I keep her spirits up!
Millions of people around the world suffer from diseases they catch from other sick people. This is one girl’s story.
My name is Rose. I am 13 and live in South Africa. My best friend Sammy had been coughing for a while. Every day when we walked to school she found it hard. She was panting and could not walk far without stopping to rest. She was also getting very thin.
I knew something was wrong. But she didn’t want to talk about it. I kept telling her to go to the nurse at the clinic. But she said it was just flu and it would pass.
I think she didn’t want to worry anyone. But I was worried.
One day we were walking home from school and she coughed very hard. When she looked down there was blood on her hand. I was so scared for her that I started to cry. I think she got a fright. Her grandmother took her to the clinic the next day.
They tested her and they said she had tuberculosis (TB), which is a dangerous infection in her lungs. She was very scared. I’d heard about TB but never in a million years did I think that my best friend would get it.
The doctor was very kind. He told her that she could go home and get better there: “TB can be treated. But it is very important that you take your medicine every single day. If you stop, the TB will not be cleared and you may get even sicker.”
I didn’t see my friend much after that. I couldn’t visit her much unless I wore a mask over my mouth so I didn’t breathe in the germs.
I was scared that I may catch the infection but her mom told me that I would be fine if I covered my face and washed my hands carefully once I left. None of the other kids wanted to visit her. But every time I entered her house, I could see a huge smile light up her face.
I tried to cheer her up and keep her laughing. I told her that one day she will be better and she will come back to school.
She took her pills every day and she wore a mask over her face whenever anyone came into the room. Every Friday she went to the clinic to get more medication.
Sammy is still at home and on treatment. The doctors say it is taking longer than they thought. She has Drug Resistant TB, which makes it harder to treat, but she is doing a bit better now. I can’t wait until she is healthy and can come back to school. I don’t think it will be long now.
Want to read more inspiring stories like this one? Then head to our Springster Facebook page and connect with a community of girls just like you! - https://www.facebook.com/heyspringster
Share your feedback
Your thoughts
what a pity, i which her quick recovery.
March 20, 2022, 8:04 p.m.
Yes Oooo!
March 20, 2022, 8:04 p.m.
Wishing her good health recovery quickly!
March 20, 2022, 8:04 p.m.
Oh dats 2 bad am wishing her quick recovery
March 20, 2022, 8:03 p.m.
I FEEL SAD DONT WORY SAMMY WILL RECOVER
March 20, 2022, 8:03 p.m.
I wish her quick recovery
March 20, 2022, 8:02 p.m.
I too wish her a quick recovery and pls tell us when she has fully recovered
March 20, 2022, 8:02 p.m.
Me too i wish her a quick recovery
March 20, 2022, 8:02 p.m.
I wish her a quick recovery so that she can go back to school
March 20, 2022, 8:02 p.m.
Big sis why do my friends nose keep sweeting she keep scrubbing her nose like someone who wants to take cocaine
March 20, 2022, 8:02 p.m.
Latest Reply
Hey Henro! We cannot say what is happening to your friend. However, we advise your friend to talk to a trusted adult and if possible, see a doctor. We hope this helps.
I hope she gets well soon
March 20, 2022, 8:02 p.m.
I'm new here. l wish her a quick recovery sorry sammy she will be fine
March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.
Hello am new i hope she get well quick
March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.
I wish speed recovery
March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.
Me nd my friend has a problem.Nd she is sick nw can i go nd see her
March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.
Latest Reply
Hey Angela! Yes, go and see her. This will be a good opportunity to reconcile with her. We wish you all the best and we hope this helps.
Big Sist,am Kinda Having Issues With My Bestie,we Barely Talk To Each Other These Days,and I Really Do Miss Her When She's Not Around,what Should I Do?
March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.
Latest Reply
Hey Kimberly! So sorry to hear about this. It happens a lot of times. Why don't you try to write a letter to her telling her how much you miss her. We hope this helps.
hy big sis! how do I help my friend I think she is suffering from depression .... l don't know what to do how can I help her?
March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.
