Today, Hana says her family are clinging on to hope. Doctors, she say, have told her that there is a possibility of replacing Lei’a’s failed kidney with a working one
In November last year, the life of 16-year-old, Lei’a Misa, of Nofoali’i changed forever. One minute she was a student undertaking her final exam to qualify for Year 12. She had her whole future ahead of her with big dreams to graduate from college and hopefully university later.
But then those dreams were crushed when she became unwell.
When she was taken to the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, she was told she could not leave the hospital in a hurry because she had a very serious medical condition.
The condition was a kidney problem and she had to give up her studies.
Since then, young Lei’a has to undergo dialysis treatment three days of the week. It takes four hours each time.
“I am the youngest at the dialysis unit,” she says.
“When I look around at the older patients, I see that many of them have fainted and have suffered some problems during dialysis.”
“But I have never gone through anything like that.”
Young Lei’a is extremely grateful.
“I thank God for his blessings. It is his love and guidance that continues to keep me going.”
But she also has a wish.
“I want a kidney to be able to live a normal life,” she says. “I want this so I don’t have to be on the machine (dialysis) all the time.”
Her mother, Hana Misa, says she was devastated when she was told about her daughter’s condition. Initially, Lei’a had refused to begin dialysis treatment.
“In her mind at the time was that dialysis meant death,” Hana says.
“But she later changed her mind when she suffered a near fatal attack and when she was readmitted to the hospital.”
Today, Hana says her family are clinging on to hope. Doctors, she say, have told her that there is a possibility of replacing Lei’a’s failed kidney with a working one.
“The problem is that the operation cannot be done in Samoa and we will have to wait for a while. So we are waiting and hoping.”
Meanwhile, the cost of dialysis treatment and getting to the hospital is burdening the family.
That’s why they have since approached the Samoa Victim Support Group for assistance so that Lei’a could continue to get treatment.
The problems are many. Lei’a’s father no longer works because of gout. The only money earner for the family is her son who is a fisherman. But even with him trying his best, it’s not enough for Lei’a.
The family needs at least for $50 every time they bring Lei’a to the hospital.
They don’t have a vehicle so that sometimes, Hana has to wheel her daughter to the road to catch at least two buses to the hospital.
“It’s very hard but we love Lei’a and we want to continue to give her a chance at life,” says Hana.
For Lei’a, she is extremely grateful for her brother whom she says works extremely hard to help her.
“I’m also aware of the possibility that one day he might not find anymore fish and I know what that could mean to me.”
Lei’a became emotional about the step that her parents have taken to admit to not having enough money to continue her treatment.
“It’s not easy when you make a public plea about needing help,” she says. “But I’m a strong believer in God and his mysterious ways.”
If you think you can make a difference in the life of Lei’a, please contact 7576601 or 27904.
<!-- 336x280 (bottom-article) -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-2469982834957525"
data-ad-slot="1033882026"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}
<!-- ads-articles(24.03.14) -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9419815128221199"
data-ad-slot="2395638412"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}