Ken, Tom, and Don are having a good time, as usual.  We’ll all be together again soon before we leave.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Last year about this same time, our little friend, this female toad (or perhaps another), came to live on this light fixture.  For months, every night, she ate many flying insects to fatten up. We’d leave the light on for a while to ensure she’d have plenty of options. In the spring, a small male joined her on the fixture, and they stayed there together for a few weeks and left, not to be seen again until she’s returned this week.  Another cycle of life in the bush…

Yesterday afternoon we booked our flights from Nelspruit to Dublin. Of course, we opted for the flights with the shortest overall travel time, which was 16 hours and 40 minutes.

A waterbuck at the Crocodile River.

The most extended portion of the flight is from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Frankfurt, Germany, at 10 hours and 35 minutes on Lufthansa Airline. It was this portion of the flight that precipitated most of our concern.

In a perfect world, we both could have sat together and flown via “business class” seated together. But, this time, it was different based on our concern of my developing blood clots due to the cramped spaces in the economy with little leg room and opportunity to change positions.

Hippos in the Crocodile River.

Subsequently, we had to make a tough decision. Tom will fly coach class, and I’ll fly via business class which will allow more legroom and an opportunity to sleep in a flat position instead of sitting straight up in the usually uncomfortable coach class seats. 

Female lion on the prowl.

With the recent two leg surgeries on both legs, one surgery as recently as five weeks earlier (as of May 11th, our travel date), and 90 days since the coronary bypass surgery, my flying in business class was necessary, not construed by me as a luxury.  

After all these years of traveling, I have no qualms about flying coach, even on overnight flights. Neither of us does well sleeping in an upright position. We’ve done it several times, and we were no worse for the wear, other than being tired on arrival day from lack of sleep.  

A parade of elephants kicking up a lot of dust in Chobe National Park in Botswana.

In these circumstances, Tom may get two to three hours of sleep on the “red-eye,” while I felt lucky to sleep for an hour or so in most cases. But once we brushed our teeth in the morning, combed our hair, and tidied up a bit, generally, we did very well on the day of arrival.

Sunset over the Crocodile River.

We were surprised at how well we did the next day during these periods of little to no sleep. We could do this with relative ease in our youth, especially if we’d stayed up all night having a good time.

Flying is not a good time. Years ago, I recall it feeling more sophisticated and pleasurable with more legroom, more decent meals served, and more attention to detail for the passenger’s ultimate comfort, regardless of the class chosen for the flight.

These knobs on the head of giraffes are ossicones. Females have hair on them. Males have lost part of their hair from headbutting when vying for dominance.

Now it feels as if we’re sardines in a can, swimming in greasy swill amid germs, loud talking, kids kicking the back of our seats with no parental intervention, and frustrated and overworked flight attendants trying desperately not to “offend” anyone and to keep order in the cabin. Who knows what can break out at any moment soon to be uploaded to YouTube with millions of hits?

Two hornbills hang around our garden each day, most likely a mating pair. When they want seeds, they sure let us know.

Tom will fly coach in a row somewhere behind me, and from time to time, while I’m walking hourly as required by the doctor, we’ll touch base and say hello to see how the other is doing. When we finally get to Dublin, I’ll be glad to pick up luggage and the rental car to be on our way to the holiday rental, a several-hour drive from the airport.

Yesterday, we paid the final payment on the holiday home. Next, we’ll book a rental car for the almost three-month stay in Connemara. I can’t wait to walk in the front door of the holiday home, to see the ocean from every window, to relax once we unpack, buy some groceries and settle into our new home.

Handsome male impala.

At that point, we’ll begin our plan to further research Tom’s ancestry, one of the motivating factors in booking this period in Ireland. He’d hit a wall in the US using Ancestry.com, going as far back as the 1840s. It will be fun to see what we can find while in Ireland.

Mongooses were standing at attention while awaiting eggs. Note the little “arm” holding onto the one in front. So cute!

