Throughout the past three weeks, we have been blessed by people with whom we were barely acquainted. Some of these people knew our situation, but others didn’t, going far beyond what I ever thought someone would do and made our lives infinitely easier.
In Windhoek,
Dr. Gild was a doctor on holiday that took half a day to initially check out Russ and take him personally to the emergency room.
Claudia Horn, the owner of Casa Piccolo, did our laundry and cooked for Russ in the first few days. After we checked out, she let us use the internet for free. She also pointed us in the right direction as we needed to finish up some errands.
When we needed pula to go back to Botswana and it normally required the 24 hour notice that we did not have, Wilbe Januarie, at First National Bank Foreign Exchange, delivered it within an hour.
The nursing supervisor in the ICU was incredibly supportive. She sat with us every day and took time answering the questions that the doctor was too busy to. She explained the procedures and medications. I am sorry that I forgot her name.
Charlie at the consular office at the Embassy called almost every day to see how Russ was. I am glad we did not need his services (like arranging for med-evac) but it was comforting to know he was there anyway.
With two public holidays within four days, Steyn at the Multicomponents mechanics shop, squeezed us in to replace a wheel bearing before we left for Botswana.
In Pretoria,
Dr. Bennett’s secretary Marti got us in earlier than we could have expected even though the doctor was supposedly booked until June. Ditto on scheduling the surgery and followup appointment.
The neighbors in the housing complex we have been staying in were amazingly friendly and helpful. Dolf organized transport for us when we had no car. He continues to come by every day to see if we need anything. He is one of the most optimistic people we have ever met…and also has terminal lung cancer. Van took us out of his way to and from the hospital for that first visit. Christa provided all sorts of referrals, directions, and fresh lavender from her garden.
During the long day at Wilgers hospital, Annegrette, the owner of a nearby guesthouse, let me use her internet so I could update the people at home.
When all I thought I needed were my bangs trimmed, Zica gave me a twenty minute scalp massage and then blew my hair out. It’s amazing how much better I felt when my hair looked good.
Yaseen at Egypt Air made the reticketing process infinitely easier and arranged for special seats, meals, and airport access. From previous airline experiences, I know he did not have to go out of his way and especially waive all the fees, for which I am thankful.
Back in Washington state, Dr. Kevin Foley, a cardiologist colleague of my Uncle Gary, answered each and every one of my emails from the very beginning. He looked at reports, read treatment plans, and was completely reassuring. He treated Russ like one of his own patients even though he has never met either of us.
Uncle Jim Clifton, certainly not a stranger but also a cardiologist, also gave feedback on diagnosis and treatment plans while on vacation visiting his grandkids in Scotland. He assured us that everything that was being done here was what would happen in the States, and explaining the process definitely made us feel better. He was a beacon of calmness.
And unexpected love and support from friends. These people are our angels.
Clara Donkor, the Peace Corps nurse who always liked Russ the best, often stopped by the Windhoek hospital to visit and advocate for him. She still calls us here.
Libet Maloney took me in for that first long weekend even though she had just gotten back from a tiring trip with a case of the flu. She cooked, drew baths, and was my sounding board. We hope to see her in Truro this summer.
Annette and Eicker deKlerk insisted we stay with them for the week after Russ was discharged. They gave us our own space, indulged us, and loaned us their car when ours was being repaired. Now that we are in Pretoria, we are also staying in their flat for as long as we need. They provided solutions before we knew we had problems.
Hannalie van der Merwe, my dear friend from Mariental, organized with her two boys to pick us up at the airport and helped with anything we needed. Calling just to say hi was huge.
Driaan and Bassie van der Merwe are grownup versions of the well-mannered, talented boys I knew twelve years ago. Busy college students halfway across the city, they still made sure we had a car to use for most of the time we were here.
Accepting gifts and kindnesses is not always easy, because of pride, embarrassment, stubbornness, or feelings of inadequacy. Our former pastor, Bill Imes, has talked to us about how it is a spiritual discipline to learn, to take a deep breath and let the grace of God through so many people wash over us. OK!
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