Classmates welcome back Macayla
With Macayla's health improving, she is now allowed to attend crèche, but heightened vigilance is needed because of her weakened immune system.
After a nine-month absence from crèche, four-year-old Macayla Coetzee was delighted to be reunited with her friends at Little Minions Daycare on September 1.
The Brakpan girl is on the road to conquering cancer after undergoing a six-month course of chemotherapy. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoma leukaemia in December.
This type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow affects white blood cells and hinders the body’s ability to fight infection.
Macayla’s story was featured in the February 5 edition of the Herald and detailed her parents’ fears and financial hardships as they walked their child through an arduous health battle.
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Her treatment plan is a three-year programme and will continue until she is six years old. A port has been inserted in her chest and the first phase of her treatment, which was a month long, included bone marrow tests and chemotherapy.
Macayla’s mum, Tarryn Hurter, explained during the second phase of the treatment, which she recently completed, they were at the hospital five days a week. It has, however, all been worthwhile, as the cancer is being managed.
“She is basically in remission, although they don’t call it that. It is being maintained,” said an elated Tarryn.
“She still has to undergo treatment but now its only once a month. It will then start easing off even more. She has responded well and the doctors are very happy. They are all so supportive.”
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According to Tarryn, Macayla breezed through the treatment and other than hair loss, she did not suffer any adverse side-effects.
“I know a lot of children often get quite sick, but she wasn’t very ill. Macayla did very well. Before all of this, she was very quiet and withdrawn. I now have a completely new Macayla. She is bubbly, happy and very cheeky.”
Despite the positive outcome, the journey has taken an emotional and financial toll on the family, who live in a flat along Prince George Avenue.
The lives of Tarryn and Macayla’s father, Daniel Coetzee, revolved around their daughter’s treatment. Tarryn, who works at a local fishing supply store, was only able to work over weekends because of the daily hospital visits.
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Daniel, who works as a security guard, was getting home during the early morning hours only to leave shortly thereafter to drive to the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital where Macayla was receiving treatment.
Asked how the family has coped, Tarryn told the Herald there have been good and bad days. In May, they celebrated Macayla’s fourth birthday with a small party at home attended by family and friends, but a little less than three months later, the family was dealt a devastating blow with the death of Tarryn’s mum, Felicity, who lived with them and helped to look after Macayla.
“There have definitely been ups and downs,” said Tarryn.
“During all of this, our car broke down when we needed to get to and from Johannesburg. When my mum died we also did not have any funds to bury her,” she said.
“We were only able to get through all of this with the help of family, friends and the community. I cannot thank them enough for all the support.”
With Macayla’s health improving, she is now allowed to attend crèche, but heightened vigilance is needed because of her weakened immune system and especially as the country is still in the grip of the pandemic.
“We definitely have to be extra careful, but she is thrilled to be back at school,” said Tarryn.
“Belinda Coetzer from Little Minions Daycare is my knight in shining armour. I also want to thank my bosses at AB Fishing, Adel and Bokkie Meyer, and Riaan and Kim from Krap en Kry, Megaforce Motorcycle Club and Mandy from Dunlop.
“I also want to thank the whole community for supporting us.”
September is International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Gold September is an annual campaign worldwide to raise awareness of childhood cancer.
There are many advances in paediatric oncology, yet cancer remains a leading cause of mortality in children.
It is imperative that children are diagnosed early for effective treatment of early stage disease, which will translate into favourable outcomes and improved overall survival.
The Siluan warning signs for childhood cancer were adopted by the South African Children’s Cancer Study Group and the National Department of Health to promote early detection.
The community is encouraged to be a voice of hope this September and collaborate with healthcare workers, NPOs, and the Department of Health to spread the warning signs for early cancer diagnosis. This could possibly save the life of a child or teenager.
If you are concerned your child may have cancer, visit https://choc.org.za/choc-patient-referral-pathways/
