Personal message

As a mom who has walked a very long journey with my survivor son, Josh, I encourage you all to support my swim across the Midmar dam this coming month by donating towards my fundraising page.

Funds raised will go directly to Rainbows and Smiles, who support cancer children.

Josh’s story: When Joshua was nine months old, I felt a strange lump in his abdomen. Ironically it was also Mother’s Day. It’s a day that will be etched into my memory for eternity. The day our whole world changed forever. 

Joshua was diagnosed with bi-lateral nephroblastoma (tumours in both kidneys). Almost immediately, he began chemotherapy, which continued for an entire year. At 18 months old, he went into renal and heart failure.  

Our little boy spent six long weeks on life support in ICU. During this time, I spent many evenings filled with anxiety, my nerves were constantly on edge, but we had to keep going – what choice did we have? My family and support system carried me through the dark days. “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”

Josh and I moved from Durban to Cape Town; the doctors removed his then non-functioning kidneys, and he was put on dialysis three times a week. We were separated from my 4-year-old son, Noah and their Dad, Sean. 

We were told he urgently needed a kidney transplant to save his life, and after seven months of dialysis, it was time. I felt like I hit the jackpot when we were both matches for Josh. Finally, I no longer felt helpless. I donated one of my kidneys to Josh when he was two and a half years old. After his recovery, we returned home with my kidney in his strong, healthy body. 

Josh had many infections, procedures and surgeries but was always triumphant. He even broke a record at the World Transplant Games for Athletics and won a Gold Medal and a Bronze for Swimming. 

However, we were informed that he had precancerous cells in his gut at nine years of age, and he started chemotherapy again. A strange virus caused his lungs to fill up with blood during this gruelling time, which saw us take a mercy flight back to Cape Town.

He was back in ICU with a chest drain in each lung. Everyone was so worried about Joshua. Throughout all this time, Josh continued to fight for his life.

Joshua then had a 7-hour operation, and he almost died on the operating table as he was bleeding so much. The doctors came out and prepared us for the worst. It would be a miracle if Joshua survived. We were advised to say goodbye. 

My kidney was no longer viable, we had to relocate to Johannesburg, and he was placed back onto dialysis for a year. He started having epileptic fits, and he was declining. 

As I watched my son getting weaker, his Dad called to tell us that the doctors had informed him that another kidney was available for Joshua. Finally, we saw the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Another mother had tragically lost her son in an accident, and in her grief, she gave our Josh life! I have subsequently met this incredible woman, and she told me all about her precious son Michael. Josh has had his kidney for six years now and is excellent. He is a true warrior and has the biggest heart I know. He is my hero.

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