Still waters and swift recovery

Sometimes one's moment comes to lie by the still waters. Plainly, it was hard for me to recognise that it is my turn and also, it seems obvious that such lying should not be accompanied by persistent nausea and that myriad of other nasty sensations associated with chemo. I recovered so much faster from round 6 as a result of accepting the need to do absolutely nothing, (which rankles strongly with the heavily inbuilt Protesant Work Ethic), and also from scheduling in the peculiar coma-like sleeps, from which I emerge much restored.

By Thursday, I was up to a meeting at Salvazione school about the Shine Centre system of managing volunteer energy in schools to its best advantage. It is an obvious fit and the positive energy and enthusiasm was astounding. Plainly, one of us needed to get to Cape Town to see a functioning Shine Centre so that we could move ahead with Joburg immediacy.

I booked a flight on Sunday morning and was on my way at 2.15. What a thrill to be fully engaged with a project of such significance. Leigh-Anne was my competent and delightful guide and companion for Monday and Tuesday. I saw two fully functioning centres and attended a formal seminar about setting up a centre. It was a privilege to be among people of such integrity and competence. Their standards are uncompromisingly high, their system is professional and their commitment to education absolute. I am hoping to be a conduit that brings this Shine Centre model to bolster promary education in Joburg.I know this work is healing.

Tests will reveal whether I go ahead with round 7 of chemo next week or not. Happily on top form. My mum says she is astounded to see me looking better than I have in years!