Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

Kenya

Braving breast cancer, Mueni seeks help

Mueni has so far undergone four chemotherapy sessions but requires a total of six. It is also mandatory that she undergoes a series of tests/CFM NEWS

Mueni has so far undergone four chemotherapy sessions but requires a total of six.
It is also mandatory that she undergoes a series of tests/CFM NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 10 – Some of those who knew her including closest relatives treated her like someone who would die in few days.

Her two boys had even been distributed among relatives.

They had passed a death sentence because she had been diagnosed with a breast cancer.

It is pain beyond measure to be diagnosed with cancer but it is even more painful to realise people who should be there for you have given up on you.

“People have isolated me. I have gone through a hard time, especially where I come from. I don’t know if it’s because they saw my aunt go very fast,” 50 year old Florence Mueni narrated.

It was in 2013, when she was diagnosed with cancer bringing back the sad memories of an aunt she lost to the same disease some years back.

Having retired from the civil service and being a single mother of two, Mueni is a woman of straw.
She lacks the financial wherewithal of seeking treatment.

“I was diagnosed with cancer at stage two. I did not have money to start treatment. So I started praying and believing my God will heal me. I got into prayer groups and prayed a lot,” she recalled.

Though she kept her faith, she knew God also wants people to play their part as much as they waited upon him.
“The swelling had become very big. It was even very black. It was looking like a wound.”

It was at that time she decided to see a doctor after getting contributions from friends and well-wishers.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“I came to the hospital only with Sh18, 000. I had gone to do some tests I had been asked to do. My friends had contributed Sh8, 000 and when I got to this hospital someone here gave me Sh10, 000,” she recounted.

She only wanted tests to be done since the money was not enough.

But the doctor said she had to be admitted immediately.

“The doctor told me ‘you can’t go anywhere, we have to admit you’. I told him- I don’t have money. I told him just do the tests that this money can afford.”

Out of humanity, Mueni was admitted at the Zambezi Hospital in South C.

According to Dr Geoffrey Mutuma, a cancer specialist and a doctor at Zambezi Hospital, he decided to treat Mueni without money because her case required urgent treatment and had high stakes of total healing.

“She did not have money, so we spoke to few friends to assist her. It was not very forthcoming, so we took it as our responsibility to start treating her without money,” he explained.

With help from friends, Mueni has so far undergone four chemotherapy sessions but requires a total of six.
It is also mandatory that she undergoes a series of tests.

Through well-wishers including Dr Gladwell Kiarie they have introduced her to Faraja Cancer Support Trust, Mueni requires a total of Sh900,500 to complete remaining sessions and tests.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“I feel strong, I am getting better. I feel strong and I can live. I have not lost hope. Please assist me complete my chemotherapy sessions. I will not die I am strong and I believe God will heal me,” she pleaded.

“For now, it’s only money that I lack. I appeal to anybody to please assist me.”

Mueni has two sons – one in form two and the other a fourth year student at a Kenyan university.

For now, it’s hard for her to pay her sons school fees and cater for the expensive treatment.

“I was retrenched 15 years ago. I then started selling curios. I used to travel to Tanzania, now I feel sick, I cannot travel, and I can hardly work.”

Mueni can be reached on +254 722 913 850.

Contributions can be made to Equity Bank, Kitengela Branch, Florence Mueni Nzyuko Medical Fund. Account NO. 0700167210919.

PayBill No. 528841.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News