First day at school for excited transplant boy

FIVE years ago, Lwandle Hlubi was given six months to live. He was only two months old.

His mother, Thulisile Gumbi, from Mdeni extension in Soweto, never thought her little boy would live beyond six months, let alone go to school.

“I never thought this day would come. I thank God every day,” she said, fighting back tears.

Little Lwandle was diagnosed with a liver condition at the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital in March 2010.

Gumbi recalled how her first child had suddenly become ill.

“His eyes became yellow. His tummy grew. He bled from the mouth. I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t know what to do.”

Gumbi’s instinct was to take the sick baby straight to hospital instead of the clinic.

Doctors discovered his liver was badly compromised.

The hospital ran tests and confir med a devastating liver condition.

Lwandle was placed on the waiting list for a matching liver donor while medical staff at the Donald Gordon Medical Centre continued to assess him.

The wait was agonising, Gumbi recalled.

“I remember them telling me that if we didn’t get a liver within six months that he would die.

“They said he needed one as soon as possible,” she said.

It was only at the end of 2013 that Lwandle was given a lifeline – doctors had found a liver for him. It was a perfect match.

“Looking back at the experience with my child I would say he raised me. He unleashed the strength that I never thought I had.

“I’d like to see him grow up to be a good man. That’s all I want.”

Lwandle will be on medication for the rest of his life.

Gumbi said this worried her, especially now that her child will not be at home with her all day.

The mother has, however, worked out a plan to ensure Lwandle gets his anti-rejection medication every day.

She will hand the pills to his driver who in turn will deliver them to the school.

With his mother worrying so much, all that Lwandle was bothered about on his first day at the Asha pre-school in Tladi on Wednesday was making friends and celebrating his gift of life and liver with a big and disarming smile.

Save a life and become a donor today. Visit the Organ Donor Foundation at www.odf.org.za