Facing a Health Crisis and Keeping the Faith

Welcome back to this series. My story took a turn as I faced a health crisis. Dealing with Cancer is already challenging, but it becomes even more difficult to cope when unexpected complications arise. Join me as I share this painful and trying experience, but I still hold on to my faith.

A Painful Experience

Days after lying down due to my Chemotherapy treatment, I began experiencing discomfort. I was too tired to do anything; I was in bed, and my butt and back were hurting because of lying down all day on Sunday and Monday again!! I was not used to lying down for more than 7 hours and could not eat or drink much. At that moment, I sent a funny text to my sisters in the faith: Lola, Ayoola, and Folabo:

‘All ye women saying I should rest. Now my butt is sore o…Who will massage my butt…Pastor is not home o’

The Unexpected Fever

Sister Lola was sent to ensure I was okay.  That late afternoon, the port pain had increased from 8 to 20. I could no longer lie on my back. It was a torturous, unending pain. The nerves around the port area to my neck and head were on overdrive. My temperature shot to 102 F, and had 2 rigors each spanning 25 minutes within 2 hours. I was in chronic pain; sister Lola prayed, anointed me, and she declared the word of God. We kept calling the on-call doctor at the DFCI to inform them of the situation. It felt like a phone tag. When we finally spoke to someone I was advised to come in if the fever did not break which meant I had to take ibuprofen. I had no ibuprofen at home. Sister Lola went to the pharmacy to get some. She came back and left me in God’s hands. The temperature managed to get to 98 F.

My Strong Tower

I managed to sleep a bit. By 2.00 am, the situation had turned for the worse. My body felt hot. The fever started. The rigor was more severe. I called Tami and then Bolu but no response. My caregiver, Dara didn’t respond too and I was shivering violently. The only person I could call in that moment of crisis was Jesus. The more I shivered, the more I called the name of Jesus. His name is a strong tower. I needed a safe place without my hubby, kids, and caregivers. Thirty minutes later, the rigor stops. I crawl to my phone and call Dara. I am not a happy camper at this point.

I was ranting like an angry bird. The poor girl could only apologize. It was time to quell the nausea with food. The only thing I could tolerate was beans and pap. She brought some but I could not eat more than 3 teaspoons. My body temperature was high; it measured 103F. Not again. Was this another trip to the ER? I had no choice. I was not going to take chances.

The Unexpected Trip to the ER

I told Dara to dial 911 as I called several folks in my inner circle but no one was picking up. Heck, who will be expecting a call at 2 am? The only person that responded was Pastor Uche. He was at work. The first responders came in no time and supported me down the stairs to the ambulance. I gave them the usual spill about my medical history and the responders checked my vital signs. My temperature was worsening. They wanted to wheel me to the nearest hospital but begged them to take me back to South Shore Hospital.

The rule was always to take the patient to the nearest hospital in an emergent situation but they eventually accepted to take me there. South Shore was a good 25-minute ride without traffic and over 10 miles away. Brockton Hospital and Good Samaritan were less than 3 miles away. They agreed to take me to South Shore and I instructed her to take care of the children and get them ready for school. I texted the Sules informing them that I was going to the ER and would need coverage for school drop-off. I texted my husband and informed him of the impromptu ER visit. We call each other and I tell him to start coming back home.

Battling Resistant Bacteria

The ER team got right to work and started the hydration process. They also took my blood sample to check for anything unusual. The first test result showed I had bacteria in my blood. No one knew what strain it was. My white blood count had dipped from 10 to 0.9 within a week! I am started on intravenous antibiotics – Cefepime to be exact.

My Support System

In the ER, I called my parents in Nigeria to inform them of the situation. I am trying to stay strong on the phone. Normally I call them every Sunday to say hello. At one point I was video chatting with my dad every day so that he could see my face. In his mind, most cancer patients look horrible and vegetative. Gosh! I had also texted Brother Tayo and Sister Folabo, my parish pastor, Pastor Austin, and Pastors George, and Gloria.

Pastor Austin was the first person to see me that morning. Brother Tayo and Sister Folabo came right after. Pastor Gloria came a few minutes later.  Further tests show that the bacteria strain is Cefepime resistant.  My mum was unhappy with the report I gave her; 2 ER visits within 48 hours! She was trying to call me back but I could not talk because I was on my way to the inpatient floor. Sister Folabo answered the call on my behalf. That single action sent my mom into a panic attack and this woman had been strong all this while. She had shown courage and faith, she must have thought that I was in code mode or something. I could hear sister Folabo trying to calm her down over the phone. That conversation resulted in an immediate ticket purchase on my father’s part. They were scheduled to visit for 2 weeks in mid-April.

A Crisis in Faith

At this moment, I found myself in a faith crisis, and I was too tired to pray or talk. I am too tired to talk and my vitals were not improving. My blood pressure was below normal, the temperature was spiking, the rigors were kicking in at will, and the port pain is not subsiding. At this point, I just want the port out. Dr. F was not picking up and his on-call could not do much. I did not have white blood cells to fight infection, port removal was not an option; at least not yet since they didn’t think it was the port. Yes, I am a cancer patient and I might be suffering from neutropenia, but I needed to think of long-term chemo treatment.

The antibiotic was swapped from Cefepime to Vancomycin (Vanco) a strong antibiotic. It is one of the catch-all antibiotics for most forms of bacteria. If this worked and I became stable, I would be sent home on a 30-day IV supply. Vanco was struggling to fight the bacteria too. A critical test result that shows vancomycin trough levels in the bloodstream was not promising either. I should have been hitting 15 for the Vanco trough, and I was not.

Finding Strength amid Despair

The rigors were kicking in, and I was struggling to breathe. I was tired, my scalp was hurting from the pins and needles sensation, and my chest was hurting. I was in serious agony. I was in a faith crisis mode and singing was I could do.

I lift my hands in total adoration unto you

You reign on the throne

For you are God and God alone

Because of you, my cloudy days are gone

I can sing you this song

I just want to say that I love you more than anything

Grab me in your arms

You are the shelter from the storm….

Facing a health crisis amid my cancer journey was an incredibly trying experience. Despite the pain and uncertainties, I found solace in the support of loved ones and my unwavering faith through songs. The journey ahead was uncertain, but I was determined to keep fighting and hold on to my faith.