A minute-long conversation leaves me panting

Damacline Nyandika. [Courtesy]

Thanks to rheumatic valvular heart disease that needs surgery she can’t afford, Damacline Nyandika’s life has been reduced to sleeping, taking drugs and staying indoors all day long. 

I started experiencing fatigue some time in 2013. This disrupted my daily activities as I spent most of the time sleeping. I would also sweat profusely and experienced breathing difficulties. My right leg also started to swell. I ignored these symptoms until the nerves in my neck started aching and my head twisted to one side. I visited many private hospitals near home in Kisii and walked away with painkillers which did little to remedy my condition.