une séance
Friday, March 23, 2012
"Demure" and une demeure, or dwelling, in the town of Richerenches. Photo taken last February, during truffle season (the outskirts of this modest town are loaded with the pricey fungi! (No wonder the town's prefix has "riche" in it!)
Meet Jean-Marc at Cork Screw Wine Bar tonight--in Portland. More info here.
une séance (say-ahnse)
: session
Example Sentence:
The prescription read: "20 séances de rééducation faciale post-opératoire par kinésithérapeute diplômé d'état." 20 sessions of post-surgical facial reeducation by a state-certified physical therapist.
A Day in a French Life... by Kristin Espinasse
Language Lessons Chez Le Kiné
At a clinic in Avignon, I take the stairs down to the sous-sol. Pushing open a door at the end of an empty corridor, I am relieved to find a waiting room on the other side.
Entering the salle d'attente, I see several people in the next room. A man in a white coat stands, indicating that he'll be with me dans peu de temps. I thank the man with the salt-and-pepper hair and glasses, take a seat and let my eyes wander.
Looking back into the salle de rééducation, I notice a variety of contraptions on the tables. Patients are seated, each resting his hand inside one of the gadgets. I watch the strugglesome openings and closings of hands wondering what sorts of accidents led up to this?
No time to imagine the answer, for the man in white is now motioning to me. I follow him into another room, where I lie back on a table de massage.
"When did you have la chirurgie?" he asks, placing his fingers on my forehead.
"Four months ago. Last fall..." I feel pulling and pinching as the Kiné examines my scar.
"And what is this?" he says, pointing to a white lump along la cicatrice.
"I don't know..." later, I will learn that it is part of the surgical fil that has not been fully "digested".
"I've been faithfully massaging it," I promise the Kiné, lest negligence be the source of those lumps and bumps along my scar line, a line that forms an "H" across my forehead.
"OK," the Kiné says, standing up. I am dismissed from the table.
"Do you think you can help diminish the scar?"
"Yes, but you will need to stop 'massaging' it," he smiles. It seems I have overdone it.
The kiné scribbles down a note on a recycled piece of paper. I mouth out the word, wanting to be sure I've understood: C-E-R-E-D-E-R-M.
"C'est un pansement siliconé," the kiné explains. You'll find it at the pharmacy. Wear the patch and, in a few weeks, I will work on your scar. "Mais," he warns, "your forehead will be tout rouge after each session!"
"That's OK." I assure him. The one good thing about skin cancer surgery, is that it rearranges your priorities.
For the next three visits I lie on the kiné's table trying to "see" what I am feeling: a lot of pinching and pushing, a lot of little painful jabs. It is a tolerable pain, a douleur that cures.
As the kiné works, he deflects from the douleur by chatting about language.
"How do you say 'pli'?" he wonders, while pinching my skin.
Pli?... Wrapping paper comes to mind (one smoothly 'plis' the paper before taping it...)
"Fold!" I answer.
"Fold..." the kiné repeats. "C'est ça. You need to fold the skin." With this, he takes my main to demonstrate the 'pli', or "skin fold" along the loose skin on the back of my hand. I watch as the pinching and pushing creates a skin lift or fold. I am to make a series of these 'folds' as I work along the scar.
Next, the kiné reaches over to the drawer and pulls out a bâton, which he uses to brace part of the scarred skin on my forehead. He puts his finger a half-inch away from the baton, and pushes into the skin, effectively forming another "pli".
Remembering the kinés language curiosity, I point out that the English word for baton is "stick".
"Yes, that looks like a chopstick you're using," I tell the kiné.
"Une baguette... a chopstick!" he repeats.
By the second séance my kiné announces that the scar has been effectively décollé.
"Unstuck?" I question, furthering the informal language lessons which accompany the physical therapy sessions.
"Yes, unstuck!" he declares, flexing more than my skin. Language muscles!
