It has been a very busy end of the year as far as medical procedures goes, with many of our children going for big operations.
Christiano Luiters had to have a tracheostomy done when he was very little because his jaw was not correctly aligned resulting in him being unable to breathe probably. He has had small operations to slowly try and regain the correct alignment but on the 27th of July he had a major operation to reconstruct his jaw. This was done during smile week at The Red Cross Children’s Hospital. He was in hospital for just under a month after having one big operation and then having to go back to theatre two more times to correct the screws. He finally went back home on the 25th of August. He was such a brave little man. They are hoping that this operation will mean that they can remove his tracheostomy tube soon. His mom says that they are very happy that the big operation is finally over. She also said that the Smile Foundation, together with the Red Cross Hospital staff and Sabrina Love made every part of their journey much easier for them and she will always be grateful to them for their support, encouragement and love. Read more…
Chouwaine Le Port who has a diagnosis of Proteus Disease had to have his foot amputated in October. His operation was done at Maitland Cottage hospital. They are still waiting to hear what prosthetic limb he will be getting and will only be discharge in December.
Lesley Ann Martins had a huge heart operation on the 2nd of November. Her family were very concerned at one stage when the Doctors were struggling to regulate her blood pressure, but she is a strong determined little girl and has been moved from ICU to the general ward. She will also be discharged in December.
Little Mivuyo Tyanase who is only 5 months old does not have a definite diagnosis yet. He is unable to move his arms or legs. He was also born with bilateral club feet. He went for corrective surgery at Maitland cottage and spent a month in hospital. He has little casts on both his legs and is due to go back to Maitland Cottage in December.
Ayesha Majavie went for a big operation to try and prevent further damage to her kidneys and bladder. She recovered faster than the Dr’s expected and was home within a week- that’s our Ayesha’s fighting spirit!
Jayline Ockhuis and Azole Zweni both had corrective surgery for club foot.
Little Endinako Swani had her first corrective surgery for a cleft palate, which was also done during the smile week.
All of our little one have been so brave and have recovered so well.