Oh, oh, I’m back in the hospital…We love the new gnu…

After eating pellets, they all needed a nap.

When we took off the bandages, I could tell by the look on his face, he didn’t like what he saw and quickly informed us that we needed to see the plastic surgeon. Most of us non-medical people assume calling a plastic surgeon would be for cosmetic reasons.

Not the case. Many plastic surgeons have extensive skills and training in “wound” treatments and subsequent healing. Within 30 minutes from leaving Dr. Naude’s office, we were face-to-face with Dr. Noelene Du Plessis in her office at Mediclinic Nelspruit.

They don’t seem to mind being up close and personal with one another.

She insisted the first surgery would be as soon as I was checked in. Enough time had passed since I’d last eaten and had something to drink (I had a small cup of unsweetened Greek yogurt before we left the house at 8:00 am and had finished a bottle of water around noon).  

Noelene (doctors go by their first names here) explained that the surgery had to be done “today” most likely transpire around 6:00 pm. We were nervous and worried. Tom in his usual manner tried to stay upbeat for me while I, on the other hand, was numb in disbelief. 

How could this be? I’d done everything right to aid in my recovery but apparently, it wasn’t enough. I couldn’t think of one reason to blame myself for being in this position.

Two out of three wildebeests posed for the shot.

The only thing I could think of was the fact I’d taken a few showers upon returning to the house after the surgery, only to discover a few days later than the water supply in Marloth Park was toxic with bacteria, including E-coli.

Could it be the water on my open wounds was toxic enough to precipitate the infections? The doctors seem to think it was entirely possible. Once I became aware of this I immediately stopped taking showers and did “sponge baths” with bottled water which although messy worked out fine.

Eventually, the water quality improved, but I still avoided the shower with the wounds not healing properly. Thus, the infection raged on in the past few weeks while I took substantial doses of antibiotics the doctors prescribed. I sent photos of my legs for days and still they agreed I could be treated at home until a few days ago, it took a turn for the worse.

We were lounging in the garden after a hearty midday snack.

Last night at 1730 hours (5:30 pm) I was wheeled into “theatre” for what may have been the first of two or three surgeries over the next 10 days or so. As I write here now in my private room Tom has gone to check back into Leaves Lodge and Spa where he stayed weeks ago.

He’d considered driving back and forth, but after moving back in the dark last night, he reconsidered and is staying only minutes away from me during whatever time is necessary for me to get through this challenging phase.

Tomorrow, we’ll be back with some of the obstacles we encountered checking me into the hospital, including some nagging insurance issues. Please check back for more.

Be well. Be happy. Thanks for being “here” with us during this challenging time.