16 Comments

I remember when my Dad had his vasectomy, and not too many years later, Mom had her hysterectomy (cancer). Both were stoic but mom's deal was frightening.

I don't think there were frozen peas involved but this was 40+ years ago and the central characters have gone to their reward.

Mom did have the opinion that women were better suited to adverse conditions. For me, experience splits the difference.

In the joke department, Dad would say "cheer up, things could be worse...and she cheered up, and sure enough, things got worse." :D

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Heart breaking. This sounds like a log line for an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Saying, "Cheer up, things could be worse..." is a high-wire tempting of fate.

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Jul 6Liked by Norman T. Leonard

You probably don't have many women admit they read this, but I found it "interesting". I noticed you mentioned it might be compared to women having a mammogram. Not quite, but let us remember, women have to have these things each and every year. I have had them for at least 40. Not just once, but at least 40 times (x2 breasts = 80). They used to be extremely uncomfortable. Each time it seems a little less uncomfortable getting your breasts pressed under glass while you hold your breath awaiting the Xray to do its scan. Best cartoon I ever saw on this subject came out of The New Yorker, or some such magazine years ago. A husband comes in the door from work. He greeted her with "Oh, I see you had your Mammogram today!" with a grin. His wife is at the kitchen table and has a blouse on that appears to have two large flat pieces of toast protruding from under the blouse where her breasts used to be. She gave him a dirty look.

Yes, I can feel the discomfort just thinking about it. I think I'm finally finished with those at my age, thank gosh! I won't mention the discomfort of Periods each and every month for 30 years....or having babies before the pain killers came along for 16 hours at a time. Thanks for the memories, NORM! lol

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Women endure the most nonsense, no question. The New Yorker always nails it.

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Jul 1Liked by Norman T. Leonard

Great Experience. As a reader I felt like I was there. Hahahaha!

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author

Mission accomplished! No greater pleasure than a writer making his audience experience his vasectomy on a visceral level.

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1986. Jan. 2:24am. Lennox Hill Hospital. Perfect and I vow perfect 9 lb daughter greeted us. One and half labor. No drugs. My husband and OB made it in time ( 4 minutes to spare) for her entrance. I. To my Doc. “ Michael. Tell Ed how easy a vasectomy is”. I had another daughter, son, 2 dogs at home. He obliged one week later . Easy peasy. . Surgeon asked me in to watch. Nope . Congratulations you and Ed are very fine !!!

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Ha! I got a similar invitation to watch my wife's Lasik surgery. Took the kids. We got to watch from an adjacent room. It was great. ;)

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Well when I decide to succumb to vanity and have a face lift I’ll invite my husband and adult children into the OR !

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Oct 18Liked by Norman T. Leonard

Lebanese dwarves

💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

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author

Beware, my friend. Beware indeed.

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Jul 15Liked by Norman T. Leonard

Very entertaining piece. Well, I gotta’ go water the lawn - I hope the hose is not kinked.

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author

Fingers crossed. Fingers, not hoses. ;)

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Jul 2Liked by Norman T. Leonard

Was sceptical at first…. But gripping from the very beginning. Thank you Norman!

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Gripping is a spot-on verb choice in this context. Thanks for reading. I appreciate you!

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Jul 2Liked by Norman T. Leonard

Waaaaahhhheeyyyyyy! Love it when authors appreciate their readers!

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