Annual probe an occasion for kids

BY THE backpacks filled with kids’ stuff, the annual cardiac check-up for the Bennet family in East London seems like another casual fun day out.

It’s anything but.

Mikenza, 7, and Kellan, 4, both suffer from congenital heart disease, specifically “Tetralogy of Fallot” or more commonly known as “blue baby syndrome”, a complex condition which usually manifests at birth.

Both children had open heart surgery at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital to correct their condition, Mikenza at six months and her brother at five months.

This is their annual checkup. Parents Elize and Craig seem to have preparations down to a fine art. They’ve seen their children through stints in private and state hospitals in East London and Cape Town.

Initially, Mikenza was diagnosed by a private doctor who referred the family to Dr Maurice Levy at Frere. They’ve been consulting with Levy ever since, although Mikenza’s first operation was performed by Dr Susan Vosloo at the private Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital.

“We’ve had no problems at Frere. We’ve received excellent service and we’re very happy. As a result, we didn’t stop coming here. We prefer it to the private facilities because of the service rendered.”

Although they’ve had a long wait in the queue outside, Mikenza and Kellan seem to pass through the examination room in a flash and the relief at another positive milestone is visible across their parents’ faces as they leave the hospital.

Mikenza Bennet, 7, and her brother Kellan, 4, both had open heart surgery at an early age after being born with the congenital heart disease Tetralogy of Fallot. They have regular check-ups in private or state hospitals.