16 Oct

Like I said, no news is good news. However, there has also been good news. Specialist recommended that the drip be removed from Colin's neck and inserted in his finger (that's what mom said - I would have thought arm) but wherever, as it may have been causing an infection or irritation. It seemed to do the trick as his heartrate went down to under 100 almost immediatelly.

Mom's brother Oom Francois, tannie Este and daughter Lize and kids are in PE for the day and I havent been able to get hold of her for an update but she was really chuffed with his progress yesterday - he also managed to point out three words (sorry cant remember them) but couldn't complete what he was trying to say, on the printed keyboard.

I have some business to attend to in PE and have arranged to go down tomorrow, either just for the day or back on Thursday so looking forward to reporting on some more improvement on my return. On our way back on Sun we got caught in that speedtrap in the Ciskei - that village on the side of the road where the speed limit is 60 - I was doing 112, expecting the road sign but I genuinely never saw it - well the traffic cop wrote out most of the ticket before letting me off what would have been a thousand buck fine - I've said it before but someone, somewhere, is on our side. They are human after all - I was so chuffed I gave him a big bear hug (and nothing else, I'm sure he didn't even expect anything in return and I had left my wallet in the car so even though I felt like giving him something, couldnt, so gave him another big hug.)

Mom spoke to the specialist about moving Colin to EL but he's not in favour at this stage and indicated that he hoped that Colin MIGHT be taken off the ventilator by the end of the week. Personally I think that's a bit optimistic, but its encouraging to know that the experts are predicting the end of that horrible road soon. Apparently his lung xrays have shown dramatic improvement as well - they must have been pretty bad because they've shown dramatic improvement on at least three occasions, but perhaps they've gone backwards as well, I'm not sure.

I popped in to Kemp Estates today for a few hours and intend to move my base of operations there in the interim so if anyone feels like popping in for a cup of java you know where I will be.

PS - Got hold of mom and Colin was very woelig this afternoon and this evening but the respirator is down to 4 ! Thats the minimum before taking him off ! Hold thumbs.
Thanks Lize for the emails and I hope you dont mind if I quote one of them here

"God allows life to be rocky. His challenge is not to let the rocks grind u to dust but to polish u to become a brilliant gem! Stay shinin!"