I looked a fright!–in a paperlight suit of Lincoln green (Robin of Sherwood!), a white mob cap and slippers–waiving a wan goodbye to Meredith over the back of the wheelchair as I and my two minders set off down the corridor that leads deeper into the clinic.
(Green is not my color as our friend Romaine was quick to point out when shown the photos.)
Vous-êtes américain? [You’re american?]
Non–anglais; ma femme est américaine.
Et vous? Vous etes d’ici?–this to the man holding my letters of transit.
Et vous?– this to the man pushing the wheelchair.
Moi? Je suis d’Andalucia.
Où se trouve les olives! [where the olives come from!]
Tout a fait! [absolutely]
We’d arrived at the operating theatre.
(I wished later I’d said où se trouve les oliviers (olive trees)–that’s the image I had in my head of olive trees in Andalucia stretching as far as the eye can see; but this was a nervous pre-operation conversation initiated by experienced carers to ease my passage to the place of operation!)
It looks like it does in the TV versions–full of baffling equipment with wires attached and silent figures dressed in the same green as me (we’re all in this together!) moving meaningfully about looking like they know what they’re doing and why they are there!
The welcome is friendly though–not too jocular.
I climb as bidden onto the operating table, happy at least it is about to happen and will be over soon.
I am having a small cancer removed from the left side of my nose.
Pas grandes choses–minor stuff.
I lay the back of my head in the cushioned groove at top of the table and the assistant puts a blanket over me.
Il faut–il fait un peut frais. [It’s wise–chilly in here.]
I wait.
In a puff of smoke–at least that’s the impression–Dr Milonas, the plastic surgeon, materializes–his mask obscuring three-quarters of his deeply-tanned face, adding to sense that a magician has arrived!
Ca va? [OK?]
Oui merci.
He explains to another (a junior, I assume) what he is about to do and as far as I understand him, discusses the alternative options.
He remembers that I am an actor and that I asked him at the consultation to be careful of my face!
He talks throughout–to me, to the junior, to the nurse assistants.
It’s a strong voice, an interested voice, a reassuring and reactive voice, not a domineering voice. It makes me feel confident.
He apologises that the administration of the local anaesthetic will hurt a little.
Several times I feel a sharp pricking around the target area which quickly goes numb.
For the next 20 minutes (though I can’t be sure how long it takes)–I am in limbo, distracted by our talking, not sure if he’s started–never quite sure at what stage he’s at….
We get onto the subject of face-lifts–le lifting!
Je n’aime pas ça [I’m not in favour of that]–I croak.
Moi non plus.
Not sure why but I feel reassured by this.
We agree it is sad to see some long-admired faces change for the worse.
C’est finit?
Presque, he says, seeming to trim my eyebrows (!).
He writes a prescription and tells me to come back in ten days when he’ll take out the stitches.
Then he’s gone, vanished–in another puff of smoke!
You’re in good spirits! Meredith seems surprised.
I feel OK–he’s good.
DRUMROLL
Monsieur Milonas–master magician and illusionist, a kinder cutter it’d be hard to find!
Two days later and Michel our local G.P., seeing my face, thinks I’ve had a major fall then remembers he recommended I see a dermatologist for the little bump I had.
Bon. Tu l’a fait! [you had it done!]
Oui!
Robin Ellis 
On seeing the first photo, I thought you were shooting an episode of some doctor show and would be WIELDING the scalpel. Hope the recovery is smooth, and the bump even smoother,
Best regards,
Nancy N
I hope you have a good and carefree recovery. Vous etes charmant.
Dear Robin, Ha still looking good, still have the nice cheeks.Looking now like Adam Ant.Good it all went well so happy for you.Big hughs, Chantal xx.
Hope the recovery goes well.
Speedy recovery and that all will be well.
Speedy recovery Cap’n Poldark and all is well
Take care. Hope all goes well with your recovery. Joan
Best wishes for recovery and health–should there be any tiny imperfection as a result, you can always say you got it while fighting in America.
Hope You are feeling better now Mr. Ellis, looking Good in Green. Hi to Meredith. Dolores x
Well done Robin ,Ive had a kidney removed from cancer ,5 yrs now and all is well ,rest and get back to normal ,real soon xx
Speedy recovery, Robin! My hubby had a little cancer taken off right between his eyebrows. Not a sign of it now. (I do think the mob cap is quite fetching:-))
V nice of you Deborah–I’m not convinced!
Hope you are feeling better Robin,very fetching in your green PJ’s and mob cap, and with Meredith’s tender care you will soon be back in command of the kitchen. Best wishes to you both.
I wish you a speedy and seamless healing. And I agree with the others that you look every inch the trustworthy surgeon in those forest-green scrubs. Dr Robin Sherwood — charges the rich a hefty fee to subsidise his work for the poor? There’s an idea — wish I had the funds to produce it.
