This archive report was first published on 24 November 2019.
November 24, 2019, marked a turning point for Petronillah Kemunto, a nurse at Kenyatta National Hospital, who had been living with epilepsy for years. Despite her condition, Kemunto's determination to live a normal life remained unwavering.
Her journey began in high school when she would experience bouts of zoning off and daydreaming, which her teachers attributed to poor performance. However, what they didn't know was that Kemunto was suffering from partial seizures, a type of epilepsy that affects a specific part of the brain.
Years later, Kemunto was diagnosed with complex partial seizures, which were exacerbated by a back injury she sustained two months into her employment. The diagnosis came as a shock, and Kemunto was in denial due to the stigma surrounding epilepsy.
According to research by KEMRI, there is a lack of awareness about epilepsy in Kenya, with many people believing it's caused by supernatural powers or possession by evil spirits. Kemunto's family and friends were no exception, with some even suggesting that she had been bewitched.
Statistics show that epilepsy affects around three percent of the population, with 70-80 percent of patients responding to medication. However, Kemunto was among the 20 percent who didn't respond to treatment, and her condition worsened over time.
After seven years of medication, Kemunto's seizures became more frequent, and she was having multiple seizures in a day. It was then that she decided to seek alternative treatment options.
Dr. Somesh Desai, a neurosurgeon at Apollo Hospital in Ahmedabad, India, was at the forefront of Kemunto's treatment. He explained that before performing surgery, they evaluate patients to find the cause of their epilepsy and identify the focus of the seizures in the brain.
Using advanced imaging techniques like MRI, functional MRI, and SPECT scans, Dr. Desai's team was able to locate the source of Kemunto's seizures. The surgery, which involved removing 3mm of her brain, was a success, and Kemunto experienced significant improvement in her condition.
Dr. Desai noted that the setup required to perform such complex surgery is not readily available in many places, including Kenya. However, with advancements in medicine, patients like Kemunto now have a new lease of life.
Despite the challenges she faced, Kemunto's story serves as a testament to the power of determination and the importance of raising awareness about epilepsy. Her journey is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.
