14/04/2025
I was left speechless and filled with emotion at the most thoughtful early birthday gift inreceived from my very good friend, , musical director of the world famous Ndlovu Youth Choir.
Ralf secreted away my beloved stethoscope to his bead whisperer in Limpopo, gogo Sara Masango, responsible for all the Choir’s beadwork, for a stethoscope makeover…Ndlovu style!!! And what a beautiful job she did - like the Bible’s Joseph and his coat of many colours, my beautiful stethoscope is the now the envy of all his jealous brothers!!!
One of the most exciting days in a 4th year medical student’s life is the day he or she gets his stethoscope. We could not afford the more fancy Littmann Cardiology, and I am deeply ashamed to tell you that when I was gifted the cheaper alternative by my parents, I refused to even take it out the box.
My burgundy Littmann Classic II has since borne the stains of the blood from gunshot victims at Baragwanath Hospital’s Surgical “pit” and Joburg Gen’s area 163. It has clung to my neck in the corridors of Tygerberg and Sebokeng Hospitals. It has wandered the lonely corridors with me at 3 am in Bath’s Royal United Hospital in England and the Royal Gwent hospital in Wales. We have travelled a long road together.
It now rests in grateful retirement in my rooms - orthopaedic surgeons rarely use stethoscopes - and when I look at it I am reminded of the incredible sacrifices my parents made to put me through medical school and I wish I had expressed my gratitude to them properly at the time. As a parent myself now, I understand, and I work not for myself, but to help my kids have the best future possible.
Love you mom and dad ❤️
Ps - in case you are wondering, the number “4067” is my race number with which I have completed six Comrades Marathons 🥲
Thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
