I received a message from Virgin Active yesterday to say that the water temperature had climbed and that the Aqua class would be held this morning at 8:15. This was good news to me and the decision was made to get up and attend it.
The weather is very nice at the moment, no need for a coat or jersey and all I wore to gym were a pair of my ever so colourful leggings and a little top. There were two surprises when I got there. The first was that those horrid, dreadful benches that they had in the change rooms have at last been replaced. Instead of the imitation leather stuffed upholstered benches, they now have slatted, wooden benches that are absolutely stunning.
The second surprise was that the instructor I was expecting to take the class was not there and a new instructor was in her place. My initial feeling was one of disappointment, as I love the class given by Irene, but as the class progressed, it became obvious that the workout was of the same standard and I really enjoyed it.
I have found my happy place in the pool, next to the wall on the left hand side of the pool. This area is a little sheltered by a mezzanine floor above, and keeps the air conditioning blowing directly onto my body that is out of the water.
I have been approached by the family who live in our block of flats and for whom I organised the Back a Buddy campaign to raise funds for the son who was diagnosed with cancer of the foot and who has now undergone radiation. The response they received was truly so appreciated and helped them over the initial hurdle when they were needing to purchase bandages and ointments and all things medical while the wound was healing.
The hole in his foot was almost 4 inches round and was left open after they removed the cancerous growth. Much like a large boil, the treatment in a case like this, is to leave the wound open so that it can heal from the inside out. Treatment to be done daily, to wash it, remove any impurity, put ointment on it and then to rebandage it. This was a terrible job and thanks to Tim, who was living here at the time, the wound slowly got smaller and smaller as it healed. I believe it is now only the size of a R5 coin but still needs to be dressed each day.
Unfortunately, the lymph nodes in the groin area of the same leg were also affected and radiation was done to this area as well. Slowly, as the months have passed, that leg has become extremely swollen despite both he and his mother going for a daily walk to exercise it.
Right now he is once again in a terrible situation. A family member paid for him to go to a private doctor, but according to this learned man, he needs to be treated over a period of time to help “work on” the lymph system. His leg has become so swollen that the skin is unable to stretch any further and the entire leg is starting to suppurate.
If anyone can offer financial assistance to this family, it would be gratefully appreciated. The link to the Back a Buddy campaign is below
Help Shane get back on his feet
- Short URL: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/shane-sieg-medical-fundhis
Frustration has kept me at my computer for most of the day! I can’t believe how out of touch I have become with the various programs and apps that used to be second nature to me. A lot has got to do with the fact that I was spoiled by using work related programs, and now that I am needing to source others off the web, it is taking time.
Slowly but surely it is getting a little easier to complete each step of the way and, although I say I have been frustrated, there is a sense of achievement as I get things done.
I had reason to look for photographs this morning and found some that I took while I was on the Whale Trail in 2003. This is one of the nicest trails to do. It takes five days, but the distance covered each day is manageable and the beauty all around more than makes up for the sore feet while walking. One of the photos I found was actually of Paul Shone massaging my sore right foot after a day’s walk. So, as you can see, my problem goes back a long way.
We went in September, so there were plenty of whale around. The walk is along the cliff face looking down onto the sea far below where we could see the whales and their calves from a high vantage point.
But what made the trail even more special at that time of year were the wild flowers which carpeted the entire route. Another fascinating point on the last day, was that the toilet faced the sea in this particular cottage and had the most spectacular view as you sat on it!
Today is my grandson, Nicolai’s, 22nd birthday. He is so far from South Africa, in Vienna, but by all accounts he is having a very interesting life there. How envious I am of people who are in close proximity to their grandchildren. Not many of us are any more.
I do not have anything planned for tomorrow so will try to get out for a cycle ride on the Brompton. Sunday I am hosting our next game of Mexican Train. Buying this game was money well spent!
It has even become more popular than the Hand and Foot and Rummikub that we all enjoyed before. The pace is a little faster, not that much brain power involved, and a hell of a lot easier to mix all of the tiles together at the end of each game instead having to shuffle endless packs of cards.
Blessings and love 💕