Only one or two more "new" words, before our sessions come to completion. "Did I have the doctor's ordonnance?" the kiné requested.
Uh oh, the prescription... yes, the doctor's prescription... the one I was supposed to find and bring to the kiné, so that I could be reimbursed for the three séances.
With that, I taught the kiné one final word, a word I assured him was an oft-used one... at least in my vocabulary: procrastinate!
"Procrastinate?" The kiné searched and searched, but he could not come up with the French equivalent. I hoped he wouldn't be too disappointed in me, once he found out what I was up to--that is, once he understood what "procrastinate" meant. Oh, well. I could always put off giving the answer, a defining act at that!
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French Vocabulary
le/la kiné kinésithérapeute = physical therapist
le sous-sol = basement
la salle d'attente = waiting room
dans peu de temps = in a short while
la salle de rééducation = physical therapy room
la table de massage = massage table
la chirurgie = surgery
la cicatrice = scar
le fil = thread
C'est un pansement siliconé = it's a silicon bandage
mais = but
tout rouge = all red
la douleur = pain
un pli = fold
le bâton = stick
baguette = stick, chopstick
décoller = to unstick
la main = hand
c'est ça = that's it
une ordonnance = prescription
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Jean-Marc's USA wine tour is almost finished. Here he is, in D.C., with Charles McGrath, joint owner (and untiring grape-picker) here at Domaine Rouge-Bleu. (photo by Martha Melvin)
Do you have pictures you would like me to post from one of the meet-ups Just write "permission by all to post" in the email subject line. (I need permission by all of the people in the photo). Thanks. I can't post every picture, but I'll try to get in a few more :-)
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This is a practical question. These stories all appear in English when I receive them. Are they supposed to be in French? If so, how do I get them in French. I am eager for that. Thanks, Marion
Posted by: Marion Dry | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Hi Marion, The stories are English-only, with the French words in context. Very occasionally, there is a bilingual story, such as this one, inspired by our dog, Smokey:
http://french-word-a-day.typepad.com/motdujour/2011/01/peanut-butter.html
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 12:22 PM
I LOVE words! I just had to look up "procrastinate" in French on Google Translate. It's "tergiverser." In Latin "tergum" means "the back," so tergiverser means to turn your back on something, like my husband is doing on income tax preparation. Ha! BTW, the English definition in Oxford Hachette was "dilly-dally." Today's post was especially interesting to me because I'm in that "medical age" where there's so much technical terminology. I find myself checking the dictionary to find out all the jargon before writing to my French friend in Caen. I am sorry that you need 20 sessions of p.t...good grief, but it's definitely worth it. Rest assured we'd love you no matter what letter is on your forehead. One itty-bitty gender correction: pansement is m. (like all -ment ending words).
Posted by: Diane in Brunswick, Georgia | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 01:21 PM
Diane, Thanks for the fun French word "tergiverser".
P.S. good news: I only needed 3 sessions chez le kiné. The lines are still apparent, but they are fading--and no longer bumpy or "stuck".
P.P.S. thanks for the correction. Off to fix that one, now.
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Yesterday, I remember thinking, oh how perfect...of course as perfect as the line I wanted to commit to memory was, I've forgotten. Can you please refresh for me (3/22)?
As well, Kristin, it has been a long haul for you with this forehead wound/healing/scarring and becoming whole once again and you've done so so graciously. I do hope it is improving incredibly well for you.
Best,
Susan Seligman
Hastings on Hudson, NY
Posted by: Susan Seligman | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 01:40 PM
So 20 were prescribed, but you only needed 3? You truly are a superpatient. Congratulations!
Posted by: Bruce in northwest Connecticut | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 01:46 PM
plié that is a word from long, long ago lessons in ballet. A position with knees bent.
grand-plié deeper bend
I think the verb is plier, which looks likes the word for the tool pliers in English.
Thus I would not have thought of fold, which is what the kiné wanted you to do.
Glad to hear the scar will heal.
