Nakuru Woman Abandoned by Hubby after Her Cancer Reappeared Seeks KSh 2.5m for Surgery in India
- Leah Wanjiru from Nakuru was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2015 and declared cancer-free after years of treatment but it returned in 2023
- She was initially misdiagnosed with goitre before eventually undergoing surgeries at Kijabe and Aga Khan Hospitals
- Wanjiru is calling on well-wishers to help her raise KSh 2.5 million for her life-saving surgery in India
- TUKO.co.ke spoke to Kephas Njoga, a medical expert who explained that several factors contribute to cancer returning after remission
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A woman from Pipeline estate in Nakuru county is appealing for help to raise KSh 2.5 million for surgery in India.
Source: Youtube
Leah Wanjiru was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2015 and underwent treatment for several years until the cancer went into remission.
Wanjiru explained that during her initial hospital visit, doctors diagnosed her with goitre and placed her on wrong drugs.
“I went to Kijabe Hospital where they removed my thyroid, and also to Aga Khan Hospital where they performed a nuclear ablation. They carried out a second surgery and managed all my clinic visits until I was declared cancer-free,” she shared.
The mother of two noted that she enjoyed a new lease of life until December 2023, when she developed a swelling on her neck, which turned out to be cancer.
She is currently taking drugs to reduce the swelling, noting that it costs her approximately KSh 33,000 per month.
Why Wanjiru’s surgery cannot be done in Kenya
The distraught woman said the surgery could be done in Kenya and at a lower cost, but there is a high risk she could lose her ability to speak or walk. As a result, she is seeking treatment in India, where doctors have assured her she will recover fully.
“At Kenyatta Hospital, they told me they could perform the surgery, but I must be prepared to lose my voice. I would become mute, and due to the location of the nerve affected by the cancer, I might also lose the ability to walk,” she said.
However, doctors in India noted that the advanced technology available there would allow for a safer surgery, without the risk of losing her speech or mobility.
Wanjiru said the KSh 2.5 million required is too much for her and her children to raise on their own, and she is calling on well-wishers to assist her in raising the amount.
Source: Youtube
Why did Leah Wanjiru’s husband abandon her?
As if cancer were not emotionally draining enough, the mother of two has been left to care for her children alone after her husband walked out.
Faced with mounting medical bills, he left her with the children, unable to handle the financial pressure.
“The financial strain was too much and ended my marriage. My husband perhaps felt the burden was too heavy, and that’s why he left,” she said.
She noted that friends and church members have been supportive since her cancer returned and expressed deep gratitude for their help.
Her firstborn son, a second-year university student, has been forced to defer his studies due to financial constraints, while the younger child has only recently returned to school.
Why cancer returns worse after remission – Medical expert explains
TUKO.co.ke spoke to Kephas Njoga, a medical expert at Nairobi Women’s Hospital, Mombasa, who explained that several factors contribute to cancer returning after remission, including poor adherence to talking drugs, genetic mutation of cancer cells, and changes in the body's defence system.
“Our DNA changes constantly, and that's what enables us to fight diseases. For example, HIV mimics the DNA and RNA of our body, then multiplies, a tactic used to camouflage itself and avoid being attacked by antibodies. Eventually, it begins attacking those very antibodies,” he explained.
Baringo mum seeks KSh 1m for son’s surgery
In other news, TUKO.co.ke reported that a single mother in Baringo county sought help to raise KSh 1 million for her son’s surgery.
Sharon Langat shared that her son, Jayden, was born prematurely and was diagnosed with a severe heart condition one month after birth.
Due to the cost of treatment, her husband ran away, leaving her to shoulder the mounting medical bills alone.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
