Woman diagnosed with cancer months into marriage dumped by husband

– Mercy Awino was diagnosed with breast cancer barely months into her marriage and now her husband does not want anything to with her

– She has been undergoing treatment at the Kenyatta Nationa Hospital using her National Health Insurance Funds but she is now running out of cash

– According to Awino, her family is unable to help her noting she lost her father and all paternal uncles and her elder sister was ailing too

– She is now appealing to Kenyans of goodwill to help her financially so she can complete her chemotherapy and buy the required medicine

Mercy Awino was first diagnosed with breast cancer in early February 2020, after she developed a persistent lump in her left breast in late 2019.

In October of the same year, Awino visited Mbagathi Hospital after the lump became so big and an ultrasound was done and a biopsy test recommended.

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Mercy Awino went back to the hospital in February 2020, and a biopsy test results showed she had tested positive for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC). Photo: Mercy Awino.
Source: Original

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Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, she said she became scared, went back home and started using herbal treatment hoping the lump would go away but it did not and in January 2020, she developed painful lymph nodes under her armpit.

“ I discovered a lump in my left breast in 2019, it was not painful, so I did not worry too much, but after some time it was growing and by October it was big, so I went to Mbagathi, where an ultrasound was done,” she said.

Awino went back to the hospital in February 2020, and a biopsy test results showed she had tested positive for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC), also known as Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma.

According to John Hopkins Medicine, it is cancer that began growing in a milk duct and invades the fibrous or fatty tissue of the breast outside of the duct. It is the most common form of breast cancer representing 80% of all breast cancer diagnoses.

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After receiving her test results, Awino was referred to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) where she was booked for oncology clinic, computerized tomography (CT) scan and hormone receptor study tests before she could begin treatment.

The tests were too expensive for her but desperate to get the much-needed treatment, she took to social media to request for help, and there, she met a good Samaritan who paid for all the tests, and even saw her start chemotherapy in March 2020.

“So from March, I have been undergoing chemotherapy. It is very harsh. It has dealt with my immunity and now I have very low energy levels I can not even work, even doing my house chores has become a big challenge and I rely on neighbours for help,” said Awino.

As a result, Awino who received the diagnosis barely months into her marriage developed a cough and up to now am she still coughs day and night. Further tests indicated there was the presence of cancer cells in her lung hence the persistent cough.

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Mercy Awino before she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Awino received the diagnosis barely months into her marriage. Photo: Mercy Awino.
Source: Original

Despite her vulnerable state, she was abandoned by the man she had intended to spend the rest of her life with and has since been requesting her to leave his house following the diagnosis.

“I got married last year, so this diagnosis came when I was not even a year old in marriage. And my husband changed completely. Cancer made him change his mind and he has been asking me to leave his house,” she said.

“He together with his family have refused to help me with my treatment. Am on my own from treatment to buying drugs to transport,” she added.

She was forced to be using a motorbike to and from the health facility each time she has an appointment because of her chest – it can not allow her to walk a long distance.

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Awino who is currently out of employment said she had been using National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to pay for the therapies since the third cycle but she is now running out of funds.

Sometimes she is forced to buy some drugs which are not available at the health facility yet they are costly which, to her, is a big challenge in the treatment and management of the disease.

“Apart from chemotherapy, I have to maintain a specific diet and use supplements which are so expensive…I was asked to buy drugs for oral chemo, they cost KSh 16k and they are not available at Kenyatta, I have to look for them outside,” she said.

In addition before every therapy session, she is required to do liver function test, kidney function test, and full blood count.

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