Woman focuses on recovery after cheetah attack
The local woman who was mauled by a near-tame cheetah two weeks ago at Mbidi Lodge near Loskop Dam, says she is still hopeful that the wound will recover completely
STEELPOORT – The local woman who was mauled by a near-tame cheetah two weeks ago at Mbidi Lodge near Loskop Dam, says she is still hopeful that the wound will recover completely.
Doctors cannot determine how long the road to recovery will be for Ms Tanya Laubscher-Swanepoel, but she keeps reminding herself that things could have been much worse.
On November 29 she and her three sons, Rian (8), Marius (6) and Armand (3) visited the lodge. Romeo, one of the two near-tame cheetahs hooked his claw into her left calf, drew her closer and bit her lower leg.
After the attack Laubscher-Swanepoel was rushed by ambulance to Midmed Hospital in Middelburg, where she was admitted and treated. Her wound was stapled and stitched, but she was left with a gaping hole to her leg.
On December 7 a skin-graft operation was performed in which skin from her thigh was used to cover the gap. The procedure lasted an hour and the doctor was satisfied with the operation. To prevent infection, Laubscher-Swanepoel now has to visit the hospital every fourth day to change the wound’s dressing.
She says she is able to walk, but with difficulty. “The incident happened and I am coping with it. I am just grateful that Romeo only bit my leg. Things could have been much worse, but God kept me under his mercy. I think the saddest part is that I will not be able to play or swim with my sons during the December holiday,” she says.
She adds that her husband is very supportive. He helps her to bath, wash and moisturise her feet.
Since the incident Laubscher-Swanepoel has not heard anything from Mbidi Lodge and although she feels disappointed about its lack of interest, she now focuses on her recovery.
