The fever has broken

Finally, yesterday the fever broke. On Wed, our little Erin was feeling a bit under the weather, starting to get a temperature, had a temp of 38.4 on Wed night, so we decided on Thursday not to send her to play school. She went to spend the morning with Granny Ally, as I was playing golf.

I was playing such an awesome game, and as I teed off on the 17th at Benoni lake, N phoned and said that Erin is very flat and the maybe I should take her to the Hosp. I left immediately, without finishing the game. 2 par 4's to go, if i had par'ed them i would have scorted 83, my best score ever... and picked her up. I took her to the Glynnwood casualty, fortunately working there, i didnt need to wait. her temp was 40.3. Whew that was high. We wrapped her in a luke warm towel, stripped down to just her nappy, bombed her full of meds, and hoped for the best.

Hour and a half later, the fever finally was broken, and we were able to take her home.

That night we fought with a resistant fever, up and down temps and a very very grumpy little girl.

friday she was still feverish and grumpy. Thank goodness sat it broke, and by today she was back to her normal playful and cute self

.

Erin

I havent really been placing pics of Erin on this, so here are some... Erin decided to play in my response car this week

Yesterday Nicole and Erin decided to make some cupcakes together.

(carrying Jemma, Erin's kitty cat)

showing mommy daddy's camera stuff

chatting away

Video of Erin counting

pure ecstasy

My very good friend and proposer into the Knights Templar, V, amongst his other work, tests high performance cars and does a write up in magazines.
Over the last year I have had the opportunity to join him whilst he test drives different cars, all sport and high performance. For example, 6 series BMW, S5 Audi, Audi R8, Ferrari 430, Porche 911... Etc.
Yesterday he asked me go round to his house to take photos of his new “ride”. I normally do his photo shoot for his articles.
So I arrive and find a red Ferrari 575 Maranello.

A cool R 4.3 million rand worth of pure ecstasy

.

V drove me to another friends house a few KM away, I did the shoot for him, and then he did the coolest thing. He tossed the keys at me and said I can drive back. I settled into the body hugging bucket seats, turned the key to hear an enormous roar. Flicked the paddle gear shift up to first gear and slowly exited the driveway onto the road. Pulled off with an almighty roar and before I knew it I was in third gear breaking for a stop street. I took it slow to V’s street, just enjoying the pleasure of driving this machine, and then as we got to his street, he said accelerate slowly to change to third. As I got to third gear, he said, “punch it” I did... FAN-FRIKKEN-TASTIC.

That power was awesome. I don’t know the technical details, but that power was something I had never experienced before. WOW. I stopped the car and had to sit and try calm down.

It even has its own brake calliper and custom made valve.

Knights Templar

“...and I Knight thee...arise, fellow knight...” and so came to the end of the most spectacular and greatest moment in my Masonic career.

Today I was knighted as a Knights Templar in the United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of The Temple and of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta of England and Wales.

The Knights Templar throughout history has been and probably always will be a fascinating order, with many misconceptions and fantasies of who and what the Knights Templar were. Through the ages Knights Templar were the warriors of Christ, the elite of the Crusades.
They were also the first to introduce a bank with a travellers cheque. In the Medieval times, a Nobleman ans Kings would go to the Knights Templar and deposit their gold and valuables. they would receive a note (travellers cheque) which would enable them to go to another K.T vault elsewhere in the world, and draw "money".

"They were the protectors of the not only the christian faith, but also the ark of the covenment, and some believe the holy Grail". Could be... maybe not..., sorry, cant reveal that!!!

It is a supreme side-degree of Freemasonry which, once a Master Freemason qualifies, he is entitled to join and become a Knight.
Now as the K.T is an order of Freemasonry, I cannot reveal what took place in the ceremony, what I can say that I was amazed at what I was taught and truly humbled at that moment when I was knighted. I have wanted to be a Knights Templar since I became a Freemason, and as i sit here typing this, I still can’t believe that I have become one so soon.

( breast Jewels that I received as a Knight)

Tribute to Vernon

Yet another Paramedic has gone, this time a bit further than the others.
Diagnosed in December with Cancer, and died today. 38 years old, survived by wife and young daughter.