Tomorrow, we’ll return to Doc Theo when he’ll re-bandage the left leg using the painful cream that prevented me from getting much sleep last night. A nap will be on the agenda today, or at least an attempt at rest, often unsuccessful.

Have a pleasant day!

Photo from one year ago today, April 24, 2018:

When we’d given up hope of seeing a parade of elephants, safari luck kicked in, and once again, we were gifted with these elephants crossing the road. We couldn’t believe the baby’s determined stride! For more Kruger photos, please click here.

Elephant crossing the river in a shallow area.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

A visitor to our birdfeeder is always welcome.

For the first time since returning from the hospital last Wednesday, I was alone this morning while Tom went to the pharmacy and Spar market for a few items. At the moment we have no water…power, yes? Water? No.   

Eskom, the power company, has cut back on load shedding for the time being. We haven’t had a power outage in more than a week other than for a few minute outage here and there. But, the water…that’s another matter.  

Male impalas grazing at the river’s edge.

Before we arrived in Marloth Park in February 2018, some areas were out of water for five weeks. Gee, we don’t want to have to deal with this type of issue, especially now. It’s hard to imagine how permanent residents managed without water for such an extended period.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m looking forward to moving on in 32 days. I only need to get well enough for a long travel day. Once we arrive and get settled in Ireland, I will continue to recover amid our travels and research on Tom’s ancestry.  

We don’t recognize this particular warthog who took a rest in the dark.

It will be wonderful to get my mind off of medical treatments, medical bills, and the products and supplies associated with my recovery. This has been a long haul, beginning at the end of January.

In the interim, I cannot spend any time on the veranda since there is nowhere I can sit with my feet up. I am not allowed to sit in a chair. Of course, I’m diligently following all of the doctor’s orders to ensure my recovery.

Lone elephant crossing the road in Kruger.

Tom opens the big front doors wide and has removed any obstacles that could impede my view of visiting wildlife while I’m on the sofa in the lounge with my feet on pillows.  

Unfortunately, I can’t see the shorter animals from this spot, like my favorites, warthogs, and others. But, Tom tells me exactly what’s transpiring and takes photos. I haven’t laid eyes on Little in weeks, but he comes almost every day.  I call out to him so he can at least hear my voice.

Elephant and waterbuck were enjoying the Crocodile River.

Tom continues to toss out pellets to all the visitors, but we no longer toss carrots and apples. I didn’t want to burden Tom with the responsibility of cutting the fruit and veg each day. Plus, he doesn’t miss them as quickly as I do, as I did.

A lot has changed around here in the past few months. I am useless to perform even the most minor household tasks when I have to be reclining with my feet up.  

Elephants in the tall grass.

But, somehow, we’re getting through it all. Amidst all the challenges, we’re optimistic and remain hopeful for the future. Life isn’t always how we’d like it to be, and some situations such as these have been beyond our control. All we can do is work toward the goal of good health and harmony.

Thank you for being on this journey with us. In a little over a month, it should pivot back to our lives of world travel, possessing a passion for our surroundings and embracing the adventures before us.

An elephant family grazing in the bush.

Photo from one year ago today, April 9, 2018:

Our beloved dog WorldWideWillie passed away on April 9, 2011, nine months before we decided to travel the world. During his last 17 days of life, this is Wille resting on our bed with his favorite toys; Tiger Woods (in the forefront) and Fred Flinstone behind his head. At night, he’d always use his pet steps while carrying these toys up onto the bed with him. Be well. For more, please click here.

Female impala at the Crocodile River.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Note how the kudus chew from side to side.  Cute.

In the latter part of January, we took a drive to the Crocodile River to search for wildlife and visited Kruger National Park. I can’t believe how time has flown and that so much has transpired.

Life can change on a dime, and ours certainly has over the past few months. We haven’t dined on the veranda in almost two weeks when I was still recovering from the bypass surgery when Tom had to push the chair in for me. Now, I am not allowed to go onto the veranda since its too far a walk from the sofa or the bedroom.

Saddle-billed stork at the river’s edge.

At that time, I hadn’t come to a point when I could sit at the big table for hours watching our wildlife friends stop by to see what was on the menu. It was too uncomfortable at the time.

