Roxana~ I love your new profile pic, R! "Such a noire story"--Thanks for such a great description for this little 55.

Rob-bear~ Well, I am sure it was scary. Hope the changes have made for a healthy outcome. I had to look up TIA, which is really weird because one of my past jobs was preparing disability claims and "TIA"s were among the more frequent causes for people seeking disability payments. I hope my then-familiarity with the term is as close as I get to one!

bookmanie said...

Bonjour Lydia.
Glad to know you like the place of Villefranche.

The number you mention (911) reminds me of an arc, a porch, or a Porsche 911. (just joking with my heavy mood). See you soon. Bookmanie.

Lydia said...

bookmanie~ I am delighted to have a comment from you! Yes, I very much liked your video. It gave me a moment of mental refreshment!
Your 911 possibilities are also refreshing. :)

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