As I have mentioned previously, I am a creature of habit. I think yesterday may have dented that ego persona somewhat! There was nothing normal about yesterday. Except my morning coffee and chat at Chocolate Arts. Where I met some Canadian-South Africans! Definitely not normal!
Because of the time differences between SA and BC, I am just waking up as South Africans are ending their work day, and going to bed as South Africans wake up. (This makes Christmas Day family phone calls hellish to coordinate, especially if you also have to factor in Australia or New Zealand, by the way!)
My HLA tissue typing results didn’t reach the coordinator in Cape Town until I headed to bed on Wednesday. I woke up at 615am, and read texts that had come through at 1am. That means the Cape Town lab turned the paper match process around before 10am SA time! Wow!
I have no idea how Di and her family lasted those 5 hours after getting the match results without calling me, because I immediately broke out Skype and spoke to Legh (to get my facts straight) and then Di. That was the first time we have spoken through this journey: technology use is being ramped up as the pace of the adventure increases! It was wonderful to talk with Di again! She is still in hospital, and tired – physically and of hospitals, but determined, feisty and displaying a great sense of humour.
The rest of the day was a blur of texts, emails and Facebook comments – thank you everyone for the comments, likes and sharing of posts – over 7,000 people around the world have seen Legh’s “Miracle” post! And it culminated in even more technology use. A FaceTime call to Di which I figured out all by myself (but not before I had figured out voice messaging in iMessenger). See what heights of learning and technological expertise you can reach when you stand up as a donor?
Speaking of learning, I took myself on a crash course in human immunology yesterday, so I could understand the lab results better, and also create some teaching tools for this blog, because I am sure many of you are trying to figure out why it is SO HARD to find a suitable donor. Watch this space to find out!
It was an adrenaline-rush day, definitely! And perhaps the best bit was the surprise thunderstorm in Vancouver last night.
These are not a frequent occurrence, and are generally wimpy by African Highveld standards, but last night’s was a proper show, and connected me with Africa again, as a good clap of thunder always does.
The significance of this and the day as a whole is perhaps best summed up with the following, (provided by the biggest spiritual skeptic Di and I know):
“I think my Shona and Matabele friends would take your rain storm as a good sign that God approves of your activity and is giving you a blessing.”
May there be many more thunderstorms in Johannesburg and Vancouver over the next weeks and months!
From a Scatterling, with love to Africa, and because this seemed right to share here – starfish, Johnny Clegg and friends.
Jill