02/06/2018
My Encounter with Colon Cancer: a Testimony of Encouragement!
*THE STORY OF BENARD KITUR*
Around September/October, 2008, I experienced pain in the lower abdomen. At that time. I was an employee of Egerton University.
Certain Laboratory Tests were carried out. I was told I had Amoeba (this Laboratory Technologist told me, "We, Mzee, you are full of Amoeba"!) I was given Dawa for Amoeba. After finishing the Dawa, the pain did not go away! So, I went back to the Medical Department. They checked the File and told me they treated Amoeba but had forgotten to treat the Cysts! I was given Dawa for the Cysts. After I finished the Dawa for the Cysts the pain in the lower abdomen still did not go away!
I decided to go for X-Ray and Endoscopy* by Dr. Z. O. Oguttu, Consultant Radiologist, Ranalo Medical Imaging Centre, Gatehouse, Nakuru.
[*"a procedure in which an instrument is introduced into the body to give a view of its internal parts."]
After the X-Ray and Endoscopy of the relevant body area of concern, Dr. Oguttu told me he had found out my problem! He told me I had some growth and constriction in the large intestine. He said, he was referring me to Prof. Elly O. Ogutu, Consultant Physician/Gastroenterologist, Nairobi Hospital, for further investigation.
Egerton University then booked me at Nairobi Hospital on Wednesday, 5th November, 2008.
On that same Wednesday, the 5th, in the evening, Prof. Ogutu came to my Bed in the Ward and told me, tomorrow we shall do COLONOSCOPY**.
[**"a procedure in which a flexible fibre-optic instrument is inserted through the a**s in order to examine the colon."]
The next day (Thursday 6th), in the evening, Prof. Ogutu told me, tomorrow we shall do CT SCAN***.
[***"CT stands for computed tomography. The CT scan can reveal anatomic details of internal organs that cannot be seen in conventional X-rays. ... The CT scan is also known as the CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan."]
On Friday (7th), in the evening, Prof. Ogutu told me, I am looking for a Surgeon so that you are operated on Monday (10th) or Tuesday (11th)!
On Saturday, 8th November, 2008, while I was in my Bed in the Ward, someone came to me and said, I am Dr. Mogere, and I want to operate you at 3:00 O'clock that same Saturday afternoon! I told him, it was OK!
I called my Wife, Rachel, and informed her of the developments! I called my Pastor, Charles Ng'eno, then of AGC NGATA, and he prayed for me over the phone!
Meanwhile, the Hospital had started preparing me for surgery! At 3:00 O'clock, I was not ready as the stomach had not responded to the cleaning Dawa! However, at 6:00 p.m., I was ready! I was then taken to the Theatre. I was told the operation took 3 hours!
All this time, since September, 2008, I had not known the exact nature of my problem! Later, after the operation, and as I was recuperating, I asked Prof. Ogutu what my problem was! He told me, it was Colon Cancer! He further told me, if I had not moved with speed the way I had done, the thing would have killed me within 6 months!
I was discharged from Nairobi Hospital on November 20th, 2008. However, I was told that I had to undergo Chemotherapy****; the purpose of which was to ensure complete elimination of any Cancer cells that might have escaped into the blood stream. I was referred to Prof. N. A. Othieno - Abinya (Oncologist).
[****"the treatment of disease by the use of chemical substances, especially the treatment of cancer by cytotoxic and other drugs."]
After discussing with Prof. N. A. Othieno - Abinya (Oncologist), I noted there were three methods for the application of Chemotherapy: Tablets; Radiology; and Intravenous, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. I opted for the Intravenous***** method.
[*****"existing or taking place within, or administered into, a vein or veins.
"an intravenous drip""]
In relation to the Intravenous application of Dawa, I knew it would be problematic locating the intravenous veins in my hands; especially now that the process would have to take place over a period of 6 months! I therefore discussed with Prof. Abinya if there was a way to overcome the problem. He told me there was a way, and he referred me to Prof. Gerald Yonga, Professor of Medicine and Cardiology.
Prof. Yonga operated me on 5th January, 2009 and inserted a Chemoport****** (Port-a-Cath*******) via Rt subclavian vein********, for the application of Chemotherapy Dawa. With the Chemoport in place, I was very comfortable with the insertion of Intravenous Needles, as I felt no pain at all!
[******"A chemoport is an intra-dermal or sub-dermal line or access point made on the chest or arm of patients to assist intravenous (IV) chemotherapy. ... A chemoport is also termed as mediport, cancer port or port-a-cath."]
[*******"It is a central IV line, meaning that the catheter is threaded into one of the large central veins in the chest, which empties into the heart. The vein which is used most often is the right internal jugular vein. This vein is preferred because it is very close to the skin and easy to find with ultrasound."]
