Abbie�s mother hailed in fight for survival
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Wednesday December 2, 2015 14:56
Abbie, who is recuperating after undergoing a series of operations for a highly lethal cancer, is back in Botswana with her mother to celebrate her birthday. The teenager was diagnosed with Immature Teratoma, a rare form of ovarian cancer and local doctors had said she had no survival chance.
She has been out of the country for 15 months, seeking treatment, which she finally underwent in the United Kingdom. During that time, her mother and other Good Samaritans have been fundraising aggressively, receiving massive support from corporates, societies and individuals.
At a press briefing yesterday, Abbie’s grandmother, Naso Ntshabele said that the teenager’s mother had been the pillar behind her daughter surviving the rare disease. Naso described Tiny’s efforts for Abbie as inspirational.
“Just recently we were talking, saying if it had been me and I was told that my daughter would not survive, I would have just gone back home to wait for her passing,” a visibly emotional, Naso told Tiny.
“But you never stopped believing that your daughter could be saved. Many people should look up to you for inspiration.”
Dr Ntlhe Seketeme said Tiny had shown courage despite her daughter’s horrifying diagnosis. He said that when local and UK doctors had said there was no cure for Abbie, Tiny kept consulting surgeons and medical practitioners across the globe.
“Her courageous instincts paid off when a team of doctors in Belgium said there was a chance of treating Abbie despite the risks that were associated with the surgery,” he said.
Seketeme described Abbie as a strong girl who had undergone a “heroic piece of surgery”. The young girl went through eight surgeries and four cycles of chemotherapy. “Despite undergoing a successful operation, she will need a 12-month surveillance treatment until she is tumour or cancer free,” the doctor said.
For her part, Tiny said the journey from diagnosis to treatment has been difficult for the family.
“My daughter grew up as a bubbly girl who participated in sports without any signs of disease. It surprised the family when she was diagnosed with the condition,” said Tiny.
She paid tribute to the numerous Batswana who have supported Abbie’s struggle for health, saying it was important to exhaust all avenues to save the teenager’s life.
Abbie told journalists that the road has been very tough for her, especially at her age.
“As a teenager I could be spending time doing what most young people are doing and it was not easy in my condition. I, however, appreciate the support I have been receiving from the public,” she said.
Meanwhile, a campaign has begun to raise more money for Abbie’s 12-month treatment and medical check-ups. The campaign is called Donate-a-Pula and the family says different outlets have offered spaces for them to put up a box for the donations.