Mom is comfortable at home, with two amazing carers, that swop shifts every 6-7 days. We are so grateful that they are still operating under the strict Covid-19 lockdown regulations, but are legally essential services.

Mom says she is happy, at peace, "nothing wrong with her" and is being very well looked after. Her rented hospital bed was placed in the lounge as her room was too small to accommodate it, and she wanted to be in the communal area, that bustles with activity, as she still gets tearful at the thought of lying in hospital for 5 weeks in an unfamiliar place. Zazu (the parrot) and the 2 doggies are in and out, Shani pops in every day at lunch time and Cassidy is at home to keep an eye on things.

Her face is a bit swollen due to the cortisone and she still needs everything done for her but takes everything with a pinch of salt. Cognitively she mostly makes sense of it all, and is aware of what is happening to her, but then simultaneously will mention things that have no relevance to the conversation at all. She mentioned a few weeks back that she was visited by her friends already departed & they say this is all within the process she is going through. St Luke's also have come aboard with registering mom on their system in the event that we need to admit her to their Kenilworth facility but we are not going that route as she is happy at home. In the event that her carers cant continue then we at least have them as an alternative option.

Personally I feel cut off due to Covid-19 lockdown regulations as I cannot just get in my car and pop in to see her when I want any longer. I fear not being able to be there when the time comes but trying not to think about that too much. We are cherishing the time that we have with her as we know that change is inevitable and when that happens she will be sleeping most of her days away.

At this point a lot of her medical bills whilst she was in hospital have been covered (to a degree as the shortfalls are starting to fill my inbox) by her medical aid. We still need to pay for her carer which is R5,000 per week, her hospital bed again this month another R2,000 and her other medical needs which I won't mention here but being bedridden you can only imagine.

We cant thank everyone enough for the support our family has received to date, emotionally and financially. Those little messages from you all on FB, whatsapp and via phone calls mean the world right now. We are all far away from one another right now but deeply connected by the human spirit.

We are aware as a family that times could not be tougher out there right now due to this global pandemic on our doorsteps and unfortunately that folks are not working or not earning at all. We understand completely and hope that none of you are affected by this ghastly disease.

All I ask is that you share this funding page if you can. Love & blessings to all x

Ange, Shani, Val & family

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” – Emily Dickinson