[********"The subclavian vein is an extension of the axillary vein that originates at the outer border of the first rib. There are two such vessels within the human body – the left subclavian vein and the right subclavian vein."]
I underwent 12 Sessions of Intravenous Chemotherapy, starting January and ending June, 2009. The Chemotherapy treatment was administered by Dr. Gladwell Kiarie, Consultant Physician and Medical Oncologist.
The Chemotherapy was hard on my body system. In fact, after Session 2, I wanted to give up; and I did tell my Family Doctor, Dr. Richard K. Sang', about it!
I thank God I was able to withstand the terrible effects of Chemotherapy and managed to complete all the 12 Sessions successfully; with the impression of my Chemotherapy Doctor! She told me many people do not complete the prescribed Sessions, and give up during the process altogether!
I thank God the problem was diagnosed at its early stages, before it could spread to other organs of the body.
I thank God for all the Doctors who participated in my case, starting from Egerton University - Dr. Richard K. Sang', Dr. A. W. Wakube, Dr. G. K. Wahome, Dr. A. Njoki; Dr. Z. O. Oguttu of Ranalo Medical Imaging Centre, Nakuru; The Doctors at Nairobi Hospital - Dr. Robin Mogere (the Surgeon), Prof. Elly O. Ogutu (Consultant Physician/Gastroenterologist), Dr. Noah W. Nganga (Consultant Anaesthetist), Prof. N. A. Othieno - Abinya (Oncologist), Prof. Gerald Yonga (Medicine & Cardiology), Dr. Gladwell Kiarie (Consultant Physician & Medical Oncologist). All these Doctors, first and foremost, were humane! They discharged their duties professionally and enthusiastically!
I am ever grateful to my former Employer, Egerton University, for all the logistical and financial support awarded to me during my critical time of need. Without the Support of Egerton University, probably I would not be alive today to give this testimony! May God bless all the Administrators and Staff of the University at the time who participated in one way or the other in my case.
I am grateful to my students at Egerton University who empathized with my feeble body condition and tearing eyes, during Lectures, following Chemotherapy!
Regarding my former Employer, I especially thank the following Chief Administrators at the time: the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. J. K. Tuitoek; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Finance), Prof. L. M. Mumera; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. R. A. Mwonya; and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Division of Research and Extension), Prof. J. M. Mathooko.
The same appreciation is extended to Nairobi Hospital for all the care and patience they had towards me as one of their many patients, even when the University was, at times, slow in meeting their financial obligations!
I thank my Wife, Rachel and the children, Gloria Chelang'at, and Gilbert Kipbet, who stood by me during these trying moments. I also thank all the friends, colleagues at the University, and Church members who supported me through prayers, finances and encouragement.
I thank God for saving me from the dreadful disease. I pray that God will have mercy on all those who may be undergoing what I went through. I encourage everyone, whenever possible, let us go for complete Medical Check Ups on regular basis; at least, once every year. It is possible to survive from Cancer if it is diagnozed at its early stages.
I hope by sharing my story I could be of some help/encouragement to somebody somewhere!
In my case, I must say, I see God's hand at every step and in each and every thing that took place: the Diagnosis; the choice of Hospital and Doctors; the speed at which everything moved (for example, I did not take time to first go back home to consult family, etc.); the courage, will, physical and Spiritual power to put up with the terrible effects of Chemotherapy on the body system - the destruction of the body's White Blood Cells, the peeling off of the skin of the balms and sole of the feet, the loss of finger- and toe-nails, the loss of hair, the loss of appetite and everything tasting bad, the body complexion turning very dark, and a complete body weakness (see photo here below at 50% Chemotherapy).
I remember sharing my story with my students at the University. At that time, my eyes were still tearing a lot due to the side effects of Chemotherapy, by blocking the drainage ducts********* of my eyes, and I had to keep reminding the students that I was not crying or anything like that! During that time also, one prominent politician who had just returned from Cancer treatment in the U.S.A., was criticizing our local Doctors and our local Medical Facilities! But, here I was; very appreciative of the very same local Doctors, and the very same local Medical Facilities!
[*********"Normally, tears flow from the lacrimal glands over the surface of your eye. Tears drain into the puncta, located in the inside corners of your upper and lower eyelids. Your eyelids have small canals (canaliculi) that move tears to a sac where the lids are attached to the side of the nose (lacrimal sac)."
Let us appreciate our Doctors and support improvement of our Medical Facilities, instead of always concentrating our energies and financial resources on politicking, looting and amassing wealth at the expense of the rest of the country and people of Kenya!
God bless Kenya and the people of our Nation, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
