peter
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
CALVIN Moyo (21), the towering giant who until recently was living in Esiphezini in Umzingwane District has received some medical intervention to help ascertain the condition causing his continued growth.
Calvin grew up to be a regular teenager but suddenly started growing excessively just after completing his Ordinary Levels in 2019 while staying with his uncle in Nkayi District, Matabeleland North Province.
Dr Cletos Masiya, a medical practitioner at Charter House Medical Centre in Bulawayo has offered to assist Calvin in determining his condition and seeking a possible solution to his predicament. This was after his plight was highlighted in this newspaper. Last week Dr Masiya met the young giant and his mother, Ms Sifiso Ndlovu to start the process of assisting him.
“I saw Calvin, we did a full history and a full physical examination on him to establish what stage clinically he is with his condition. Yes, there is a very strong possibility that he has got acromegaly which is a growth hormone where there is hyper secretion or the excessive release of growth hormone from the body. Usually this is caused by a small tumour in the brain called the pituitary adenoma where the growth hormone is produced into the body. He has all the symptoms although he is not yet advanced, fortunately he does not have diabetes at this stage and he does not have heart problems as yet,” said Dr Masiya.
He said blood samples were collected last week and were being looked in the laboratory.
“We collected some blood samples for all the tests that are required such as the hormone tests, blood count, kidney test to check which hormone is actually affected. I streamlined to the ones we were suspecting so that we save on monies because it will require some money for tests to be done. Fortunately, I have spoken to Dr Henry Dendedza from Interpath Laboratories and he has authorised his team to help with the running of these tests and we have a breakthrough there. We should be getting results maybe tomorrow (Monday) and that will help us with the way forward,” he said.
Dr Masiya said Calvin does need more assistance to examine his brain.
“We needed him to be further assessed. We are also in the process of engaging other local doctors and Bulawayo Radiology that can assist with an MRI scan, we need without fail that scan, it is a much clearer and the best scan for the brain. This scan will focus on this particular part of the brain called the pituitary where these hormones or this growth we are suspecting is. So, we have done the requests and we are waiting for feedback but blood tests have gone and we should get results soon and take it further,” he added.
The medical practitioner highlighted that Calvin has arthritis of the knees that is setting up and his gums are beginning to develop spaces between them which is a sign of rapid growth of the jaw.
“His eyesight is normal which is a plus for us, the main problem in the lower back ache because his frame is long and he is carrying lots of weight at 130 kilogrammes and 2.150 metres in terms of height so that is quite tall. In the meantime, we have started treating him for the arthritis he got some jabs and a prescription for some medication that he will buy so that he can be relieved of pain on his knees. His parents are fully aware of work that we have started to do.”
Calvin’s mother, Ms Ndlovu said she was grateful for the swift assistance her son has received from the doctors.
“We saw the doctors and they examined Calvin fully. They prescribed medication that I must buy for him to assist with some of his problems. They are in consultation with another doctor so that they assist him to examine his brain and they said they will contact me as soon as they get that consent. I am truly grateful for the assistance that has come his way,” she said.
Calvin has huge feet and is suspected to be wearing around size 23 or more and is also in need of clothing that can fit his frame. Those who wish to assist can contact Sunday News on 0772755127 or his mother on 0782852897. — @NyembeziMu
Online Reporter