OUR LITTLE FIGHTER

After three years in hospital battling a rare and incurable lung disease, Travonne is finally home

- MARELIZE GRBICH

HIS bedroom looks like that of a typical six-year-old boy. Blue bedding, sports pictures of cartoon characters, and Springbok rugby-themed pillows bear testament to his adoration for Bok captain Siya Kolisi and teammate Cheslin Kolbe.

The bookcase is loaded with action figures, children’s Bibles and toy cars.

But an oxygen tank, a stand with an IV bag and an oxygen mask in the corner of the room tell another story about Travonne Rhoda’s life.

The little boy was three years old when he was diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare lung disease also referred to as “popcorn lung”.

Bronchiolitis obliterans is an incurable, rare and degenerative condition in which chronic inflammation of the bronchioles (the tiniest airways in the lungs) causes long-term damage.

It was first diagnosed in factory workers who’d inhaled chemicals used to flavour popcorn. The chemicals are no longer used.

Travonne has spent the past three years in Melomed Bellville Private Hospital in Cape Town, celebrating every birthday and most Christmases in his hospital bed and even taking the first steps of his school career there.

But on 26 May the little guy with the huge personality was finally discharged and he got to fall asleep in his mom’s arms, in bed with his parents.

“It’s just amazing to have him home,” Simoné Rhoda says. “The first night he fell asleep early and woke up at midnight. He chatted through the night and I let him, because he just wanted to be with us.”