Mom thankful as Haleema recovers

Five-year-old Haleema Mohammed returned home from India on Tuesday after undergoing successful bone marrow transplant at the Fortis Memorial Institute in Gurgaon, India. Haleema was diagnosed with beta thalassemia major, a potentially deadly blood disorder which reduces the production of haemoglobin.

Yesterday, Haleema’s mother Kristal Mohammed encouraged others facing the same challenges never to give up. “I want to say thanks to everyone who supported Haleema on her journey. Especially those who gave words of encouragement to not give up. I got encouragement to fight for my child. Many didn’t have the finances (to help) but they gave me encouragement to carry on and get help.

“I want to tell other mothers who are going through this same situation not to and don’t ever give up, because there is hope out there. Believe in yourself. There are places to get help, because if you get up and start, someone will see and help as well.”

Mohammed said they returned home on Tuesday night after staying three months in India.

She said Haleema needs follow-up therapy at San Fernando General Hospital. “On September 29, they did the transplant. The entire process was good. The only time she was down was when they did a procedure called a Hickman, which is a line inserted into her chest. She was in a lot of pain, but after that procedure all was good.

“She can’t be around crowds, the beaches and her school for a year or so, because she is on a lot of medication to build back up her body. I am relieved to know she underwent surgery, because this was something she needed to survive.”

Mohammed said she no longer has to worry about her daughter’s health and Haleema living in a hospital.

“It was really hard to see your child cannot get up to play or walk around. We are really happy to know she will be okay now.

“I want to thank everyone who helped us on this journey.”