Urgent appeal to help ‘warrior’ Zelia Swart beat the odds

Zelia’s life changed when she was just 13. It was during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic when she was diagnosed with posterior fossa astrocytoma (a type of tumour).

She was hospitalised at Albert Luthuli Hospital, Durban, and underwent several surgeries over three months.

Who is Zelia Swart?

Zelia was born in Newcastle on September 11, 2007, and is a grade 11 learner at Amajuba High School. Her family includes herself, her mother Adel, and sister, Caitlin.

“We are a close-knit family that likes to do girly things together, like cooking, baking arts and crafts, and home spa days. We also love watching movies and listening to music. We also enjoy being outside, spending time with family, and fishing,” said Adel.

Adel said it has been ‘tough’ to watch her daughter go through these tragic events, as she is only 16 and is supposed to be going out and having fun with her friends, discovering and experiencing life like other teenagers.

Instead, she is in and out of the hospital, stuck in a body that she can’t control.

“It’s difficult watching your daughter go from a carefree young lady to losing all sense of self. Right now, we are living in a state of limbo; the tumour has been removed, but so far, her quality of life has not gotten any better.”

She is dependent on others to help her perform everyday tasks she should be able to do herself, and it is taking its toll on her mental well-being.

“She withdraws a little more every day, not wanting to eat or interact as much as she used to. Most of all, it’s difficult watching her and realising she’s barely a shadow of who she used to be,” explained Adel.

Diagnosed with a posterior fossa astrocytoma:

Zelia not only survived but thrived after brain surgery, completing grade 9 despite missing more than three months of school and managing to lead a happy, normal, and active life.

However, her happiness was short-lived. In April her mother received a call from her school alerting her that Zelia was feeling sick and disoriented.

Adel, who was all too familiar with these symptoms, feared the worst because they had appeared three years before the tumour diagnosis, prompting a series of appointments with physicians.

Zelia spent months in and out of Madadeni Hospital. Finally, following a CT scan, she was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which was putting so much pressure on her brain that it caused her to have crippling migraines and convulsions.

She was transported to Greys Hospital to have a ventriculoperitoneal shunt placed to drain the excess cerebrospinal fluid.

Unfortunately, she experienced a setback following the surgery and had to be intubated and put in a medically induced coma.

Once she was stable and strong enough, an MRI revealed a posterior fossa tumour and a cyst pressing on her spinal column, causing her to be unable to breathe independently.

She had surgery to remove the tumour and was kept in the intensive care unit in a medically induced coma for eight days.

She was shifted to a general ward, where doctors then picked up that Zelia had a cerebrospinal fluid infection. Fortunately, after eight days of IV antibiotics, she was transferred back to Madadeni Hospital and discharged after five days.

A long road to recovery:

Unfortunately, Zelia’s body and mind have weakened as a result of the multiple medical procedures.

Zelia now requires more specialised care than Adel can provide at home as she is extremely weak and immobile.

She relies on her mother to feed and wash her. She tries to get up but her body and muscle mass are so diminished that she is unable to do so by herself.

The teenager requires stringent rehabilitation to recover muscle mass in an environment that understands her trauma and can meet her mental and physical requirements.

“I’m asking people to please support Zelia’s Back-a-Buddy account and help if possible. If you aren’t able to donate, sharing her story is just as helpful as it might reach someone who would be in a position to help.”

Should you wish to assist the Swart family, visit Zelia’s Back-a-Buddy account by clicking the link below:

Help Zelia regain her ZEST for life

All funds received will go towards getting Zelia into a post-op rehab facility that has round-the-clock care and will be able to meet her physical and mental needs.

Despite Zelia’s condition, Adel said she remains motivated by the knowledge that her daughter has already beaten the odds once and believes she can do it again.

“Our motto is that life has no limitations except the ones you make for yourself.

“Zelia still has her whole life ahead of her; she’s strong and independent, and with just a little bit of help, she can conquer anything she sets her mind to,” concluded Adel.

The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and request an add on our WhatsApp (082 874 5550).