Tim

[Guest guest]

Hi Tim!

Welcome to the group!

What a great coincidence – I only just saw your post ! I’m also originally

from South Africa, I grew up on the South Coast (Southbroom – near the wild

coast casino in the Transkei?) and studied and lived in Durban for 5 years

before emigrating. I now live in Mauritus with my husband who is

French-Mauritian. I’m 26 years old and have RA. A lot of my family is

still in SA but most my siblings have joined the “chicken run” and left for

the UK LOL!. I moved because my husband would be miserable anywhere else

than Mauritus but still think SA is one of the best places on earth, the

quality of live is pretty amazing compared to many other places (not perfect

but then again where is).

I just love Cape Town! I was there last December on holiday – Bliss! Where

about in Cape Town do you stay? My in laws own a house in Hout Bay and are

planning to spend a few months a year there at retirement, they think it’s

paradise.

There are some really excellent specialists in Cape town but unfortunately

as you say if you don’t have medical aid you might not have access to them

as private care can be relatively expensive.

I know that Tygerberg Hospital is supposed to be very good, isn’t it a state

hospital?

There are a lot of foreigners from Europe combining holiday and medical

treatment travel to South Africa now as the specialists are very good and

the costs are so much lower than overseas (especially plastic surgery and

fertility treatment - which is probably not your priority right now LOL!).

My in-laws refuse to have any major medical treatment in Mauritius and have

all their specialists in SA, they are there at least once a year and think

the standard of treatment is brilliant (previously they had the same

arrangement in Europe, but they’ve found they get as good – if not better

treatment in SA, and it’s closer to home).

I’m sorry that you are having pain in your shoulders. You didn’t mention

what your shoulder pain is caused by? Do you have RA? Have you been to see

a Rheumatologist?

Exercise is a good thing but be gentle – swimming is the best! I hope you

have a pool nearby as I can’t imagine swimming in the sea in Cape town! I

put my toe in last time and got cramps – it’s so cold! LOL! It might numb

the pain if it doesn’t turn you into an ice block first.

Gosh this is getting long, I’d better end off. It was a nice surprise to

“meet” a fellow South African here.

I look forward to getting to know you.

Take care,

Heidi

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