A 21-YEAR-OLD’S life could be drastically altered for the better after an operation costing hundreds of thousands of Rands and more than four hours on an operating table.
For this to become a reality, Chris Myeza and his family needs your help.
The Waterfall resident has a cavernous malformation, or a cavernoma, in his brain which has caused seizures and haemorrhages. He recalled his first seizure, in 2013, with spine-chilling clarity.
“I was in Afrikaans class, talking to my friend. The next thing my head turned towards him and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t turn it back. My mouth opened and I tried to say something but no words would come out. I made a loud gasping sound as if I was choking and then lost consciousness,” said a teary-eyed Chris.
Also read: Villagers tackle fund-raiser for little Jaxon
When he came to, he was in the school’s sick bay. His father picked him up and took him straight to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital.
“I took a packet with me because I was vomiting like crazy. By the time we arrived at the hospital, the bag was half full. I could not stop throwing up,” he said.
He was only diagnosed in 2016.
The cavernoma, due to its position in his brain, has also affected his behaviour. He has become aggressive and short-tempered.
“I was not aggressive before I had the seizures as I am now. I tend to lose it more often than not,” said Chris.
This, he said, was one of the side effects he has continued to struggle with.
“I continuously try and calm myself down but no one really knows what it is like to be in this position and how difficult it is for me to calm myself down.”
An operation of hope
Chris suffered a brain haemorrhage in March and again in April this year, causing him to lose control of the right hand side of his body.
“I was in the shower and tried to put the sponge into my right hand and something didn’t feel right. It was as if my hand was rejecting the sponge. The strength was there but I could not pick up my arm. It was struggle to adjust to having to rely on my left hand from simple things like getting dressed and tying my shoes. I really felt useless. I know it isn’t my fault, and I was only putting myself down.”
His mom, Allison, was worried he would not regain control of his motor skills, but as each day passed Chris seemed to discover something new he could do, a testament to his strength.
“His speech is still a little bit slurred, and this time, he has been able to regain some of his functions. With each haemorrhage there is the risk of more damage being done to his motor skills and that may be irreversible,” said the worried mom.
The operation to have the cavernoma removed is set for 26 July. While Chris said he is not new to having brain surgery, after a shunt was installed when he was five to remove excess fluid, he is still worried. “What I am nervous about is that the operation doesn’t go as planned,” he said with a tremor in his voice.
An incision will be made into his skull during the awake brain surgery. The cavernoma will be located and Chris will be woken up from the anesthetic.
He will then be asked to move specific parts of his body and markers will be placed on the brain along the motor strip. This is to ensure the nerves are not damaged, as it would cause him to lose motor function. He will be sedated again and the cavernoma will be removed.
“Hopefully I will be a free man and be able to do one or two things that normal, capable people would. I would love to be able to swim without being watched, get my learner’s and driver’s licences. We have never been able to control the seizures adequately with medication. Hopefully I can manage my anger much better, but only time will tell,” he said.
Family friends heard of the expensive operation and jumped on board to help raise funds in any way possible.
A few of them gathered at the Shongweni Farmer’s Market wearing onesies and sold raffle tickets.
The hospital has reduced the cost of the operation be nearly 50 per cent. The family still needs to raise R400 000 for the four hour operation.
Show your support:
Bank: Standard Bank
Branch: Hillcrest
Branch code: 045 726
Account number: 250 794 748
Reference: contact number
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
