Help Me! Beat Cancer!

My journey began in November 2018 while I was 32 weeks pregnant with my second-born child Naya (pictured). During a routine antenatal check-up, I told my gynecologist that I had noticed a small lump on my right breast.

 He examined and reassured me that there was no cause for alarm but recommended an ultrasound for assurance. The Ultrasound outcome was a breast cyst.

 On my next antenatal visit, the gynecologist examined the lump further and recommended a Fine Needle Aspiration test ( FNA ).

Fine Needle Aspiration test refers to a biopsy procedure where a needle is inserted into the abnormal-appearing tissue so that it can help make a diagnosis or rule out conditions such as cancer.

 The results were a  heart-breaking diagnosis of cancer.  A biopsy further confirmed our fears of an invasive carcinoma grade 2, ER/ PR positive, Her2neu negative. In simple terms, Breast cancer.

The doctors advised that I needed urgent surgery for purpose of minimizing the damage. This was because the tumor was likely to grow faster because of increased hormonal activity; a common characteristic in pregnancy.

At 36 weeks, I successfully underwent a Lumpectomy at M.P Shah Hospital in Parklands, Nairobi. This was essential as the cancerous tissue along with a rim of normal tissue surrounding it were removed.

Three weeks later, I  delivered a baby girl via C-section. I had to stop breastfeeding after barely two weeks to enable me to start chemotherapy.

I shed many tears and had countless sleepless nights watching my child cry as I could not nurse her. I  kept reminding myself that this was the only way I could fight and live to raise her and her 4-year-old sister, Arianna. 

 Therefore, I  began the 8 cycles of chemotherapy in January 2019 followed by 25 radiotherapy sessions. Chemotherapy on any day is a horrid experience. One experiences nausea, lethargy, fatigue, loss of appetite, and mouth sores.

In addition, I had just done a lumpectomy as well as C-section while taking care of my newborn. I hung on hope, prayer, family, and friends as they enabled me to complete the sessions in early October 2019.

I was able to resume work after a 6-month absence.  Life was beginning to get back on track. I was feeling better and looking forward to a new chapter, grateful for my healing.

However, in Dec 2019, I started experiencing severe pain in my back, shoulder, and neck. I sought to visit my oncologist in a bid to examine what the problem was. I prayed and hoped all was well considering I had finished the cycles and sessions.

She recommended a CT scan. The results were devastating as they indicated that cancer had spread to the liver!

I consulted with my family and close friends in haste, and we agreed that it was prudent to go to India for further intervention.

 With the assistance of family and friends, we organized a fundraiser, took out what was left of our savings, and traveled to Fortis Institute of Memorial Research Hospital in India on  Jan 13th, 2020.

Upon arrival, the oncologist ordered a full Positron Emission Tomography ( PET) scan and the results confirmed that cancer had indeed spread to the liver and skeletal muscle.

 Further examination revealed that I had been misdiagnosed and was getting the wrong treatment throughout  2019. 

The new diagnosis was metastatic breast carcinoma with liver/bone metastases, ER /PR negative & Her2neu positive. I was immediately put on a 6 Chemotherapy cycle. I completed my 3rd cycle on the      5th of March 2020.

 As recommended, a PET scan was done midway through the treatment to access my response to treatment. I am so grateful that the report showed no trace of cancer cells! To God be the glory!!
 
I still have 3 cycles to go and the cost per Chemotherapy is USD 4200.  Thereafter, I will also be on medication for 12 months.

Currently, I am in Gurugram, India awaiting my 4th cycle.

The burden of cancer is heavy.  I am grateful to friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers who have been touched by my plight and supported me on this journey.

  As expected, the treatment, travel, and medication have exhausted our financial resources. My medical cover too was exhausted during the first cycle of treatment.

My daughter, born in this crisis turned one in January this year. My firstborn daughter just joined pre-school and I am looking forward to getting back home (Kenya) to doing homework with her.

 I want to go home and hug them again.
  

 
 I pray daily that I will soon be making their hair, raising them into strong Godly young women. I will raise them to never forget that the world has good people such as you who have helped me in my time of need and gave their mother back to them.

 May God richly bless you.

While in India I can be reached at +917290818420

Funds can also be sent via
Safaricom Mpesa my sister Linda: +254728000569
Safaricom Paybill #: 811677