Just Thinking

Back home now and so very happy to be here. Love my home and it has been such a privilege being home for the last few months. Off course, the hustle and bustle and stimulation of working in Jhb each week is very stimulating but I really miss the stability and beauty of home and Cape Town when I travel. I truly hope to be able to create a life when I spend more time here in future. The hospital staff were amazing and I am 25% of the way through this phase now. That’s not a matric pass but almost heh? I visit to the hospi again in a week where they’ll let me know more about how the schedule goes. Back to hospital for a moment as I do feel it is worth acknowledging the staff who are amazing. There was Precious, a Durban trained Sister who’s been in this Stem Cell ward for 2 years, there’s Elsie who’s been here for more than 6 years and then I met Charlene who brought me an omelet for lunch and so many more. I asked each to write their names on the white board so that I can attempt to re...

First, I want give you a sense of the effect of the pandemic on my hospital experience. In some ways its surreal. No visitors in the hospital, a covid test before being omitted, masks everywhere, and furious hand washing by the staff constantly. As I sit in my bed or room, each time a person enters, they kit up and I reach for my mask and mask up. I am not in a public ward but imagine that I would even be able to take my mask off if this were the case. The staff are so fastidious and I do feel safe. I also feel somewhat better knowing that the pandemic does seem to be easing off a little in the Western Cape. I understand that both private and public facilities are less stretched than has been the case. In addition, and thank goodness for this, medical science and experience has enabled more effective life-saving treatment and seemingly less deaths. Off course, we don’t know the long term effects of the virus and I am not being polly-anna but that is good news.   Today has been ...

Today is the 111 th day since the state of disaster was declared in South Africa. Like many I’ve have ups and downs. Like many I am fearful for South Africa’s future. I do not have any faith that our government will do the right things to stimulate growth, increase employment and generally work for the betterment of all South Africans. Is it because they are either incapable or they do not have the will. I don’t know. Perhaps a bit of both. Anyway, this not is not about our government but about me and what I am calling my “five things”. So each of my five things has a further five things within and they all relate to my experience since the announcement of the state of disaster and our various phases of lockdown. In doing this exercise I also refer to my personal vision which I review each year to confirm whether or not my priorities have changed. My Five Thing What I’ve lost. What I’ve gained. What I confirmed. What I’ve learnt. My strongest emotions. 1.     ...