MOM URGENTLY NEEDS SURGERY FOR CANCER

On Tuesday 16 January 2024 we found out that my mom has cancer in the deep tissue of her throat, squamous cell carcinoma in the right tonsillar region. We visited ENT Surgeon Dr Kobus Venter at UNITAS hospital today and he said that the cancer is likely at stage four with suspicion that it has spread to the lymph nodes, although not confirmed. I still need to take my mother for further scans next week. I could not take her today as radiology quoted on two scans which came to just over R20, 000.00 and we do not have medical aid. I did enquire about taking her to Steve Biko and the Surgeon advised against it. He said that she would receive radiation at best, and be sent home as the hospital is a shambles when it comes to this kind of surgery. For those of you who do not know, Steve Biko is about your best hope for a decent state hospital in Pretoria. We were told that she requires surgery and reconstruction. They will need to harvest skin from her forearm to repair her throat. The surgery would then be followed up with radiation therapy and a stay in ICU will be necessary as she would need to be fed with pipes entering her nose or stomach. We were advised that if we go forward with the treatment, her chances of survival are very good, above 70% although I cannot recall the exact number.

I am not in the financial position to go forward with the necessary treatment. Dr Kobus Venter advised that we will be looking at around R500, 000.00 for everything. He said that was the best and the worst case, but not likely more than that. I may be able to raise around R200, 000.00 within the next month to two months, although it is not at all guaranteed. Dr Venter warned that we should not leave this for longer than a month. The tumour is very close to her artery and he is concerned that if it gets any larger, it will destroy the artery and she will bleed to death. I am posting this because I am truly desperate.

Those of you who know my mother, or have come into contact with my mother will know that she is an incredibly strong and selfless person, certainly the most selfless person I know. My mother has given so much, helped countless people and animals in need over the years. She is still here for me every day and for my son too, helping him with his homework and basically being a mother to him. My mother has never asked anything in return. All that I wish is for her final years on this earth to be as comfortable as possible. I wish I could have done better as a son and I wish I was in a better position to provide the care that she needs now, but this is out of my reach and I do not know where else to turn.

I understand that everyone is fighting just to get through in today’s world and I know it is not always within people’s means to give. I am not asking for a lot, only that you please give what you can or share this story so that others may have the opportunity.

Thank you for taking the time to read my plea. I hope that you will please find it in your heart to help in some way.

In the event that you do not have PayPal or if you are struggling to make payment on the platform, please find my details below.

ABSA BANK

Account name: DURELL EATON BARNETT

Account Number: 4094399712

Branch code: 632005

Account Type: Current account