12-43
Today, I’ve been on a roll in getting some vital stuff done before our trip away next week. I went and got some foreign currency, picked up a book from the library…
…then I went to a salon for a bit of a sprucing up. At 2pm, I’ve got a hair appointment. I’m on track for relaxing over the weekend.
I have had my friends on my mind. One of them is having radiation treatment at the moment and I went with her on Wednesday. Riana has said she is happy for me to interview her for my blog, so one day that will appear here. It will be insight into her journey thus far. But for the moment, you get a slice of the experience of going to Vincent Pallotti for radiation. Vincent Pallotti’s oncology department has certainly put Cape Town and South Africa on the map with the recent acquisition and commissioning of the Novalis TX. We are told two things about this machine. One, it cost R59 million and two, it is the most sophisticated radiation machine in Africa. According to an article from November last year, (New Hope For SA Cancer Patients), it uses high-precision energy to target small tumours without damaging surrounding tissue. According to the article, oncologist Dr Jacqueline Hall says the beams released the required high energy only when they simultaneously reached the cancerous cells. There is no machine that monitors tumours the way this unit does. Here is Riana, about to try it out…
The whole unit at VP has been revamped, allowing for a spacious, airy environment, beautifully decorated…
And all the technology is cutting edge…
Riana only has good things to say. She’s had a very positive experience thus far. When I get back from Zanzibar, I’ll sit down and we’ll have a little chat about it and about what she has learned.
Talking of friends, I know I’ve probably mentioned before how easy it is to skim over the many verses of the Old Testament that include loads of names relating to the kings and how they ruled. I’m reading 1 Chronicles at the moment and have landed in chapter 27. I have been trying to read intentionally. Today, I saw a verse I’ve never seen before. Did you know that there is someone named in the Bible – the only reason for him being mentioned is because he was a friend of the king. There it is, snuck in the middle of verse 33:
…”Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend.”
Amidst scribes, counsellors, officials and administrators, we have this brief insight into King David’s life. Hushai was his friend. I just find that so poignant. That was his title and his job. Hushai must have stood out and been widely known as King David’s friend. It must have significant for the author of Chronicles to highlight it. Mentioned in the Bible for being a friend. We all need friends. We must never overlook the importance of our friends. They deserve a mention in the chronicles of our life. Appreciate them today! And be a good one too!
Exciting stuff happening at the Open Golf Championship. George Coetzee who turns 28 today had an excellent round and has finished on -5, which is off the lead. The wind has picked up and it’s going to be a gruelling afternoon when the remainder of the pros take to the course. (From the BBC/sport live score website:
Happy birthday George! You can do it! Well done for setting the pace! I love seeing the SA flag so close to the top!
The wind is picking up in Cape Town too. It’s been a cold, blustery few days with the Mother City living up to her “Cape of Storms” name. I have to admit, I absolutely LOVE this weather. Mike & I were talking about it the other day. The reason why we love it so much is because we get so little of it in relation to the many sunny days we also experience in winter. We only have a 3 month winter and the stormy days are intermittent. If we lived in England, I think we would be like the English and long for the sun!
“I have learned to be content”…
Keep the smile going!
God bless you!
In His Grip
Helga xx 🙂
Gratitude..thank you Lord for my friends, who walk my journey with me and help me unpack my baggage…
