Sheila’s Tonsils

I’m on the phone to Mother Mary (97)

Tonight’s saga is about youngest of three, Sheila’s tonsillectomy.

All you kids had your tonsils removed when you were three. Sister Bester (Sparrow’s mom) was in charge at the Harrismith Hospital. She was known for saying, when about to plunge a needle into you: “Ek gaan jou nou seermaak” and she wasn’t kidding – her injections hurt.

After the op, we were back in the ward when Sr Bester came in, peered at Sheila, then whipped her out of the cot and hurried her back to theatre. I grabbed Sr Bester’s hand and went with her. At the theatre door I said, “I’m going to wait right here!”

She needed a transfusion. Dad was called out of his bed to donate blood (we’re all ‘O’ – the whole lot of us) . Afterwards, all was fine.

Barbara had to go back to Dr Frank Reitz’s rooms after her op. But Sheila’s was the most dramatic. You were the only one who didn’t bleed after the op.

Well, Ma, I always was the best behaved, right? Um, … non-commital laugh.

Mom herself had only had her tonsils removed at about 23, just before or after her wedding. Not fun.

~o0o~