Life tragedies condemned me to a life of pain, struggles

Doris Njoka at her home. She survives a deadly road crash but is now battling cancer and other ailments. [Courtesy, Standard]

In this world, there are those who live by the collective triaphilia—the steeped belief that certain events occur in threes.

While Doris Njoka might not be alive to this, it seems like her life is hinged on the mercies of the gods, who have turned her life into a three-pronged tragedy, in their macabre comedy that life now presents to her. A life of pain, more pain and even more pain.

On October 11, 2008, Doris, then aged 24, was travelling with her sister, Maline Muthoni, and her 10-month-old niece, Joy Kanana, when the first disaster struck. 

Their car was hit by a lorry on the Meru-Nyeri Highway. The collision shattered their lives,  marking the beginning of her long, painful journey.

“I injured my spinal cord and chest, broke five ribs, and also broke my arm. I was hospitalised for three months and underwent surgery to have metal rods placed in my back and arm,” she says, memories of pain darkening her face.

The procedure was done at Kenyatta National Hospital, where she had been transferred to from Our Lady of Lourdes Mwea Hospital, where she had been admitted after the accident.

The insertion of metal rods in her back and arm began her prolonged recovery, marked by intense pain and complications.

The surgery, often referred to as internal fixation, is  commonly used to stabilise fractures, particularly in the spine.

After being discharged, Doris had to make drastic adjustments.

“At home, I only did exercises. I had to be turned because I couldn’t turn myself. I was using adult diapers and couldn’t even bathe myself; all of that had to be done for me,” she says.

The once-independent and energetic young woman with a promising future found herself confined to a wheelchair for nearly three years.

“God helped me to start walking with the help of a walking frame. I moved from the walking frame to crutches.”

Yet, her journey to recovery was far from over. The metal rods in her spine, while crucial for her initial recovery, caused significant complications.

Over time, the rods shifted, leading to scoliosis, a condition characterised by an abnormal curvature of the spine. According to the Scoliosis Research Society, the condition can result in chronic pain, and, in severe cases, impair lung and heart functions.

“The metal rod in my injured back moved from its position, causing me a lot of pain in my chest and severe arthritis in my hips. I cannot open my legs; they are locked at the pelvis. I am in a lot of pain, so I need a total hip replacement to relieve the pain and be able to open my legs.”

In addition to scoliosis, Doris developed arthritis in her hips due to the altered biomechanics of her body after surgery.

Arthritis is a common condition that involves inflammation of the joints, leading to pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. According to the Arthritis Foundation, post-traumatic arthritis can develop after an injury to a joint, such as those sustained by Doris in the accident.

Throughout her recovery, Doris says she has not been alone. Nicelia Wambui, a devoted caregiver, plays a crucial role in her journey. Nicelia, who had initially joined the family to help care for Joy, found herself taking on the enormous responsibility of caring for both Doris and her niece.

“When I came here, Doris and Joy were both well. But after the accident, everything changed,” Nicelia recalls.  

As she recuperated at home, another tragedy struck, adding to her already overwhelming health challenges.

In 2011, Doris was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

The thyroid gland,  a little, butterfly-shaped gland found in the lower-front part of the neck plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism through production of hormones.

But thyroid cancer occurs when abnormal cells begin to grow uncontrollably in this gland. According to the American Cancer Society, thyroid cancer is generally treatable, especially when detected early.

 However, Doris’ case was tangled by her already fragile health.

“I had surgery to remove both thyroids and underwent radioiodine therapy. This treatment requires isolation in a room for five days, drinking water to flush the radiation from the body,” Doris recalls.

The surgery she underwent is called thyroidectomy.

Despite the aggressive treatment, the cancer recurred in 2020, spreading to her lymph nodes and necessitating another major surgery.

The American Thyroid Association notes that recurrent thyroid cancer can be more difficult to treat and may require additional surgeries, radiation, or systemic therapies. For Doris, this meant more surgeries, more recovery time, and a dire financial dent.

“They removed my left hips and all the lymph nodes affected by cancer.”

Unfortunately, the battle wasn’t over.

“The cancer didn’t go away. Last year, tests showed it had spread further. I was admitted to Texas Cancer Hospital for another round of radioactive iodine treatment. The radiation is so intense that no one can enter the room; even food and medicine are left at the door.”

This treatment left Doris with additional health problems.

“After being discharged, I faced many problems. Last year and part of this year, my blood levels were very low. I have been taking Ramferon to boost my blood levels every month, but my levels remain very low. I’ve also had chest problems, and my heart beats rapidly, making it difficult to pass stool,” she says.

“The pain radiates from my chest to my head, causing intense sweating and tears. I had an electrocardiogram (ECG) done, which showed palpitations. I take medication to reduce the heart rate and the blood-boosting medication. Without a thyroid, I need to take levothyroxine every morning for the rest of my life.”

The financial burden of Doris’ medical care has been immense. Despite receiving minimal help from her family, Doris relies heavily on support from her church and the community.

“The help we received from Doris’ family was minimal, and the rest came from the church and our own efforts. It has been a struggle to cover medical expenses, and despite the little support we’ve received, we continue to face many challenges,” Nicelia explained. 

Doris says she is facing unimaginable physical and emotional pain since the accident, and the financial, emotional and physical; pain gargantuan and crushing.

“It’s been a tough journey since the accident in 2008, almost 16 years now— on October 11, it will be 16 years,” she says, reflecting on the passage of time.

“It’s been a life of pain, medication and financial struggles. Even exercises are now difficult,” she adds.

For a once ambitious hairdresser eager to start her own business, her life has not been reduced to physical demands with even the simplest tasks becoming a whole fight to achieve.  Her dreams of independence are increasingly distant.

Despite her ongoing pain, she still tries to engage in beauty work and sewing, which gives her some little victories, pyrrhic as they may sound.

Despite her situation being dire, the accident left her niece also affected.

“My niece and sister were also in the accident. My niece was 10 months old and suffered a head injury. She hasn’t been able to do anything for herself for 16 years. She can’t see, talk or walk, and uses diapers and many medications to prevent fainting and convulsions.”

Unfortunately, Doris is a mere statistic in Kenya’s  troubled traffic accidents, with the year 2008 being particularly tragic.

According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), road traffic accidents claimed approximately 3,000 lives in 2008 alone, a year marked by political instability, occasioned by post-election violence. 

Despite the immense physical, emotional, and financial challenges, Doris remains resilient. Her positive attitude and determination have been a source of strength for those around her.

Nicelia describes Doris as a “beautiful girl who doesn’t hold grudges” despite the immense hardships she faces.

“Even when things are tough, Doris tries her best. She never complains and always looks for ways to keep moving forward,” Nicelia says.

As Doris approaches the 16-year mark since the accident, she remains hopeful for the future. The need for further surgeries and ongoing medical treatment presents a significant challenge, but the support from well-wishers and the community could make a difference.

Doris’s plea is simple yet profound: “I’m asking Kenyans to help me live a life without pain.”