Good Morning Angels: Helping young Philip after recovering from a brain tumor

GOOD MORNING ANGELS 23 MARCH 2016 (PHILIP) 

Helping amazing young Philip Bokoro get back on his feet again after recovering from a brain tumor

REQUEST FROM: Philip's Therapists, Christi Mari Botes and Belinda le Roux

REQUEST FOR: 10-year old Phillip Bokoro from Dennilton in Groblersdal

ANGEL: Good Morning Angels Fund

SPONSORING: The Good Morning Angels Fund will donate R50 000,00 towards Philips' Medical and School Fees 

BACKGROUND: 10-year old Philip Boroko is a young man with a huge fan-club - all his therapists! They've worked with him since February this year and cannot believe the progress he has made - not just medically, but physically too. Most importantly, his bubbly personality has won over all of their hearts. Phillip has been through a very difficult four to five years. He's been going to school and doing well, but, he had been suffering from severe headaches since he was six years old. His parents took him to several state hospitals and doctors over the years, but a brain scan was never done. When he fell into a coma in December 2015, they took him to a private hospital, where it was confirmed he had a brain tumor. Phillip was operated on and the tumor removed. He's been in rehab since February, where he has amazed all with his hard work and speedy progress. In fact, he has done so well, that the latest assessment showed he did not need all the medical equipment first thought - and that he may be going to school again soon.  

ORIGINAL REQUEST:

Dear Good Morning Angels, 

Please receive our application for your Good Morning Angel show. This little boy has been in our prayers and thoughts since admission and the whole team would really like to help this child get the best possible chance when he needs to be discharged. Philip has such a bubbly personality and always wake up with a smile even in this difficult situation. He brightens up the day with his positive attitude towards life and his motivation to improve daily. He has been an inspiration to all of us and we want to give back to him with your help if possible. We have given a description of his history below to give you an indication of his medical condition and needs. We have also attached photo’s of little Philip to give you an idea of what an extraordinary boy he is. The parents did give consent for this application. We would really appreciate your favourable consideration

Phillip Boroko, 10 year old son of Mr Sydney Moepya and Mrs Motlatsi (mother), was originally referred for rehabilitation on the 1st of February 2016. He was transferred back to the specialist doctor due to septic VP Shunt wound. The VP shunt was removed and the wound sutured. He was sent back to the Rehabilitation unit on the 11th of February 2016.  

He was a normal active boy, preformed well at school but had a history of chronic headaches since 2011 according to parents. He was seen in a government hospital by several doctors who did not do a brain scan or could give the parents any diagnosis.

In December 2015 his headaches increased in frequency and severity and he was taken to a government hospital with no feedback available. The parents then decided to take him to Montana hospital in Pretoria – by then he was semi-comatose.  Scans confirmed severe hydrocephalus.

· He was admitted in Montana hospital on the 15th of February 2016.

· He was ventilated for a prolonged time and a tracheostomy was inserted that was recently removed.

· VP shunt was inserted

· Resection of tumour was done 

Rehabilitation and Equipment Needs:

Upon initial assessment Mst Boroko was awake and was able to follow with his eyes. He had no speech and a Peg-tube for feeding was in-situ. He was not able to sit by himself and had poor neck and head control. He did not actively move any limbs upon examination but he does lift the left arm on pain stimuli, right arm as well but it appears weaker – parents reported that he sometimes lift his left arm. He presented with flaccid tone but increasing tone was observed when yawning and he presented with primitive reflexes.

Mst Boroko required full care as he was not able to assist in any activities of daily living tasks. He was not able to walk or to perform any bed mobility tasks and required total assistance with wheelchair mobility. His general endurance was poor.

Mst. Boroko has shown some good progress this far, with head and neck control improving, although he is still not able to sit unsupported. His right upper and lower limbs are more affected, He has begun to walk therapeutically with the Physiotherapist and nursing staff. Therapeutic feeding has been started, and he is able to feed himself, with supervision and some assistance,  but he still has the peg tube and still receives peg tube feeding. He is using both of his upper limbs in tasks, but the left arm is more functional. He is wearing nappies and still requires total assistance with toileting and bathing.

At this stage he will not be able to attend a school for children with special needs,  and due to the lack of care facilities close to his home (Dennilton), he will be discharged to his home with a carer (his Auntie) 

Equipment required:

A motivation has been send to his medical aid, but they can only contribute a certain amount of money, and therefore the parents will still have to contribute R15 000, and this only covers basic equipment required.  He currently will have to go home without a wheelchair. Mst Boroko is one of 6 children and therefore the parents require financial assistance with his long term care which includes equipment to ease the burden of care,  nappies, out patient occupational and physiotherapy and speech therapy and to attend a special school at a later stage.

Due to the impairments, Mst Boroko has a fair prognosis in terms of functional independence. Functional abilities are expected to improve with time, but with daily to weekly Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and speech therapy, and stimulation. The following  devices are strongly recommended:

·       Ronny active posture support wheelchair with cushion and support:

A folding wheelchair is recommended, with head and neck support as well as a chair which will provide good postural support and will prevent spine deformities. If he is not seated correctly, this can lead to scoliosis and other spine deformities which will lead to further hospital admissions and complications. The Ronny Active Posture Support Wheelchair from Shonaquip, is recommended and will provide optimal support for him. 

·       Standing frame:

It is important that Mst. Boroko will have the opportunity to bear weight on his legs at home. A standing frame will support him in standing and will let him experience a standing position and will also encourage interaction with his family. Standing will also take pressure off pressure points (when sitting) and will provide a good stretch for his lower limbs, therefore also prevent contractures. 

Bath chair:

Mst. Boroko is not able to transfer to the bath and requires total assistance. He is not able to sit by himself and therefore a bath chair with the necessary support will be safe and enable him to bath. 

 Your assistance in this regard will be appreciated.

Regards,

Christi Mari Botes

Occupational Therapist

MORE INFO:

Hallo Dianne,

Vanmiddag het die “seating specialist” (Ruth van Shonaquip) weer vir Phillip kom evalueer, want sy het hom omtrent ‘n maand gelede gesien toe hy nie kon regop sit nie en ook nie eers sy kop kon regop hou nie.  Hy loop nou al so mooi met minimale hulp van die fisioterapeut, dat ons gevoel het Ruth moet weer kom evalueer of hy wel nog al die toerusting nodig het.  Ruth was so verbaas met sy vordering dat sy voorstel ons moet niks bestel nie!  Met dit inaggenome wonder ons of ons nie dan die geld kan aanwend tot plasing in ‘n skool asook koshuis (aangesien sy ouers in Groblersdal woon) nie?  Soos telefonies genoem, kom daar ‘n terapeut van Alma skool hom volgende week evalueer vir geskiktheid vir die skool.  Sy sal ook aanbevelings kan maak omtrent ander skole sou Alma nie die geskikte skool vir hom wees nie.  Sou hy dan Alma toe kon gaan sal die kostes as volg wees:

·         Skoolgeld vir ‘n jaar – R6 600 (R550 per maand)

·         Koshuis vir ‘n jaar – R45 600 (R3 800 per maand)

Selfs al kan hy net vir die res van die jaar skool bywoon, sal dit al baie help.

Met groot waardering!

Vriendelike groete,

Marethe van Niekerk

Therapy Services Co-ordinator

Take a listen to the story that was shared on air this morning: