Well-known Durban vendor desperate for medical care
Shirley Pretorius has been waiting to start dialysis for the past three months.
WELL-KNOWN and much-loved Windermere vendor, Shirley Pretorius, finds herself in a life and death situation as she waits for the Department of Health to allow her to receive life-saving treatment.
Shirley said she noticed something wasn’t right when she developed bad nausea and vomiting in November last year.
“As a former nursing sister, I did my own thing. I got anti-nausea tables and changed my diet, but when I lost 21kg in one month, I knew I needed some kind of intervention,” she said.
Shirley saw a local doctor who was aware of her medical background, and sent her for further tests.
“We did a blood count and kidney function. The results showed I have zero kidney function. I thought it was the ‘big C’, but it turns out I have Polycystic Kidney Disease, a condition I inherited from my father. I have no control over it,” she said.
“I have to go on dialysis at King Edward Hospital, as I am at total end stage renal failure. I have been waiting since 7 January to start dialysis, and was told to expect a call but none has been forthcoming,” she said.
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Shirley said she had explained to the doctor that she had a son and husband who were dependent on her and she needed to receive treatment as soon as possible.
“I was told the case would be transfered from renal to nephrology, but it is taking forever. I can’t even lift a kettle with one hand anymore. Two months ago I was lifting my 55kg son, but I’m battling at the moment. I was a strong, robust woman with no health problems,’” she said.
“My family is desperate. People buy dog blankets from us, they come to me for advice and a lot of people rely on me. I’m an active member of my community and something needs to happen so I can still be here. I seem to just be just another patient, another number,” she said.
The Department of Health has taken up Shirley’s matter and is investigating the delay in her treatment.
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