My mom gave me life twice

How family and a pharmacy helped a transplant patient thrive

Monday, 11 August 2025: When Jeané Petzer was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just seven years old, her childhood instantly shifted. Instead of carefree days, her life became a cycle of insulin injections, constant blood glucose checks, and frequent trips to the doctor’s rooms and pharmacy counter. What she didn’t expect was how deeply the medications, medical devices, and the people supporting her would shape not just her health, but her entire journey through life.

Now 32 years old, she is not only a kidney transplant recipient, but also a mother, a former teacher and a beacon of hope for others facing chronic illness.

Jeané’s early years were marked by the daily challenges of type 1 diabetes. Despite the constant finger pricks and insulin injections, she pursued her dream and graduated as a Foundation Phase teacher, working with children aged three to five years old. But in 2018, everything changed.

“I was suddenly too weak to keep up with the little ones. Even simple tasks like making my bed or climbing stairs felt impossible. I knew something serious was happening,” she recalls. Unbeknown to her, these were the first signs of kidney failure – a common complication of diabetes.

In 2019, just a year after her wedding, Jeané underwent a life-saving kidney transplant. Her donor was her mother, who stood by her side every step of the way. “My mom didn’t hesitate for a second. We went through this together as a family. My husband, parents and sister were my biggest supporters and were alongside me for the entire journey. We fought the fight together,” Jeané says.

The transplant was a success, but managing her health did not stop there. Jeané continued to rely on medical devices like her insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor to manage her diabetes while adjusting to new transplant medications. “These devices gave me stability during a time of total upheaval. I didn’t need to change much in terms of my diabetes care, but I was determined to protect my new kidney,” she explains.

The gift of life came with a new lifelong commitment, immunosuppressive therapy. This leaves her vulnerable to viruses and infections, making a return to the classroom impossible. “I miss teaching every day, but my health has to come first.” She now works flexible hours in her father’s office and from home, an arrangement which allows her to balance productivity with self-care.

As if her story were not inspiring enough, Jeané and her husband faced yet another challenge. Her nephrologist deemed pregnancy too high-risk due to her diabetes and transplant.

But fate had other plans. A high school friend stepped forward as a surrogate, and in February 2022, the couple welcomed their miracle son, a healthy baby boy created using the couple’s own genes. “He turned three this year, and he’s our joy, our answered prayer,” Jeané beams.

 Pharmacare and the role of pharmacists in transplant care

Transplant patients like Jeané must take medication every day to stop their body from rejecting the new organ. These medications lower the immune system, so even a simple infection can be dangerous.

Behind Jeané’s story is a dedicated healthcare team, including pharmacists who play a critical role in her care. “Post-transplant patients like Jeané require precise medication management to avoid organ rejection,” explains Eva Mpe, a specialised medication pharmacist at Medipost, South Africa’s first courier pharmacy.

From managing complex medication regimens to educating patients about drug interactions and monitoring for side effects, the role of pharmacists is highly specialised.

“We ensure patients understand their immunosuppressive medications, how to take them and why timing is vital. A missed dose could mean organ rejection.

“A functioning transplanted kidney increases insulin clearance from the bloodstream, which can lower basal glucose levels. This often means that insulin dosages or oral diabetes medications need to be adjusted. Additionally, immunosuppressive medications can alter insulin sensitivity and may even cause post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM), requiring close monitoring and tailored therapy,” explains Mpe.

“Post-transplant patients, because they must take immunosuppressive medications to prevent their bodies from rejecting the new kidney, are at risk of developing new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT). Managing this requires a multidisciplinary approach involving pharmacists, endocrinologists, nephrologists, and dietitians to ensure early detection, prevention and treatment.

“As a pharmacist, I can coordinate with nephrologists and the transplant surgeons to adjust medication regimens safely by making medication recommendations based on the patient’s current drug profile, co-morbid conditions, verifying dosages and making any recommendations or reporting any side-effects experienced by the patient. Timing is everything. Missing even one dose of anti-rejection meds can cause major complications. We work hard to make sure patients have what they need, on time, every time,” adds Mpe.

Medipost Pharmacy not only delivers chronic medication straight to patients’ doors but also provides advice and support in all 11 languages when it is most needed.

“For someone like me with a suppressed immune system, being able to get my meds delivered safely means the world, as I rely on them to keep me alive and healthy. Every tablet, every check-up and every precaution is part of honouring the gift I was given. I’m here today not just because of surgery, but because of every person in my care team, including my mother, my doctors, caring pharmacists and God,” Jeané says.

“We don’t just deliver medication; we deliver peace of mind and support to thousands of South Africans, just like Jeané, who rely on chronic medication to live, heal and thrive,” concludes Mpe.

Ends.

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