Teresiah Njeri noticed some pain at the back of her head but she didn’t think much of it.
When it persisted she decided to pay her doctor a visit on March 9, 2020. Teresia received the news she never expected, cancer had come knocking on her door.
The 35-year-old mother of one was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma.
After 35 sessions of radiation and hours of intense surgery, Teresiah woke up to the realization that her left jaw was removed and replaced with a pallet and metal chip.
Though scarred and in pain, she was confident that the cancer was gone. Unfortunately, it came knocking on her door again. She had to go in for another surgery, only that this time round, she risked losing her left eye.
Fortunately, her doctor assured her that her eye would remain untouched. Cancer not only stole her smile but also deprived her of the ability to eat normally. Teresiah narrates how terrified she was when the doctors suggested drilling a hole in her tummy since she had difficulties eating.
Her struggle with cancer brought her weight down to 22kgs and to add salt to injury, she had to deal with tormenting comments from people close to her.
“When someone tells you, ‘mbona hukukufa? (Why didn’t you die?) Enda kakufe nahuko (go die)’ and that really hit me because I even asked God, did I sign for this thing?”
Unable to bare the pain, Teresiah attempted suicide four times and on her third attempt, she decided to try it away from her house, with the hope that it would be successful only to wake up again in the hospital.
“I woke up again in the hospital, maybe some people took me to the hospital so when I regained the conscious I now explained, I gave out the number of my caregiver she was called and she came to the hospital.”
Twenty-nine-year-old John Mwangi would never have imagined that a painless swelling he noticed on his left leg was a cancerous tumor, that would eventually cost him his leg. After receiving his MRI results, the doctors broke the news to him and told him that he had tested positive for Synovial Sarcoma and he also learnt that his tumor had grown to 18 inches.
The doctors advised him to get immediate surgery to amputate his leg. He sought the opinion of other doctors with the hopes that he will get an alternative solution, but they all advised the same.
“So I went back and asked the doctor, how much time do I have? He said I can only give you two weeks to go decide about it, think about it but you only have two weeks. And I asked, after the two weeks, what if I don’t take the leg amputation? The best you can do is a year.”
Sadly, John could not help but think of the worst as this was not the first time he had an encounter with cancer.
“Unfortunately, two years before I had lost my mum to cervical cancer, although it was not related to the same, the only word that kept coming to my mind was cancer and death, so this is it, you’re done. How will that short time be?”
His wife, Evalyne Njoki, who has stood by him says that people have expressed concerns about their relationship fearing they might not last long.
“It was always about the doubts whether he would actually live and how could you plan a future with someone that you don’t know about their tomorrow, you know. It would always feel as if this could be cut short at any point so why do want to risk this?”
However, she has not allowed that to get into her head, she remains optimistic and continues to empower her husband saying that she no longer looks at him as a survivor, but instead focuses on the man he is becoming.
Teresia Thami Maina, who just turned 30, noticed a lamp on her right breast which was not alarming to her since sometimes ladies experience it while on their period and later disappear. Unfortunately for Thami, the lamp stayed longer and she consulted with her doctor to get answers.
A few tests and scans later, she was met with heartbreaking news; cancer had paid her a visit. She tested positive for non-invasive ductal carcinoma, a condition where there are abnormal cells inside the milk duct in the breast.
Cancer has claimed the lives of many of her family members, including her own father, and upon receiving the news, she couldn’t help but notice that she was next in line
“Death comes to mind because I lost my dad and before my dad, I lost other family members. So here I am with the loss of a parent, I’m devastated, frustrated, call it to name it, and the next thing that comes to mind is that I will not survive”
Andrew Odhiambo, a medical oncologist, however, advises against that mentality stating that cancer is not a death sentence. He adds that while some cancers are hard to treat, others can be managed and cured, therefore, people diagnosed with cancer should not lose hope.
He also emphasizes that people take cancer screening seriously.
“Yes we are creating awareness, but it’s not translating into actual screenings. The government has been shouting about cervical cancer the whole of January, how many people went for screening? When I talk to my colleagues in the ministry, they tell you the uptake is low.”
Join our community and solve the Puzzling fun with our range of crosswords
We are building some fun puzzles to put your problem-solving skills to the test and we want you to have a blast while you're at it!
Share your email and we’ll serve up new puzzles with your morning coffee.
Do you want to help shape the features we prioritize? Take a Survey to help us understand what matters to you most
Begin SurveyAM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
This is Daily Politics. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.