NTV presenter Janet Kanini Ikua who hosts N-Soko property TV show has been diagnosed with Lung Cancer. The presenter who left for India a month ago to receive treatment broke the news that her condition became something else and now she will be sharing with others on her journey to give others strength.
Despite the illness Janet Kanini is really courageous and full of belief as she knows that GOD is still at the throne and whatever happens in her life will be used to show his glory.
”4 weeks ago I came to India seeking a medical answer – well I found it, and it was not what I expected. At all.
My case of Deep Vein Thrombosis is not the typical case. It has gone on for a while so I don’t want anyone who gets it to be anxious that their journey will be the same as mine.
My case of DVT has turned out to be a symptom of something else, something more. Hence its stubborn refusal to respond to blood thinner pills and my reliance on Clexane injections that should ideally be used for 10 days – instead I have used them for more than 3 months.
So here’s what the latest medical reports say.
Usually within 6 to 12 months DVT disappears though it can recur later, otherwise you can get back to work and life as usual even during treatment.
Lung cancer. Stage 4, meaning it has spread from the primary lung site into lymph nodes.
Clearly my body is staying true to my love for drama and theatrics because a blood clot has also decided to hang out in the heart muscle. Doctors have called it ‘organized’ – yaani it’s fixed in the muscle with little chance of moving so I’m safe from that. We can focus on treating the cancer.
It has taken me weeks to decide to publicly admit that this is the diagnosis. One reason is that it is not advised to give voice to sickness. What you declare is what is. However I realize that discussing this condition over the past 3 and half months has helped people – those with similar symptoms, those with other ailments and those who are affected by caring for the sick. I know that sickness is not my portion, and if by sharing my experience I can help to educate and comfort others, then so be it.
Before I left Kenya my friends prayed that I get a medical team who respect and value my Christianity. Prayers were answered because I have been told of God’s compassion and healing by many Indians, which is great comfort.
Sometimes I look at myself in the mirror and wonder how scans can show that I am sick inside, because on the outside I look okay and, other than getting tired occasionally, I feel fine. People I meet say I look and sound fine. To deal with the situation I marvel at the way people react when I finally admit that I’m here for treatment of the C word. Suddenly expressions change and I am offered anything I want.
Chemotherapy begun last week with 22 hours continuous of pre-med drip to control side effects, then the chemo drug, a saline solution, more chemo drug, post-med drip, a one week break with a cocktail of pills and injections, then cycle one ended yesterday. I’m supposed to remain in New Delhi for sometime till the doctors confirm the best drugs that I can come home with to continue chemo. Fortunately hubby returned home two weeks ago to be with our babies because it was hard leaving them without us for so long, and it was heartbreaking watching them say “Come here” whenever we Skyped. frown emoticon My Mum came to replace him and to fuss over me smile emoticon “Kanini drink more water…make sure you eat…are you warm enough..” Hehe it’s interesting to be the baby again.
FAITH AND BELIEF
Has this time in India been easy? Not always. The other day a family with a daughter who’s my daughter’s age sat in front of me and I started crying as I showed the mother my kid’s photos. I do not claim to be the strongest spiritual person however I have learnt, and I’m still learning, to Be Still And Know That He Is God. He is the Lord that healeth me. He is not done with me yet. I remember the blind man in the Bible who Jesus said was not cursed but was born blind so that God’s glory could be seen at work in him, just as it will be seen in me through my testimony. John 9:3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
I remember the woman who touched Jesus cloak after years of bleeding and this faith healed her. I remember Job who was afflicted continuously, just when he thought it couldn’t get any worse, it did. But he held onto his faith and beat the devil’s plans. And so I will stand firm. There is too much evidence of miracles that have happened. God has already shown us favour in ways that might be considered small by some, but which make a big difference when you’re a patient in a foreign land. Medics who respect God and their calling to heal the sick no matter where these sick come from. Housekeepers who give extra water bottles because they know I need excess water to handle the chemo drugs. Restaurant staff who mill around me when I feel faint in the restaurant, to check if I’m okay and get my food sent to my room till I’m strong enough to come down. Taxi drivers who check on me because they became good friends with my hubby who’s a very social and happy guy, and who now treat my Mum very respectfully courtesy of that.
This morning we met a South African who’s here for a conference to discuss improving accessibility of healthcare to the mass African population, not just the rich. And after I told him the reason I’m undergoing treatment, he came to our table and for about an hour he ministered to Mum and I, despite his colleagues calling from the conference. And what he said made so much sense – about how sometimes God allows attacks such as sickness to make a person stop the life they’re living because it is not sustainable, not for their best; this downtime forces them to take time to recharge and re-think their goals and values, reconnect with God for that perfect relationship where we learn to give God genuine time because now we realize that He truly is the one in control.
He is the Alpha and Omega. And as we successfully go through this season we begin to live at a higher level of wisdom and righteousness, with the Holy Spirit leading us all the way, all the time. Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
