Page 31 - The Villager August 2021

Today’s Child

32 weeks, he checked out of NICU nine and a second chance at life.
days later to ‘get on with it’. It’s a thing And that’s where our partnership with
he does. CHOC began.
My new best day of my life happens CHOC’s gift to us has been a gift to
to be 31 July 2019, when Seth received many. They have provided ongoing
his FINAL chemo - after 1089 days of platforms for us to raise funds and tell
treatment. That’s three years of ‘getting our story, which we hope has expanded
on with it’. Here we are... the much-needed awareness resulting in
We are honoured today as we kick- earlier diagnosis.
off our new, new normal, and tell our When not making mini playdough
story of how we got here, to the best meals, Seth proudly wore his doctor
day of our lives. playsuit for numerous days in the hospital
As a family, we have had to fight day, and on some days, five minutes at hallways and became known as Dr Seth,
through some bad days to earn this a time. nourished by simple hospital food and
day. And while we understand that not And that was good enough. love in abundance. We treated our child,
all families are as ‘lucky’ as we are, we The thing about being brave (to and not the disease.
believe that, by sharing our journey, we quote Melissa Tumino) is that it doesn’t We are so proud that, after everything
can indeed keep hope alive! come with the absence of fear and hurt. Seth has endured, he has stayed brave.
Nothing can prepare you for the Bravery is the ability to look fear and hurt I hope that one day, when he works
words “your child has cancer”. Nothing. in the face and say “move aside, you’re in through his story, he realises the
“You can cry,” they said, “but not here. my way.” Seth was brave. unwavering strength within him. I hope
Not where he can see you. Not where We first met CHOC at hotel Donny G, he sees the love that he created through
he can hear you. Your strength is in room 11A - the presidential suite. They the many people who supported him for
his strength, and his strength is his spoilt us with books, a beanie and much- hundreds of days. I hope he understands
healing.” needed hospital items. By day five, when the difference he has made and I hope
How do you explain cancer to a most of the shock had settled, and reality he continues to keep hope alive after
three year old? How do you explain set in – so did boredom. So I read the healing.
the needles, the tablets, the bottles book. Was this the best thing to do at the I came across a quote that was so raw
and bags, and spoons and spoons of time? Probably not, but it is what led me and so true – “Parenthood is about raising
medicine? The poking and prodding, to this very moment. I was embarrassed the child you have, not the child you thought
anaesthesia, plasters, bandages. The at how naïve I had been. How every you’d have. It’s about understanding that
blood going in. The blood going out. symptom was staring me in the face. His they’re exactly the person they’re meant to
More blood. The cuts and bruises. The aching bones, loss of appetite, frequent be. And if you’re lucky, they might just be
pain. Not for a day, not for a week, not infections. Because kids at school get the teacher who turns you into the person
for a month. How do you prepare a sick, right? And what three year old eats you’re supposed to be.”
little person whose biggest challenge what you give them? I am Melissa Kruger. I am a Mom, serial
should be exploring his colossal By the time Seth was diagnosed, there chocoholic, Lego enthusiast and believer
imagination, for what is to come over were no ifs or buts. His first 24 hours were of second chances.
the next 1089 days. critical. He was given morphine for the We are the Kruger’s and we chose
The truth is, we didn’t. We took one pain, a blood and platelet transfusion, hope.

To make a donation to CHOC
The Coronavirus has greatly increased the needs of higher risk of contracting the Coronavirus by virtue of
these families and there has been a significant increase their compromised immune systems.
in the demand for CHOC’s services. In addition, and of Consider becoming a regular donor through a debit order.
grave concern is the fact that children and teens who are If you would like to make a donation, please contact
undergoing treatment, and who have had cancer, are at Antonella Swanepoel at antonella.swanepoel@choc.org.za

The Villager • Issue 8 2021 • 29