Cancer patient on the edge as virus disrupts treatment

On March 13 when the country reported the first coronavirus case, Brian Arwa did not know how tremendously this would affect his life.

Arwa’s hopes to go for life saving treatment for blood cancer in India were shattered after the government banned international flights. 

The entertainment Disc Jokey was scheduled to go for bone marrow transplant between April and May. A funds drive to help offset his medical bill and travel expenses that was scheduled for April 4 was postponed indefinitely after the government banned gatherings to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Arwa’s mother Jennifer Atieno is distressed. “The cancer cannot wait for coronavirus to be defeated. Something must be done immediately,” she says.

Othieno Abinya, the oncologist who has been attending to Arwa, is equally concerned about the situation.

Dr Abinya says the patient needs to urgently undergo bone marrow transplant to survive.

“There is no other treatment available for his condition but the bone marrow transplant.  Without it the cancer will spread and it will be fatal,” he says.

Abinya notes that the pandemic is already affecting livelihoods and fears that this could affect Arwa’s costly treatment.

“The pandemic has affected the economy and he stands mostly affected considering his condition requires a lot of money to manage,” he says.

He is optimistic that once the pandemic is brought under control, Arwa, 28, can go to Egypt for treatment, as it is nearer than India.

Abinya urges Kenyans to adhere to guidelines to curb the spread of the virus, saying this is key in government lifting some restrictions that are standing in the way of Arwa accessing life-saving treatment.

“The State must step in and help the country in ensuring the virus doesn’t spread to ensure people like Arwa access health institutions,” he says.

Spleen is swollen

Arwa is hopeful that the World Health Organisation will step in and ensure availability of affordable drugs for cancer patients.

The only option left for Ms Atieno to help her son manage the cancer is through good diet, drugs and taking him for check-up.

“Although it is costly, Arwa undergoes testing and ultra sound scanning in Nairobi, having been cleared to access the city,” she says.

Atieno is the sole provider for the family and the cost of her son's treatment is weighing her down.

“My husband retired and I am the breadwinner. My son’s condition is costly. I have to pay Sh20,000 for each test, another Sh15,000 for drugs and Sh1,500 per week for fruits alone,” she said.

She discloses that for Arwa to access treatment in Egypt, they must part with Sh4 million. They needed Sh10 million to go to India.

Abinya says the drugs Arwa is using now are just managing the pain and only the transplant will provide the needed cure.

“Arwa is facing a shocking reality which will worsen with time and his heart will give in if something is not done,” he says.

The oncologist explains that the patient was diagnosed with an unclassified Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Leukemia, which will accelerate to Acute Leukemia, then Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

“Acute Myeloid Leukemia may be treatable when it starts on its own, but when it starts on top of an underlying chronic condition like the unclassified leukemia, treating it is next to impossible,” he says.

Abinya discloses that Arwa’s spleen is swollen because the bone marrow is not functioning and with time, the swelling will grow and he may develop internal bleeding.

He regrets that the patient is not only facing the pandemic challenge, but also a financial one.

“United States charges Sh30 million for bone marrow transplant, Britain Sh20 million, India Sh10 million and Egypt about Sh6 million,” says Abinya.

The oncologist admits that the cost of the medicine is also high. “The cancer cannot wait for Arwa to raise money. Something must be done immediately,” he says.

Arwa was diagnosed with blood cancer on November 12, last year.