Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Teenage heart transplant recipient grateful
AS PART of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, Parusia Muhigirwa, 14, recounts her experience after being diagnosed with a heart-muscle disease.
She recalls how she felt before having the transplant that gave her a second chance at life.
“I could not walk long distances and play much with my friends. I could not run and play sports like other girls my age. I could not go to school because I was spending so much time in hospital. It really was not easy for me to feel so different from other children,” said Parusia.
Due to a collaborative effort by Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and Groote Schuur Hospital teams, Parusia received a transplant last year.
When asked about how she felt, knowing she had to undergo immunosuppression during the Covid-19 pandemic, Parusia admitted she was nervous.
“I spoke to my doctors about the risks of Covid-19, especially knowing that I would be vulnerable after my transplant. That’s why I chose to get my vaccine, when it was my turn, and my mother got hers to ensure I would be safe and we didn’t need to worry,” said Parusia.
Red Cross CEO Dr Anita Parbhoo thanked the team for continuing to offer world-class care to young patients with chronic conditions, including those in the cardiac service, even during the pandemic.
Professor Mignon McCulloch who heads up the Paediatric Transplantation Service at Red Cross said Parusia’s transplant highlighted the teamwork between the Red Cross and Groote Schuur transplant units, which was what had made everything come together.
“We are delighted with how well Parusia is doing after her transplant. It really highlights the fantastic teamwork between the Red Cross Children’s Hospital and Groote Schuur transplant teams. Her health and vitality is a credit to the fact that transplantation gives a second chance at life. We are really grateful to her donor and the family,” said McCulloch.
Parusia encouraged people to donate as it could change a young life in need of a second chance.
“I would encourage others to seriously consider becoming organ donors, so children – and adults – like me can continue having hope. I want to thank my donor and their family for my new chance at life,” she said.