The first day I was diagnosed with breast cancer seemed like the end of the world. How to start? Where to go? Who to meet? Who to tell? And many more questions crossed through my mind.
I felt dejected, I began to ask questions, why it had to be me, knowing full well my background and being the bread winner of my family. What hope do I have to finance the treatment, which is rather expensive and rigorous?
Despite it all I never ceased asking why me? I still have a vivid memory of that faithful day. I was in the office when I received a phone call that my test result was out. Why should I not be hopeful since I am young and my take was that breast cancer was not for people like me? “It is for people who are dirty and have lived a reckless life.”
I was advised to sit and wait for the head of the unit, a female doctor quite different from the first doctor that attended to me initially. Eventually, I met her, not before her several stories and words of encouragement. At this point I started feeling restless, furious and wanted her to go straight to the point. She still could not break the awful news but asked a survivor to come and encourage me to be strong. At this moment, I deduced what the result was; I could not help it anymore and just burst into tears.
I returned home depressed, unhappy and life became miserable. I refused to see anyone. All I needed was to be alone. I did not know who to tell and what the reaction might be. I did not know anyone who had gone through this trauma. I was left in this world to fight the battle alone. The next day, I sent a text message to my Managing Director in the office. The only person I could think of in order to secure my job since I know it might be at stake at this crucial moment. She summoned me to the office. It was at this level that my many mind bothering questions were answered. I felt so jittery that I poured out my heart to her. Immediately, she called her doctor friend at LUTH (Lagos University Teaching Hospital) and got me connected to an oncologist who took over my case and went for second opinion, which was a confirmation of the previous. I started my treatment after series of tests.
My unforgettable memory was realizing that my family obviously could not afford the cost of my treatment. My boss promised to use her connections to help raise the funds. Today, I stand to testify that my surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were all financed through charity/donations with the help of my boss. I cannot but pray that Almighty God will continue to bless and reward her and those who made different contributions. The entire treatment process was tedious. It was not easy at all. I do not pray that anyone go through this ordeal. I thank God for saving my life. He blessed me with strength, stability and determination despite all the pains I went through.
To my family, friends and those I could not dodge their constant prayers, calls, visits and words of encouragement. I say thank you.
To aunty C.O.P.E (that is what I call her) who has had a soft spot for me since the day I met her, I thank you for your words of encouragement, advice and follow-up.
Above all, to Almighty God who saw the beginning and the end and decreed that I shall live, Baba, may your name be praised.
Today, I call myself a survivor and I pray that affliction will never come again, Amen. To all other fellow survivors, I say congratulations.
To all those that have just been diagnosed or still going through one form of treatment or the other in the course of survival, you shall all be a testimony in Jesus name, Amen.
