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| When we had the pleasure of seeing a “blood moon” several months ago. |
“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”
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| We tossed some small chicken pieces to the mongooses, and they went nuts over the treat! Note warthog, “Little’s Friend,” trying to get in on the action in the background. |
This morning at 8:45, we had an appointment with Doc Theo to remove the remaining stitches in my legs and change the dressings. Since the two surgeries on my legs over three weeks ago, I have had to have Doc Theo change the bandages and treat the incisions in a relatively sterile environment rather than doing it myself with the risks of further infection in a non-medical setting.
When I got up this morning, I immediately knew something was better the moment I put my feet on the floor. The pain in my left leg, which was the most problematic of the two all along, was considerably less than it had been 48 hours earlier.
Yesterday, I’d noticed a slight improvement in the pain but nothing compared to the improvement I felt this morning. I practically did a cartwheel. I was hopeful that once he took off the bandages, we’d see a considerable change in the appearance of the wound. Well, not quite.
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| If we observe at night, occasionally, we’ll spot a genet. We leave bits of meat out for them but often the mongoose or warthogs get to it first. Warthogs aren’t carnivores, they’re pigs, but they’ll often eat any scraps. |
The incision in my right leg is entirely closed for the first time since the bypass surgery on February 12th and the incision on the problematic left leg looked better than it had to date.
Although the left leg incision is not totally closed as yet, it looked so much better and the amount of dead tissue was substantially less. The doctor said it could be three more months until it heals entirely, but there are definite signs of healing. for the first time
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| Giraffe in our garden drinking from the cement pond. |
He sent one of his reception staff members to the pharmacy to get a special honey-based cream he’s begun to use that will reduce the scabbing and dead skin to reveal a pinker surface which will have a better chance of healing in the long run.
(Tom had dropped me off at the doctor’s office and was grocery shopping when the doctor realized he needed the special cream and thus Tom wasn’t able to bring it back with him).
This particular cream is known to be painful once applied but once the stitches were out (a painful process) I didn’t notice a thing. I was so grateful knowing I wouldn’t need more surgery and that we’d be able to fly on May 11th.
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| A proud ostrich was strutting down the paved road in Marloth Park. |
Finally, today we’ll book our flights. We’ve decided for me to fly via “business class” while Tom will fly economy. We’ve lost so much money over the past many months, we decided this was the best way to go which would save us a few thousand dollars by him flying economy.
The risk of blood clots is high for recent patients of surgery, especially to the heart and legs. If I can keep my feet up for the bulk of the several flights along the way to Ireland, the risks will be reduced considerably.
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| Male kudu lounging in the bush in our garden. |
Tom and I are thrilled to know the healing process has begun. In the interim, I can now sit in a chair which I was told to avoid after the surgery to my legs to avoid swelling.
This is exciting! I had no idea how restrictive lying down with feet up, unable to walk other than to the bathroom and back to lying down, and unable to sit in a chair could be. At least now, we can eat and watch wildlife while sitting at the table on the veranda.
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| Mom and tiny baby bushbuck. |
The pain from the coronary bypass surgery itself is all but gone except for tenderness in my chest requiring a small pillow under the seatbelt when riding in the car.
Soon, before we leave Marloth Park, we’ll be able to ride on the bumpy roads to search for wildlife. I’m especially looking forward to heading over to Volstruis Street (volstruis means “ostrich” in Afrikaans) which coincidentally, is where many of the park’s ostriches seem to reside, to see the newest eight chicks of a proud mom and dad. Photos will follow soon.
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| Linda, Kathy, and me at one of many social events. |
Then, of course, I’ve already made a reservation for dinner at Jabula on Saturday night since I can now sit in a chair. It will be our first time out to dinner in almost a month. We certainly are ready for some lively socialization which is easy to accomplish at Jabula Lodge and Restaurant.
No words can express the gratitude we feel for the endless stream of prayers and well wishes we’ve received from our readers, family members, and friends from all over the world. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
May your day bring you good news!
Photo from one year ago today, April 23, 2018:
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| We couldn’t resist sharing this mom and her baby hippo. For more photos, please click here. |
Bout time you had good news…you are in the home stretch!
Dear Unknown, you are so right! It is "bout" time we had some good news and we pray we're on the home stretch. But the good news, is…my life was saved and any trials and tribulations along the way were a part of the "plan."
Hope you are enjoying good health. In the end, good health is a huge determining factor in the quality of our lives, wherever we may be at any given moment.
Warmest regards,
Jess & Tom