With the sands of time of her life rapidly running out, terminal cancer patient Joy Herbst had one final desire – to see the ocean.
That wish was fulfilled beyond her wildest dreams on Tuesday, thanks to her Empangeni caregivers, family and friends, and even compassionate lifeguards who witnessed the effort and lent a hand.
Joy, the mother of Marikie Kotze and Charel Marais, was diagnosed in October 2020 with thyroid cancer and a tumor at the brain stem.
Treatment was suspended earlier this year and Joy has been assisted with pain management by Mounties Emergency Medical Services personnel, who were instrumental in arranging the visit to Alkantstrand, including carrying her to the water’s edge in a chair.
‘Her wish was to see the beach, smell the sea and feel the waves on her feet one more time,’ said her son-in-law, Jakes Kotze.
While Joy was dipping her toes in the water, lifeguards Thulani Nzama and Darryn van Aswegen decided to add to the occasion by fetching a floating beach wheelchair (Mobi-chair) and carefully transferred her, then maneuvered the excited patient to shallow waves.
With sheer happiness lighting up her face, Joy was in no hurry to leave the water but eventually it was home time – but not the end of her special treat as Mounties treated the group to ice creams for the perfect end to a dream day.
‘We want to thank all the Mounties staff for making this trip possible, and the compassion of the lifeguards who made it all that more special,’ said Jakes.
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