With the Russian madman causing mayhem in the world, I am really trying to maintain a positive outlook.
The war news is dominating and it’s difficult to avoid. But am very aware of how my mental health can affect my physical health, so I am attempting (and so far succeeding) to limit my news watching/viewing. I look at just enough to get a very superficial overview but even that is more than I want. I feel so sad for all the people affected by this megalomaniac!
Time flies by, even the chemo treatments. Yesterday was #5 of the planned 6. The results of my blood tests continue to be good. The cancer marker went from 301 to 187 this week. But not low enough to move on to the next stage. Dr. McCleave said they want to see it at around 30 which is quite a long way yet.
When I came back to South Africa in 2019, I naturally gravitated to where I was born and grew up. And actually ended up in the what we used to call the village of Kloof. (It’s no longer a village!) Kloof is about 18 miles/29km from Durban and just on 1600ft/500km above sea level, giving the area a more moderate climate than Durban, usually being a good 10F less which was the case when I took Rodney to the park this afternoon. Plus less humid.
The fourth treatment went as planned. Mick came with me so he was able to meet my doctor. It’s always good to have another set of ears in a consultation but this one was very straightforward because everything is going so well.
November 16 last year is the fateful day I got the definitive news that changed my life.
By then I ‘d been in hospital for 8 days going through tests and everything else that goes along with a cancer diagnosis. I’d just had laparoscopic surgery for a biopsy and the GYN/surgeon came to visit me after I had very gently been given the diagnosis. He’s a lovely man and from reading his bio, a pretty religious one as well. He said to me as he sat at my bedside, “Have you considered end of life?”
It was hard to top Saturday’s meander visiting the brewery out in the country and the cafe that serves coffee with a side of pot. But I was completely blown away by Netherwood Farm, which literally took my breath away, I can’t remember ever being so enthralled with a location.
As I head towards the end of my fourth month here in South Africa, I still haven’t made a determination on whether I stay or leave. But have decided to do as much with my time here as I can afford! So one “adventure” a week is in the plans and this week managed two excursions; one to the Markets on Warwick where I’ve wanted to go for ages and the other up to Stocklands Farm to see my sister-in-law and do a little Meandering in the Midlands.
Christmas Day is just around the corner and for me, it’s going to be a very mellow time. The whole thing is so much more low key here than in the States, much more my style. Although the consumerism is becoming more prevalent than it used to be, it’s still not the overblown, over-hyped holiday it is there.
Living here is like living anywhere!
I’ve made a point of “being here” as a resident and not a tourist, in order to really know what it’s like to be a South African again.
It’s actually a bit surprising, as I really thought things would be different. But they really aren’t! I have my same routines and spend time working and reading and just being here. Things are familiar and I wonder if I was in a different country, it would be difficult? Not that I am planning on finding out any time soon.
