Tomorrow is a big day! …We’ll be back with the news after doctor visit…

This is one of my top five favorite photos of the least desired sightings in Kruger National Park, the prolific impalas. 

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Note the triangular head of the praying mantis as Tom took this photo yesterday when Leslie and Andrew stopped by for a visit.  
Tomorrow morning at our 8:45 am appointment with Doc Theo. He will decide if I need more surgery or if we can continue with our plans. If the news is good, we can finally book the flights to Ireland and proceed with our travel plans, which will be in 18 days.

Nothing like “down to the wire.” When I recall how we always had bookings as far as two years out, I laugh at how we rarely book such distant venues in our journey any longer.
Sunset from AAmazing (correct spelling for this restaurant) River View Restaurant.

After this most recent medical situation, most likely we won’t be booking places to see, countries to visit, more than six months in advance, other than cruises which offer great deals for booking early.

After losing almost ZAR 281723 and US $20,000 in necessary cancelations due to my hospitalization and recovery, we don’t want to put ourselves in that position again. Also, we incurred thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Most likely, we won’t get reimbursed by the problematic insurance company.  

A face only a mother could love.

We currently have a highly experienced outside rep associated with the company working on resolving the issues with the insurance company. At this point, after everything we’ve done to attempt to fix it, we’re at a dead end. Either they pay, or they don’t. If they don’t, we can report them to insurance ombudspersons, but there’s no guarantee of reimbursement even if we do so.

Suing them is not an option. Located in the UK, the costs associated with a lawsuit against an insurance company would far exceed any monies we could be awarded. It’s the way it is.

Chris, Tom, and a black mamba at snake school.

I wish I could say we’ve learned a lesson. Duh, I don’t have medical issues while living outside the USA. There was never any indication that coronary bypass surgery and its complications would have an impact on me. I still shake my head and ask, “How did this happen?”

We also had no idea the insurance company would say I had a pre-existing heart condition when I wasn’t aware of my clogged arteries. At the time of the application, I disclosed that I take a low-dose medication for hypertension that has been entirely under control for 20 years. Hypertension itself is not a cause of arteriosclerosis.

View of the Crocodile River from Aamazing River View.

We would never have traveled the world if we’d known I had three coronary arteries 100% blocked. We would never even have conceived of the idea to travel the world if my health was so precarious. Who would unless they had a death wish?

Good grief, we climbed the treacherous Queen’s Bath in Kauai, Hawaii, walked the three hours uphill climb in the country of Jordan in 40C, 104F to see Petra?  We’d never have considered these events had we known I had such a dangerous heart condition.

A zebra was contemplating his next move.

These are all good points for a court case if it ever came to that, but we know it’s not possible to pursue this option due to lifestyle and the likelihood of an insufficient settlement.

A distant elephant from across the Crocodile River

Nor, we want the negativity of a lawsuit impacting our lives. It would so much defeat the very purpose of the life we’ve chosen to live per our motto in our logo, “Wafting Through our Worldwide Travels with ease, joy, and simplicity.”
There’s nothing easy, joyful, or simplistic about filing a lawsuit.

And so, dear readers, we continue with hope in our hearts that soon, in a matter of days, we’ll be moving on to continue this dream life that we are all the more grateful for these days.

Baby zebra frightened by all the commotion from the dazzle of zebras nearby.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter holiday. Be well.

Photo from one year ago today, April 22, 2018:

As mentioned in prior posts, the males are kicked out of the herd (parade) when teenagers. When we see large numbers, it’s unlikely any are males except for youngsters yet to reach maturity at 13, 14, or 15 years of age.  For more photos, please click here.

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