Heart operation on 13-month-old Ethan a success

Tatiana Sokol, 21, is one relieved mother after successful heart surgery on her 13-month-old son, Ethan.

The operation was performed at Steve Biko Academic Hospital on 28 April.

Ethan suffers from Congenital Rubella Syndrome. He was born blind, with a hearing disability and two holes in his heart. The operation, which took approximately 40 minutes, was a success but at his follow-up on 29 April it was discovered that Ethan also suffers from Peripheral Pulmonary Stenosis (PPS). This is a term used to describe narrowing of the arteries that take de-oxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs.

Although heartbroken by the news of the second condition, Tatiana said Ethan is a fighter and is recovering well.

Ethan was born prematurely at 31 weeks, after Tatiana had contracted measles when she was three weeks pregnant. The retina of his left eye didn’t developed fully, and there’s a cataract on his right eye.

Ethan is scheduled for an operation at the Pretoria Eye Institute. It’s said Ethan’s heart operation had to be done first, before they could attempt operating on his eyes. On 15 June 2016, specialists will decide what they can do to improve Ethan’s eye-sight.

Tatiana is also the mother of Danicka Joubert, aged 2½ years, and Kayden Sokol who is 3 months old. Kayden was also born prematurely, at 30 weeks. As a result, his lungs were underdeveloped. He has spent the last three months in Leratong Hospital, where he is now back in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Kayden is also going to Baragwanath Hospital to have a barium swallow test.

Kayden is now back on oxygen and has already received four blood transfusions. He’s never been home, so Tatiana and her mother, Cathy van der Westhuizen, visit him as often as possible.

The medical conditions her children suffer from have been extremely hard, emotionally and financially, on Tatiana who is a single mother.

Cathy supports her daughter in every way, every day. Tatiana and Cathy wish to thank both the Botes family and the anonymous woman for their kind and generous donations, and expressed their gratitude towards everyone who supports and helps them each day.

If anyone can assist the family with transport to and from the hospital, or with help of any other kind at all, please contact Tatiana on 073 156 8361, or Cathy on 071 424 1230.

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Help improve Ethan’s quality of life

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