I decided to post Unika's story, from Moments in time, to encourage everyone to keep faith and stay close to God no matter what happens.
Having the previledge to now the mother of Unika I can testify on her behalf that through the tragedy of a very sick child and losing her husband during this time, she is standing strong because of her faith that is holding her close to God. She never wavered and if she can do it we all can - this is a true life story giving hope to all reading this.
Unika’s Story:
Prior to being diagnosed with a Neuroblastoma, 15-month old Unika experienced several symptoms of this cancer, including night sweats and rapid weight loss. These indicators were to usher in what was to be the start of an exceptionally trying time for the Bothma family.
As with so many working moms today, the obligations of a demanding job often requires time spent away from family. Fortunately for Unika’s mother, Marietjie, she was and still is able to rely on the strong support of her parents and parents-in-law to assist when necessary.
It was on such an occasion, following her return from a training course in November 2005, that Marietjie, noticed that Unika had lost a considerable amount of weight. Her grandmother, Naomi, commented that try what she may, Unika refused to eat.
Filled with a sense of anxiety, Marietjie, made an appointment for Unika to visit their local general practitioner. The doctor, noticing that her spleen was greatly enlarged, referred her panick-stricken parents to a paediatrician in Potchefstroom.
The specialist, following a thorough consultation, diagnosed Unika with a type of cancer and advised her distraught parents to seek treatment in Bloemfontein, as Potchefstroom did not have the necessary facilities.
Numb with fear and worry, Unika’s parents travelled down to the Free State capital, where their brave little girl underwent a number of investigative scans.
To their absolute shock and disbelief, it was revealed that the cancer was located on Unika’s left kidney.
Initially the doctors believed that the tumour was isolated within this region and allowed for an 80 percent chance of survival. However, they were later to discover that it was Unika’s adrenal glands that were affected – possibly the worst type of cancer to befall a child.
In a state of complete helplessness, Unika’s parents turned to their faith for strength and guidance. Marietjie recalls praying: “Lord, here is my child, please heal her.”
During the time of her diagnosis, Unika became very ill and was admitted to hospital for six-weeks. Nurses were required to take her blood pressure every two-hours as she developed severe diarrhoea and grew weaker and weaker as a result of dehydration.
On 15 February 2006, Unika underwent surgery to remove the 400g tumour from her little body. Due to the nature of the cancer, the doctor was also required to remove her kidney, an adrenal gland and part of her diaphragm.
Following the operation, Unika spent seven-days in the intensive care unit (ICU) in Bloemfontein, as her tummy began to bleed as a result of the stress of the surgery. She experienced further difficulties as one lung collapsed because of moisture settling in her chest.
Says Marietjie: “Everyday we feared the worst - that something would happen to Unika. I would ask the doctor ‘will she survive’ to which he would reply ‘you need to pray everyday and enjoy your children, because they are very vulnerable’.”
On the seventh day after her operation, Unika summoned all her strength and started eating. Little by little she began to feel better and was even able to talk to her relieved parents and siblings, Lo-Marié and Marlomi.
As the tumour was situated in such close proximity to the main artery of her heart, Unika had to undergo chemotherapy treatment to ensure that all the cancerous cells were destroyed. Says Marietjie: “Unika is truly a miracle because she has responded so well to the treatment.”
Despite this victory for Unika, the Bothma family went on to experience yet another devastating tragedy. On 28 April 2006, Unika’s father, Loftus, sadly was killed in a car accident, while away on a fishing trip. Says Marietjie, of this trying time: “It was only prayers that are carried us through. Our entire lives were and are in turmoil.”
While she has managed to remain strong throughout this traumatic experience, her family, friends and the hospital have provided an unparalleled amount of support and comfort. Says Marietjie of the oncology unit in Bloemfontein: “The cancer unit is my pillar of strength – they are my safe haven.”
In the face of these hardships, Marietjie, believes that cancer has changed their family’s lives for the better: “People always want more from life. What they don’t realise is that God has already provided them with more than they can wish for – love, a family and friends. If you have love, you have everything you need in life.”
Unika’s older sister, Marlomi, a grade one student, is currently on a mission to create awareness and educate the children in her school about cancer. Explains Marietjie, “The children in Marlomi’s class were asked to make a speech about their ‘role model.’ She decided to speak about children with cancer and the kindness shown by the doctors and nurses at the Bloemfontein cancer unit.” Dr Jan Du Plessis, Unika’s doctor, is her role model and she wants to be a doctor just like him.
Quote:
"Before God, I have promised to raise and care for my children." (Mother)
Prose:
Tomorrow is never reached
by racing carelessly along
the highway. Nor are lessons
learnt in this way. We achieve
our objectives only when we
humbly begin to walk the
rocky paths, one small,
painful step at a time.
KEEP FAITH AND KEEP MOVING FORWARD GOD IS WITH YOU ALL!!
