| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Dec 14 2007 : 08:17:09 AM
our sweet town of greensburg hosts each december 13th a wonderful play (monologue) of jane todd crawford .. the first women ever in the history of the world (ohhhh .. and she was from my home town) .. this is in the 1800's by the way ... who had an ovariotomy (hmmm .. i think i spelled that right!) WIDE AWAKE (there was NO anesthesia at that time!) Dr. Ephriam McDowell of Danville, Kentucky was her physician. Several other doctors had diagnosed that she had TWINS (she already had FIVE children) .. but when time kept passing .. and no babies .. they called in Dr. McDowell who told her she had a huge MASS and would DIE if it were not removed. Jane and her husband, Thomas, decided to take the chance. At that time, Dr. McDowell would have been considered a 'murderer' by many if the operation did not work. She rode three days by horseback with her 22 pound tumor (and MUCH fluid) flopped over the saddle horn. It was badly bruised by the time she got to Danville.
A local actress, Suzanne Bennett (wearing an authentic time period costume) tells the story from her 'home' in Green County (this was all held in our beautiful historic Court House .. with the huge fireplace burning .. and a local musician .. who will bring tears to your eyes .. his voice is so beautiful .. singing Irish/Scottish tunes (Jane was Irish/Scottish) between her telling of the story.
Within a week of the operation .. which was a HUGE success .. and the forerunner of ALL abdominal surgery .. she was up and making her bed .. 256 days later .. her husband came to get her .. the rode horseback to their home .. Jane Todd Crawford outlived her beloved Thomas, the young physician who assisted Dr. McDowell (his nephew) .. AND Dr. McDowell .. living to an olde age.
Pioneers like this are much to be revered and remembered. I loved that at the end of her story .. she addressed us about the importance of 'leaving a legacy' .. making an imprint on life .. even in small ways. During her lifetime .. she NEVER knew how important she really was!
THEN .. on to the PIZZA joint at the edge of town with friends .. what a lovely evening! xo, frannie
True Friends * Frannie
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| 2 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Nance in France |
Posted - Dec 14 2007 : 09:51:54 AM
WOW! What a dramatic story; the human spirit can be a mighty force; thanks for the history lesson. Hugs, Nance |
| Firemama |
Posted - Dec 14 2007 : 09:31:27 AM
That sounds like a BLAST Frannie! Have fun
Mama to 2
Your FreckleFaced Farm Girl!!
FarmGirl# 20
http://myfarmdreams.blogspot.com/
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