Mother pleased as Abbie continues Recovery
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday June 9, 2015 15:11
Known popularly as Abbie, the teenager underwent an operation for a rare cancer, Metastatic Immature Teratoma, following a nationwide fundraising appeal, which raised hundreds of thousands of Pula last year.
Abbie was diagnosed with the disease last year in January and underwent an eight-hour operation on March 16.
Although the operation was announced as successful with all the tumours removed and no damage to major organs, she subsequently underwent surgical procedures after fluid collected in her abdomen.
Yesterday, Lerato said Abbie was well on the road to recovery.
“Doctors have prescribed rehabilitation both physical and occupational therapy to help her regain the ability to do normal everyday tasks and to restore the use of muscles,” she said.
“Abbie is being monitored as she still has respiratory issues and is on night time ventilation to help with the expansion of her lungs.”
Lerato explained that a plastic surgeon was due to review Abbie’s tummy wound for possible skin grafting. Multiple operations and the thin skin being overstretched for a prolonged period of time caused the large wound.
“The wounds dressings are done three times a week. We shall remain admitted till all parties involved, which are the respiratory team, plastic surgery and trauma, surgical and medical teams, physio and occupational therapists, feel it’s safe for Abbie to face the outside world.
“Otherwise we are allowed two-hour daily breaks off the ward, but only within the hospital grounds,” she said.
On Sunday night, Lerato posted pictures on social media of herself and Abbie standing next to each other looking happy. She also recently posted a video of Abbie during one of her physiotherapy sessions in which the teenager was mixing dough and baking.