This archive report was first published on 22 July 2019.
Life on the Battlefront with Loved Ones Who Have Cancer ¶
Christmas Day in 2018 was a day Mercy Barasa would never forget. She spent the day pacing up and down the corridors of AIC Kijabe Hospital, anxiously waiting for news about her mother's condition.
Her mother, Everlyne Mukhongo, had been suffering from unexplained ailments for four months, and Mercy had been searching for answers. The family had visited several doctors, but none could provide a clear diagnosis.
It wasn't until they visited AIC Kijabe Hospital that the doctors ordered a CT scan, which confirmed their worst fears. Mercy's mother had stage three pancreatic cancer.
The doctors told Mercy that the tumour was unresectable, meaning it couldn't be removed because it had spread to neighbouring tissue. Instead, they recommended palliative care, which focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms.
Mercy has been taking care of her mother ever since, and it's been a challenging journey. She has had to deal with the emotional pain of watching her mother suffer, as well as the financial burden of caring for her.
But Mercy is not alone in her struggles. Ibrahim Mmudi's wife, Anastacia Otieno, was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer in 2017, and he has been her primary caregiver.
Anastacia's journey with cancer began when she was expecting their third child. She complained of stomach-aches, which the family thought were just pregnancy pains. But the pain persisted even after delivery, and they eventually discovered that she had a growth in her stomach.
Desperate for answers, they sought medical help, but the diagnosis was devastating. Anastacia had stage three colon cancer, and the tumour had blocked her colon. She spent six months at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) bedridden, and the constant hospital visits, tests, and admission took a financial toll on the family.
Despite the challenges, Ibrahim has been Anastacia's rock throughout her treatment. He has relied on the help of neighbours whenever he is away, and he has even taken on odd jobs to make ends meet.
But the couple's biggest pain is that NHIF could only cover six of the 12 chemotherapy sessions needed. They are now relying on well-wishers to help them pay medical bills, and Ibrahim's greatest hope is for his wife to get better.
As a counsellor, Prof Catherine Gachutha weighs in on the toll it takes on caregivers and offers insights on ways those around them can support them.
