Adekemi, Nigeria

Every day felt like a battle, struggling to get up each morning, to stay awake through the afternoon, and to find rest at night. Layered between these fights was another, the constant, unyielding pain from a large swelling in my stomach. This was my daily reality in 1998 as a young child, after months of misdiagnoses due to limited resources and expertise at the nearest healthcare center.

Eventually, I received a diagnosis "Burkitt lymphoma". I was too young to fully grasp what it meant, only that it was a fast-growing blood cancer affecting white blood cells.

My early years became shrouded in uncertainty. I had to leave school, spending two long years in intensive treatment. Despite financial support, I felt isolated, unable to experience life as a normal child. After that period, I continued with numerous follow-up appointments, dealing with life’s difficulties and the loneliness that came from a lack of emotional support. Information was scarce, being a child and without today’s media and internet, My parent and I had very little to guide me. And information wasn't always easy to get from medical practitioners at the time. 

I had to be cautious about what I ate and was always vigilant about possible triggers. I wrestled with heavy emotions and even faced mental breakdowns. One day in particular stands out a day I later heard about, when I woke up disoriented, wandering around unaware of my surroundings, asking to be left alone. My family was deeply worried; it was a difficult time for all of us.

During this journey, I made a dear friend, Christiana. We shared our days in the hospital, and despite our youth, formed a powerful bond. When we were sent home on a short break, we were expected to return. But Christiana didn’t make it back she was gone, and for years, I was haunted by survivor’s guilt, wondering why I survived when she didn’t and I miss her deeply.

I found solace in writing, and surprisingly, in sleep, a way to escape the fears and trauma.

Years later, still searching for understanding, I faced rejections from potential suitors who feared the genetic implications of my history with cancer. That’s when I began researching and reaching out to childhood cancer organizations. I volunteered, joined community outreach, started sharing my story at events and on my media pages, I connected with healthcare professionals. Through these experiences, I found purpose and a clearer sense of direction, even though I still hope to undergo therapy and seek further medical clarity.

Today, I remain on this path managing late effects, seeking my medical records, and pursuing therapy. I’m driven more than ever to advocate for children with cancer, particularly in Africa. My goal is to champion policies that prioritize these children’s needs and guarantee them free, quality healthcare. To amplify these voices, I created a blog, Survivor’s Chronicles, to share stories of cancer survivors, dispel myths, and foster community support for those facing chronic illnesses.

Please visit my blog, Survivor’s Chronicles, at https://mysurvivorchronicles.blogspot.com/ and share your thoughts. 

I believe that while we may not be able to choose the experiences that shape us, we can use them to empower ourselves and others. I’ll continue advocating for equitable cancer care and urge governments, especially across Africa, to make pediatric cancer treatment a free, accessible priority.