And yesterday was the 2yr anniversary of my father-in-law's death, by the same dreaded disease.

Paramedic at Heaven

The medic stood and faced his God. Which must always come to pass?
He hoped his uniform was clean, He'd gotten dressed kinda fast.
"Step forward now, paramedic. How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?"
The medic squared his shoulders and said, "No Lord I guess I ain't, cause those of us who wade in blood, can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was tough. And at times I've been violent, cause the streets are awful rough.
But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep... although I worked alot of overtime, when the bills got far too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me, I wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place among the people here.
They never wanted me around, except to calm their fears. If you have a place for me, Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much, But if you don't I understand." There was silence all around the throne, where saints had often trod.
As there medic waited quietly for the judgment of his God. "Step forward now, paramedic. You've borne your burdens well. Walk peacefully on heavens streets. You've done your time in hell."

relaxing golf

Ater the very hectic shift, i decided to play golf today. Had a really great day, walking in the open hitting fabulous shots. My putter was a magic wand and short game fantastic. made a new record score of 88. Not bad considering ive only been playing for just under a year.
It cleared my mind from the emotional day I had had.

36 hours of hell

On Monday morning, I started a 36 hour shift. 24 Hour on Monday was my normal shift, 12 on Tues was Overtime. Now, normally these shifts are pretty decent. Being in the position I’m in, I don’t need to go out to all cases that occur in the area. We don’t have a dispatch centre and no callout criteria as the Emergency Services do. Market the hospital, liaise with the ambulance services and assist wherever possible. Sounds relaxing and easy? Should be and normally is, except this Monday Murphy decided to play with me. Monday started off decent, a few cases here and there, nothing to hectic. Then the sun went down... well! I was called for assistance at a motorbike accident. When I arrived the rider, early 20’s, was very critical (P1). As we started treating, his injuries, flail chest, amputation just to mention a few, was too great for him, and he “crashed”. Despite very aggressive resuscitation, he died on scene.
From there, raced out to the highway, where I found two cars had collided at high speed. Two P1’s entrapped in one car on one side of the highway, and two P1’s on the other side. With two ambulances on scene, and 4 very serious patients, I decided to call the heli. Fat chance... usual red tape and beaurocratic nonsense saw these patients going by road to hospital. So there I was cleaning VERY dirty equipment at the hospital, to be called out to yet another serious accident. I arrived there to find 5, yes, 5, P1 patients. Give me a break PLEASE... So after serious stress and hard work, this lot won themselves a ticket to theatre and ICU.

The next morning started out with two more MVA’s (Motor vehicle accidents) with P1 patients at those as well. If you start a morning like that you know that Murphy is without a question a wake and planning to “play” with you. Sure enough, I get called by plenty panicky people to go out to a motorbike accident. The patient (16 yrs old) ended up in the resus bay at hospital after colliding with a truck. Without revealing too much, we worked our asses off to stabilise him, to no avail, and ended up dying two hours later. Very emotional for all involved, and I commend all involved in the management of this young man, as we really worked hard.
So I thought that we were over. Say what... not so fast. Three P1 cardiac patients and a P1 poisoning to finish the day off. I was very glad to drop the car off and go home.

skywatch

check out the link. my photo in ballito has been featured. http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Golf weekend

I recently joined Glengarry Country Club, situated in the Drakensburg Gardens Golf and Leisure resort. I needed a golf handicap, and just wasn’t willing to pay + R 7 000 a year for the average course in JHB.

So I joined Glengarry, which is cheaper due to its location. We went there over the Easter weekend for the club champs. Booked into the hotel for the weekend, what a fantastic place.
Situated in the Underberg area (southern Drakensburg) 628 km from Johannesburg. The resort specifically caters for families and has all the amenities necessary. Playgrounds, tennis courts, squash courts, badminton, horse riding (trails into the mountains) hiking (naturally), trout fishing and of course, golf on a championship 18-hole course.
The course is amazing, nestled in the mountains, with quite a few elevated tee’s, in fact one tee (6th hole) you need to climb a bit so you can tee off a cliff down to the fairway.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself and came 1st in the B division and 5th overall.

