Foundation gives elephantiasis sufferer hope

Martha Mkhondo from Kagiso in Krugersdorp has just one dream. “I want to be able to walk into a retail store and buy a pair of shoes. Nothing fancy, just something pretty that will look nice on my feet,” she says.

For many people this dream can be turned into reality easily but for Martha, who has been suffering from elephantiasis for the last thirteen years, it seemed she never would be able to do this again. That is until she met Sister Eva Makhoane, a private nurse and wound care practitioner who was volunteering at Leratong Hospital.

“I recognised Martha’s condition the moment I saw her and knew that there had to be help for her out there. It was just a matter of finding it,” emphasises Eva.

Help came in the form of the Netcare Foundation and Dr Dirk le Roux, a vascular surgeon at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital. Dr Le Roux and his multi-disciplinary team have extensive experience in treating lymphoedema and elephantiasis. With the assistance of the Netcare Foundation, the team is determined to make Martha’s dream a reality eventually.

“Martha’s quality of life has been compromised severely by her condition. She has lymphoedema in both her legs and can walk only with the aid of crutches,” Dr Le Roux explains.

Martha’s husband, Albert suffers from ulcers on his feet, so neither of them is able to work. Their only means of income is a disability grant to take care of themselves and their two children, Lehlohonolo (21) who is unemployed, and Tsholofelo (18). Tsholofelo, who is in Grade 11, looks after her parents with the help of neighbours.

Martha’s lack of mobility is exacerbated by the fact that one of her neighbours is a recycler by trade, so there is always broken glass in her yard. As her feet are simply too big and swollen for shoes of any size, Martha is confined to her small shack, not even able to walk outside her own house for fear of her feet getting pierced by shards of broken glass.

Martha was admitted to Netcare Sunninghill Hospitalin the end of August, where she currently is undergoing a series of physiotherapy interventions, which include manual lymph drainage, compression therapy and decongestive exercises.

“Her prognosis is very good. Over the past month we have seen amazing results in the shrinkage of both legs, thanks to Martha’s determination and the dedication and hard work of our team. We will continue with the intensive therapy for about two more months until she is ready for surgery, where we will remove excess tissue and skin and compress her leg into a standard confirmation,” Dr Le Roux explains.

Mande Toubkin, Netcare’s general manager of emergency, trauma, transplant and corporate social investment, says the Netcare Foundation, which is funding Martha’s hospital stay, is happy to play a role in her recovery.

“Netcare is all about caring for the communities we serve. We were touched by Martha’s circumstances and are humbled and delighted that we are able to assist her. Netcare Sunninghill Hospital and the health care providers who are treating Martha did not hesitate to offer the necessary support when her plight was brought to our attention.”

Although the vascular surgery will not be curative and Martha will have to undergo physical therapy for the rest of her life, the difference that it will make to her day-to-day life will be considerable.

“I look forward to being a mother to my children again and to be able to look after them instead of the other way around. And I’d love to be able to work again. I know it is a long road, but I am already seeing the end. No words will ever be able to express what this means to me and my family. I thank the Netcare Foundation, Dr Le Roux and his team as well as Netcare Sunninghill Hospital for everything they are doing. I know that one day I will be able to walk down the street in a proper pair of shoes with my head held high,” says Martha.