KNYSNA NEWS - It seemed as if the kidney being transplanted into the body of 23-year-old Jaco de Lange had a will to live! The moment the kidney was placed into his body, it began to tremble and shake! Then it turned pinkish in colour and before Jaco had even been stitched up, urine was already passing into Jaco's urine bag.

What made the transplant even more miraculous, is that Jaco's father, Knysna handyman Bertus de Lange (50) was, against all odds, a tissue match to donate a kidney to his son. Jaco is one of three siblings adopted from Secunda by the De Langes.
The transplant operation was performed at the Groote Schuur Hospital on Wednesday, October 23.

"The nurses told us how that kidney just seemed to come to life the moment it was moved from the ice into the space in Jaco's body and how it began to tremble all over - it was like a miracle," says mum Annamari de Lange, a grade 9 and 10 teacher at Plettenberg Bay Secondary School. "I still have to pinch myself. I can't believe it's over!"

When he suddenly fell ill on March 14 last year, Jaco and his family still remained in the dark of what lay in store for them. It was soon discovered that Jaco had severe renal failure; his kidneys functioned at only 2%. His life turned into a nightmare of travelling to and fro between Knysna to George three times every week to receive dialysis, a severely restricted diet, fighting endless infections and undergoing numerous operations, and the whole family found themselves under incredible emotional and financial pressure.

"By September 2012 Jaco was staring death in the eyes," says Annamari. "It was ironic that he had always been the one who took really good care of his health and was conscious of keeping fit and healthy. He changed from a jovial, 'jolling' and carefree teenager to a quiet and withdrawn adult overnight. To be confronted with death at age 22 is sure to change one forever."

With the wisdom only mothers sometimes have, she decided to get Jaco a Boerboel puppy named Kerneels.

"He needed something that would pull him into the future. Something that would still be there next year so that he could mentally know that he would still be around to see his dog grow up."

It seemed to have worked! It was obvious there was nothing the De Lange parents would not do to save their son's life.
On the day of the operation, Bertus was taken into theatre first at 07:00 and came out at around 13:30.

"Where's Jaco?" was the first thing he wanted to know as he opened his eyes. Jaco was taken to theatre at 11:01 but had to wait outside in the passage for two hours before the medical team could start the operation on him.

"By four o'clock I was beginning to 'nip' and I could see the question marks in the faces of the nurses as well, even though they hid it well," Annamari recalls some of the most trying hours she is likely to ever experience. Eventually, Jaco came out of theatre at around 17:00 and the family was able to see him within the hour. He had a 25cm cut, but the kidney was working so well that within the next couple of hours he passed 11 litres of fluid.

"Everything has changed. We see each other with different eyes. I see my husband in a completely new way. He has given our son Life." Annamari's eyes shine with the radiance of someone who has experienced firsthand how love and faith overcome trials and challenges.
Bertus will by flying home tomorrow, Friday, November 1 and if all goes well, Jaco will be home in another week or two's time. The creatinine level in Jaco's urine has come down from 1 500 mg/dl before the operation to an almost normal concentration of 180 mg/dl on Tuesday, October 29. Although his body began to show signs of rejecting the new kidney six days after the transplant, this was expected and is being addressed. Both father and son have developed ravenous appetites and feel they are doing well.

"I have done what I can for my son. Our bond is stronger than words can express," says Bertus.

The De Langes wish to convey their most heartfelt gratitude to family and friends everywhere and especially in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay who have supported them as they travelled on this epic journey of survival.

View more photos here.


What's on the menu, dad? Father and son team, Bertus and Jaco de Lange, have developed a very healthy appetite since their operations. "He keeps sending me for take-aways!" grins Bertus.

ARTICLE: ANOESCHKA VON MECK, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST

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