With the support of his loving mother and the help of the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation, Tumane bravely endured chemotherapy and surgery when the pain in his knee turned out to be bone cancer.
Johannesburg, South Africa (19 December 2024) – A courageous Tumane Mokoena never imagined that a persistent pain in his knee would test his strength, faith and perseverance to the magnitude that it did when it turned out to be osteosarcoma.
The fateful day of 27 July would reveal suspicions that the young man had bone cancer. It marked the beginning of numerous visits to the hospital, being far away from home and pushing him to the edge of giving up – but he didn’t.
“After doing some X-rays, the doctor said that he suspected that it was bone cancer (osteosarcoma) but he was not sure, so he transferred us to Busamed Hospital in Harrismith.
“That’s where I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and then transferred to a Mediclinic in Johannesburg that had paediatric oncology. Emotions were mixed up, asking God questions like ‘why me?’, Tumane recalls.
In Johannesburg, Tumane was informed he’d need to be at the Johannesburg hospital for at least eight months.
This proved to be a frustrating life change, forcing Tumane and his mum to be away from their Qwa-Qwa home with no alternative accommodation. Until they learned about a nearby CHOC House where they could stay and find solace during Tumane’s treatment.
“At first, I was not comfortable with the place as there were many people from different places across South Africa, but I eventually grew fond of the place and it felt like home. I took chemotherapy treatment for four months before my surgery.
“It made me very weak, nauseous and it cut my hair. I nearly wanted to give up, but my mother was always next to me, encouraging me to stay strong,” he says.
After bravely enduring chemo, Tumane underwent surgery – a phase of his treatment that he admits was scary. But by the grace of God, everything went well, and the young warrior completed the rest of the chemotherapy treatment.
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“I now go for check-ups after three months and it is a relief to say everything is still fine.”
This year, CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA proudly celebrates 45 years of unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of children and teenagers diagnosed with cancer. Tumane’s story is a heartwarming testimony of a brave boy whose journey was made a little less stressful thanks to the charity’s support.
Sources: Supplied
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