Ms Jackline Akoth recovering after surgery at JOOTRH. By Sherine Atieno.
Jacklin Akoth’s life transformed in ways she never imagined, perhaps “miraculously” as she attests. This is after undergoing a life-changing surgery performed by the Neurosurgical camp specialists at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).
Akoth was once a vibrant woman who was working in Nairobi to provide for her family. However, early this year, she started experiencing numbness in her legs and hands, posing difficulties in walking and even grasping objects. Her body became imbalanced that she staggered as people thought she was drunk. This discomfort escalated into a debilitating condition that left her struggling to walk and care for herself. The numbness spread from her legs to her waist and arms, leaving her bound to a wheelchair, forcing her to quit her job.
“The pain was excruciating,” She recalls. “I couldn’t even hold a spoon to feed myself. Every day felt like a battle, and there were moments I thought I might not make it.” Some days she yelled in pain reflecting on the negative comments she got from people.
Desperate for help, Ms. Akoth sought treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where she was prescribed medication to manage her blood pressure, but the condition persisted. Not only did she endure devastating physical pain but also emotional toll. Concurrent tragic personal events unfolded when her brother passed away, and her sister was admitted to the ICU. Ms. Akoth could do nothing to help, either financially or physically, because of her condition. It was a difficult moment for her.
Despite everything, Ms. Akoth never lost faith as she held onto hope that one day, God would provide a permanent solution to regain her health. That hope arrived in an unexpected way. She received a heartwarming message from her cousin in the USA with a link to information about the Neurosurgical camp at JOOTRH. The camp, organized by the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative supported by Giving Back to Kenya in partnership with JOOTRH, promised advanced neurological care for patients just like her. This was the opportunity she had been praying for.
Ms. Akoth seized the chance without hesitation and travelled by plane from Nairobi to Kisumu. Upon arrival, she followed the process of registration at the Consultant’s clinics, then to the imaging department for MRIs, and CT scans, where she was deemed eligible for the operation. Although she was in throbbing pain, her heart was excited as her prayer was to be taken to theatre for surgery. Due to the urgency of the condition, the neurosurgical team, assured her of successful peripheral nerve surgery, preventing the nerve damage from worsening and potentially reaching her brain, which could lead to mental illness.
“I had seen so many doctors, visited numerous hospitals, and tried different treatments, but deep down, I knew my healing would come from JOOTRH after receiving the Neurocamp news,” she says. “Even when others advised me to go elsewhere, I trusted that this was where I would find help.” She recalls when a colleague advised her to seek help from a witchdoctor because her condition was strange.
The procedure, though complex, was fruitful, marking the beginning of her recovery journey. She remembers the kindness and dedication of the entire medical team; the doctors, nurses, and staff who cared for her every step of the way.
After so many months of suffering, she felt like a new person waking up after the surgery. She can’t describe the relief, the joy, and the gratitude she felt.
Today, Ms. Akoth is on the road to recovery, grateful beyond words to the Neurosurgical camp. The unbearable pain that once dominated her life is now minimal and she’s slowly regaining the strength in her hands and legs. She can as well feed herself and even sit comfortably on bed unlike before. The support she received from her caregivers cannot be underestimated.
Her gratitude to the neurosurgical is endless for they gave her a second chance at life. She is optimistic to return back to healthy life and inspire others facing similar challenges to never give up on the possibility of healing.