Posted by: Sarah LaBelle near Chicago | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 01:48 PM
Kristi you are right! It's a great picture of Jean-Marc and Chuck. However, judging by the background, I think it was taken at French Country Wines in Houston.
Posted by: Tim Smith | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 02:36 PM
Merci for these insights into the French medical system.
Blessings, Mary
Posted by: mhwebb in NM, USA | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 02:37 PM
I've been working on my scar from my knee replacement. I too was overzealous and worked so hard rubbing hand cream in to it that I caused a contact dermatitis. ah, the burdens of the overzealous. and remember that scars especially need sun block
Posted by: gary | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 03:34 PM
Kristin, thank you for sharing a difficult time in your life. It sounds like everything will be ending well. Please remember that all of us appreciate you being so open with your life.....it helps the rest of us know that we are not alone in our own struggles.
Posted by: Sharon - Montague, Michigan | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 03:34 PM
Another green window photo. Bliss.
I just realized I missed Wednesday's post. I certainly have been there, done that, got a whole set of t-shirts to prove it. I hope today is better.
The term "salle de réeducation" is so appropriate for physical therapy. In the many years I've been in and out of PT for my arm/neck problems, my therapist has definitely been a teacher trying to teach my body how to move/rest/stand to avoid more damage for the things he can't fix. I've learned so much from everyone I've worked with in that office.
I've also done the plie thing with my scar. I don't know if the area will ever be 100% flexible, but I see great improvement. However, I don't think my scar will completely disappear because my skin is so sensitive that when I tried anti-scar cream I broke out in a rash. For me, though, I can wear a lovely scarf and no one notices. On the other hand, I really don't care because I'm just so grateful to have my surgery successful.
Bon weekend, Kristin!
Posted by: Julie F in St. Louis, MO | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 03:37 PM
Hello Kristin,
You have inspired me to finally start a blog parallel to yours. It is called "Provence in 14 Trips". I hope to create a following also and tell our stories about our annual journeys to Provence each April as we continue to search for the just right little cottage to reetire to as soon as we sell our Bistro, Winery, Inn B&B and Bakery in Missouri. This April , as you know we will be near Salon de Provence and hope to see you and the family for the annual feast. Both John and I have struggles with the same afflications as you are dealing with and we truly understand your feelings with cancer. I have just received a reprive for which I am very grateful. John continues to have issues with the forehead and scalp, but we are encouraged he will be fine. I hope the spring brings you joy and peacefulness ans we do hope to see you while over there.
Karen in Missouri
Posted by: Karen | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 03:50 PM
Hi Kristin,
What a long and winding road you have had. It's so wonderful to read how you have dealt with all of this. You are my role model!
I love your website, thank you. I always look forward to reading about you & your family's lives, sometimes it's bittersweet, often humorous.
Stay well.
Posted by: Faye Stampe, Gleneden Beach, OR | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 04:23 PM
Kristin,
As a lover of all things French, I have been following your site for a while now and love it. It helps a lot with my struggles to learn the language. But, even more inspiring are some of the photo you post. As a watercolor artist, scenes of life in France are often the subject of my paintings and I show them in local French restaurants here in the San Francisco Bay area. My question is, are your photos from the public domain? I would love to paint some of these lovely scenes, but as you know, I would need permission to do so. Can you advise? You can view my work at www.dianefujimoto.com- Merci Beaucoup!
Posted by: Diane Fujimoto | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 04:28 PM
Tim, thanks for the correction. Of course! Thats French Country Wines--in HoustonTexas--in the photo!
Gary, Aha, so it was dermatitis! Now I know why the physical therapist was rolling his eyes. Since, he has taught me how to--gently--work the area!
Susan, was this the line you wanted to memorize: Pour bien vivre, bien aimer et laisser dire ?
Bruce, who me--patient? Nah, it was the physical therapist--who was excellent!
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 04:34 PM
Hello Krisin,
You forgot to include the translation for the word "Procrastinate" your French Vocabulary list.
