Ups and Downs

Life certainly has a way of keeping us all grounded. When you are enjoying too much of the up, it’s like a large swooping hand comes along and knocks you down and you land up with dirt in the eyes, sweat on the forehead and flattened to the ground.

I think having children is possibly the first adult encounter of the “being-properly-grounded”. I became a teacher and somehow this allows one to believe that one has all the answers on raising children. Did I come down to ground very swiftly when our first bundle was born? So fast! I came face-to-face with every “I will not…” judgey, judgey comment I ever made. The baby slept on me, she called most of the shots, and life revolved around our colicky screamer. When baby two arrived we were certain he had a problem. Hardly cried. And then baby three was in the room furthest from the mother so she slept through so very quickly… But, they have all had their turns in keeping us real.

So, this week we have had one of those moments. We have loved bringing nature to you. But, nature has her dark side too and no matter how careful we are, there will always be risks.

Lockdown day 18 was more eventful than we let on. We decided to do an afternoon walk. Just the folks, Murray and I. Of course, 5 dogs were in tow and we headed out on a wonderfully warm afternoon past Cowslip Falls Dam and along the MTB track which meanders above the Grotto. I was ahead but then we switched because I wanted to get a photo of them descending the ridge with the Cavern buildings in the background. Mother was striding ahead and suddenly she screamed and stumbled; “I’ve been bitten. A puff-adder”. My heart just sank. Our poor Gogo! No! Not in this bloody lockdown!

Lesson 1 in trying to run a hotel is to always keep a calm head. And, actually, this also comes from having a very resilient mother who remains super calm in every chaotic and stressful situation. I immediately called Stephen, our local paramedic. I know too how important it is for someone else to make calls when someone close is at risk. Stephen said he’d organise how and where and we were to get her off the mountain very slowly. He did not want her walking at all.

It was a large adder. Fangs went through her jeans and into her leg. The intrusions were a few centimetres apart – certainly not a small snake!! It bled a bit but she said she wasn’t in pain. I called our lockdown team and everyone came to help. We carried her to Cowslip on the metal stretcher and then moved her from there, by car, to the solar field. Stephen had arrived and had arranged for her to be airlifted to Bethlehem. Covid-19 meant that the Free State would be better and to avoid road blocks and delays the chopper was best.

It was exciting to see the chopper come in – lucky the lovely lady pilot grew up in Ladysmith so knew our area. Gogo was placed on a drip and given oxygen. She remained insanely calm. Seeing her depart was horrible. She would be all alone, two hours from us, and would not be allowed visitors.
In times of great joy, we celebrate and drink tea. In times of worry, we gather and drink tea. As she headed off we all descended to the home and made a tea party. Our cups were hardly cold when she messaged to say she’d landed.

Antivenin had been arranged but she seemed to be in little pain and the swelling was not drastic so the doctors wondered if it had been a dry-bite? But, overnight the swelling began. She’d definitely been affected. Now she has a bit more swelling and some discolouration but we do believe she has been quite fortunate.

We are grateful for the incredible support from Stephen, the medics, the chopper pilot, our lockdown team and our greater valley community who have shown such support and compassion. The teens have kept Khulu busy and although he’s not sure about folding sheets, doing washing or ironing, he too will be okay.

2020 has certainly sent us a few levellers. We just hope we can continue to rise up and meet these challenges!

Head up. Forward march!

24 thoughts on “Ups and Downs”

  1. If ever I read a seemingly well rehearsed, methodical and measured resus and rescue, it was this one! All credit to calm quick thinking and of course to Rhona for her bold resilience. Her recovery will certainly be due to your quick thinking and team work. Well done to you all❤️ Rhona is certainly in the best hands. Thinking of you all and hoping all goes from strength to strength. Rhona is one tough cookie- she is too precious and the mountain knows that

    1. Megan Carte Bedingham

      So many wonderful helping hands. And, mum is back home which is wonderful.
      Thanks so much for all the concern & support, Chantal.
      Much love from us all, xxx

  2. Our thoughts and prayers with you. Hope that your Mom will be back home soon. Wonderful that you were able to get her to hospital so quickly and that she is in good hands. Sending love and hugs to you all

    1. Megan Carte Bedingham

      Dearest Bron
      Thank you so much. She seems to have been very fortunate and is being released from hospital today. So very pleased that she will be back home.
      Much love to you all. Keep safe.
      xxx

  3. the best blogger strikes again.. with honesty, strength and amazing story telling. We are sending so much love to Rhona and you all . There are certainly some major ups and downs in those mountains

    1. Megan Carte Bedingham

      Kindest lady in Edinburgh! Ups and downs but always the most wonderful support so we will soldier on!

  4. It seems silly to.keep repeating the same thing but … Thank goodness you got her off the mountain and into capable hands so fast. Wishing all of you strength and speedy healing. Our thoughts are with you all.

  5. Praise the Lord that Gogo is ok and that she will fully recover to join you soon. Yes life has ways to show man we are not in control. Wishing your whole family well and hope to see you soon. from Bloemfontein

  6. What a terrifying experience for you all. Thank goodness for your quick actions. Sending you all love.

    1. Megan Carte Bedingham

      Many thanks, Maureen. Always a bit scary but wonderful to have so much support.
      Love to you too! Hope all is well! x

  7. I hope Gogo will be on her way to a speedy recovery, not a nice thing to happen at all.
    Thank goodness for the wonderful paramedics.
    Keep well and all of you keep safe

    Best wishes ❣️

    1. Megan Carte Bedingham

      Thanks Janet. She’s in very good hands and seems to be making a good recovery so far.
      Our best wishes to you too.

  8. Oh my golly. That must have all been a tad scary. Please send her and everyone our love. Not a nice time to be in hospital but she is in good hands. Prayers and thoughts with you all.

    1. Megan Carte Bedingham

      Thanks Keren. Thankfully the hospital is still pretty quiet and she does seem to be getting excellent care. We are so looking forward to having her home!

  9. Much love to Jean , Anthony & family..And we have sent out a request to the Prayer Warriors etc for Goga Rhoda. Craig ( Merrylle Briginshaw’s brother ), Esme & family. St. John’s United.

    1. Megan Carte Bedingham

      Many thanks, Craig. I did get a message through our cousin. It is much appreciated. The virtual support and prayers have been extraordinary. Thank you.

    1. Megan Carte Bedingham

      Thank you Anneke. It was all rather unbelieveable but our mum is an incredibly level and calm person. Just quietly took each moment in her stride. No fussing. A real example to us all.

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