A 33-year-old Katlehong resident, Itumeleng Morole, has been disappointed and left in financial burden by Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital after finding out she has been diagnosed with stage four anal cancer.
This follows months of being sent back and forth by the hospital when she went for check-ups, which, according to Morole, could have prevented her from being diagnosed with cancer.
Morole said she started getting sick last year in January. She thought it was piles and went to the clinic.
“They did not have medication, so they told me to buy medication over the counter. I bought the medication, but it did not work, so I went to a private doctor,” she said.
Following her visit to a GP, Dr Motaung at Phadima, she was referred to the hospital because she needed an operation.
“I went to Thelle Mogoerane after the referral by Dr Motaung. When I got there, they checked me and said they are going to admit me on July 4. So now I had to wait for July.”
Morole said the hospital gave her pills for the pain and to soften her stools and instructed her to change her diet because she only had piles.
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“I was confused as to what I would change my diet because I was a person who exercises and eats healthy every day. I ate nothing that would make me constipated.”
She returned to the hospital on June 3, a day before the date the hospital gave her to confirm whether she will be admitted on June 4 or the night before.
“When I went there on the third, the doctor told me they have cancelled my appointment because of Covid-19 while emphasising they cannot operate on me as my condition is not life-threatening.”
While the doctor was assessing her condition, Morole explained her struggles to sit down, and that she was now experiencing challenges when going to the bathroom.
However, the doctor just looked at her and said her condition was not life-threatening, Morole explained.
“I went back home with laxatives and Panado again.”
Her return to the hospital in August did not yield any positive results.
“I have had so many difficulties. I was still studying and I could not sit. I have a fistula because of this pain and I am constipated.
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“I decided to consult another private doctor. He said if they say it is piles, it should be it. He suggested I change my diet even if it means having Weet-Bix from morning to evening.”
Morole said even after trying the suggestion, the pain would still not go away.
“I went back in September. The doctor didn’t even check me. He opened my file and read whatever they wrote there and said I should come back after January 25.
“What am I going to do in January if they are failing to assist me with anything and with the pain I had? I could not sit or walk properly.”
She said she could not wait till January, so she opted for other options.
“I went to Dr Ngobeni. He was worried and angry because this thing was supposed to be removed within a month that I had it. He cited it could be reinjected and I could have cancer.
“He told me to change hospitals because Thelle Mogoerane could not help me. I must go to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (CHBH), where they will test me.”
According to Morole, when she got to CHBH the next day, their doctor confirmed what Ngobeni mentioned, as they explained this thing can cause cancer and she would be lucky if she does not have it yet.
“When they admitted me, they did a biopsy. That is when they found it is positive; I have cancer. They continued with the tests to figure out what kind of cancer exactly.
“The results confirmed it is anal cancer. Can you imagine that if they found this earlier, something could have been done because now I am on stage four,” said Morole.
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“When I have to go for my appointment, I have to lie down in a car. I cannot take public transport anymore. I have to request an Uber, and those are expensive. I am spending money I don’t have. I am unemployed.”
CHBH made an appointment with Charlotte Maxeke Hospital and opened the file but mentioned the process would start in January since it was already the December holidays.
“In January, they called me to have CT scans done. After that, they told me I would probably start treatment after two or three months.”
With help from Solomon Mondlane from an organisation called Amazing Dads at Work (ADW) and Tumelo Mokoena of We Are Fathers We Are Parents (WAFWAP), Morole could get help.
The two organisations reached out to Cansa, seeking help for Morole, who started her radiation treatment on March 19.
“I cannot say I see the difference because it is too early, but I am glad I am getting treatment. All I wanted was treatment for this cancer. I do not even know where it came from,” she said.
The radiation quote amounted to R50 377.31, which excludes approximately R3 500 for CT planning before the treatment.
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WAFWAP and ADW raised R10 000 for transport, as according to Mokoena, Morole spends approximately R500 or more on transport; she goes for treatment five days a week.
The organisations have set up a BackABuddy page for online pledges that will contribute to the treatment fees. The funds are on R4 687.97 and the target is R25 000.
Recent developments
Morole is on day 15 of radiation and day eight of chemotherapy.
She said she has experienced side-effects, like vomiting and diarrhoea, peeling skin on the hands and feet, hair falling out, burning urine, sore and itchy body, as well as tiredness.
“I can take it as long as I will be okay in four weeks,” she said.
How can you pledge?
Follow Itumeleng Marole’s Backabuddy link.
For more information, contact Mokoena on 071 897 4215. Share your message of support on #HelpSaveTumie on Facebook.