Erin helping daddy cleaning clubs before holiday

view from our room

elevated 10th tee (dogleg to left)

Unfortunately due to me playing the whole weekend, i couldnt take many photo's.

The great exodus

This weekend our very close friends Greg and Taneth Cox and our beautiful god daughter Kelly emigrated to Australia.
Greg is an experienced and excellent Advanced Life Support Paramedic and Taneth a Radiographer. Yet another scarce skill leaving the country as our country has NO IDEA how to look after it skilled workers.
Greg and Taneth are the god parents of our Erin, and I know that we will all miss each other’s company so much.

Greg and I first became friends a few years ago. I was working at Netcare 911 in Durban, having recently relocated from JHB. Greg moved down from JHB as well, and ended up on my shift. As colleagues and friends we became close and then our friendship extended to his wife Taneth, whom he married only a month after the move. Our friendship continued with me moving to ER24 and then back to JHB. In fact, it has been one of the closest friendships I’ve ever had.
They came to JHB from Durban this last week to say goodbye and fly out, and Erin and Kelly really had a good time playing.
Kelly is four, a cute tiny little one, who is not much taller that Erin.

They are moving to a town about 1000 km from Brisbane, on the Great Barrier Reef, how cool is that.
We went to Australia in Jan 2006 for 2 ½ weeks, one of the best holidays I’ve ever had. I certainly wanted to move there after our visit.





Then we have the Kerfoots. Andy was a fireman at the time I was working at Benoni Fire. Many years later we ended up working together back in Benoni, him at ER24 and me at Glynnwood hospital. An excellent rescuer and fireman who is taking his family and talent to Perth. His oldest daughter, Keena, goes to the same playschool as Erin, and there youngest, cute little Gaby, is under a year old.

I want to tell you lies!

I WANT TO TELL YOU LIES"

I want to tell that little boy his Mom will be just fine
I want to tell that dad we got his daughter out in time
I want to tell that wife her husband will be home tonight
I don't want to tell it like it is.....
I want to tell them lies.

You didn't put their seat belts on, you feel you killed your kids
I want to say you didn't ... but in a way, you did.
You pound your fists into my chest, you're hurting so inside
I want to say you'll be ok......
I want to tell you lies.

You left chemicals within his reach and now it's in his eyes
I want to say your son will see, not tell you he'll be blind.
You ask me if he'll be OK, with pleading in your eyes
I want to say that yes he will.....
I want to tell you lies.

I can see you're crying as your life goes up in smoke.
If you'd maintained that smoke alarm, your children may have woke.
Don't grab my arm and ask me if your family is alive.
Don't make me tell you they're all dead........
I want to tell you lies.

I want to say she'll be ok, you didn't take her life
I hear you say you love her and you'd never hurt your wife.
You thought you didn't drink too much, you thought that you could
drive.
I don't want to say how wrong you were......
I want to tell you lies.

You only left her for a moment, it happens all the time.
How could she have fell from there? You thought she couldn't climb.
I want to say her neck's not broke, that she will be just fine.
I don't w ant to say she's paralyzed........
I want to tell you lies.

I want to tell this teen his buddies didn't die in vain
Because he thought that it'd be cool to try to beat that train.
I don't want to tell him this will haunt him all his life
I want to say that he'll forget........
I want to tell him lies.


You left the cabinet open and your daughter found the gun.
Now you want me to undo the damage that's been done.
You tell me she's your only child, you say she's only five.
I don't want to say she won't see six..........
I want to tell you lies.

He fell into the pool when you just went to grab the phone.
It was only for a second that you left him there alone.
If you'd let the damn phone ring perhaps your boy would be alive.
But I don't want to tell you that.........
I want to tell you lies.

The fact that you were speeding caused that car to overturn
And we couldn't get them out of there before the whole thing burned.
Did they suffer? Yes, they suffered, as they slowly burned alive
But I don't want to say those words........
I want to tell you lies.

But I have to tell it like it is, until my shift is through
And then the real lies begin, when I come home to you.
You ask me how my day was, and I say it was just fine
I hope you understand, sometimes............
I have to tell you lies.

