Rich and his 4 inch incision

In case you have not heard....Richard went into Kingsbury Hospital in Cape Town on Wednesday because he had been increasing sicker for two days. He had an emergency appendectomy. It left him with a 4 inch incision over his appendix area and a lot of pain. I have talked to him twice and he was in good spirits and anxious to get well. Sister Egan the Mission mother was very complimentary of Rich and said he was a great Elder. She had been very upset that she was not in Cape Town when it happened because they were doing Zone conferences in PE and East London. South Africa is so big it makes it impossible to get back quick. Thank heavens for mission couples who are there to look after those missionaries too. Elder and Sister Paine took him to the hospital and kept checking in on him.
He should be at the mission home now and resting there for a few days. Which makes me feel better because at least I know he will be fed. Although from what he said I don't think he is too hungry.
Hospitals in South Africa are really good and he got excellent care. (We can be glad this didn't happen in Mozambique or Zambia...The Regional Church doctor said that would not have been good) It was an interesting experience calling the hospital because you never knew what language was going to be thrown at you. IF you spoke English though they quickly found someone to talk English back to you with that great S.African accent. I actually work with a sister from South Africa in my Stake job and she happens to be a nurse...So in a funny way it was kind of comforting to hear that accent. But it gave me a taste for what Rich experiences every day sorting through languages and accents.
So anyway...any emails and card would be greatly appreciated by him I know.
his address is
Cape Town South Africa
PO Box 217 Howard Place
7450 Pinelands
Repubic of South Africa