How a simple right foot injury turned my life upside down

Woman massaging her foot. (Courtesy) Before 2019, Faith Munyithya was just another lady going about her business. She could comfortably fend for herself, her son and her mother. But what looked like a minor foot injury suddenly changed all that. My name is Faith Munyithya from Machakos. Since 2019, my life has been a journey of resilience; a battle with an acquired disability, chronic pain, loss, rejection, shame, stigma, and discrimination. My medical struggles began in 2019 with a right foot injury that turned into an enduring nightmare. What initially seemed like a manageable issue spiraled into prolonged pain, leading to four surgeries. In the course of these surgeries, I contracted chronic osteomyelitis, a bone infection that significantly impaired my health. This infection caused persistent pain that remains unresolved despite multiple medical interventions. The first X-ray revealed a "first metatarsal fracture," which was initially managed with casting. However, the fracture failed to heal properly, developing into a non-union even after being put in a plaster cast five times. In March 2020, a surgery (sesamoidectomy) was performed to remove the problematic bone. Tragically, this procedure made things worse. The surgery left a wound that took nine months to heal, during which I experienced severe complications, including numbness, vomiting, intense headaches, swelling, and sharp, burning pain in my right foot. Despite undergoing multiple nerve and spinal blocks to alleviate the pain, none of the interventions yielded any improvement. Since then, I have been battling Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Peripheral Neuropathy, conditions that emerged as complications from the surgeries and the bone infection. For six years, I have endured relentless, burning, and tingling pain that has completely upended my life. I have been prescribed an array of medications, including the strongest antibiotics and special painkillers, such as oral drugs, injections, infusions, fentanyl patches, and infusions of alendronate and pamidronate. Most of these medications are opioids, but even with their use, I remain in constant, throbbing pain. This condition has taken a devastating toll on every aspect of my life. Financially, the cost of treatment is overwhelming. My family struggles to meet these expenses, and I am buried in debts. Every coin I receive is spent on medical bills, leaving me with nothing for basic needs. Psychologically, the condition has affected not just me but also my ailing mother. Stress and depression have rendered me completely insomniac, requiring antidepressants or sedation to sleep. My mother is deeply worried about my condition, and I am unable to support her financially, even with small gestures like buying airtime. I rarely visit her because of transport and mobility challenges. The most painful aspect of my journey is my inability to provide for my son. Financial constraints have left me unable to meet his basic needs, including paying his school fees. Failing in my parental responsibilities weighs heavily on me. Beyond the physical and financial hardships, I have faced discrimination, isolation, rejection, and shame. People have accused, derided, and bashed me, further compounding my emotional struggle. Despite everything, I am holding on. I act strong on the outside, but deep inside, I am bleeding with pain. Even when hope seems lost and nothing appears to work, I strive to remain resilient. To this end, I appeal to well-wishers and Kenyans of goodwill to assist me in covering my medical expenses and supporting my son's education. Your help will make a significant difference in giving me a chance to continue fighting this battle while securing a future for my child.

How a simple right foot injury turned my life upside down

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How a simple right foot injury turned my life upside down

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