But, now, other than my painful legs still on the mend and the fact I always have to have my feet up, I could easily sit at that table for hours, driven to the Crocodile River many times, and spent a day driving in Kruger National Park.

An Egyptian goose in the sand with a waterbuck in the background.

At times, I think the diversion of my legs healing took the focus off the rest of my body, and suddenly I have no pain other than in my legs and an occasional twinge in my chest when moving too abruptly, wearing a seatbelt or twisting in an awkward position.

If it weren’t for wearing this VAC device on my left leg, I’d have no trouble sleeping on my side once again, as opposed to on my back which is necessary at this time in an attempt to keep my feet above the level of my heart.

Certainly, giraffes may tire of standing on those long legs all day, and a short rest is appropriate.

And my heart? It continues to beat evenly and consistently leaving me free of stress or worry that “something is wrong.” Occasionally, bypass patients have many trips to an emergency room when their heartbeats irregularly or pulse becomes seriously fast.

It’s hard not to become frightened when such situations occur after bypass surgery which may transpire for many months or even years after this major surgery. II hope has surpassed those aftereffects that frequently occurred during the eight days I spent in ICU.

Impalas are beautiful with the symmetry of their markings.

My heart is strong and healthy. It’s my arteries that are bad, not only those that were bypassed but many of the vital veins that flow through the chest cavity sending oxygen to my entire body.

How I made it through the first almost 71 years of my life without a single cardiac event, considering the awful state of my arteries, is fantastic to the doctors and me.  In my case, the heredity factors are everything. There’s nothing I can do to change this situation. 

A rare visit from male impalas in the garden.

On March 29, the cardiac, thoracic surgeon explained to both Tom and me that the bypass surgery was a temporary “fix.” The disease continues. In as little as two years, I could be facing the same outcome as of late.

Worry about this or not? I choose not. I can become obsessed with diet and massive amounts of exercise but there is nothing that I can do that will change these facts…the heredity factor is stronger than any potential lifestyle changes. 

Little’s Friend…his tusks are tinier than Little’s.

I already consume a healthy diet, and usually, I’m very active. I don’t smoke, drink in excess or have a lot of stress in my day to day life. Well, not until most recently, worrying about the insurance company not paying the hospital bill. We still await an answer.

Our dear friend Kathy arrived in Marloth Park yesterday and stopped by for a delightful visit this morning. It was such fun to chat with her as its been with Lynne and Uschi who’ve also visited this week. Such good friends. We are blessed in many ways.

Hopefully, before we depart Marloth Park in 33 days, we’ll have an opportunity to drive to the Crocodile River, throughout the park and even take one last trip into Kruger. We’ll see how it goes.

May your day and new week feel blessed and fulfilling.
                  

                               Photo from one year ago today, April 8, 2018:

We put an egg on the ground, but she showed no interest when the lizard hurried past it. It appears they were trying to determine if it was worth tackling the bird feeder for a treat. For more photos, please click here.

“Where is that man,” Mr. Hornbill asks as he pecks at the glass when he doesn’t get his seeds quickly enough.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Tom captured three hornbills on the birdfeeder.

If none of this (coronary bypass surgery and subsequent infections in legs) had happened tomorrow, we’d have been arriving in Minneapolis, Minnesota (flying from San Diego after a cruise) tomorrow. 

We’d have spent 17 days in Minnesota visiting family and friends. On April 25th, we’d have flown from Minnesota to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the following day, we’d have boarded a cruise to Copenhagen, flown to Dublin, Ireland, and then off to our upcoming holiday home in Connemara, Ireland, on May 12.

The hornbills have become so brazen they squawk at us when they want seeds.

However, with the recent events, we’ll be flying from South Africa to Dublin, Ireland, on May 12. We’ve yet to make the reservation until we know for sure I can pass by that date. 

We had no idea that the complication of the infection in my legs due to the bypass surgery could delay us any further. At this point, with over a month for my legs to heal sufficiently to fly, we’re good to go, at least for this particular leg (no pun intended) of our journey.