Or perhaps you were just procrastinating :-)
Posted by: Loy Fraser | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 04:43 PM
Une seance is also a synonym for une reunion -- a meeting.
Posted by: Chris Miasnik | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 04:48 PM
Hi Loy, there was no translation (following the scene in the story... where the word never got translated). Diane offered this one: procrastinate = tergiverser
Diane F., thanks for asking permission. Yes, you may paint the pictures, which are taken by me (unless otherwise noted). This reminds me, I need to figure out who took the photo of Jean-Marc and Charles (pictured at the end of the post)!
Chris, thanks for a meeting. I should have noted the other translations for séance... there are at least three other meanings and plenty of expressions.
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 04:56 PM
Kristin:
I remember well the massaging of the scar, but unfortunately here in the States we didn't have the folow up massage therapy.
Procrastinate is indeed a great word. Yesterday in my French conversation group we talk about French and English expressions.
Here's one: Avoir un poil dans la main (To have a hair in one's hand), roughly translated: To shy away from work, to avoid work at all costs.
Edie from Savannah
Posted by: edith schmidt | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 05:31 PM
I had lesions removed from my ankle and forehead. For that and no scars. I bought an aloe vera plant and rubbed the oil into the scars.Voila!no scars. You also might try castor oil which works great if you have abdominal surgery or according to my neighbor it gets rid of stretch marks after birth. After all you have gone through my prescripton for you would be a weekend at the spa or some serious retail therapy.
Posted by: Hampton | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 06:25 PM
Hi Kristin,
I'm glad the kine is diminishing your scar with natural methods of pulling and stretching (uncomfortable as I'm sure it is) and your patch. I hope it will soon be invisible on your beautiful face. But if the scar is still raised (bas relief) at the end, here is something to keep in mind: After surgery, I had a keloid scar (bas relief). I had steroid injections that got rid of the keloiding. Over time, though it took years, the scar also turned from pink to nearly invisible. But the steroid injections are just to get rid of the keloid part. Keloid scars also itch, so it's a relief in another way too. Hope you won't need further treatment, I'm bringing it up just in case.
Posted by: Teresa | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 07:06 PM
This is actually in regards to two other posts. You indicated you were going to better your French before Jean-Marc returned. I will know that is not necessary if the expletives you used with Jacquie were done in French and not English! Which were they?????
Posted by: joie/carmel-by-the-sea, ca. | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 07:32 PM
Our dear Kristin,
Once again (as always!) your beautiful words
and their story grace us with an insightful thought for the day. Your courage through cancer,through surgery,and now,with the kine give us reason to realize how life goes on in its sweetness.No matter how many miseries transpire in the news during the week,your blog is a special,uplifting gift for the fortunate members of the FWAD family.THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! XO
Posted by: Natalia | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 07:38 PM
Votre pauvre mari ! He has come to the Northwest in the middle of a bizarre cold front with snow and ice! Brrrr. But wine warms the hearts and souls of everyone, n'est-ce pas ?
Posted by: GwenEllyn, the Brain Geek | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 08:11 PM
How is Braise? I've been so worried about her since talking to Jean-Marc.
Posted by: Susan Carter, Westminster, CA | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 08:14 PM
Susan, Braise is doing great. Thanks.
Joie, I think I spoke French and English -- both badly! (The cussing was English only.)
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 08:31 PM
Dearest Kristen,
I don't get to comment often, but whenever I read a post about your brave handling of the very difficult time you've had with the skin cancer, I just have sigh with relief that you are healing so well! You are always an inspiration to me, and to us all!! Your "H" post, and your mom's response to it, was probably my favorite blog post by anyone ever!!
Bisous
Posted by: Dawne | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 08:58 PM
Thank you again for sharing yet another very personal story. I hope your scar is cooperating and that you'll look like your old self in no time. As others have said, we would love you no matter what letter was on your forehead! As I know from personal experience, It can be so trying to face medical issues for months on end. I've dealt with an ongoing medical issue for years and some days I feel as if I never want to step into another medical office ever again! But some things are necessary and we go forward with hope and prayers and take it one day at a time.
