Roberta Writes – Thursday Doors: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town & Tanka Tuesday #Thursdaydoors #tankatuesday

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Mom, Michael and I flew to Cape Town on Thursday, 4 May. It is approximately a 2 hour flight and its the first time I’ve flow domestically since before Covid. I don’t dislike flying, I just prefer to make road trips and stop off in funny little downs and investigate them. The flight was fine and we arrived at 12pm as planned.

After settling into our hotel, we went to the V&A Waterfront which is the old Cape Town Harbour. It is still a working harbour but has been glamourized and has a large shopping mall, an aquarium, art galleries, the beautiful Victoria and Alfred Hotel, and lots of restaurants and watering holes.

These are a few of the pictures I took for Dan’s Thursday Doors:

A picture of the harbour with the restaurants and African Trading Port in the background (grey building with the white door and window frames). All of the boats have doors into their cabins.
Another picture of the harbour, but this one features Table Mountain in the background
A large crane in the harbour. The doors into the glass control centres are quite interesting
Close up of the door of the African Trading Port

You can join in Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2023/05/18/light-leftovers/

We flew home on Sunday, after a lovely day at the South African Festival of Children’s Literature in Somerset West. On Wednesday, Michael had a check up with the ENT who wasn’t happy with the state of his sinuses (red and inflamed) and ordered a whole lot of blood tests. Michael had blood taken on Thursday, an awful experience because the nurse couldn’t find a vein. Michael ended up sweating and pale and about to faint. That evening his blood pressure went up and stayed up. On Wednesday this week he was admitted into hospital with hypertension. He’s had a bunch of tests but they haven’t revealed the root cause of any of his problems and the hypertension has been put down to an over-reaction by his body to salt and anxiety (medically induced – how ironic and appropriate). We now need to change his diet to reduce salt drastically – yay! At least his heart, kidneys and liver are fine so I should be happy, it would be nice to have a root cause though. More tests will be coming up.

The poor boy’s arm looks like a pin cushion and is covered in huge bruises from where more blood was taken the the drip for the CT scan was put up. The radiologist couldn’t find a working vein for the drip so he had to have an angiogram done to find a suitable vein. What a morning we had yesterday.

I wrote these poems in the hospital for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday challenge which asked for a poem using a synonym of work and play.

Vein strike

Bloodless veins

Cause drip malfunction

Assignment

Incomplete

Angiogram divines vein

Drama is over

The Thief

Blood swooshes

Heart pumps frenziedly

Veins expand

And lengthen

As stealthy, silent killer

Steals vitality

You can join in Tanka Tuesday here: https://wordcraftpoetry.com/2023/05/16/tankatuesday-weekly-poetry-challenge-no-320-5-15-2023/

Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

Published

92 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Thursday Doors: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town & Tanka Tuesday #Thursdaydoors #tankatuesday”

  1. Poor Michael! I too have trouble with blood tests as no vien can be found. That alone gives me high blood pressure. I do hope they find the root cause. Cape Town looks like a nice place.

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  2. Surrounding Michael and all those who care for him and provide care for him with Angels! Experiences such as his are no fun for adults, let alone someone his age. The photos of your trip fill my head with excitement. It is as though I can hear everything, smell it, and feel it. Thank you. ❤

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    1. Hi Chris, yes, it was a lovely day. I knew I was close to you, but I was literally there for the event and had to leave early the next day. We are planning to visit CPT in January 2024 and I hope we can meet up then.

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  5. Lovely doors, Robbie. I’m sure you know the crane doors are my favorites. Being along the waterfront is always nice. I much prefer that to being on a beach. I’m very sorry to hear about the rough time Michael had. I hope they can find a reason and some way to bring this all under control. We will keep a good thought for him and keep him in our prayers.

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  8. Poor Michael. Robbie, I wonder if Michael is dehydrated? I have thyroid issues and have blood drawn all the time. I bruise terribly. I noticed if I drink those drinks with electrolyte solutions in them, it helps before giving blood. I also have asthma, (Michael does too, if I remember correctly) and those meds can mess with your blood pressure. I hope they get him on a better path to healing. Sending lots of hugs and love to you guys. 💖

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    1. Hi Colleen, the kidney doctor didn’t find anything wrong but the pulmonologist things it may be a lung problem so he needs more tests. Thankfully at home. He is covered in bruises from those tests. Next time, I’ll get him to drink more in advance of the tests. Thanks for that advice.

