For Steven Mburu Mwea and his wife, life has been a journey of resilience and devotion.
This elderly couple, living miles from the
nearest hospital, faces the challenges of breast cancer treatment every day.
Steven’s
wife, diagnosed over a year and a half ago, has been battling her illness with
courage and strength, though the journey has come with many hardships.
Their days
start early, as they prepare for the long trip to the hospital for her regular
injections. Steven, always by her side, holds her hand as they make their way and often wait hours to receive care.
Living in Githunguri Kiambu County, which is a bit far from the hospital, means every visit is a journey, both physically and emotionally draining. They have no steady source of income, and the cost of the treatments adds an immense financial burden.
“We have been trying to make ends meet,” Mburu says, his voice a mix of pride and fatigue.
“Our
children help when they can, but they do odd jobs, washing clothes or working
in people’s gardens. They don’t have stable work either.”
Despite
their efforts, the couple faces ongoing challenges with accessing reliable
treatment.
At the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) where they get their treatment, Mburu said that the
doctors are skilled and caring.
He further
stated that they get adequate medical attention from the physicians.
The couple stated that they have not been able to get the much-needed medical requirements at the nearby hospital, that is why they were referred to the referral hospital with a specialisation in cancer treatment.
“The journey
so far has been good. We come here daily for screenings and to get medicine and
they take care of us, “ Mburu said.
“We come to get
medicine and screening to see how the medicine has progressed and to check the
state of my wife.”
He said that
the hospital takes care of the screening and the medicine; however, at times the
hospital fails them. A journey can't be just a bed of roses, he says that they
experience difficulties from time to time.
“Sometimes we arrive only to find that the machine isn’t working or that essential medications are unavailable, ” cried Mburu.
He continues to say that at other times, the government insurance system on which they rely on faces technical issues, leaving them unable to process payments.
“When that
happens, they ask us to pay out of pocket, but we can’t always do that,” Mburu
explains.
Missing a
treatment dose is a heartbreaking reality they have come to know all too well,
impacting their morale and his wife's health.
According to the National Cancer Control Programme, treatment is costly, with charges ranging from Sh172,000 ($1,720) to Sh759,000
($7,590) to treat cervical cancer without surgery and Sh672,000 ($6,720) to
Sh1.2 million ($12,500) if an operation is carried out.
As Mburu
continued to tell their story, he said that the side effects of her wife’s
cancer treatments have taken a toll on her physical well-being.
He says it has been difficult to watch her go through the bouts of fatigue, nausea,
lack of appetite, and the loss of her once-full hair.
“She used to
have beautiful hair,” he says wistfully. “Seeing her lose it was hard, but
she’s a strong woman. She holds on.”
Yet through all the ups and downs, they found a ray of hope at an event called "Wigs and Wings." An event by the KNH and beauticians was designed to support cancer patients.
They offered them a
moment of relief and joy amidst their ongoing struggle. Mburu recalls it as a
day unlike any other where they could forget the hardships and celebrate
life.
During the
event, Mburu’s wife received a wig, giving her back a small piece of her former
self.
“They gave
her beautiful hair,” he says with a smile. “She looked so happy, and for once,
I felt like I was seeing her as she used to be.”
It wasn’t just
about the wig, though. He shares that the event offered a much-needed escape,
with laughter, dancing, and even a few lighthearted moments. For Mburu, it was
the first time he had ever been shaved by a woman.
“It was strange
but fun,” he laughs. “All my life, I have never had that experience. It brought
a little laughter to my heart.”
As he
watched his wife dance and enjoy herself, Mburu felt a warmth in his heart that
had been absent for a long time.
“Seeing her smile, seeing her so happy—it
reminded me of the person I married all those years ago. This disease has
changed so much for us, but moments like this give us the strength to keep
going.”
Mburu expressed profound gratitude to the doctors, event organisers, and everyone involved in making the day special.
“I thank them all from the bottom of my heart,” he says.
“The
doctors, the people who organised the event, don’t know what a difference
they have made for us. Just having a day where my wife could feel pampered,
where she could get her nails done and have a new wig, it means everything.”
The event brought the couple a fresh wave of resilience, reminding them that they are not alone in their journey.
As they prepare to return to their routine, with
its many uncertainties, Mburu clings to the memory of that joyful day. He knows
the road ahead will continue to be difficult, but moments of kindness and
support from the community have given him and his wife the strength to
persevere.
For him and his wife, their cancer journey has been defined by struggle but also by love and unwavering dedication.
They continue to face each day together, taking solace in small joys and drawing strength from each other. And though the challenges remain, they know that with each other's support, they can endure.
