Chi-Nelri Smith celebrated her two-year post-liver transplant surgery anniversary on April 9 and has recently started Grade R at a school in Rynfield.
The City Times previously reported that Chi-Nelri was born with a medical condition known as familial hypercholesterolaemia, which is characterised by higher than normal levels of low-density lipoprotein (unhealthy) blood cholesterol in the body.
Her cholesterol count due to her condition was often in the mid to high 20s.
She received a part of her aunt’s, Deidré Cronje’s, liver in 2019.
Chivon Smith, the mother of Chi-Nelri, said that it was an exciting experience for her to go to a “big school”. She, however, had to go to a school that had a limited number of children due to her condition.
“Her cholesterol count is just over five, which is considered healthy.”
She added that she is much better with the occasional ups and downs.
“Chi-Nelri has no immune system and any small infection could take her back to the hospital.”
One of their recent scares was in January, just three days after she started school. She had a high fever and stayed in the hospital for three weeks due to her liver function.
Their medical bills are still piling up as the medication harmed her teeth, which resulted in her having to visit the dentist over five times a year.
“Our medical bill piled up to over R30 000. We managed to pay off a portion of the bill through donations.
“We would like to thank everyone who supported us through donations and supporting our fund-raisers.”
Chivon highlighted that this entire experience has taught her the importance of organ donors and she now makes it a point to educate people on how organ donation can save a lot of lives.
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