A father’s plea to the Potchefstroom community to fund his transport so he could be there during his two-year-old daughter’s heart operation in Johannesburg has blossomed into showers of happiness and gratitude.
An overjoyed Joel Thanzi says he is happy that his daughter, Kabelo’s operation was a success. She was diagnosed with atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) or ‘a hole in the heart’.
The parents discovered the heart defect when the little girl was just three months old.
The doctors never detected it at birth but her parents had sleepless nights and made countless emergency room visits to Potchefstroom Hospital. ‘We knew something was wrong with the beautiful blessing God had given us,’ recalls Joel.
On 25 April, Kabelo went to Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital with her mother, Elizabeth, and Joel. She underwent surgery from 09:30 to 16:30 and, according to Joel, he was there to prepare and calm her before the operation.
Gratitude
Joel says community members in Potchefstroom and Ikageng made his trips possible and covered his other expenses like food and airtime. They donated money and pledged their support and prayers when he called them for help. “I’m thankful to each and everyone who contributed during these tough times. We want the community to carry on assisting those less fortunate in our community,” said Joel.
Photo: Selogile Leshage
Sleepless nights are over
A month before the major operation, the Herald visited the parents and the little girl. Joel said Kabelo had been on medication since she was diagnosed. At night, his daughter slept undressed and with her mouth open. “We couldn’t leave her to cry for too long because it would hurt and she would hold her left side,” said her protective father.
On Tuesday, when the Herald and Sgt Kelebogile Trom, the Ikageng police spokesperson, visited the family again, the toddler playfully refused to let anyone into the house. Then, she moved away from the doorway with a naughty smile.
Elizabeth said her daughter would only go back to the crèche in six weeks. “She is very naughty here at home,” she said with a smile. Little Kabelo protested loudly.
The mother said Kabelo is sleeping much better at night since the operation.
“We are thankful to the doctors at the hospital. They did a tremendous job,” she said gratefully.
Photo: Selogile Leshage
During the interview, the lively little girl played on the couch with her sister’s mathematical set. She quickly leaned on Sgt Trom who happily showed her photos of her own two daughters. She inquisitively asked her mother where her photos are. The journalist took a photo of her and showed it to her. She only smiled, looked away and continued to play with Sgt Trom.
Sgt Trom originally posted the story of little Kabelo on Facebook. “I thank everyone who assisted financially and it must not end with Kabelo. God bless all of them,” she said.
“Our princess will be going for another check-up in August. She will also be celebrating her birthday on 14 September. She is our little miracle,” said her doting dad.
https://www.citizen.co.za/potchefstroom-herald/58573/heartfelt-plea-doting-dad/
