[LISTEN] 18-year-old beats high-risk cancer
Despite being diagnosed with blood cancer, an optimistic and spiritually inclined Keanu refused to believe he would die.
A Farrarmere mom has dubbed her son (18) a “miracle child” after he defied the odds last year by not only surviving high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but also going into remission after just five months.
The journey for Keanu Castelyn, a father of a one-year-old son, and his mom, Hannelie Astell, began on April 27, last year, when a nine-day headache refused to ease.
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“We took him to Life The Glynnwood Hospital emergency rooms after he told me he couldn’t bear the headache any longer,” Hannelie said.
“They did the regular checks, but something was amiss and he was admitted for severe sinusitis and was even tested for meningitis.
“After those results came back clear the doctor had some concerns and advised he undergo a bone marrow biopsy.
“On May 12, we received the results and they indicated Keanu had acute lymphoblastic leukemia.”
The teen was then sent to Netcare Pretoria East Hospital for induction chemotherapy and, in the days that followed, intense chemotherapy.
Along with this, Keanu, who was completing matric at the time, was told by doctors he would be immuno-compromised and at high risk of contracting infections during his treatment and that he would be unable to continue his studies that year.
Further to this, he was told if his response to the treatment was successful then only might he be able to continue his studies this year.
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Unwilling to give in to the circumstances, the teen held his head high and continued to fight the illness that plagued him.
During what should have been 16 intense chemotherapy treatments, Keanu’s body reacted well enough that he was released by day 13, under strict conditions.
“At that stage, I was really happy,” explained Keanu.
“Although I was not cleared of the leukemia, I told the doctors they were just wasting my mom’s money because God had already healed me.”
After staying with relatives in Pretoria to be closer to the hospital and after being in isolation for most of his stay, Keanu was allowed to go home in August.
However, at this point, the treatment, which proved to be costly for his medical aid, resulted in depleted funds.
An oncology fund set up by the medical aid paid for 80 per cent of the treatment with the 20 per cent onus on Hannelie.
“The chemo made him ill at times,” she said.
“He also needed regular check-ups at the Benoni Oncology Centre.
“At one stage, I remember the doctors said ‘we can’t believe he’s not dead yet’ because despite responding well to the chemo he had a white blood cell count that was almost non-existent.
“This resulted in him needing weekly treatment that cost R12 000 per injection, used to increase the count and of which he required three a week.”
Added to these costs, Keanu was required to visit the centre five days a week.
“On a Monday was blood tests, Tuesday was chemo and Wednesday to Friday would be the injections,” he said.
In September, after another marrow biopsy, the 18-year-old was given the news that he showed a 0.03 per cent chance of leukaemia and by November it was 0.0007 per cent.
“Knowing I only had five months of blood cancer is incredible.
“No matter what, God is always standing by you, so never give up on your faith – He won’t turn His back on you.”
The journey continues as Keanu is required to adhere to a strict diet, consume 21 tablets in a day, avoid being exposed to bacteria that could harm his immune system and will be focusing on completing matric this year, with mathematics being his favourite subject.
Hannelie also explained the medical aid fund will only activate in May and in the interim they would have to bear the cost of the treatment, which is on the agenda for another two years with roughly R35 000 outstanding at present.
They are desperately appealing to the public for financial assistance.
To assist with Keanu’s medical expenses or in any other way, contact Hannelie on 082 810 1292 or email her on erea.edu@gmail.com
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