The parents of little Celiwe Maseko, who underwent a rarely performed skin-transplant operation, are confident that their daughter will return to being the bubbly toddler they love once she recovers.
Katlego and Brown Maseko cannot wait for Celiwe to wake from sedation and play with her.
"I'm happy the procedure went well but I'm uncertain of what to expect after the sedation period," her mother, Katlego, said.
After sustaining third-degree burns over 35% of her body in January, Celiwe on Thursday underwent a skin transplant procedure at the Garden City Hospital, Johannesburg.
Dr Ridwan Mia - renowned for his ground-breaking work on burn patient Pippie Kruger recently - performed the surgery.
He said Celiwe was doing "quite well".
"The grafts are very thin and fragile. Once they have been placed Celiwe is not allowed to move to ensure that oxygen and nutrients get to the grafts," he said.
He said she would be sedated until Thursday and then woken gradually.
Her next step will be physiotherapy to ensure careful and controlled mobilisation. Mia said she would be mobile in about a month.
Though pleased at the success of the operation, her parents have concerns.
"My worst fear as a parent is not being able to provide for my daughters' medical wellbeing," Katlego said.
They have set up an account to assist with the financing of more procedures. For contributions, contact Garden City Hospital.
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