Liver transplant survivor 16 years on

ALMOST 16 years ago, a Gauteng mother was told her baby only had between five and eight months to live – if she did not receive a liver transplant.

However, for Yashoda Singh, formerly of Pietermaritzburg, losing a child for the second time was not an option, even if it meant having to travel abroad and donating her liver.

In September, her daughter, Jordyn Pentiah, a Grade 9 pupil, will celebrate her 16th birthday.

“When doctors kept telling me my baby was not going to survive, I refused to listen. This year, we will celebrate her milestone birthday and another anniversary of having a successful liver transplant,” said Singh.

She said Jordyn, who was born via C-section on September 30, 2008, had slight jaundice at the time of her birth and was kept for a short time at the hospital.

“However, she didn’t stay for too long and was discharged. But she fell ill shortly thereafter and we took her to the hospital. She was again admitted and treated before being discharged.

“A few weeks later, I took her to a general practitioner for a routine check-up. I told the doctor her eyes were still yellow. He told me jaundice usually took a little longer to flush out and it would eventually go away. But he did a liver function test before we could leave.

“He called the following day and said her jaundice levels were high. Several tests were then done at the paediatrician. After that it was just downhill. She was diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB), portal hypertension and lymphoma. She also picked up several viruses, including Epstein-Barr Virus and Cytomegalovirus.”

Singh said Jordyn became ill and was hospitalised for six weeks.

“Her paediatrician eventually referred her to Grey’s Hospital. While there, she picked up another virus. Her new doctor said there was nothing more she could do. My baby was transferred from the High Care Unit to the Intensive Care Unit.

“I told them ‘God is not going to do this to me again’.”

She said two years earlier, her 1-month-old daughter had become ill and died in hospital.

“I was still grieving. God was not going to rob me of another child. I

remember sitting next to Jordyn, whose organs were failing, speaking life into her. I told her what she would accomplish in life. I was not willing to give up and had to find out what could be done to save Jordyn.

“Her doctor said her only option was a liver transplant. I offered to be a donor but was unable to. The transplant could not be done from a live donor, but from a cadaver (a person who donated their organs after their death) donor.

“I was told I could try to get it done in the United Kingdom, but I needed at least R3million. She said Jordyn had five

to eight months to live and that prior to a transplant she needed to complete the treatment for TB, which would take seven to nine months.”

Singh began to fund-raise, using various platforms to create awareness about her daughter’s condition, including the POST.

“The response was phenomenal. ‘Baby Jordyn’ became a household name.”

During this time someone had called and asked Singh why she wanted to go to the UK when Jordyn did not have much time. The caller suggested the transplant be done in India.

During her research into India, Singh found and contacted a doctor.

“They acted quite fast and I sent all of Jordyn’s reports to them. By then we had raised enough funds and travelled to India in January 2010. Shortly thereafter, the transplant was done at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi. They did not need a cadaver donor. I was her donor.

“It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster but worth it. Seeing her after the transplant, it was as if she was a different child. Her complexion was brighter as all the toxins had left her little body.”

Singh said she initially did not know much about organ donation but now advocated for people to become donors.

“We never really think of these things until it happens to us or our loved ones. But after being through it and almost losing my child, it is important for people to educate themselves. It is also a great feeling to give someone hope to live and be with their loved ones.”

Jordyn said she initially got upset when people recognised her as “the baby who had a liver transplant”.

“I felt no one tried to know my personality, interests or my dreams. But recently a good friend found out about my transplant and asked ‘why didn’t you tell or speak to me about it’.

“I told him I felt scared that people would see me as just a patient and not a person. However, he told me ‘God is using you. Don’t feel ashamed of what He did’. I truly have not been the same after that. I realised I am a living hope for people who are like me. They must have faith in God and smile even when they are too sick to get out of bed.”

Jordyn said she enjoyed a fulfilling life. “I enjoy crocheting, sewing, reading and crafts with my teddy bears. My goal is to become a fashion designer.

“I am able to express my voice and emotions through fashion. One of my highlights so far was getting the opportunity through the Reach For a Dream Foundation to meet local celebrity fashion designer, Gert-Johan Coetzee. He had given me a sewing machine, an overlocker and tons of accessories.”

She encouraged people to become donors. “You don’t just save a life, but you give hope to someone to have one. It is also a kind way of serving others. My hope is to also always walk a kind and loving life. But most of all, I am proud and grateful to have the most amazing mother,” she said.

The POST