WHAT started out as an earache that took longer than usual to go away, turned out to be a six-year-old boy’s worst nightmare.
When little Eddy Posthumus, a Grade 1 learner at Innes Primary School in Nelson Mandela Bay, complained of an earache, his mother, Nicolene Cook, did what any other mother would probably do: she gave him Panado for the pain and put a piece of cotton wool in his ear.
However, when Eddy still complained about the earache three days later, she took him to the clinic where she was told that he actually had a tonsil infection.
“He used all his medication but still wasn’t getting better. I took him to the doctor and wanted to know why my son was so pale but the doctor assured me that it was just an ear infection and that I had no reason to be concerned,” Nicolene explained.
For the second time, Eddy finished his medication but still wasn’t getting better. He soon started vomiting for at least a week long and after contacting the doctor again, Nicolene was told that the vomiting was normal because his body was getting rid of the toxicity of the infection.
“It wasn’t long until Eddy started complaining about back pain and pain under his arms. For two days I thought that he was just sore because of all the vomiting but he started getting weaker so I took him to the hospital again.
“There, the nurse wanted to know why Eddy was so pale. She took him for blood tests and on our way to the trauma unit, Eddy wanted to go to the toilet first and when he finished, for the first time he fainted.
“I got such a huge fright that I was numb all over. The nurse grabbed him and there were doctors all over. We received a lot of help and they said that they were sending him to Dora Nginza Hospital for further tests,” she continued.
“At this hospital they did everything and sent his blood samples to Cape Town. That’s when we received the devastating diagnosis: Eddy had leukaemia.”
Nicolene said that Eddy was immediately started on chemotherapy at Provincial Hospital.
“He has a lot of infection in his little body and the doctor is busy getting it under control but other than that he is doing okay.
“We can’t really say what the next step will be but the doctors will be talking to his dad and me [today] about the way forward.”
Nicolene added that they are extremely grateful for everyone’s prayers and support and that it makes them stronger.
“My heart is broken because I am a mother but I want to be strong for my son because he needs me more during this trial.
“His dad can’t be with us at this moment but we talk to him on the phone a lot and we all video call and send each other pictures.
“Our family is still standing strong, despite everything that we’re going through. I taught my children that family is the most important thing so we stand together and support each other,” she said.
“It would be appreciated if everyone could stand strong with us no matter how hard it gets. We will never let go of the Lord’s hand.”
If anyone would like more information, updates on Eddy’s condition or help the family, Nicolene can be contacted on 072 879 3117.
