Samkelo’s fight against cancer continues with chemo treatments
Sam has to have the chemotherapy done in hospital over three to five days, as it is very intensive.
Amanzimtoti cancer sufferer, Samkelo Mzobe (16) underwent a PET scan on Monday, 11 March and starts chemotherapy today (Tuesday, 12 March).
READ ALSO: Help Amanzimtoti teen’s cancer fight by funding PET scan
A total of R13, 804 was raised during a fundraiser walk on Toti promenade at the beginning of the month. “It was a huge success and helped boost Sam’s fund which was wonderful support from the Toti community. We have been receiving private donations before and since the walk, so the fundraising is going well,” said Heather Tait, who embarked on this fundraising initiative.
“Sam was admitted to Albert Luthuli Hospital last week for his chemo and the oncologist wanted a baseline PET scan before commencing chemo. They wanted it on their system, as we had offered to take him out privately and do one but they would not allow us to. I also submitted the CT scans that we had done privately, so he has remained an inpatient and they are hoping to do a PET scan today (Monday) before commencing chemotherapy tomorrow (Tuesday).
“They will not wait for the results of the PET scan before starting chemo, as it takes too long to get and time is of the essence as his chemotherapy should have started long ago. He has to have the chemo in hospital over three to five days, as it is very intensive. We just hope all goes as planned this week at Albert Luthuli and his treatment gets started without any more delays.”
READ ALSO: Teen cancer fighter credits community for ‘next level awesome’ support
A local radiology department has offered Sam a free PET scan in the upcoming months, as he will require one following a few sessions of chemotherapy to document his response to the treatment. “We are ever so grateful for this. The money we have in the fund now will be used towards additional treatment that Sam will receive privately that will go with the chemotherapy he will receive in the state hospital.”
To stay updated on Sam’s progress, follow the Facebook page ‘Go white for Sam’.
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