Many blessings to all of you!!
Having the previledge to now the mother of Unika I can testify on her behalf that through the tragedy of a very sick child and losing her husband during this time, she is standing strong because of her faith that is holding her close to God. She never wavered and if she can do it we all can - this is a true life story giving hope to all reading this.
Unika’s Story:
Prior to being diagnosed with a Neuroblastoma, 15-month old Unika experienced several symptoms of this cancer, including night sweats and rapid weight loss. These indicators were to usher in what was to be the start of an exceptionally trying time for the Bothma family.
As with so many working moms today, the obligations of a demanding job often requires time spent away from family. Fortunately for Unika’s mother, Marietjie, she was and still is able to rely on the strong support of her parents and parents-in-law to assist when necessary.
It was on such an occasion, following her return from a training course in November 2005, that Marietjie, noticed that Unika had lost a considerable amount of weight. Her grandmother, Naomi, commented that try what she may, Unika refused to eat.
Filled with a sense of anxiety, Marietjie, made an appointment for Unika to visit their local general practitioner. The doctor, noticing that her spleen was greatly enlarged, referred her panick-stricken parents to a paediatrician in Potchefstroom.
The specialist, following a thorough consultation, diagnosed Unika with a type of cancer and advised her distraught parents to seek treatment in Bloemfontein, as Potchefstroom did not have the necessary facilities.
Numb with fear and worry, Unika’s parents travelled down to the Free State capital, where their brave little girl underwent a number of investigative scans.
To their absolute shock and disbelief, it was revealed that the cancer was located on Unika’s left kidney.
Initially the doctors believed that the tumour was isolated within this region and allowed for an 80 percent chance of survival. However, they were later to discover that it was Unika’s adrenal glands that were affected – possibly the worst type of cancer to befall a child.
In a state of complete helplessness, Unika’s parents turned to their faith for strength and guidance. Marietjie recalls praying: “Lord, here is my child, please heal her.”
During the time of her diagnosis, Unika became very ill and was admitted to hospital for six-weeks. Nurses were required to take her blood pressure every two-hours as she developed severe diarrhoea and grew weaker and weaker as a result of dehydration.
On 15 February 2006, Unika underwent surgery to remove the 400g tumour from her little body. Due to the nature of the cancer, the doctor was also required to remove her kidney, an adrenal gland and part of her diaphragm.
Following the operation, Unika spent seven-days in the intensive care unit (ICU) in Bloemfontein, as her tummy began to bleed as a result of the stress of the surgery. She experienced further difficulties as one lung collapsed because of moisture settling in her chest.
Says Marietjie: “Everyday we feared the worst - that something would happen to Unika. I would ask the doctor ‘will she survive’ to which he would reply ‘you need to pray everyday and enjoy your children, because they are very vulnerable’.”
On the seventh day after her operation, Unika summoned all her strength and started eating. Little by little she began to feel better and was even able to talk to her relieved parents and siblings, Lo-Marié and Marlomi.
As the tumour was situated in such close proximity to the main artery of her heart, Unika had to undergo chemotherapy treatment to ensure that all the cancerous cells were destroyed. Says Marietjie: “Unika is truly a miracle because she has responded so well to the treatment.”
Despite this victory for Unika, the Bothma family went on to experience yet another devastating tragedy. On 28 April 2006, Unika’s father, Loftus, sadly was killed in a car accident, while away on a fishing trip. Says Marietjie, of this trying time: “It was only prayers that are carried us through. Our entire lives were and are in turmoil.”
While she has managed to remain strong throughout this traumatic experience, her family, friends and the hospital have provided an unparalleled amount of support and comfort. Says Marietjie of the oncology unit in Bloemfontein: “The cancer unit is my pillar of strength – they are my safe haven.”
In the face of these hardships, Marietjie, believes that cancer has changed their family’s lives for the better: “People always want more from life. What they don’t realise is that God has already provided them with more than they can wish for – love, a family and friends. If you have love, you have everything you need in life.”
Unika’s older sister, Marlomi, a grade one student, is currently on a mission to create awareness and educate the children in her school about cancer. Explains Marietjie, “The children in Marlomi’s class were asked to make a speech about their ‘role model.’ She decided to speak about children with cancer and the kindness shown by the doctors and nurses at the Bloemfontein cancer unit.” Dr Jan Du Plessis, Unika’s doctor, is her role model and she wants to be a doctor just like him.
Quote:
"Before God, I have promised to raise and care for my children." (Mother)
Prose:
Tomorrow is never reached
by racing carelessly along
the highway. Nor are lessons
learnt in this way. We achieve
our objectives only when we
humbly begin to walk the
rocky paths, one small,
painful step at a time.
KEEP FAITH AND KEEP MOVING FORWARD GOD IS WITH YOU ALL!!
Many blessings to all of you!!
