Young cancer patient gets surprise of a lifetime
The wound on his leg was infested with maggots and he weighed only 15 kilograms when he was admitted to hospital.
MBOMBELA – “Can you drive a race car with an artificial leg?” joked the brave young cancer patient after a surprise visit in hospital from a special guest on Youth Day.
At the tender age of 14 Bongani Kubhayi had his leg amputated as a result of aggressive bone cancer. He weighed 15 kilograms after his surgery in March and his wound was apparently infested with maggots when he was admitted to Mediclinic Nelspruit in May.
However, his world was about to be brightened by the news he would receive during this heartfelt meeting.
“I used to love playing soccer with my friends, but now I will have to find something else to love,” he said when asked about his hobbies. Despite his condition, he still maintains an admirable and positive attitude.
In June last year, Bongani started complaining about pain in his leg. He was referred to Steve Biko Hospital in Pretoria where doctors ordered that his leg to be amputated. His parents refused this fate and the family returned to their home in Zinti in Nkomazi.
Nine months later, in March this year, he had to have his right leg amputated at Steve Biko.His circumstances during this period are unknown but he was admitted to Mediclinic on May 26. The doctors said his wound was infested with maggots. He has been in hospital for almost a month and he hasn’t seen his siblings since March.
“It is too far for them to come and visit me here,” he said.Bongani now weighs 30 kilograms and he is receiving chemotherapy.
“I feel good now. I know I am getting an artificial leg… and at least I can sleep now. After the surgery, it was too painful and I could only sleep on the one side. Now it is much better.”
On Tuesday, while the rest of the country was celebrating the youth, the boy received a surprise visit from Clinton Laurens, sales executive of Jaguar Nelspruit.
“I hope you like cars, because we want you to be the guest of honour at our Cats Day,” an emotional Clinton said.
“We are going to pick you up at the hospital in the F-Type Jaguar, which is the same car they use in the James Bond films, and treat you to a day with all the Jaguar owners, and a yummy breakfast at Casterbridge. How does that sound?”
The boy was also on the brink of tears, even if he didn’t know what a Jaguar or who James Bond was. “Thank you… thank you.” He also received a gift bag from Clinton.
“Can you drive a sports car with an artificial leg?” the boy asked during the farewells.
“Of course! Get better and come see me,” was Clinton’s reply. Jaguar management plan to host the day on Saturday, July 11. New and classic Jaguar owners are invited to attend the event. The convoy will depart from Jaguar’s showroom in Riverside at 09:00 to Casterbridge and return at around 13:00.
For more information, phone Clinton Laurens on 013-760-1000.
