12-year-old cancer victim flies back to SA

A 12-YEAR-old Durban boy suffering from bone cancer has eaten for the first time after a horrendous week which saw him cut short a trip to the UK after suffering a relapse while on holiday.

Jordan Smith, who was diagnosed with a type of bone cancer called Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma in March 2013, was flown back into the country last week for emergency medical treatment after doctors in Paris found that the cancer had spread to his lungs and brain.

But the family had to wait for four days before they could receive medical assistance from their medical aid, Discovery Health.

Documenting their “nightmare” ordeal on a Facebook page dedicated to her son – Jordan’s Journey – Jordan’s mother Tracy Smith said the family was told on New Year’s Day that the cost of bringing Jordan back in a medically equipped aircraft would be R1.1 million.

However, their medical aid did an about-turn after initially refusing to pay for the aircraft, and arranged for a medical escort for the boy.

The boy, who has had a leg amputated during his two-year long treatment, left Paris last weekend, arriving in Johannesburg, before being transported to Durban.

“Jordan has arrived at the hospital in Durban and is currently in surgical ICU.

“The doctors are reviewing his scans and we are hopeful that treatment will start as soon as possible,” his mother posted on Facebook.

Earlier this week Smith said the young rugby fanatic, who has met his idol Pat Lambie, was under the care of a neurosurgeon who was controlling the bleeding on his brain.

“The good news is that he has moved into a normal ward and has eaten for the first time in a week,” she said.

Jordan was a pupil at Virginia Preparatory School before his schooling was put on hold in 2013 when he was diagnosed.

An “excited” Jordan visited his school last month, where he caught up with his friends, some of whom he hadn’t seen in almost two years.

Danica Bartho cycled last year’s Amashova race to raise funds for the boy.

Jordan suffered the relapse during a treat his family organised for him, including a trip to Disneyland in France.

BIG MOMENT: Rugby fanatic Jordan Smith with his idol, Sharks player Pat Lambie, last year.