Sept. 28, 2019

My Last Blog was? I can’t remember and I can’t find it anywhere. I have been plagued by not finding things, like my blog, on this bloody computer, or by having whole files just disappear. This, it seems, has been happening ever since I had One Drive installed. I don’t know if it is the culprit or not but I suspect it.

I can’t find anything where I put it and it has really caused havoc for my time frame. I need a guru sitting next to me I think.

Anyway, off the top of my head---my computer was getting so slow that you couldn’t work with it so I had to spend a small fortune to have an SSD (solid state drive) installed, 250 GB, plus another 4 GB of memory to speed up things to normal. I also had to buy a 4 wheel carry on suitcase since the one that only has 2 wheels and that you pull, the doc says, no, it will twist your back after the op. OK. Two small fortunes gone. Then I noticed that my front tires were almost bald so i had to buy two new tires, balancing, wheel alighment, etc. another fortune.

I went to several other doctors who were recommended and found out that my blood flows beautifully, up and down, but my  physiotherapist is still frustrated because the 24 / 7 spasms keep spoiling her work. She advised another neurologist, Dr.Baghwan, who seems to be a whiz at solving problems that others coulddn;t solve so he is my last hope. That will be on Oct. 1^st.

The real highlight of these past days was my trip to Zambia, from Sept. 6 to 16. It was sooo refreshing and like a a retreat. My youth group from back when I was in Zambia from 1972 to 1977 and their kids organized the fare for a trip to Zambia. That goes back to almost 50 yrs. Ago, and the Spirit is still alive and well. Wow. I cried with joy. I met the new members of the family and we blessed those who were m-arried recently (say 5 ti 10 yrs. And their kids, and then, the net Sunday, we had the renewal of marriage vows for the old timers, 40 yr., 39, and 38 yrs. And 5 yrs. But finally getting things done properly. Fr. Sax, a good friend of the family, took the time to compose a service that was beautiful.

The family I stayed with organized a 4 wheel walker to make my movements easier. But even then I fell down 3 times and broke the skin on my arms so that they took me to a clinic to have me patched up. The scabs are still there but they healed nicely. Falling is the easy part. It is the getting up that is the challenge. Ha. Just wait. You will see.

They took me to visit other friends and my CMM brothers and CPS  sisters in Lusaka, and then we went up to Kabwe, about 100 km. north of Lusaka, my old parish, where we did some more visiting. I stayed with another family , the husband of which gave me his bed to sleep in because it is close to the toilet. Very thoughtful and loving.

IT was very hot the whole time, although they say that OCTOBER is the really hot month, suicide month they say. I enjoyed the interaction with the youngsters. I was really “hobble-alon Cassidy” with my trusty crutch.  /everyone helped my by tqking my hand and keeping me from falling when my left side wanted to give in.

However, it was pure unadulterated joy and love. I am still feeling it now.

The experience on the plane convinced me that, if this spasming continues, I won’t try to fly home. The flight from LUSAKA  to Joburg is two hours and since there is nothing to take your mind of the spasms, you just sit and watch and feel them coming, 5 a minute. It would be too much, I THINK, to deal with for a long 10 or 12 hour flight.

I am going to Mthatha next week to attend a board meeting of Sabelani, probably the last one. And to bring some old clothes to the village. I will be back on the 29^th of Sept. I am grateful that I can still drive. And dress (it takes a lot longer, especially getting my red socks on, ha.) and take  a shower.

I will catch up with you when I get back. In the meantime, lots and lots of love and please pray that the doctor can come up with a solution.  Peace,     Cas.