From wheelchair to high heels – a story of courage and healing

Fifteen years ago she could have died, become paralysed or had her right leg amputated. Her story is one of prayer, resilience and survival.

Sikhulile Mtsetfwa (44) of Birch Acres launched her book Surviving the Unthinkable, from Wheelchair to High Heels at Kempton Park Golf Club on May 5.

It was not just a book launch but also a thanksgiving to God for seeing her through her recovery journey.

Surviving the Unthinkable tells the story of how Mtsetfwa’s life changed one fateful February evening in 2003 on the R21. After becoming a victim of a hit and run on the highway, almost losing her leg and landing in a wheelchair, Mtsetfwa faced four more medical horrors before she fully recovered.

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The road to full recovery and being able to wear high heels again took almost 10 years. Today she can walk and, despite a botched surgery that affected her womb, Mtsetfwa has a 10-year-old daughter.

This is an excerpt from the synopsis of her book:

“I am grateful to God for saving my life and I live to tell the tale. On one February evening in 2003, my sister had a puncture at around 7pm on her way home using the R21 North after dropping me off at home in Kempton Park.

“She called my husband, Sibusiso and I for help, seeing it was just along the Olifantsfontein off-ramp. We arrived at the scene and parked our car behind hers.

“As Sibusiso was changing the tyre, we heard some noises from the bushes close by and looked at each other wondering. My sister then jokingly asked ‘What if it’s a snake?’.

“I am scared of snakes and I retaliated with ‘What if it’s a frog?’ because she doesn’t like frogs and we just laughed it off. While we were joking about it, four guys came out of the bush with balaclavas pointing guns at us and the only thought that came to both our minds was to run.”

Mtsetfwa and her sister held hands and ran across the highway towards the nearest filling station to seek help.

“When we reached the middle lane, we saw a car in the lane we had just crossed, so we continued to run, but the driver changed lanes. In an instant, I was flown into the air and landed on my back off the road and the driver drove off.”

While Mtsetfwa lay bleeding, her husband on the other side of the road was unaware of what had happened to her as the robbers took valuables from him at gunpoint.

Eventually, he made his way to the horrific scene.

“The paramedics got lost and when provincial paramedics arrived, they didn’t have enough equipment to put me together, not even a drip.

“They also said even if they took me to hospital, I would not make it due to blood loss and the extent of the injuries. They left.”

“I could see my life fading away and told my husband it was time to give up. I asked them to pray and release me, but my sister shouted and said ‘You will not leave me’. My husband said, ‘My mother is dying and you want to leave me too? Please hold on, help is coming’.”

Paramedics arrived and she was airlifted to Sunninghill Hospital.

“I was conscious the entire time, even after being sedated several times.”

On arrival at the hospital, casualty staff suggested a right leg amputation. Her other injuries included an open book pelvis, fractured fibs on both legs, a broken right hip, ruptured genitals and a ruptured bladder.

“I needed 21 units of blood and doctors debated the amputation. I had various pins fitted to my broken bones and also had urine and colostomy bags. I was in an induced coma for three weeks.”

Doctors told Mtsetfwa’s family she had a 60-40 per cent chance of survival and she might not be able to walk properly again.

“I was in hospital for six months, including rehabilitation, and used a wheelchair for another six months. I thank God for the wisdom he gave the doctor to conduct procedures that ultimately saved my leg.”

While in hospital, Mtsetfwa’s mother-in-law was diagnosed with cervical cancer. “It was tough for my husband because the two most important women in his life were both fighting for their lives. Unfortunately, my husband’s mother died.”

In the same year, the 44-year old was admitted for a reversal colostomy. During the operation, doctors discovered bands of scar tissue attached to her organs and appendicitis. The minor operation ended up being a major one that resulted in admission to ICU for another two weeks.

Mtsetfwa stayed in hospital for six weeks. It seemed things weren’t getting better and it was one horror after the next.

In early 2006, the mother and wife felt cramps in her stomach each time she bent down. She visited her surgeon who suggested a CAT scan. A hernia was discovered and an operation was scheduled.

This, she said, was the most painful operation she had ever endured.

Her fifth medical horror was on August 9, 2011, her 14th wedding anniversary.

Feeling discomfort and severe pain, Mtsetfwa made an emergency visit to her doctor. CT scan results showed the screw holding her right hip together had loosened.

She was given medication to build up cartilage around the screws.

Mtsetfwa was very upset and questioned God, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

“I said to them, guys, you have done wonders before in my life, what can stop you from doing the same this time. I beg of you to reveal to me what I must do to receive permanent healing.”

“On my way home, I once again spoke to the Trinity and reminded them that I committed to doing whatever they want me to do for me to receive permanent healing. I made a covenant with the three friends of mine.”

On the day of her check-up, Mtsetfwa was informed that an infection had developed around her pins and was given two options to treat the problem, to go under the knife or through medication, which would take longer.

She opted for medication and from that day onwards she began praying and meditating on various healing Bible scriptures. She asked friends and family to agree with her in prayer and also approached her pastors to pray for her.

She had an appointment with her doctor on September 27, 2011, who would decide whether she needed to be operated on.

After the check-up, she found her doctor in a state of shock.

“He asked me whether I pray and I said yes, he asked whether I believe and I said yes I do. He said what he was seeing from the results was unbelievable. He looked at me and said, your God has healed you and I am not going to operate.

Cartilage was forming around the screws and the infection was gone.

Mtsetfwa said the scars on her stomach and legs are testament to God’s power.

“On more than five occasions I could have died but God spared me. That was the most painful and challenging 10 years of my life, my patience was really tested.

“During that experience, I had to decide among three statements: God was not powerful enough to stop what happened, God was powerful enough but simply didn’t care enough to stop what happened, or God is powerful enough and had the ability to stop it but allowed it for a greater purpose and that is my belief.”

Mtsetfwa said her healing involved having to forgive the driver who didn’t stop after hitting her, and also the gynaecologist who nearly cost her her life.

“Every morning I wake up with a grateful heart that I am alive and I have both my legs.”

Mtsetfwa’s book can be ordered by sending an email to events@shecareswf.org or khulsm@emfmconsulting.co.za or by calling 060 455 0206.