Diana
Beating Breast Cancer and Helping Others
Diana
Diana is a 37-year-old married mother of two lovely children, Hope and Emanuel. She is also a breast cancer survivor.
How did you find out you had breast cancer?
In December 2016, I realized that something was wrong with my left breast. There was something hard inside my breast which I couldn't explain. I was breastfeeding and the doctor thought it was related to that. After two antibiotics, there was no improvement at all. I insisted to know what it was. The doctor sent me to the laboratory to do fine needle aspirations which showed a lump suspicious of ductal carcinoma (cancer). I didn't know what to say. I felt that this was the end of me. I left the hospital and went home and cried and asked a lot of questions without answers. My husband tried to calm me down, but in vain. One of my friends visited me and counseled me that it wasn't the end of everything. She encouraged me.
What treatment did you receive?
My friend is a nurse and scheduled my lumpectomy. After the surgery I received the wrong medication which led to complications and more surgeries. I eventually insisted that they remove the breast, which a specialist did.
I was then referred to Eldoret’s Chandaria Cancer Centre where I did eight chemotherapy sessions and 25 radiotherapy sessions. I also did hormonal therapy for 18 sessions to avoid recurrence.
AMPATH gave me support through counselling and treatment support. I lack the words but to say thank you a lot.
Diana speaking at a breast cancer awareness event.
What challenges have you faced?
I encountered so many challenges like self-denial, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite. During chemotherapy, I was weak and fatigued. People used to talk about me in front of my kids saying "Oh she wouldn't make it. She will die."
Financial constraints were a very big challenge. We spent all we had for medication including our savings and sold some household possessions. My husband took out a loan and we did fundraising for medication. Sometimes it was a strain to get food for my kids to eat. Sometimes we asked friends to support my kids with food to sustain us. The small business I had collapsed.
I also encountered some cultural beliefs from my friends and relatives who believed I am bewitched. I was stigmatized. I used to lock myself in the house and didn't want to socialize with people. I used to fear walking as people used to stare at me.
I still can't do hard chores or carry something heavy the way I used to. My husband is still paying for the loan. We are stuck and he is also struggling to cater for basic needs.
How are you doing now?
I am doing good. I go to the Chandaria Center every three months for follow-up.
Advocating for breast cancer awareness at an event in Kisumu County.
I also help my fellow women who are affected in one way or another by cancer or any other conditions by visiting them, giving them a word of encouragement and hope. I also go visit the sick in hospitals with my two friends Eunice and Shakila. When we lose one of our fellow cancer warrior or patients in our group, we go to console and make contributions as a group for condolences. Shakila and I represent the group in the final send-off of our members.
What advice do you have for other women?
For my fellow women out there, I want to say that cancer is real, not witchcraft the way people say. All we need to do is to go for screenings at least twice a year. When diagnosed at an early stage, it is better. You will get treatment and be OK. Adhere to the doctor’s instructions and don't listen to advice people will give you. Be positive, patient and have faith that all this will come to pass and you will be well. Go for medical follow-ups even after treatment. Don't assume after treatment that all is ok because there could recurrence. Don't mix doctors prescriptions with herbalist herbs. Finally, be proud of who you are no matter what challenges you're facing. Always smile and give thanks to the Almighty God.
What other changes do you advocate?
I do kindly appeal to African country governments with other stakeholders to:
· Consider cancer patients by forming a commission that will deal with cancer issues and other chronic diseases spear headed by cancer warriors/victors in the same way they considered HIV/AIDS patients and survivors.
· Assist cancer patients by reducing cost of treatment/drugs since not all cancer patients can meet the high cost.
· Build more cancer centers fully equipped with the right equipment for treatment to avoid delays and misdiagnosis.
· Train and employ qualified personnel/experts (oncology doctors and nurses) to provide proper medication and treatment.
· Take a lead/role by training cancer survivors to assist doctors and nurses to create awareness in the communities through sensitization.
· Tell people to go for screenings and the importance of early detection. Early detection saves lives coupled with early, timely treatment.
· Provide at least livelihood support to the affected group of cancer patients and survivors as per their area of strength as most of them drain their resources during treatment. Give them support so that they can sustain their living.
Thanks to AMPATH for your great care and concern for cancer patients. I’ve really benefited from seminars about cancer in general, words of encouragement and hope. Through AMPATH I have learned there's hope beyond cancer and cancer is not a death sentence.
OTHER SUCCESS STORIES
