"Self-sufficiency does not mean 'going back' to the acceptance of a lower standard of living. On the contrary, it is the striving for a higher standard of living, for food that is organically grown and good, for the good life in pleasant surroundings... and for the satisfaction that comes from doing difficult and intricate jobs well and successfully." John Seymour ~ Self Sufficiency 2003

Sunday 11 November 2012

Welcoming unexpected visitors

Our family doctor, Dr A, who has become a family friend, paid us the honour of arriving on Friday, with his wife, to spend the weekend with us - our first farm guests.  Dr A does not like driving long distances, and 300-odd kilometers from town to us is a long distance as far as he's concerned.  How wonderful it has been to spend some time with them both after 4 long months away.

Yesterday, we decided to show them a little of the area, and took them to Wildebraam - the local berry farm.  Just as I thought, the wife couldn't resist the goodies on offer, and with a severely lightened purse we all returned home "all shopped out" LOL

Relaxing on our front patio, there was a sudden commotion at our neighbours plot.  Our dogs reacted by leaping up and barking, and, after a casual glance around the corner of our house, I dismissed the noise as a chicken having difficulty producing an egg - our neighbour, CGuy has these odd chickens which really screech when it comes time to produce their daily offering.

About 10 minutes later we were startled to hear RMan being urgently called.  Opening the back door we found Robert, a worker from CGuy's plot, standing outside with a bloody cloth wrapped round his arm.  He had apparently been carrying two 4ltr glass bottles of water when one slipped, slid down, and smashed into the lower bottle, and breaking it.  The broken glass had then severed the skin of his right wrist - deeply and extremely seriously.

Thank goodness our GP was here!  According to Dr A it appeared as though Robert had cut his radial and ulna artery in his right wrist.  And he fears that he may have severed one of his tendons which controls the up / down movement of his hand.  But, keeping calm, I assisted Dr A in applying a tourniquet whilst Dr A applied pressure to the wound to staunch the bleeding.  D A then applied a packed bandage to the wound and RMan and Dr A rushed Robert to the local hospital.  Dr A reckons that a vascular surgeon will have to repair the damage.

But - what  if Dr A had not been here?  I fear that ill-equipped as I was, Robert may have bled to death.

And, it highlighted the inadequacy of my medical supplies.  Being as remotely situated as we are, I have to be better equipped - and mentally prepared!  And, with Dr A guidance, the medical supply list is currently being compiled :)

But, we have also had other guests.

This large lizard decided to play building inspector when Phase 2 was being built.  We passed inspection apparently :)
A large lizard managed to
camouflage itself against the
brickwork
Our dam also had the rare honour of being visited by an African Spoonbill.  I have never seen one before!
An African Spoonbill
RMan and I were tickled pink :)
You can make out the spoonbill easier
in this photo
And finally, we spied either a Blue Crane, our National bird, or a Blackheaded Heron.  The fading light left the question, but either are welcome to make the dam their watering hole. 
Blue Crane or Blackheaded Heron?
This has certainly been an important weekend - and left me without a doubt that, although I was prepared for a medical emergency in a town situation, I was not adequately equipped for what happened here yesterday.  I will be tomorrow though - once I have visited our local pharmacy...

And Dr A has assured me that he will always be at the end of the telephone connection to give me whatever medical advice / assistance I require, should another incident of this ilk occur in the future.  I am fortunate that I remain calm during an emergency, and only allow myself to react (fall apart LOL) once the situation is under control.  RMan, on the other hand, goes white and shaky at the first sign of blood.  But - he can perform the other important functions such as phoning to alert those concerned of the incoming emergency.

I believe that Dr A's unexpected visit was guided by the Highest power, and that God sent him here to help preserve a life.  For Robert may not have been as lucky had he only had RMan and I to help him given yesterday's situation...  The grateful lesson I (in fact both RMan and I) learnt yesterday will remain with me for the rest of my life.  Anticipate the worst, be prepared for it, and you will have a better chance of having a win-win outcome.

10 comments:

  1. Dani,

    There are many times I think there are Higher powers at work. It's like you were meant to experience this just to get you moving on your medical supplies.

    Glad you have those birds visiting. We love the cranes that visit our property. Others in the area say they eat too many fish but I think they only eat the smaller ones & we have PLENTY of them on the nursery beds along the shore. Plus, they are lovely to look at.

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    1. DFW - Exactly. Man appears to learn better from experience than from being told. (Very) thankfully I had Dr A here to make it a better experience than it could have been...

      There are no fish in our dam, but plenty of bullfrogs. Guess the birds had a feast :)

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  2. I think I have a small first aid kit around here somewhere, but not knowing where it sure wouldn't do much good. I need to find it, add to it and start keeping it handy.

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    1. tffnguy - I, too, have a better (town) medical kit, but it's still in storage... No time like the present to find that missing first aid kit. When you really need it is too late, as I discovered...

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  3. Without a doubt, your doctor friend was meant to be there! Thank goodness it all turned out okay.

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    1. Linda - The good Lord works in mysterious ways... :)

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  4. Dani - this was nothing more than a gentle reminder...and Dr. A being there was no coincidence...there are no such things! i know that you will have a fantastic first aid kit by tomorrow eve and i also know that this experience, like all experiences, has taught you much.

    to whom much is given, much is expected.

    today in Canada it is Remembrance Day, where we remember all of those who fought for our freedoms, and all of those serving for our freedoms. in the US, it is Veterans Day, where they remember all of their Veterans. regardless, i take this day to remember all veterans who fought for the freedoms that i, and so many others, can call their own; as well as all of those still serving. i am proud to have served my country for 10 yrs...i am proud of everyone who is, or has, served.

    i know that you will understand this jumbled up comment. you always do.

    your friend,
    kymber

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    1. kymber - I know there is no such thing as a coincidence under these circumstances :)

      I completely get what you said and just want to add that may God grant all those who perished, peace, those that were injured, healing, and all those who lost a loved one, comfort and understanding.

      Freedom - in whatever form - is precious, and should never be taken for granted. Hope you had a GREAT birthday, btw :)

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  5. What a story. Thank goodness your doctor was there to help Robert. That does indeed sound like divine intervention.

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    1. Joyful - Those are exactly the words I couldn't think of - Divine intervention. Completely!

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