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. All my “numbers“ are going in the right direction except I’m anaemic so will take iron pills. The cancer marker went down to 305 from 715 last time, which is excellent news. Currently, I have two more sessions ahead of me.

As we were sitting waiting for the doctor, who is usually late (because he spends so much time with his patients so I can’t get annoyed as he does that with me but I always get there on time) I chatted to two women who are a lot younger than me but both have been having chemo for, I think breast cancer, and their hair is coming back beautifully! One said her hair was blonde down to waist and now she has brown hair! The other had mousy brown and it’s come in as salt and pepper and it looks so good. And they are both curly so who knows what mine will come back as! Mardelle thinks I should be blonde!

At times, I wonder if I should even bother with head coverings but I feel so exposed without hair! Others have said “bald is beautiful” but I’m not there yet!

As we are in the very hot time of year, with temperatures soaring into the high 80/90s (30sC) and 100% humidity, wearing hats and scarfs is really uncomfortable and I have no idea how people can wear wigs. I rip off any head covering I’m wearing as soon as I walk in the door! 

Techy

In some ways, South Africa is right up there or even more techy than other countries. Yesterday, I ordered my prescriptions online, pretty normal. Then this morning, I got a text that I would get a notice of when the order was picked up and I could track the delivery. I watched my driver as he made his way from the pharmacy to here. An Uber-type delivery and payment made there and then. It was very cool, so no hanging around wondering when the guy would show up. And no driving in this heat!

But in other instances, things are backwards or just plain broken down and not fixed or replaced. It’s a first world country sliding into banana republic status and more often than not, it feels like we’re already there.

And now we are back into loadshedding! Which means making sure everything is charged up; don’t open the fridge for the two hours we’re down (especially in this weather) and no fan!   I’m lucky I don’t have to go out in the heat and can just hang out at home, reading, which I’ve been doing a lot! 

Next week, I’ll be in Durban, housesitting Julie’s house while she gets a break to go home to the Cape for a couple of weeks and spend time with Biff. And hopefully she’ll get an accepted offer on the house so they can wrap up the estate and she can be home permanently.

Although Biff has warned me not to have any “raucous parties” while there, I’m looking forward to seeing my Durban friends. Much easier for them to visit there with more room! And for most, less of a drive although it’s barely 18 minutes from here to there. All in perception, I guess!