You look good, and alas green is not your color….glad you had this removed. Remember now to wear at least 45 sunscreen and a hat. Speedy recovery is due. and take care. Watching the second season episodes on NETFLIX on my NOOK tablet. Love it again.
All done! You’ll be fine! ❤
Hey, that cracks me up–Robin Hood was my other childhood hero! (Richard Greene owns that!)
So glad to hear your procedure’s over with…and sounds like it went very well!
And by the way, Robin–we all loved you with a LONG scar on your cheek, remeber? So rest assured we won’t love you any less whether you do or do not have a little scratch on the side of your nose, you know! (And I’m sure Meredith won’t either!) 🙂
Cheers & hugs,
Dianne
So smart to have it done, and the doctor sounds great. You were in good hands. Some people wait way too long…..and the procedure can be worse then, of course. Quick recovery to you, and I’m betting Meredith is a fine nurse. 🙂
Glad it all went well Robin.Despite your witty descripton you are probably relieved tis over.Best wishes from Quebec.Janet
Tres bon!!!!
Well I think you look very fetching in that outfit. I’m sure Meredith found you so as well. (After she finished laughing of course!) Seriously though, I’m glad that’s over for you. I had this done on my head a few years ago.
Well done Robin – it’s over now! Big relief for you and Meredith. I feel the same way as you about face lifts – they just look wrong! Men have that vexing ability to have their looks improve with age anyway. We women just mature gently. Hope your nose isn’t too sore! All the best Stella 🙂
Bless you, try some Bio Oil. Its magic for scars . x
Take care, speedy recovery and good luck! In bocca al lupo (stay in the mouth of wolf=good luck) and came back soon in your kitchen to share us new recipes and pics 😉 Love, Bea p.s. you look like well in green’s colour ;))
Hope it heals quickly for you, and use plenty of sun block from now on x
Thinking of you, here in Colorado, be well.
Dear Robin, you make everything sound so interesting! Bonne récupération!
Robin you still look dashing- you look like a surgeon! Thank GOD for early detection techniques. I have very freckled skin and got severely burned many times in my life. Now that I am middle aged all kinds of weird stuff is popping out. I am going to my dermatologist next week for just this reason. I have a cousin who is battling a bad case of melanoma. He didn’t know he had it and now must have chemotherapy. WE MUST LISTEN WHEN THEY TELL US TO STAY OUT OF THE SUN AND USE SUNBLOCK! Hope that gorgeous face heals well…..but we won’t mind a slight scar on Captain Poldarks face- it’s RUGGED! And as someone said- he did fight a war in America. Take care
Glad to see you are recovering well
So happy to know that the invading lump is gone and that you are alright. God Bless you Robin and may your recovery be a breeze.
so glad it’s all over and safely behind you. All you have to do now is rest and get better. What’s wrong with green? Of course it’s your colour!
Hi Robin, I have no idea where to put this!!
You may remember that my friend Barbara was going as a missionary to El Salvador. I gave her one of your signed cook books as a going away present. Barb just contacted me and said that she will use recipies from your book for a nutrition class that she is teaching at an inner city youth center in San Salvador. The youth center’s focus is on keeping young people out of the gangs. Barb is with an organization that will be building youth centers at other locations in San Salvador. The project is call the Faro project. They have a web site and they are on face book. A great program supported by churches in San Salvador.
That is great–I’ll check out the web site–thanks for letting me know, Ann. Wish her luck!
I’m very Happy to know that you Have solved this problem… A bientot!
Robin, there are a lot of “Faro” projects listed on the internet. Look for the faro project-the mustard seed. There are pictures of the center and the youth activities on their face book site
OK thanks
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Went through similar operation six years ago so far so good. Keep thinking good thoughts. V/DE
Very fetching colour Robin – glad it went well – I think I prefer you in your Poldark outfit – that colour green rarely suits anyone – I should know i used to wear it when I worked in Xray and theatres. Alison
dear Robin,
a very dear friend has recently undergon the same proceedures. Thankfully,like you, she appears to be recovering from this often painful operation. As I have known so many recover with no ill effects, I continue to wish you well.
Please take this in the spirit to which it is sent. I love GREEN ! Our marriage was blessed with my wearing an Italian green lace suit. I personally think it most becoming ( many of my friends wear it profesionally, including my mum).
Whatever you have to do to get better, that is all we wish. Continue to give our dining interesting ideas. (We need them ,believe me.)
Best wishes from both Stan & Bev xx
Thank you Beverley. I’m happy to hear the good news for your friend. I’ve nothing against green–my mother looked good in it. My first choice is blue though!