I, Boru Dera, was a father blessed with three beautiful children and my world revolved around them.
Aisha, born on January 17, 2016, was the second among my treasures.
Her talkative and lovely demeanour endeared her to everyone, be it at home, school or in the company of strangers.
Little did I know that our seemingly ordinary life in Archers Post, Samburu county, was about to take an unexpected turn, leading us on a journey through the shadows.
In the early days of November 2021, Aisha, a lively five-year-old girl, began to show symptoms of an illness that none of us could understand.
What seemed like a minor bout of indigestion, escalated into a puzzling medical condition.
Despite seeking medication from a nearby pharmacy, Aisha's pain persisted, and her stomach became bloated, concealing a silent battle that was taking place within her body.
Imagining it was a passing ailment, I sent her to school the following day. However, that evening, Aisha returned home unable to eat, her belly bloated and her discomfort evident.
It was heart-breaking to see her pretend that everything was okay, concealing her pain from us. As her father, witnessing her agony compelled me to take swift action.
Hospital tests showed Aisha had a blood infection, setting off a series of misdiagnoses that prolonged our ordeal.
December 21, 2021, marked a crucial turning point when Aisha's body began to betray her.
With the assistance of the Reverend Diid Borisso, a family friend, we raced to a hospital in Isiolo, 36km from our residence.
The ensuing days unfolded with relentless uncertainty. Aisha's initial diagnosis hinted at bone TB, but her condition continued to worsen. Eventually, we found ourselves at Kenyatta National Hospital on the recommendation of a paediatric physician who suspected lymphoma.
On January 20, 2022, my wife and I embarked on a journey to KNH, hopeful yet apprehensive.
It was on this day that the word leukemia darkened our lives. The chilling revelation that our daughter might be battling acute myeloid leukemia (AML) shattered our world.
February 4, 2022, forever etched the confirmation of Aisha's diagnosis into our hearts.
This is not just a story of a jobless parent: it's a first-hand account of a father's unwavering quest for hope, resilience and strength in the face of life's cruellest trials.
Join me as I share the poignant tale of our family's fight against AML, a journey marked by shadows but illuminated by the enduring power of love.
Amid the devastating reality of Aisha's diagnosis, I [Boru Dera] found myself plunged into a new and challenging chapter of life as a parent.
My wife and I, both jobless and financially strained, stood united against the formidable adversary called paediatric leukaemia.
As the days unfolded, Aisha's hospital bed became a witness to our collective pain, prayers and the shared hope for a miracle.
The hospital corridors echoed with the silent cries of parents facing similar battles, creating an unspoken camaraderie that only those navigating the shadows could understand.
Each passing day brought a new test, a new treatment and a surge of emotions that oscillated between hope and despair.
Aisha, my little warrior, faced the uncertainties with a bravery that belied her tender age.
Her small frame bore the weight of endless medical procedures, transfusions and the relentless assault of chemotherapy.
The journey to KNH became a pilgrimage of faith, with our daughter's life hanging in the balance.
I clung to the belief that love could conquer even the most insidious diseases.
Aisha's mother, Darmi, my rock in this storm, shared the burden of sleepless nights, tear-streaked faces and whispered promises of a better tomorrow.
The hospital became a temporary home, the medical staff our lifelines, and the other families sharing the paediatric oncology ward our silent companions.
Reverend Borisso, the guiding angel who facilitated our journey to KNH, remained a pillar of support, reminding us that in our darkest moments, community and kindness could light the way.
On the day the diagnosis confirmed Aisha's battle with AML, the room seemed to contract and the air became suffocating as we absorbed the weight of those three daunting letters.
Our world was shattered, but within the fragments, a resilient spirit emerged. As we embarked on part two of this heart-wrenching journey, uncertainty loomed large, but so did the unwavering determination to fight for Aisha's life.
Little did I know that this experience would forge a narrative of strength, unity and the unbreakable bond between a father and his ailing daughter.
Part 2: Read what transpired after diagnosis confirmed AML in tomorrow's edition.