What started as a sinus infection for 76-year-old Martie von Zweel, of Randpoort, quickly became a fight for her life.

The infection spread to the area around her brain, resulting in a subdural empyema, which is a collection of infected fluid or pus around the brain. Martie required emergency brain surgery, undergoing a craniotomy to drain and remove the infected collection.

Her daughter, Zeldi de Beer, said the family never imagined they would suddenly find themselves in a situation where Martie was critically ill and unable to communicate.

After surgery, Martie underwent prolonged antibiotic treatment and now faces a long road to recovery through physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

While her medical scheme covered some of her treatment, the family says it has not covered everything Martie needs. Her doctor recommended about six weeks of rehabilitation, but only one week was funded.

Focus on rehabilitation

“The major ongoing issue is rehabilitation,” said De Beer. “She still requires substantial rehabilitation and assistance with daily activities.”

The family has launched a BackaBuddy campaign to help cover the costs of Martie’s ongoing recovery, with rehabilitation and physiotherapy currently the priority.

For De Beer, the experience has also been a painful reminder of the importance of preparing for the unexpected.

She hopes other families will take the opportunity to discuss important matters while their loved ones are healthy – including who can make decisions on their behalf, whether important legal documents are in place, and exactly what their medical cover does and does not provide.

“You can never be prepared for every possible situation, but you can try to be as informed and prepared as possible,” she said.

As Martie continues her fight to regain her independence, her family is asking the community to stand with her during what remains a difficult journey.

To support Martie’s recovery, visit her campaign page on BackaBuddy.

Martie is currently at a recovery facility in Cape Town.

Read more about Martie’s challenging journey in the Randfontein Herald’s October 9 edition.