Oupa's Surgery & Safe Return to South Africa

My Ouma (Ann) and Oupa (Nick) came to visit us here in Perth, Australia, from South Africa for six months in mid-May this year. It was so special that they could meet Walter and their other great-grandchild Izak as this was the last time they could travel to Australia.

Unfortunately, shortly after celebrating my Oupa’s 82nd birthday in June (pictured above), he fell ill and was admitted to St John of God Midland hospital, where he was diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis. Necrotising fasciitis is a flesh-eating disease that occurs when bacteria enter the body through a break in the skin. The disease lead to tissue death (also known as gangrene) which required emergency surgery. This was complicated by sepsis affecting my Oupa's heart, lungs and kidneys.

He underwent two emergency surgeries at Midland before being transferred to Royal Perth Hospital in an induced coma, where he was in ICU for five days. He survived another two surgeries at Royal Perth Hospital, after which he was left with a deep open wound about the size of a dessert bowl. His wound requires cleaning and dressing at least three times daily by specially trained nurses, which along with a significant functional decline, has kept him in hospital for the last eight weeks.

As part of a visa application to come to Australia, visitors must have travel insurance which has covered Oupa's medical bills until the 7th of August 2022. Unfortunately, his Australian health insurance policy will not cover the remainder of his treatment as it only came into effect after his initial hospital admission. So, payment for hospital stay, medical care and further surgical treatment has fallen back on my Ouma and Oupa from this time onwards.

Currently, my Oupa is still in hospital at Bentley Health Service, where the cost per night is $2900. To date (23/08/22), the cost of his hospital stay since the 7th of August is up to $43 500.00 for the past 15 days.

He is expected to stay in hospital for at least another 2-4 weeks as he awaits further surgery in early September to assist with closing and sealing the open wound. This will incur costs for inpatient hospital care, surgery, specialist consultants, medications and medical supplies/equipment. The total price is estimated at $100 000.

This has all happened after my Ouma and Oupa sadly lost savings of $65 000 to an investment scam (Ecsponent/Afristrat) in South Africa earlier this year.

As a family, we will be contributing to these costs, but I created this page because I know that many other friends and family (and even strangers!) in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand would be able and willing to help.

We thank God for the incredible medical care my Oupa has received here in Australia and our friends and family's prayers, love and support. We so appreciate any donations that can help us pay off this enormous cost to help get my Oupa out of hospital and safely back home to South Africa.