Emily

My name is Emily Nanjala Egesa. I am 57-year-old widow with two kids and I come from Kakamega County.  

Emily

I started being sick in 2018. I experienced so much pain in my hip and backbone. I could not walk. I tried to seek help at local hospitals around where I live, but I did not feel better. In January 2019, I became very sick and I decided to seek medical attention in a private medical facility in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, and was operated on my back. I was sent home and told to come back after two weeks. When I came back, I was very sick, they did an x-ray that showed my ribs were abnormal. They said I had to pay 50,000 Ksh (about $500 USD) to be admitted. My son saw how expensive that was so he decided to bring me to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), a public health facility. I was tested and referred to Chandaria. At Chandaria they did a biopsy and took my blood for testing.

The results showed I had multiple myeloma with symptoms of anemia and back pain. This is where I started treatment. I was bedridden 100 percent. I could not eat, walk, sit or go to the toilet. I continued to adhere to treatment and slowly by slowly I began sitting, then standing, walking with crutches, and eventually I started walking on my own. My kids used to bring me to the hospital, but now I bring myself. This is all thanks to the treatment.

 At one point I had challenges with transport. From my home to Kakamega town is approximately 50 km (30 miles). From Kakamega town to Eldoret town is approximately 113 km (70 miles). Before my illness began, I was a casual laborer earning $2 a day based on the availability of the work. During my clinic visits, I use a motorbike from home to Kakamega town then I board a Nissan (public means) from Kakamega town to Eldoret town. Thereafter I again use a motorbike from Eldoret main stage to MTRH - Chandaria Cancer Center. I could not raise money to come to the clinic. I am happy to say that with the help of the AMPATH Multiple Myeloma (MM) Program, I was able to come to the clinic since they provided me with transport support.

My NHIF also got depleted but the program still stepped in to assist me with getting my medication. They sympathize and empathize with me and assist me at all returns. I’m continuing with medication and I am feeling much better. I pray the program continues to step in for me any time I get stranded and others like me. I thank my doctors and the MM team. I couldn’t help myself, but now I can, and I’m happy and healthy. I would like to encourage other multiple myeloma patients to adhere to treatment and stick to treatment and if they do so they will learn how to live a pain-free life with the disease.