Five Gorgeous Fireman & A Tube Of K-Y Jelly

Well life is something!

Here I am in California. Visiting old friends since so many old friends are appearing to transfer to their next incarnation. I wanted to come say hi. Bye. And share some love.

While here, Marcia pulled out her extraordinary jewelry boxes and gifted a new silver ring.

A set of circles.

Put it on my middle left finger.

Looked great.

We went out for a stroll.

It was hot.

I haven’t been able to go to the gym or kayak for a week. First time in years.

My finger began to swell.

And of all things… it didn’t stop.

Held it up. Used ice. Used soap.

Those set of three silver rings would not come off. They got jammed.

My finger began to turn purple. Hurt like hell.

That is the arm I have lost 18 lymph nodes on. Had lymphedema in this arm years ago after breast cancer surgery.

Finally got rid of that with long term flavonoid therapy (standardized bilberry 80 mg BID) along with regular weight work out. Takes 6 to 12 months to put it in your rear view mirror.

But I was getting worried that this event would jump start lymphedema or some issue as my finger was getting darker and really hurting.

What to do?

When in doubt. Head to the nearest fire station.

No one was there.

Called non-emergency.

Explained my predicament and the woman said I’m sending the guys your way. They will meet you out front.

Marcia and I sat and waited in the car.

Here came this huge fire truck with hook and ladder.

They were leaning out of the windows laughing as I was holding up my middle finger out of Marcia’s car window.

In the station, five gorgeous young fireman (remember this is LA and they all looked like they were out of central casting) surrounded me while I sat in a chair they had rolled in front of their fire trucks.

The one that looked like Tom Cruise said, “I’m going to get the K-Y!”

That startled me. Ha.

So here I was, encircled by five handsome men, applying K-Y to my middle finger.

I pushed back in this chair, laughing my head off, holding this finger up high, chortling and said,

“You gotta appreciate the comedy of this situation.

“How often does someone my age get to apply K-Y?

In front five hunky dudes?”

The K-Y and the laughter still didn’t get the ring off.

So they bring in this metal something that looked like an instrument of torture from the middle ages. I kid you not!

Had thought it would be like a wire cutters.

But “Oh No!”

It was this round thing they had to get under each ring and rotate over and over again while each guy stabilized some part of my shoulders, arms and hands.

I can’t say this wasn’t painful.

But we were all howling.

This was THE perfect “punctuation moment” for ending my amazing trip.

Had to share.

Laughter is the best medicine.

When in doubt, call central casting for 5 gorgeous fireman and, hey, don’t forget, ask for the K-Y!

PS The 5th fireman was behind me and didn’t get in the pic, ha.