Health, South Africa
Susan Colby
Accentuating the Positive

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!

Accentuating the Positive
Health, South Africa
Susan Colby
Chemo is Doing its Thing

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.

Chemo is Doing its Thing
Susan Colby
There’s Hot, and Then There’s HOT

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.

There’s Hot, and Then There’s HOT
Health, South Africa
Susan Colby
Chemo #4 Done, 2 to Go

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.

Chemo #4 Done, 2 to Go
South Africa
Susan Colby
A Massive Immune Booster

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?”

A Massive Immune Booster

luggage tags

Never Lose Anything Again

Dynotags are a Cool Way to Label Your Stuff


luggage-tag-on-cardSometimes you don't even have to leave home to have an adventure! My latest excitement is what I found during my recent internet "travels."

I just discovered these very cool QR-enabled tags called Dynotags that you can attach to all nature of things, so you never lose anything again. (And who hasn't lost a bag when traveling, or left your keys somewhere when someone else was driving? And not because you are in the granny/grandpa bracket, either!)

Dynotags have your unique QR code on them so anyone with a smartphone (or computer because there is a unique web site address too) can scan your code and all the pertinent info pops up, like your name and phone number so your belongings can be returned to you.

How cool is that!

dynotag pet tag

One of the best uses, I think, is the one they have for pets. You know what it's like when you see a lost dog running around on the street. You call him over (and hopefully the pooch isn't too freaked) and look at the collar and see - a license and not much else, which is really no help at all. But with a Dynotag on the collar, you simply whip out your phone, scan the code and call the owner immediately. Done deal. Dog goes home happy and safe, owners thrilled and the poor animal doesn't have to spend time in at the lost and found, waiting to be rescued.

There are various styles, like the medic alert-type, which is very cool, as first responders can scan the code and immediately have access to whatever information you would want someone like that to have. Such as: allergies, medications you take, your doctor's contact info and naturally, you emergency contact. You decide what is visible to the scanner and all your other info is kept private.

The uses for these smart codes is endless, really! I keep thinking of ways they can be used. The stickers can be used on phones, computers and there are even special ones for sports equipment. So when you have a lousy golf shot and toss the offending club into the weeds and walk off the course, whoever finds it can scan the code on the shank and your temper tantrum is discovered! Ha!

I am so taken by these (I LOVE technology) that I have added a couple to my eBay store, so check it out and help fund Granny Susu's travels!