The Sunday Mail
Rumbidzai Gwaze
It is a joy for every woman to hold her own baby in her arms for the first time after what seems to be an eternity of labour pains.
I was blessed to be called a mother on May 28 2017 when God gave me a beautiful baby girl who has so much promise.
Her smile is so contagious it lights up the whole room and brings warmth to anyone’s heart.
A day after birth, my precious princess’ eyes became yellow, I did not think much of it because most babies are jaundiced soon after birth.
Everything else was normal and we were discharged from hospital. During the 10 days’ visit to Mae’s paediatrician, she noted that Mae was quite jaundiced and subscribed that I continue sunbathing her. She recommended blood tests to measure the amount of bilirubin in Mae’s blood. Results showed that the levels were quite normal then.
Apart from the jaundiced eyes, she fed well, she pooped a lot and she did not cry much, she would sleep a lot.
The baby routine – eat, sleep and poop.
We went back for the six weeks check-up and the paediatrician requested that Mae gets more tests done and also an ultrasound scan because normal jaundice disappears at about two weeks.
A week later, I received a call from the doctor and she informed me that she had received the results and they were not looking good. She referred Mae to a paediatric surgeon.
Oblivious to what I was going to face, I collected the letter and went to see the specialist paediatric surgeon. At that visit I was informed that the ultrasound scan report indicated that they could not find or see her gall bladder and that it was a serious matter.
He carefully explained that the reason why her eyes are still yellow is that her bile ducts are likely to be blocked, which is called biliary atresia and she needs reconstructive surgery and that it had to be done before 12 weeks of age.
My heart stopped right there, and further explanations became a blur. I was looking at him and not seeing him, got stuck on the surgery part but kept a straight face. It was only when I was relaying the information to family when the floodgates opened, I broke down.
I asked myself so many questions that I knew I will never have answers to. I had to go for a second opinion because what they were saying was unbelievable. I went to my GP who recommended an ultrasound scan and to my disappointmnet got the same verdict and was referred to the same paediatric surgeon. That is when we made the decision and booked a date for the surgery.
On August 10, Mae got into surgery at 12pm and by 2pm they were done. The surgeons who operated on Mae then confirmed that she does not have a gall bladder and that her bile ducts are not fully developed. This meant that they were not able to do a Kasai procedure and the solution is a liver transplant.
Biliary atresia is a condition in infants in which the bile ducts outside and inside the liver are scarred and blocked. Bile cannot flow into the intestine, so bile builds up in the liver and damages it. The damage leads to scarring, loss of liver tissue and function, and ultimtely cirrhosis.
Zimbabwe does not have specialists who can do a liver transplant and the cheaper option is in India. Mae’s liver transplant is to be done in India at Apollo Hospital and the total cost of surgery, medication, flights and accommodation is $56 200. Medical aid is only covering $18 000 for the surgery and the balance is $38 200, which is a lot of money that we do not have.
We are required to stay in India for three months for the surgery. After surgery she will be on immuno-suppressants which will help her body to stop rejecting the new liver. I was over the moon with excitement when I was informed that I am a donor match, which means I will be the one to donate part of my liver to my baby girl.
I sincerely appeal for financial assistance for the surgery, medication, flights and accommodation in order for Baby Mae to get a new liver in India. Thank you in advance for the help to those who will possibly be able to assist.
Eco Cash: 0782 300 200
Account details: Rumbidzai Gwaze
Bank: Ecobank
Branch: Borrowdale
Account Number: 0013147602925401
My GoFundMe campaign: <https://www.gofundme.com/baby-maes-liver-transplant?pc=expt_em_co_shareflow_m_89_2&rcid=r01-151216393238-4d38b52da78644e1>
Your support would mean a lot to me and my baby girl. Thank you.
For details you may get in touch with Rumbidzai Gwaze (mother) on 0772 907 489 or Fortunate Zvinongoza on 0772 265 376 /04-740196 or 04-740185 or Dr Makuni on 0772933542