I hope Jean Marc is enjoying himself and that your family is well. How is Braise recovering? I'm sure you'll all be so glad to see JM!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Posted by: Carolyn Dahm, Sharon, MA | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 09:15 PM
Wow - 4 months ago? It doesn't seem that long ago but I'm sure it seems like a lifetime of dealing with these surgeries to you.
You are very brave and I am always impressed with your outlook. I love what you wrote: "The one good thing about skin cancer surgery, is that it rearranges your priorities." Could anything be any more true?
re: the post about the blow up with Jackie. Yesterday, in an audiobook I was listening to, the author said that teens are "large en gras". I couldn't see it written, as it was in audio format. Does this look familiar to you?
Posted by: Karen Whitcome, Towson, Md USA | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 10:32 PM
Kristin, you are so brave. I am such a wimp that I don't know if I would have massaged my scar as much or put up with the pinching of the skin to loosen it. But look at your great results.
We thought about going to Washington DC to see Jean-Marc and participate in the dinner, but it was just too crazy to drive down from Connecticut for the Monday night dinner. He needs a place in New England to sell his wines.
Posted by: Kathleen from Connecticut | Friday, March 23, 2012 at 10:37 PM
I'm glad you were able to have just a few "kine" sessions.
When I was at the wine dinner near D.C. a couple of weeks ago, I asked J-M how you were doing, and he said, "fine." I asked him if he, outside a lot for his work in the vineyard, wore sunscreen, and he said, "Now I do." I was glad to hear it.
I'd not heard "tergiverser" before. It's more like "put off" than "procrastinate," but the French say "remettre" sometimes to convey the meaning of delaying a task or activity.
Posted by: Marianne Rankin | Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 05:04 AM
Hi Kristin!!
I went to the Portland wine tasting and met your husband, along with other French word-a-day fans .... wonderful wines! Beautiful books!
..... such a creative family!
I ordered your other book this week, can't wait to read it : )
Blessings,
Lorna
Posted by: Lorna Peterson | Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 10:51 PM
Hang in there. I just know that you will transcend this period of skin cancer trauma...as your mother, Jules, has transcended her own cancer. All shall be well.
Posted by: Jan | Sunday, March 25, 2012 at 07:08 AM
Such a great story! I am currently living in France and trying to build up my french vocabulary daily. Not only are these stories an amusing insight into french life that I have also witnessed daily but they provide vocabulary in an unforgettable context. Thank you so much!
Posted by: rebecca | Sunday, March 25, 2012 at 09:11 AM
Kristin: Vous avez m'enseigne beaucoup des mots en francais que je dois essayer de les utiliser dans mon commentaire. Je vous remercie, pour partager vos aventures de famille avec nous. Meilleur voeux sur votre voyage pour un prompt guerison. vous avez une belle visage, les yeux et votre sourire qui eclare votre visage entier.
Amicalement, Denise Canada
Posted by: Denise Wunderlich | Sunday, March 25, 2012 at 03:43 PM
Hi Kristi,
I also have un cicatrice from my second shoulder surgery and it is also "stuck", I'm glad you are having good luck with unsticking yours! Hope to stop by in September to say Hi. I can't believe it's almost 3 years since I helped with vendange!
Take care and Hi to all!
a la prochaine,
Jacqui
Posted by: Jacqui McCargar | Sunday, March 25, 2012 at 09:02 PM
Hi Kristin-
I love the blog and am hoping that some of the French will stick in my brain or unearth those long lost French classes.
How does one get to be grape picker ? (This is a serious question) My kids are older now, I have the time and living on a 1200 acre farm I am no stranger to hard work. Please let me know if this is something that we could make happen !
Best,
Pat
Posted by: Pat S | Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 09:19 PM