This morning, this hornbill stood on the top of the door to let Tom know it was time to eat.

Below is the list of the bookings we had to cancel as a result of the bypass surgery. Please see this post for the monies we lost when we had non-refundable bookings on most of these. (We did receive token refunds on the two cruises that were already paid in full and a ZAR 70478, US $5000, partial refund on the Kenya tour when another participant purchased our spot at the last minute).
 

Marloth Park SA to Kenya – tour booked		02/21/2019 – 03/08/2019*
Valparaiso, Chile Hotel		03/09/2019 – 03/24/2019
Cruise – San Antonio, Chile – San  Diego		03/24/2019 – 04/08/2019
San Diego – fly to Minnesota – hotel stay		04/08/2019 – 04/25/2019
Cruise – Fort Lauderdale to Copenhagen		04/26/2019 – 05/12/2019

*(In the US, listing dates first include:  month/day of month/year. In many other countries, including South Africa, the first includes month/month/year.  Please note the above dates are listed in the US-style).

“Maybe he’ll think I look cute on the light fixture, and he’ll get me seeds.”

We paid the second installment on the house in Ireland in the past few days, with the final payment due at the end of this month. Our hopes and plans are to continue. If we hadn’t paid, we’d lose the booking. We had to take the risk.

 

Are we confident we’ll be able to leave Marloth Park to head to the airport in Nelspruit in 34 days? We’re waiting to book the flight at the last minute when we know for sure. This tinge of uncertainty is unsettling, but there’s nothing else we can do.

Big Daddy is more nonchalant when letting us know he wants pellets. He throws a few winning glances our way and waits patiently.

As I lay here now on the sofa, legs up as necessary, lying on an egg crate mattress topper loaned to us yesterday by friends Uschi and Evan, we’re hoping with the addition of the sheepskin the pharmacy ordered for us, arriving tomorrow by particular order, I can avoid severe bedsores when could ultimately be my undoing if not adequately treated now.  

 

We’re doing everything possible. Again last night, I slept on my side all night, with the egg crate under me to avoid any further pressure injuries. For the first time in weeks, I slept seven hours straight without using any over-the-counter sleep medication. That is a good sign.

“Will this stance get your attention?”

Are my legs healing?  I’d say my right leg is doing very well. But, the left leg attached to the VAC system is still excruciating. As we all know, pain is a good indicator of how a wound or injury is healing. I keep reminding myself that I had two leg operations in the past nine days, one of which was only six days ago. I need to allow myself a little slack and time to heal.

We have a little over a month for me to heal. As prescribed by the plastic surgeon, I’m eating tons of protein via protein powder/collagen and bone broth smoothies. Tom makes for me each morning. Protein is vital for wound healing. Also, I’m taking big doses of Vitamin C, selenium, and zinc, again prescribed by the doctor.

The female kudus will stare us down if we don’t bring pellets right away.

Daily, as a dessert in the evening, I consume a cup of unsweetened Greek yogurt mixed with raw cocoa (unsweetened) with raw almond slivers. Last night for dinner and again tonight, I have a fantastic salmon/prawn salad Tom made for me stuffed inside both halves of a good-sized avocado. I can’t imagine I could eat anymore or any healthier. (Tom is having homemade pizza he prepared yesterday).  

Each morning around 11:00 am, Tom gives me an injection of a powerful blood thinner to prevent blood clots in my stomach. I’d never imagined Tom doing this, nor had he, but my guy, my diligent caregiver, continues to do whatever it takes to get me well. We have one more dose to go.

I haven’t had a glass of wine in two months, and honestly, I don’t have a taste for it, nor do I know if I ever will. I suppose I’ll go back to my alcohol-free lifestyle as I had for over 20 years. But, at least I have a LIFESTYLE, and for that, we are very grateful. 

Photo from one year ago today, April 7, 2018:

Had Louise and Danie not taken us here, outside of Komatipoort, we’d have no idea this beautiful spot existed. For more photos, please click here.