Three months ago, Gerda Rall was sickly, emotional and ready to give up when the Courier interviewed her. At that time, she related her story of how a crippling kidney disorder had impacted on her lifestyle.
The 45-year-old described how, with only 5% kidney function, she desperately needed regular dialysis – very costly for the Ralls, who live in KwaRie Caravan Park. Her husband Eric took a package from Correctional Services in 2019 and saw Covid-19 destroy his plans to build his own business.
Thanks to the ‘Back a Buddy’ campaign (which the Courier publicised) and intervention from Madadeni Hospital, Gerda is now looking and sounding as positive as she was before the onset of her kidney complaint, about five years ago.
She is now able to drive and can walk – albeit not for long distances – but enough to do her shopping. “Just after that article appeared, I was admitted to Dundee Hospital and swiftly transferred to Madadeni Hospital”, where she says she was ‘treated very well’.
“They inserted a catheter into my stomach to enable me to carry out Peritoneal dialysis. This is a way of performing the function of the kidneys to remove toxins from the body, using the peritoneum in a person’s abdomen as the membrane through which fluid and dissolved substances are exchanged with the blood. “It is used to remove excess fluid and correct electrolyte problems.”
She was in hospital for about two weeks and quickly learnt how to drain the fluid herself, without any help, even though the doctors did warn her that self-dialysis would not be easy.
“If one is strong mentally, you can do anything. I was so down when the Courier interviewed me, but now I have been given a new lease on life and I am determined to be positive.” She is grateful to those who contributed to the fund-raising appeal; about R9 000 was raised. She still requires medication and her son Simon (12), who has Tourette’s, also needs chronic medication. Following a strict diet, as per her blood group, Gerda eats vegetables and fruit three times a day, as well as low-fat yoghurt.
She drinks water and Rooibos tea. Meat is also permitted and she says she can feel the difference the diet has made. Now that she has transformed her life, although she knows every day is another carefully taken step, Gerda wants to ‘give back’.
“So many people have been good to me – my husband; my son; the Du Plooys, who own the Caravan Park, have been so kind; those I don’t even know have donated money; and even the Mbube guard at Shoprite. He saw I was struggling the one day while shopping and immediately brought me a chair, kept an eye on my son and stood with me until my dizziness passed. People like this have been so kind. I want to pay back by helping or giving advice to anyone with similar health issues. They only have to call me.”
Gerda is used to serving the less fortunate through her stints some time ago at the Crisis Centre. “I was previously a motivational speaker at schools through my church, so I would love to be of assistance – I know what it’s like to suffer from depression. One needs faith and courage, and I am determined to live as normal a life as possible.”
Anyone wishing to chat to Gerda can do so by calling 060 638 6071. 