Am I preaching?
Am I nagging?
I guess I am just telling it like it is.......
Or I could just tell you a lie.

And the next time you hear a siren in the distance, don't just say a
prayer for the victims and their families. Say a prayer for the people
that face these tragedies every day and do the best they can to save
someone that is loved. We never see the tears of these brave men and
women, but God does.

--Author Unknown

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dedicated to all the Police Officers, Firefighters, EMTs, Paramedics,
Emergency Flight Crews who deal with the tragedies of life and death. The saddest of all, being those thatcould have been prevented. Wear your seat belts. Keep poisons,flammables, fireworks, etc. out of reach of children. Never, ever
drive if you've been drinking. Never leave your toddler unattended.
Be responsible drivers, obey all traffic lights , speed limits,
Keep your guns locked and out of reach.

Golf day

I played golf today at Benoni Country club. What a wonderful course. Very well looked after, greens immaculate, except for the springbuck hoof marks on them.

(photo with cell phone)

There are a wide selection of different type of buck roaming free on the course, in fact there is not a single hole that you dont see a herd of them running around, or just standiing in the way. At no time do you see anyone on the course, thats how well spread out it is. Its a bit tough compared to the other courses in the area, but I played fairly well considering i had never played there before.

IM BACK

Well im back... Three weeks ago inbred local indigent scum broke into my house and stole, amongst other items, my computer, thereby restricting my ability to blog, facebook or pretty much all else related to computers. And in this day and age, thats everything.

I was working over my birthday... what a weekend!!!

A mom and dad were walking with there 9 month old baby across a parking lot and a learner driver turned around into the lot, down the wrong way, and took out the pram.

Baby was still alive, barely, when i arrived, unfortunately all efforts were fruitless...... She was a beautiful little girl.

Then the next case was a 4 x 4 that rolled, ejecting a lovely little 3 year old girl that was sitting on mom,s lap (who had a seatbelt on of course) out the windscreen.

Nicole was working at A1 grand prix, and i was picking up broken children. Dont want a repeat of this birthday again, without a question the worst one i have ever hadf.

On a good note, the next weekend we went to my folks for a braai. Erin was able to see granny and Grandpa (whom she hasn't seen since Christmas)

she had sooo much fun, and played her heart out.

(pics by Avril de Montille)

Above is Grandpa and Erin playing in her sandpit. I hosted my Masonic Lodge braai at our house this last Sunday. Our lodge has been doing these monthly braai's for 35 years, without missing a single one.

Mom and dad came as well, much to Erin's delight, so and made use of the time playing with "gampa".

Nicole brother and his girlfrien joind us with their son Joshua, who coincidently was born and the same day as Erin, only a year later.

Another week gone

Well, its been a week since I wrote here. Work is picking up. We have had a s;low time recently, not sure if people have been too scared to drive in all the rain or what, but during the very heavy downpours nothing much happened.

Must admit, im lucky to be driving a All-wheel drive vehicle at Glynnwood. i was driving up a steep hill in Edenvale coming back from an MBA (Motor Bike Accident) when the heavens opened. The rain was so hard it was like a river flowing down the road. A vehicle in front of me started sliding sideways trying to climb the hill, luckily for me the Subaru's wheels gripped and pulled me up the hill.

Luckily my golf lesson wasn't rained out on Friday. Had some more iron practice, then Rob assisted me with my fairway woods. By the time he was finished I was hitting a 3-wood + 220m STRAIGHT... oh man that was great. He really is a great coach, i can see why he made PGA pro of the year.

Erin vocab is really improving nicely. Recognising people and items and saying them without prompting. Saw a picture of her cousin Connor and said "Conny". Says "Elaine" perfectly when seeing pics of her Aunty Elaine.

We are going to Connor's birthday party tomorrow, she's excited about seeing her cousins again, she hasn't seen them since X-mas. Ditto for Granny Avril and Grandpa Peter, even though we live 70 km away, we haven't seen much of them.

Dad is in Hermmanus scattering Grandpa Roy's ashes, so he will miss her again. Pity... she loves her Grandpa so much.