I waited for a patient to die to occupy a bed- survivor

Ms Walusimbi has been cancer-free since 2009. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA

What you need to know:

Joerier Walusimbi is 42-years-old and married with four children. In 2008, she found out that she had cancer of the blood (acute leukemia). Not so many people who suffer from this cancer survive. Beatrice Nakibuuka spoke to her about her experience of fighting Leukemia.

In January 2008, I had general malaise and had treatments for different infections one after another at Victoria Medical Centre.
The doctor kept giving me medicines but I did not know what they were treating. After four months, I decided to get treatment from another hospital since the doctor told me he could not find what was wrong with me.
I went to SAS Clinic and did a general body checkup. I would get red patches under my skin, felt sickly all the time and was anaemic. I felt it was necessary to do all the tests but I never thought it would be so serious so I went alone. My results showed I had Acute Leukemia.
This was the greatest shock of my life. I broke down and cried. I felt so weak that I could not move. My husband picked me and took me back home.
I was, however, referred to a haematologist at LMK Lab for further investigations.
Dr Susan Nabadda, the haematologist, did more blood tests including, the bone marrow biopsy which was done by drilling through the pelvic muscle and removing a sample.
The tests confirmed I had Acute Leukemia but it was still in the early stages.
Despite my fear, anger and worries, I had a deep feeling of hope. Early detection of cancer, my doctor explained, means a relatively high chance of being cured.
My mother (now deceased) was in utter disbelief because I had the first cancer case in our family. I was overwhelmed by the support from my family, friends and workmates when I told them about the biopsy results. My husband was a huge support standing by my side doing everything possible to help me. My workmates and family donated blood because I needed it most, and my in laws and friends supported me financially.
Dr Nabadda took me to Uganda Cancer Institute for the treatment.
I had spoken to Ms Gertrude Nakigudde the founder Uganda Women Cancer Support Organisation (UWOCASO) and a breast cancer survivor. She advised me not to go anywhere else other than the cancer institute because it is the only cancer treatment centre.
This was my first time at the institute and the sight of the very many sick people sleeping on the verandas made me lose hope. My heart broke and I cried when I saw children there too.
I found a very long queue of patients waiting to see the oncologist.
Some of them had been there for weeks. There were no free beds for new patients because they were all occupied. There was not even a private wing even if you opted for it.
I talked to an intern who gave me a list of the tests I had to do before I see the doctor. I went back to SAS clinic because I was under medical insurance; they did all the tests in a day, the heart, the kidney, the liver, uterus and blood. I was so amazed that all my organs were still normal apart from blood.
I finally met the oncologist but his first remarks were that for my illness only three per cent survive and my rhesus negative blood type was rare so I had to pray hard. I was strong and told him I would be among the survivors.

No blood
Like the oncologist had said, we failed to get blood that matched my type even when my family and workmates donated.
My husband finally succeeded in finding a sachet but a day after. I got a sachet of blood every evening but would go back home for four days as I waited for someone to die for me to occupy the bed and get fully admitted. I would sit on a bench in the ward during the transfusion.
It is painful that no one explains to you the side effects of chemotherapy, what you should or should not eat. It was all about killing the cancer cells. Since I knew Nakigudde had survived, I consulted her on how to go about everything when under treatment.
The oncologist prescribed more blood and platelets because I was bleeding under the skin but it was a Friday. Getting blood and platelets on a weekend was a nightmare so I had to wait until Monday.
My husband went to the blood bank to collect platelets but there were no packing bags. He had to go to the Joint Medical Stores and purchase some.
The doctor could not administer chemotherapy because I was bleeding under the skin. When I got the blood and started on chemotherapy, my whole body turned black, my hair fell off but I strangely gained appetite. I knew I would be better because majority were instead losing their appetite.
I became aware that chemotherapy had not only invaded my physical body but also clouded my mind and emotions. But later, I accepted it as a temporary phase in my life. You never know how strong you are until you have no choice but to be strong.
A sister bought me books about cancer. I understood that chemotherapy does not only kill cancer cells but also the normal ones. I had to consume foods which remove toxins from my body and build immunity.
Eating right is very important. While on the drugs, my urine was red like the drugs but I would drink a lot of water until it cleared.
If the toxins are left in your body for long hours, I learnt that the kidney and liver cannot handle so a person has to die. At the leukemia ward, very many people die. There was a time 10 people died on my row and I thought I would be next.
I used to boil beetroots with carrots and lemon and drink to boost my blood level and also help wash out the dead cells. Plenty of water and vegetables were part of my daily diet but I did not eat meat or drink milk because they can become acidic.
I got three cycles of chemotherapy with 10 days difference for the first two cycles and then three days for the third cycle but I was told very few people reach the third cycle. I got well after three months on chemotherapy and later tested negative. I have not taken any other medicines since 2009.

About Acute Leukaemia

Leukaemia is cancer of the white blood cells.
Acute leukaemia means the condition progresses rapidly and aggressively, requiring immediate treatment.
Acute leukaemia is classified according to the type of white blood cells that are affected. There are two main types:
Lymphocytes – mostly used to fight viral infections
Myeloid cells – which perform a number of different functions, such as fighting bacterial infections, defending the body against parasites and preventing the spread of tissue damage
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), is an aggressive cancer of the myeloid cells.
The symptoms of AML usually develop over a few weeks, and become increasingly more severe. Symptoms can include: pale skin, tiredness, breathlessness, frequent infections, unusual and frequent bleeding, such as bleeding gums or nosebleeds
In more advanced cases, AML can make you extremely vulnerable to life-threatening infections or serious internal bleeding.