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Ready to live her dreams after heart-kidney transplant

History was made when Zama Thobeka Mthembu became South Africa’s first recipient to undergo a combined heart-kidney transplant.

History was made when Zama Thobeka Mthembu became South Africa’s first recipient to undergo a combined heart-kidney transplant.

The operation was done at Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, the 30-year-old woman shed tears of joy after the historic moment she went through recently.

Worldwide, simultaneous heart and kidney transplantations are undertaken rarely. The heart transplant was undertaken first, followed by the kidney transplant, with the combined operations taking a total of some 10 hours.
Nephrologist Dr Peter Hsu said both operations were undergone without a hitch, although her blood did start becoming worryingly toxic at one point. They had to undertake a therapeutic plasma exchange which is a process used to filter toxic substances out of a patient’s blood.

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Zama Mthembu is happier than ever after undergoing a successful heart-kidney transplant at Netcare Milpark Hospital.

The brave soldier was born in KwaZulu-Natal and moved to eMalahleni in 2003.

She explains that she started being ill at a tender age which is where her constant visits to the doctor offices begun. Her father Johannes who is working in eMalahleni decided to have his daughter relocated in order to consult with other doctors. At that point her whole body started getting swollen and when she consulted a medical doctor she was told she had kidney failure. She was given pills. She suffered renal failure and had to have one of her kidneys surgically removed.

In 2006 she started with dialysis, in 2007 she had a left hip replacement operation which was followed by her right hip operation done in 2008. She was able to sit in for her matric exams but did not pass, she has not been able to go back to school ever since.

In 2012 her problems escalated when she was ill to an extent that she was at home, bedridden. Zama had been on dialysis ever since, whilst waiting for a new kidney after being placed on the transplant list in 2014.

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Surprise Mthembu with her sister Zama are all smiles after she was discharged from Netcare Milpark Hospital. This follows after she went through a heart-kidney transplant.

Members of the transplant programme at the hospital, Cardiologist Dr Graham Cassel, who was also part of Zama’s transplantation team, said the operation is a landmark procedure in South African medicine which demonstrates the new levels of maturity that transplantation programmes in this country have attained.

“We are delighted and gratified at the positive outcome that has been achieved in this case,” said Cassel.

When her brother, Surprise reminisces on his sister’s life a few months back he explained it as a tormenting time for the entire family.

“She would visit the hospital about three times a week, she was constantly at hospital,” said her brother.

The huge milestone was not a one man job. It was made possible by the co-operation and expertise of the heart transplantation unit at the hospital and the kidney transplantation team at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre.

The transplant team performing the operation included Dr Cassel, Dr Martin Sussman and Dr Agneta Geldenhuys (cardiothoracic surgeons), Dr Bernd Ströbele (transplant surgeon), Dr Sharan Rambarran (transplant fellow), Dr Siya Mahlangu (surgery registrar), Dr Hsu, Dr Rudolf Monoyane (anaesthetist), Alvin Naidoo (perfusionist) and the theatre staff. Also involved in the process was Tasha Meredith (psychologist), Thalukanyo Nelwamondo, Penny Eales and Marlize Frauendorf (transplant receipt co-ordinators), as well as the organ donor harvesting team and nursing staff.

Jacques du Plessis, managing director of the hospital division said they want the case to bring new hope to those patients who may require such a dual transplantation in the future.

“We would like to congratulate and thank all members of the transplant teams who brought this initiative to fruition,” said du Plessis.

Approximately 4 300 people in South Africa are waiting for a lifesaving organ or cornea transplant but due to lack of donors, only about 600 transplants are performed each year. Mande Toubkin, general manager of the hospital said tragically this shortfall in organ donors in South Africa sometimes results in loss of life.

“We therefore encourage people to step forward to register as an organ donor with the Organ Donor Foundation,” Toubkin pointed out.

“I am happy for my sister. I never wish this on anyone. It is very strenuous and painful,” said her brother.

Her father could not believe it when his daughter’s operation was complete, this follows after the family were anxious and prayer became their best friend on the day she went to theatre. He mentioned that he is delighted to see his daughter back at home after a dreadful time. He says it was not an easy journey to walk but he hopes she will now be able to have a happy life.

“I wish her a good long and healthy life, I want her to live like other children. We are extremely grateful for the donation and thank you to her mother as well for the support. It was not easy, not at all,” sighed her father.

Mthembu agrees with her father saying she also wants to go back to school to re-write her matric exams. She is no longer on dialysis but taking pills.

Her message to someone who might be going through the same issue is that they must stay strong, be positive, must not lose hope and trust in God.

“Having Him by your side is proof that everything is going to alright. I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life. I am delighted I have my life back and can now live my dreams,” said Mthembu.

She thanked all people involved including the transplant teams, family donor, family and everyone that supported her through this tough time.

She was instructed not to go outside for at least three months and to cover her mouth to prevent infections.

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