Joy and excitement filled a Frere medical ward when Lindiwe Ndamase was informed yesterday that her step-daughter Luleka would be discharged today after a month in hospital.
>https://youtu.be/eWT_VVwczzMLuleka Ndamase was diagnosed with listeriosis early last month after going through what her stepmother described as a near-death experience.
While the hospital has lost three patients to listeriosis since June last year, Luleka is one of eight to have made a successful recovery from the deadly disease.
Lindiwe, who lives in Duncan Village with her family of 11, said when her daughter first fell ill, she painfully watched her life slipping away as she deteriorated in front of her eyes.
Luleka, now 40, was born with mental and physical impairments which left her unable to speak. Her compromised immune system makes her susceptible to infectious diseases.
Lindiwe said the family survives on her pension money and Luleka’s disability grant. Lindiwe said they ate a staple diet of maas, chicken and processed meat regularly, but had never imagined that this would be the reason for Luleka’s dire situation.
“I had no hope that she would survive because of the condition she was in. She was fading right in front of my eyes.”
Lindiwe said Luleka’s vomiting and diarrhoea began one Tuesday morning in the first week of February and by the next day she was so weak she could no longer walk.
That same day she took her daughter to a clinic where she was told if she waited for an ambulance to take her to hospital it might be too late. She hired a car to get to Frere Hospital, and Luleka was rushed to the intensive care unit.
“Her entire body was shutting down, her kidneys were failing and even her eyes had closed shut.”
She said before Luleka was diagnosed with listeriosis, it was the furthest thing from her mind.
Luleka was only moved from high care to a normal ward on February 26.
Speaking yesterday Lindiwe said: “My daughter survived. I am so grateful to the doctors and staff.
“My family had even begun preparing for a funeral, but tomorrow we’re going home.
“Never give up on God, he is able to work miracles.”
Infectious diseases specialist David Stead said listeria was more prevalent in younger children than adults in East London. “We are one of the provinces least affected by listeria, but we’ve seen a higher number lately compared to other years. Previously, cases have been sporadic, but now we know what to test for when patients first arrive.”
He said Luleka’s recovery gave them a much needed boost in their fight against the disease. — nonsindisoq@dispatch.co.za
EL patient stares listeriosis death down
Luleka Ndamase was diagnosed with listeriosis early last month after going through what her stepmother described as a near-death experience.
While the hospital has lost three patients to listeriosis since June last year, Luleka is one of eight to have made a successful recovery from the deadly disease.
Lindiwe, who lives in Duncan Village with her family of 11, said when her daughter first fell ill, she painfully watched her life slipping away as she deteriorated in front of her eyes.
Luleka, now 40, was born with mental and physical impairments which left her unable to speak. Her compromised immune system makes her susceptible to infectious diseases.
Lindiwe said the family survives on her pension money and Luleka’s disability grant. Lindiwe said they ate a staple diet of maas, chicken and processed meat regularly, but had never imagined that this would be the reason for Luleka’s dire situation.
“I had no hope that she would survive because of the condition she was in. She was fading right in front of my eyes.”
Lindiwe said Luleka’s vomiting and diarrhoea began one Tuesday morning in the first week of February and by the next day she was so weak she could no longer walk.
That same day she took her daughter to a clinic where she was told if she waited for an ambulance to take her to hospital it might be too late. She hired a car to get to Frere Hospital, and Luleka was rushed to the intensive care unit.
“Her entire body was shutting down, her kidneys were failing and even her eyes had closed shut.”
She said before Luleka was diagnosed with listeriosis, it was the furthest thing from her mind.
Luleka was only moved from high care to a normal ward on February 26.
Speaking yesterday Lindiwe said: “My daughter survived. I am so grateful to the doctors and staff.
“My family had even begun preparing for a funeral, but tomorrow we’re going home.
“Never give up on God, he is able to work miracles.”
Infectious diseases specialist David Stead said listeria was more prevalent in younger children than adults in East London. “We are one of the provinces least affected by listeria, but we’ve seen a higher number lately compared to other years. Previously, cases have been sporadic, but now we know what to test for when patients first arrive.”
He said Luleka’s recovery gave them a much needed boost in their fight against the disease. — nonsindisoq@dispatch.co.za
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