Latest Reply
Hey haryern! Thanks for opening up through this comment. it's an issue that affects lots of young people and it's important you get good information and advice from people you can trust. There is an organisation called 'Education as a Vaccine' who run a Helpline that you can call and find out everything you need to know about health issues, including menstruation and pregnancy. The number is 08 02 71 92 781 and it's free if you call from Airtel and open Monday to Friday from 9 till 5. Your friend does not need to tell them her name or details as it is completely confidential - you can just ask questions and get the support you need. Good luck with everything.
so sorry about this buh lets be positive that she's gonna be fine sooner
Hi gals,pls is dia Diference btw bestie and galfrnd o boifrnd? If yez.......explain!
March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.
Latest Reply
Hey Love! The bestie we are referring to here is your bestfriend and this can either be male or female. Please read the article "Always be the best to your bestie" for better understanding. We hope this helps
Yeah.......tankx big sis
No
how to toast a girl confidentally?
March 20, 2022, 8:01 p.m.
Iwant to start wearing bra but in my class they laugh someone please help
March 20, 2022, 8 p.m.
Latest Reply
Hey Munibrill! Your class mates laughing at you should not stop you from wearing a bra. Do not let this affect you at all. be confident and feel free to wear a bra if you want to okay? It is a personal decision. We hope this helps
no nid,to be shy its a normal tin
NO NEED TO BE A SHY IT IS A NORMAL THING PLS CONTINUE
Big Sis,pls I Dnt No How To Figure Out My Bra Size
Hi big sis wenever im talking nd there is an argument no one wants to follow my own side
March 20, 2022, 8 p.m.
Latest Reply
Hey Hikmat! People may not side you because they don't support your opinion. Everyone has what they believe in and it may not necessarily be what you believe in. So do not force it or make them follow your side. It's up to them to do what they want. We hope this helps
HOW MA
March 20, 2022, 7:59 p.m.
Latest Reply
A lot of things can happen in that process
Hi Big Sis, Can Someone Get Infection Through Licking A Woman Vagina?
March 20, 2022, 7:59 p.m.
Latest Reply
Hey BigDanny! Yes, you can get infections through licking the female vagina. You can also pass infections to the woman through the process. If she has syphilis or gonorrhea, it can be passed to you. If you have herpes, it can be passed to her. If there is an open sore in any of you and one of you has HIV, the virus can be passed. We hope this helps
BigDanny. I hope you're not asking to give a trial? Is only insane person would do that, is it lali pop?
Isme ask am ooooh.
hi big sister, is Sammy alright now?
March 20, 2022, 7:59 p.m.
i pray nothing happen to sammy
March 20, 2022, 7:59 p.m.
Latest Reply
Hmhmhmh
Sammy you will be fine, and you always go back to school, i believe it will not take long again.
March 20, 2022, 7:59 p.m.
Hello. my sister is only 15year old and she have started having affair with boys of not are age. and she is writing weac next month. she is not even reading are book am very worried any walk with boys.
March 20, 2022, 7:58 p.m.
Latest Reply
hey chamcy! We love the fact that you are looking out for your little sister. You are an amazing big sister. You need to let her know that she should prioritize. Do not fight her or force her, just let her know the importance of her forthcoming exams and the dangers of failing this and how most of the guys are also studying and thriving to be better in their academics. You can suggest she creates time for study and time for playing. You can even help her do this so that she can balance things out. We hope this helps
Big Sis Am 18 And I Wil Be Writing Waec Next Year But Dis Is My First Time Of Going Into A Relationship And D Person Dat Am Dating Usually Help Me Out Wit Any Difficulties In School But My Parents Are Not Aware Of Dat And I Dnt Even Know The Reason Why Am In A Date Pls Help Out
Sammy,u will be fine just believe in GOD he will c u through
March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.
AM NEW HERE BUT SAMMY U WIL BE FINE OK
March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.
Am Sori,take Hrt
March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.
that gud
March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.
hello
March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.
Hello big sis i just recovered from fever nd i notices there a wound in my tongue nd it hurt badly dnt kw was to do
March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.
Latest Reply
Hey Snowy! Thanks for the comment. Please talk to a trusted adult and see a doctor immediately. We hope this helps
sh have human filling to help her
March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.
my friend z sick and I pray she gets better soon pls pray 4 her friends
March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.
a good friend z better Dan a bad relation
March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.
Heya sorry dear
March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.
Heeya sorry, and continue to remains a good friend please.
March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.
Hello frnds am new here...
March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.
Latest Reply
Hello
Hello Frnd's Am New Here
March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.
Latest Reply
Hi hazan how have u been