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UPDATE July 2015
Victor is happy and, after a long time wearing a compression bandage, is finally ready for his prostheses.
Dotty wrote the following on 9 July 2015:
Hi everyone,
…
I’d like to update you on Victor’s recent progress. He’s doing well after the long period of wearing the compression dressing. The only issue is that the left stump was a bit wider than the right, so the advice was to wrap it tightly to apply pressure so that it becomes smaller.
He’ll be going for a shoe fitting next week on 13 July 2015. He’s expected to be admitted for a maximum of 10 days. They’ll need to assess him, help him get used to the shoes and confirm that he can walk well in them.
We certainly hope for the best. He has also been continuing with psychological counselling and is doing well. It was also clarified that the previous type of shoe mentioned last was from South Africa but is currently not available on the market.
…Thanks,
Dottie
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Post dated 2 June 2015:
Victor is doing well following his amputation
As you may recall from our case page, 12-year-old Victor suffered from a severe chronic infection in both lower legs. Attending school, something he longed for so much, was impossible due to his severe walking disability.
Ultimately, our surgeons had no choice but to amputate both lower legs, as the existing bone infection could no longer be treated with antibiotics. Although the outcome may seem terrible, Victor now has the chance – fitted with lower-leg prostheses – to walk again and, with that, finally be able to go back to school. This means he now has the opportunity he so longed for to shape his own life in the long term according to his own wishes – his thanks go to you, dear donors! Thank you very much!
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Dotty wrote on 1 March 2015:
Hi everyone,
It’s been quite a hectic week for me. Victor’s condition has been quite complicated, with consultations here and there.
Just to bring you up to speed with the current situation. On Friday, another sample was taken for testing, which yesterday revealed that Victor has a sickle cell trait. This has led to a complete change of plans from the previous arrangement, which involved a procedure other than amputation.
Now, tomorrow, he has to undergo surgery – the amputation of both legs. I left the hospital at 8 pm whilst they were organising a blood transfusion.
He also had several counselling sessions to reassure him and was shown photos of previous successful cases of a similar nature.
Victor can’t wait to go back to school, and he’s been asking about it over and over again – which almost moved one of the doctors to tears.
We’re hoping for the best. I’ll keep you updated – I need a rest now as I have to be up by 4 am to beat the morning traffic.
Thank you all.Always,
Dottie
The diagnostic tests, funded by you, our dear donors, have revealed what Victor is suffering from – sickle cell disease:
Sickle cell disease is a form of anaemia caused by a genetic defect, in which the increased breakdown of red blood cells is caused by a congenital abnormality in haemoglobin, the red blood pigment. The condition is inherited.
This leads to episodes of pain caused by blockages in the blood vessels of various organs and the resulting oxygen deprivation, which in turn causes tissue damage.
The course of the disease is characterised by episodic, acute anaemic crises and vascular occlusions, as well as by recurrent temporary cessation of haematopoiesis and increased susceptibility to infection.
The aforementioned blockages in the blood vessels can lead to tissue damage (necrosis) and a resulting functional impairment in various organs
. This can lead to infarcts, for example in the brain, lungs, heart and – as in Victor’s case – in the bones. As a result of bone death, amputation of both legs is now his only chance of survival.
Let’s hope that, despite the operation and through subsequent treatment involving prosthetics and physiotherapy, Victor can lead a reasonably normal life… right now, he needs your support more than ever!