Imagine what it is like battling cancer for 13 years while you are at your prime in life.
This is the story of Esther Nyambura Kinyua or Essy Kinyua as her peers popularly refer her to, who is now battling bone cancer.
Essy who lives in Kiambu was first diagnosed with the debilitating disease in 2007. In 2014, she underwent surgery where her right arm was amputated to prevent further spread of cancer.
Since the amputation in 2014, the mother of two – a boy aged 14 and a girl now 8 years old – lived with renewed hope of surviving what had been her life’s biggest test unknowingly that 2019 would pose yet another test on her faith.
In an exclusive interview with Jamhuri News, she opines that her doctors realized that the cancer was recurring. In May this year, she underwent another major surgery where her right shoulder, collar bone and scapula were removed.
“From 2014 I was okay until 2019, last year when the disease reoccurred and I was told that the cancer had reoccurred; it was bone cancer. My shoulder was removed this year in May,” she narrates.
She says that doctors advised her that the resection (removal of her shoulder) was the best treatment she could get to fully cure her cancer.
However, the surgery has left her with a new battle to fight since she needs to undergo specialized treatment to prevent the recurrence of the cancer once again.
Essy has also had to contend with the fact that she cannot wear a normal bra, forcing her to wear a sports bra and place a folded piece of cloth on her amputated arm just so that her clothes fit her well.
She is now appealing for aid to undergo the specialized treatment – adjuvant therapy radiation – which she says she was supposed to start next week but have not been able to since she cannot raise Ksh1 million for the treatment.
“All I’m requesting from you guys is to help me. I have done this before and able and willing to do it again… I want you to help me to pay my bills because I was called by my doctors and they told me I have do another treatment called adjuvant therapy radiation. It will protect me from the recurrence of another cancer,” she appeals.
“I also want to acquire a prosthetic shoulder because I am not able to wear normal clothes,” she adds saying she cannot carry even a handbag.
Her treatment is costing about Ksh1 million and to her, this could give her a new lease of life.
You can send your donation via her M-Pesa number; Esther Nyambura 0723450158, or through the Cooperative Bank Kiambu branch Acc/No: 01109677268300.
Follow this link to see how life life has changed for her.
