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Mavis, 29, of Vosloorus, after the breast reduction operation that was performed on her at the Charlotte Maxege Hospital in Johannesburg recently. PHOTO: BUSISIWE MBATHA

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The excited Mavis could not contain herself when she got home. Unfortunately none of her relatives were there to welcome her because they were still at work.

"It feels good to be home," Mavis said. "I have missed watching kids play in the streets. I missed visiting my friends and living a normal life, I feel like a different person now.

"My life is taking a new direction. I am going to look for a job and I am putting the past behind me.

"It's been hard but I have learnt that keeping quiet when help is needed won't help me.

"The hospitals had been turning me down but that never stopped me from looking for help. Its amazing how many people out there are willing to help."

Mavis said the operation had also helped improve her self-esteem.

"The operation was scary but it was worth it. Now I have a better self-image.

"The breasts were so big that I did not notice that the drugs were also affecting my stomach. Now I need to deal with that."

Mavis, who was forced to leave her job as a result of her condition, said she finally had a reason to smile.

"Its been hard for the past five years. My life was just a shambles and now I feel confident and ready to live my life the way it should be. I am ready to turn the lost five years into something positive."

The 29-year-old from Ekurhuleni was diagnosed with HIV in 2006 and developed ARV-related side effects when her breasts started to grow abnormally big in 2008.

The condition is known as lipodostrophy and is recognised through changes in fat reduction or redistribution - often in one area - leading to abnormal body shape changes.

It affected Mavis' mobility and she could not walk for two years. Prior to the latest intervention, Mavis was turned away from the Charlotte Maxeke and the Chris Hani-Baragwanath public hospitals in Johannesburg.

She was originally given a date for treatment, but this appointment was postponed more than twice because of staff shortages.

Early in June she was admitted to Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg after the Sowetan highlighted her plight.

After the report Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi ordered that she be assisted. - lerato@sowetan.co.za

Mavis* Not her real name

Comments

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Sun May 19 10:21:28 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 2, 2012

bulwazi

I think the Health Department should employ U as a HIV Counsellor...afterall U do have first hand experience.
Good Luck on ur search .....
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Jul 2, 2012

Shredder

Mavis* Not her real name
==========================================================================
If that is to protect her identity then it's stupid. Anyone who knows her can recognize her face, it is not hidden.

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Jul 2, 2012

Bumboklaat

Not her real name and still you show us her face? Babalaaaas e tshameka ka lena jong!
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Jul 2, 2012

iWOman

@Secretary

Where are you boet??!!!
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Jul 2, 2012

Punkies

@iWOman....Kikikikikikikiikiii-:)
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Jul 2, 2012

Dzel

OK Sowetan, we get it. You were instrumental in exposing her story but you can't keep on recycling the same story for ever.

The quality and range of stories on Sowetan Online is very disappointing, the paper is tabloid these days with stories focusing on individuals doing silly things. How about you start publishing real news with real impact on our lives.

How do we build a nation when newspapers who are supposed to play a pivotal role are feeding the nation useless stories? I am yet to see a story on science & technology on your pages, why is that?
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Jul 2, 2012

iWOman

@Dzel

Come on Dzel...they are not recycling...it's a fresh perspective *sarcasm*..they are updating us on the "latest developments" ...

Nafuthi..one needs to keep "b.lowing their own horn"!
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Jul 2, 2012

Dzel

iWoman,

I really have no problem with reporting relevant news but this is surely flogging a dead horse.

I really worry about the quality of stories reported on Sowetan lately. I am one of those people who dislike Daily Sun because it is a trashy publication that does nothing to improve knowledge in the black community. It is an insult to us as a people and the content is an insult to our collective intelligence.

I am of the opinion newspapers have a responsibility to inform, educate and advance the interests of its readership. I think Sowetan is regressing slowly which is not good for its readership.

Compare Sowetan to other top publications and tell me if you see a huge difference in content, I see a huge difference as I often get stories with substance from other site. I can't trust Sowetan as my primary source of information which is sad indeed.

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Jul 2, 2012

MphephuStreet

Mavis* Not her real name "is this not her face or this Picture is not real her" Sowetan you not dealing with kids here please.
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Jul 4, 2012

Uncompromising

That is a happy looking survivor. Now we know her face and the stigma will continue. Stupid Sowetan !
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