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By David Odongo
Cancer has become so ferocious a killer that almost everyone has a friend, colleague or family member who has been affected.
Amid the pain and shock of losing loved ones, it is refreshing to see some people fight the disease and emerge victorious.
Like the smell of fresh roses, it was uplifting to hear Rose Nasimiyu is now cancer-free.
Last year, Nasimiyu then aged nine, gained fame countrywide due to her brave battle with cancer and earned the title ‘Princess’ along the way.
Well, the princess who won everybody’s heart with her courage and positive nature got the big news on Monday.
She turned to social media, where she has been updating her fans about her treatment.
No more cancer
She wrote: “Cancer is gone! Medication has stopped. I am so happy. I don’t know what to say, but to thank the Lord for what he has done for me.”
In her posting, she further thanked everybody who has been there for her through the ordeal that would have broken many hearts.
“I thank you all who have supported me through this journey, I love you all and always will...”
Nasimiyu was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of cancer which originates from white blood cells, in 2010.
Cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, is painful and expensive.
The treatment’s side effects are uncomfortable with patients complaining of nausea and hair loss.
For Nasimiyu, it has been a battle that has seen her fight for her life and balance medication and academics. Donations from well-wishers enabled her to undergo treatment abroad.
During an interview with Jeff Koinange’s talk show, The Bench, last year, Nasimiyu revealed that the only time someone had been unkind to her was when a pupil at her school told her, “Don’t give me your cancer”.
She, however, said that did not embitter her since the pupil was ignorant of her condition.
Struggles with disease
Nasimiyu recounted her struggles with the disease and how she had stayed positive despite the challenges.
“I didn’t like chemotherapy. They put you on a drip for eight hours and then after that I always feel nausea, I vomit, I can vomit like 12 times a day. After that I feel a little better.”
Her mother, Phoebe Wegesa Hughes, says it has been a trying period. “No parent wants to hear that her child has cancer.”
In fighting the disease, Nasimiyu gave motivational speeches, composed songs of encouragement, and even won awards.
A few months ago, Jubilee Insurance awarded Nasimiyu its Samaritan Award (Jisa) for the third quarter of last year for inspiring cancer patients and the public.
To inspire other people, Nasimiyu recorded a song, I Believe, in June last year, and later The Cry of a Child in October. She also recorded a collaboration Baba Anakupenda with Blessed Jo.
“I want to tell everybody suffering from similar conditions not to give up hope, but to pray, to believe, and to trust that God is there. Doctors treat but God heals,” says Nasimiyu.
In an earlier interview with The Standard, Nasimiyu said it took five months before the doctors could diagnose her condition.
But when what was ailing her was finally discovered, the girl decided to conquer the disease. Early diagnosis of cancer indeed leads to cure.
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