KUILSRIVIER
GEHOORAPPARATE MICHAEL FOURIE B. Pharm
GEHOORTOETSE
Indien U belangstel, sms ‘HEAR’ na 34007
GEHOORAPPARATE
Gekontrakteer in Mediese Fondse DURBANVILLE: Mediplein Mediese Sentrum, Hibiscus Str BRACKENFELL:Medicross Mediese Sentrum, h/v Brackenfell Rylaan & Nina Str. BELLVILLE: Oakmed Sentrum agter Mkem PAROW: Medicross Mediese Sentrum, McIntyre Rylaan
B u r g e r
Slegs op afspraak
Skakel tolvry 0800 166 947
E-pos: tyger@dieburger.com
Woensdag 29 Februarie 2012
Tel: 021 910 6500
Faks: 021 910 6501
) Devastated by five miscarriages
Misery, then tears of joy ANDRÉ BAKKES
The tears well up in the eyes of 31-year-old Colleen West, but unlike the tears which flowed after her previous five miscarriages, these were tears of joy.
Colleen and Lowellan West with Cohen and their newest addition – the adorable Willow.
COST
SAVERS
PHORMIUM
COBBLES 100 x 100 WAS 1.45
SNAILBAN 1 kg
• RUBRA • WINGS OF GOLD WAS 21.95
NOW
WAS 26.95
ROUNDUP
CUPHEAS
100ml
WAS 12.95
WAS 39.95
15
95
Each
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES WAS 14.95
NOW
Each
NOW
9
95 Each
NOW
1995 Each
BONEMEAL
NOW
95C Acorus Golden Edge Carex Amazon Mist Ophiopogon Vittatus
Photos: André Bakkes
She looks down at tiny Willow in her arms and thanks God for the strength, perseverance and hope. “Say hello to your daddy,” whispers Colleen. As always, the proud Lowellan (33) is by her side. “My Willow! My Willow!” exclaims Cohen (two), her baby brother. The West family’s newest addition saw the light on 22 February at 14:00 in Goodwood’s Netcare N1 City Hospital, but it is what the Kuils River family had to go through for five years before she was born which makes her birth so inspiring. Colleen explains: “Lowellan always used to joke by saying I was pregnant for the last five years.” Five miscarriages in seven is, of course, no laughing matter, but the Wests had no option but to try to deal with the constant tragedy. “We were high school sweethearts and tied the knot in 2004 – I was 24 and my husband 26. Two years later we made a decision to start a family. When I fell pregnant in 2007, we were extremely excited and immediately informed all our friends and family. We were even more surprised when the doctor informed us that we were expecting twins, both boys. However, our excitement was short-lived, because
at 20 weeks I had a miscarriage and lost both babies,” she says. Suffice it to say it was a very painful time for the family. Lowellan says they very much depended on the support of family and friends during the difficult times, but above all they were there for one another. “We were as tight as a mouse’s ears!” he laughs, before adding that nothing could ever come between them. Colleen continues: “We decided to try again and I conceived for the second time and was informed that we were expecting another boy. Once again our joy was shortlived ... This time I had a miscarriage at 16 weeks.” After a brief period of devastation and hopelessness, they decided they were not going to give up on their dream of becoming parents. Colleen fell pregnant for a third time – only to have another miscarriage at seven weeks. She had an ectopic pregnancy when she was pregnant again, but the baby had to be terminated yet again. “By then we did not know what to do any more,” remembers Colleen. “The doctors did not really have any answers for us, so we decided to stop trying, as having a child had now become an obsession,” she says. Yet, soon thereafter without them even trying, she was pregnant again, and this time, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Cohen. “He is perfect in every way!” . To page 2.
BELLVILLE KENILWORTH MILNERTON CONSTANTIA -
1895
TEL - 021 919 1106 TEL - 021 671 9050/1 TEL - 021 528 4000 TEL - 021 794 2221
NOW
895 Each
(SANSCAPE) NOW
WAS 19.95
1195 2 kg
www.stodels.com Offers valid till 4 March 2012 while stocks last