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  11. Oh, poor Michael! I totally relate as they often have difficulty finding my veins. I agree with you, it would be nice to know the root cause of the issue. Best wishes to you both. Love the Tankas!

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    1. Hi Jan, thank you. I am sorry you also have issues with veins. I am lucky and have large veins so I never have any problems. It is quite traumatic for the poor victim, haha, I mean patient, when they struggle.

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  12. I am so sorry about what Michael is going through. How absolutely awful. I think I understand the vein issue because my parents both have tiny veins, so mine are so tiny that I have to request a “butterfly” (used for babies) each time I get a blood draw. It is so frustrating though not to have medical answers. I imagine you are all feeling really really frustrated over it. Good idea to use the recent experience for your poem. And the photos are a wonderful window to the area.

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    1. Hi Luanne, they did use a butterfly needle the second time around but a lot of damage had already been done. Poetry is a nice way of venting and also remembering. I wrote a lot of Covid poetry at the time so that I would remember that time in the future. It already feels like a dream to me. Thanks for visiting.

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  14. Oh gosh. Too many bloody test, can seriously play havoc with veins. And so nurses -well – you know!.

    Great poem paints the picture well of the ordeal.

    I hope the find the root cause.

    Hugs and all the best.

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  16. Michael is a brave person going through all of that. I’m glad the health professionals figured out how to draw his blood. Wish they would have thought of that before all of that torture 😦

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  17. Poor Michael! It’s amazing how often doctors can’t find a cause for medical issues. I wonder if they relied less on tests, and more on observing and listening to the patient if they might make better diagnoses.
    But I hope he feels better soon. (K)

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    1. Hi Kerfe, I didn’t like this doctor. She didn’t listen to me when I told her Michael has a history of high BP and she didn’t bother to find out his history. Luckily, his normal doctor is going to also do some tests. It could also be a result of his having had Covid.

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      1. It’s hard to find a doctor who really pays attention these days. Here, it’s due to having to satisfy the insurance companies and make quick work of your patients so they can increase their profits.
        Covid does seem to have a lot of after-affects, unfortunately. Good luck!

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  18. Sorry to hear what Michael had gone through, Robbie! It must be a stressful experience for him. Has it happened to him before? I wonder if any doctors will eventually find out the cause of his hypertension. I suggest Michael would do self-monitoring and keep a journal or a simple spreadsheet. My former family doctor said I had a white-coat syndrome that caused my blood pressure to be higher when visiting the doctors.
    I’ve had an allergic reaction to some unknown medications since 2018. I was hospitalized in 2018 and 2019. I’m in the 7th week of a third episode. No doctors found out what caused it. My new dermatologist had a blood test on me and had a biopsy today. He may not find out the cause either.

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    1. HI Miriam, the current tests did not find anything but he needs to be tested for sleep apnea which can cause high BP. That is a distinct possibility given his history and I wish they had thought of that while we were in the hospital. It could also have been caused by Covid. My high BP is due to Covid. I am sorry you are also having issues. I hope the tests help find a cause. It is always a relief to know why.

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      1. I realize Covid causes many issues. Are there any solutions? Do you feel unusually tired compared to before Covid? My BP was triggered by an issue 25 years ago. It never comes back to normal. I hope Michael feels better and has his hypertension under control. I hope you have a solution to your BP. Hugs.

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  19. What a time you had Robbie it’s such a shame that your lovely trip was marred by the hospital trip that went ary. It’s such a shame that problems with taking Michaels blood were allowed to escalate to such an extent. (I have found this that techs, doctors and nurses will doggidly insist the can take the blood when the patients body is not playing ball! I have been there! )
    I do hope Michael is on the mend and that a cause and solution are found for his problem.
    Your poems are so honest and it probably helped you to feel better to get the words out and set out infront of you.
    Your photos of doors and the harbour were stunning and your trip sounds as if it was a success.
    I hope you are okay and that Michael is now on the mend 💜💜💜

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    1. HI Willow, Michael was discharged yesterday but we still don’t have a diagnosis. He needs more tests as his BP is still up but he is now taking tablets. The radiologist who did the angiogram said the nurses had ‘ruined’ Michael’s vein which is why they couldn’t be used. Lots of fun!

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      1. Robbie this is so difficult for you all and painful, physically and mentally.
        I have to ask every time you children’s cannulas or at least the smallest they have as my veins are small…
        They never listen. … I hope Michael improves at home
        Do you think maybe they just messed him about so much his body went into shock 💜💜💜💜

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  21. Hi Robbie, I’m not sure how to sum up this post…a slice of life I suppose.
    The trip sounds fun. Thank you for sharing pictures of your visit.
    Michael’s experience sounds terribly painful and tiresome. Praying he recovers soon and hoping the doctor’s find out what triggered the hypertension. The poor boy must be exhausted.
    Your poems are touching. I’m glad you could pour out your stress in verses. Well done!

