Whatshot
Property Talk
Property Talk
Grateful to be alive
Have you had a curveball thrown at you just when you thought things were moving ahead As much as we plan for a predetermined outcome in the activities of life there is so much we simply cannot control.
This happened to me recently when within hours I went from perfectly healthy to ICU at our local Netcare Alberlito hospital. Thankfully to super smart local family Wellness Practice of Dr Ryall Hamlyn, Dr Peter Iyavoo and Dr Rene Colborne they correctly diagnosed me and admitted me to the ICU immediately.
Seven days, and two operations later I was discharged, grateful to be alive and that my specific condition was far from the life-threatening scenarios many of the patients in ICU were diagnosed with.
The surgeons that attended to me are geniuses - Dr Leon Naidoo and Dr Sherwin Ramghulam, and we are blessed to have access to this level of care. I am also grateful to amazing anaesthetist Dr Ameesha Kuarpersad and the most inspired Physio in the world, Megan Naidoo.
What I did realize during my ICU adventure is that the real heroes are the nursing staff. These are angels. I was humbled by their care and professional approach in the most difficult of working environments.
Because ICU represents 24-hour monitoring with patients connected to drips and vital signs monitors it is not a quiet, peaceful place. It's an intense place. It's a life and death place.
Some patients are calm and dignified, while others are extremely rude and obnoxious, to the point of needing to be physically restrained. Tears would roll down my cheeks as I witnessed these angles at work.
My years of medical aid contributions suddenly seemed irrelevant and good value in the face of the enormous cost of this level of medical care. I have clients that are in the hospital development business as well as the medical waste disposal business - two excellent businesses and I fully understand why.
Contemplating life while on my back in ICU, I considered the great privilege my chosen industry, as estate agents, has in serving clients in acquiring their family homes.
Homes are places of love, growth, memories, safety and learning. Homes are made as unique as each of their owners. It is no wonder decisions on investing in a home are made on feelings and perceptions and the hope for all those beautiful and inspiring attributes.
My advice to those contemplating a purchase is to stop analyzing and simply go for it. You only have so many windows of opportunity presented to you in the precious time allocated on this planet. Invest fully in your home. Over-capitalize if you want to.
Build that extra decking and entertainment area you have always wanted. Add that magical pool. Install that amazing kitchen with shiny new appliances. Invest in professional landscaping to transform your garden into a sanctuary.
Lavish your family with the best possible fixtures and fittings you can afford. Maintain your home with great care and love because it can generate continuous streams of joy. Best of all, we have the opportunity to assist you in securing your home and being part of the story. So grateful.