In the 60's, south CR 951, now Collier Blvd, was in the woods. The roadside canal was a favorite spot for snake hunting. Hunter's would stand on the 951 bank and shoot rattlers and moccasins on the other side. Or, since both are great swimmers, pop them cruising in the canal.
One avid hunter we'll call Perky. Tall, handsome, and good humored, Perky was a popular member of the Naples Police force. A lover of the outdoors and hunting, whenever he had time off, you'd find him at the canal. He and his family picnicking on the bank, making a day of it.
On one outing, Perky's .22 snake killer misfired, wounding him in the forearm . Ironically, the bullet targeted a snake tattoo he had on his arm. Rushed to the NCH emergency room by his family, he was admitted, quickly, into surgery. (It wasn't like today. People didn't use the ER as a free family doctor)
Of course, when we heard Perky had been shot, and not knowing the severity of his injury, we gathered in the ER waiting room. The surgery seemed to take forever.
Finally, the nurse ushered a few of us into his room.
Perky was propped up in his bed, making jokes with the nurses. Oddly, he had his hand shielding his mouth like he had bad breath. We asked how he was doing.
Well, the Doc says he has good news and bad news, Perky said with a chuckle. Says the bullet barely penetrated my arm and I'll be good as new. He wiggled a bandaged forearm. The bad is, while they were takin' the bullet out, the surgeon dropped his scalpel in my mouth and knocked my front tooth out.
Whereupon, he took down his hand, revealing a significant space where a front tooth had been.
He what? we wondered aloud.
Today, we wouldn't have been able to get into the room for the gaggle of personal injury vultures smelling a fat settlement. Perky could have owned NCH. But, I don't think the thought ever crossed his mind.
Just indicative of an older, more honorable, time.
Thanks, Ray.
One avid hunter we'll call Perky. Tall, handsome, and good humored, Perky was a popular member of the Naples Police force. A lover of the outdoors and hunting, whenever he had time off, you'd find him at the canal. He and his family picnicking on the bank, making a day of it.
On one outing, Perky's .22 snake killer misfired, wounding him in the forearm . Ironically, the bullet targeted a snake tattoo he had on his arm. Rushed to the NCH emergency room by his family, he was admitted, quickly, into surgery. (It wasn't like today. People didn't use the ER as a free family doctor)
Of course, when we heard Perky had been shot, and not knowing the severity of his injury, we gathered in the ER waiting room. The surgery seemed to take forever.
Finally, the nurse ushered a few of us into his room.
Perky was propped up in his bed, making jokes with the nurses. Oddly, he had his hand shielding his mouth like he had bad breath. We asked how he was doing.
Well, the Doc says he has good news and bad news, Perky said with a chuckle. Says the bullet barely penetrated my arm and I'll be good as new. He wiggled a bandaged forearm. The bad is, while they were takin' the bullet out, the surgeon dropped his scalpel in my mouth and knocked my front tooth out.
Whereupon, he took down his hand, revealing a significant space where a front tooth had been.
He what? we wondered aloud.
Dropped the scalpel, took out my tooth, Perky said, which I swallowed. But it ain't all bad. First, the surgery is on the house. Second, they're gonna pay to have my tooth replaced. And, third, and best, I'm just glad the tooth was there to stop that scalpel. Can you imagine swallowin' that damn thing?
Today, we wouldn't have been able to get into the room for the gaggle of personal injury vultures smelling a fat settlement. Perky could have owned NCH. But, I don't think the thought ever crossed his mind.
Just indicative of an older, more honorable, time.
Thanks, Ray.
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