MOSSEL BAY NEWS - While the first school term of 2019 is rapidly drawing to a close, one is again reminded that not all children are free to enjoy life to its full.
Alexander (Alex), is a three year old from Mossel Bay who was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in November 2018.
Currently at home after Alex's recent chemotherapy session, his family is waiting with bated breath for the results of an MRI scan to confirm whether he is cancer free, says his father, Jaime Godin-ho.
"It all started on a normal day, 20 November 2018. Alex's oupa and ouma were curious about a little swelling in his left testicle and took Alex to Dr Anita Esterhuyse," explains Jaime. After examining Alex, Dr Esterhuyse referred him to a hospital in George. After a scan was done, Alex was sent straight to the oncology unit of the Red Cross Children's Hospital, where the shocking diagnosis was made.
"Alex has received five chemotherapy treatments thus far and 10 lumbar punctures. He had his up and down days, but is doing much better." Alex's grandmother, Madelein, has quit her job to care for Alex through his illness. Jaime says: "As Alex's family, we still go through physical and emotional pain."
The family says the Red Cross Children's Hospital, especially the oncology unit, has been both a sad and a happy place.
"It is because you see kids and parents in pain. You can never imagine the pain, until it happens to you. But as the people in the cancer unit, we stand together, as a family. The staff are phenomenal. They call Alex, Alexander the Great. They treat you as family and comfort you when you are sad."
Alex's family has enormous gratitude towards Dr Anita Esterhuyse. "We thank our family and friends all over South Africa for their emotional support."
- Gerhard le Roux, spokesperson for the facebook page, Mosselbaai op sy heel beste, who hosted a Valentine's Day dance for cancer sufferer, Ethan le Grange, reported that the group is planning a similar event in support of Alex.
