GEORGE NEWS - A little warrior from George, three-year-old Juan von Waltsleben, has been battling brain cancer in the Red Cross Hospital.
A tumour that was found earlier this month was successfully removed during a nine-hour operation on Tuesday 9 July. What followed, however, still has his family in shock.
Three days later, on Friday 12 July, the family received the life-changing news that little Juan has stage 4 brain cancer.
"Right now we need all the prayers we can get," said his mother, Melissa, from his hospital bed in Cape Town.
About two months ago, Juan started throwing up every morning and like any other mother, Melissa took him to the doctor where he was treated for gastritis and did a barium swallow test for good measure.
For a while, it went well, but he was still sick every morning. "I thought it might be the medication affecting his tummy, but about two weeks passed and I noticed he was slightly off balance at times," said Melissa. "His balance is quite good for his age, so I found it strange and it kept bothering me."
Suspecting that it might be Juan's ears again, Melissa made an appointment with an ear specialist for later in July. But her motherly instinct kicked in and she also contacted her paediatrician, Dr André Swart.
"I had this nagging feeling that I should speak to Dr Swart and I'm glad I followed my gut. Shortly after our conversation, he phoned me back and referred Juan to Mossel Bay for a brain MRI."
Complete and utter horror set in when the scan picked up the tumour.
"The road ahead is unknown and we are still praying that the diagnosis is wrong and that God will take the cancer away. Bar the trauma, we are thankful to all the amazing people we have met on the way - especially Dr Swart - and all the support we have been getting from friends and family. Juan is doing well under the circumstances and we are glad the tumour was picked up early," said Melissa.
The family returned to George on Wednesday 17 July. Their next appointment for a lumbar punch at the Red Cross Hospital is next week. This will give them the final results and clarity on the way forward.
"At this stage, it sounds like chemo and radiation are on the cards. Brain cancer is the last thing you think of when you have a three-year-old boy and I want to tell all the moms to always trust their instincts. You as the mom know your child better than anyone. You spend most of your time with them. If something seems wrong, trust your gut."
Financially the family is still getting by with their medical aid covering some of the expenses, but a bank account has been opened for funding for treatment that might await the three-year-old.
Anyone who would like to support Juan and his family can visit their Facebook page, Juan Von Waltsleben - Brain Tumor Warrior.
Juan on his way home from the Red Cross Hospital on Wednesday morning.
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