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    1. HI Traci, Michael is home and there are no issues with his heart, liver or kidneys. They think the high blood pressure is to do with sleep apnea because he can’t breath properly at night due to sinus issues and asthma. More tests coming but at least from home. Thank you for your kind message.

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      1. I have both the high blood pressure and the sleep apnea also the sinus issues and asthma. I have to go in for a breathing test in July to see if I need meds. I already take meds for asthma and my sinus but this might be for my breathing. Glad the tests will be closer to home. That’s a comfort although I know no tests are fun. You’re welcome. Hugs.

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  23. Hoping answers can be found quickly as well as healing!
    It isnt’ fun when the answers keep hiding, sometimes in plain sight.

    Not sure if I mentioned that I finally got the ‘blood bill’ straightened out. I’ll be getting more bloodwork in June… then maybe in December – Just to be sure all is clear the Doc says.

    Lovely windows and doors. We took a walk in a small local town (we also stopped for an alfresco lunch)… last week. I did stop in some shops. But I didn’t buy anything – Still trying to empty out.
    I’ve found a place that will take some of the teachy things I used to save for my DIL. But she changed jobs and doesn’t need them anymore.

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    1. HI Jules, I am so happy you managed to sort the blood bill out. That is great news. I hope everything comes back clear, being prodded around by nurses and doctors isn’t much fun. I also don’t buy to much stuff. I only buy certain books and, of course, dolls which I collect.

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      1. I have too many collections… but I am trying not to add to them, as well as gift or give away those things which really hold no value to me anymore.

        Even with all the ‘decluttering’ I still have about a dozen book cases mostly filled with books!

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  24. Hi Robbie,
    I love your photos and doors, and it looks like a wonderful time. But what a nightmare for Michael. I’ve had vein issues too where they put the IV in my hand. Ouch, to say the least. So I sympathize with him and hope he’s on the mend soon. Your poems are powerful. Hugs

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  26. My goodness, Robbie, what a journey. On one hand, it was awe-inspiringly beautiful, but on the other Michael’s medical challenges. I’m hoping he’s feeling better now and also hope the doctors have identified the core issue. What a scare! 🤗

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  28. OMG! However, it sounds like Michael is okay.
    The only thing I get from your Tankas is your deep love for Michael.

    I’m with you. I adore stopping at little towns/places along the way.
    One gets tastes of life.

    The Cape Town harbour loos fab!
    Thank you!

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    1. Hi Resa, Michael is home and attending school. There will be more tests but he must write his exams first. We are managing with the tablets in the meantime. I love road trips and am looking forward to our July trip to see the hippos and marsh birds in St Lucia.

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  29. Sorry about Michael’s health… At least he’s out of the hospital…
    Cape Town now? You could have paid a visit to my cousin John. He was born in Nairobi, but spent most of his life in CT.
    And I was sorry to hear about your mother getting frailer. At least she made the trip. 👍🏻
    Best wishes to all.
    💕

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    1. Thank you, Michael will have some more tests in late June when he is on holiday. He has exams coming up and we must just manage for a while. Cape Town is a marvelous city. I would like to move their in 2 years time. The climate will be much better for Michael too.

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      1. Well, well, sounds like something to look forward to. I once asked my cousin why he stayed in Africa? (Half his kids are in England). He just sent me a photo of Table Mountain and said: “For that and Beauty”…) Perfectly understandable.
        (May I invite you to see a film I just posted on my “African childhood”?) (I don’t normally “advertise” my posts on others’ blogs but I think you might relate…)
        Totsiens

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  30. What a nightmare, Robbie! You mentioned Michael being in hospital, but the whole thing was quite a trial, and I understand that it must be particularly frustrating when after all those tests and going through all that, there is nothing specific to explain the Hypertension. I hope things go back to normal and the next lot of tests are easier on you all. Great pictures and poems, though. Take care and give my regards to all the family.

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  31. Michael had blood taken on Thursday, an awful experience because the nurse couldn’t find a vein. Michael ended up sweating and pale and about to faint.

    Ommigosh, Robbie, I’m so sorry to hear about this… have there been any further updates, or are you guys still waiting on further testing…?

    Much love,
    David

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