At just five years old, Quinette Velthuysen’s life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with a rare craniopharyngioma tumour, necessitating life-saving brain surgery. Today, at 13, she is thriving as a high school learner, a testament to her indomitable spirit, her mother Letitia’s unwavering support, and the dedicated team at Medipost Pharmacy.

Quinette’s journey began with innocuous symptoms—nosebleeds and headaches—that led to a catastrophic diagnosis. “Nothing could have prepared us for the MRI results. Finding out my little girl had a brain tumour was a massive shock,” Letitia recounted, reflecting on that pivotal moment.

The ensuing brain surgery to remove the tumour not only altered Quinette’s brain but also took parts of her pituitary gland with it, leading to a cascade of lifelong health challenges. These include panhypopituitarism, cranial diabetes insipidus, type II diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, hypothalamic obesity, a hiatal hernia, generalised anxiety disorder, and hemiplegic migraines.

For most children, the thought of facing such complex medical conditions can be daunting and isolating. Quinette’s daily life is filled with the challenges of managing various medications and regular hormone injections, a reality far removed from that of her peers. However, through all the adversity, she has emerged as a beacon of resilience.

“Our daily life is a delicate balancing act of growth hormone injections, more than 10 chronic medicines and careful monitoring,” said Letitia, who works tirelessly to ensure her daughter receives the care she needs.

Quinette’s family found an essential ally in Medipost Pharmacy’s Special Medications Department. “The team at Medipost has touched our lives in ways words can never fully capture,” Letitia expresses. Their support has been invaluable, particularly during times when necessary medication was hard to procure or when long approval processes threatened to delay treatment. “Medipost isn’t just a pharmacy to us – they have become our partners, our advocates and truly, our lifeline.”

Carmen Schoombee, a pharmacist at Medipost Pharmacy, reflects on what it means to be part of a team that directly impacts patients’ lives.

“Every day brings a chance to support, educate, and stand alongside our patients. Whether it’s fast-tracking urgent authorisations or delivering medication straight to a patient’s door, every step counts,” Schoombee notes.

“We take care of the red tape so patients can focus on their health, not paperwork. Our goal is to make specialised medicines accessible and stress-free,” said Schoombee. Crucially, the pharmacy does more than just dispense medication—it also provides advice and telephonic support in all eleven of South Africa’s official languages, ensuring that every patient feels understood and cared for.

As Quinette continues to face her health challenges head-on, the unwavering support of her family and the pharmacy team has created a foundation of hope and resilience.

Today, Quinette is thriving, facing her health challenges with courage and determination. For her and her family, the pharmacy team’s dedication has made an immeasurable difference.

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