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Thandiwe’s Story: Love , Determination and Treatment bring Thandiwe back to life!
Thandiwe* came to the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust Respite Unit in May 2012, very young and very afraid. She knew very little English and was extremely quiet to boot. In the first few weeks of care and treatment Thandiwe was simply too weak to move in and out of bed. While her ARV initiation had commenced, the results seemed non-existent. At the young and volatile age of 21, Thandiwe, the tiny scrap that she was, was dying of AIDS. The carers and nurses worked tirelessly to bring some life back into her, continuing treatment, pushing fluids, but above all, raining unconditional love and care over Thandiwe. With patience and time, her treatment began to have its necessary effect. She began walking more, getting out of bed as frequently as possible, and smiling this incredibly unique smile never seen by nurses, carers, and volunteers before. It was in this smile that Thandiwe’s strength and will to survive dwelled.
She continued smiling, walking, and even speaking more and more as the months of winter came. Thandiwe’s will to fight grew stronger and the efforts of those working in the Unit did not waiver, but in fact intensified so as to not run the risk of a possible regression. Regression was not an option at this juncture for the 21 year old woman that came to our unit in May. Despite her size and condition, she was willed back to life, the root cause being the love and intense care she was given by those who work at Hillcrest AIDS Centre. She is alive, well, and still smiling that unique and beautiful smile because of this safe haven; this Mecca of love, hope, and care.
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