CANCER IS NOT DEATH

Advisor Owen Katongo Kabanda, we have been hearing rumours that you have been living and struggling with the debilitating cancer disease, is this really true?

SADLY IT IS TRUE

Well, to begin with, I do not like talking about my personal life as I prefer that to remain private.

But on this issue of cancer, I have to break the silence and say, yes, it is not a secret anymore, I have got cancer.

Yes, I may not always be available for work or business like before. It is because I have to undergo scheduled Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy treatment, and I have to deal with the effects.

WHAT, NO WAY, YOU HAVE CANCER?

Yes, unfortunately, those are the same questions I asked myself several times, and many people continue asking me.

To start with, I have extensive healed 3rd degree burns on my right hand which I got just at the age of one (1) year and I have lived with the same for over 30 years.

I only survived by the grace of God, the bravely of my mum, and support of dad, my siblings, doctors, and so many other loving people.

So, it turned out that I grew up with a burnt hand which I could not fully stretch as normal hands do.

I suffered the constant humiliation and ridicule of being called, “Kaboko/Kakwanja” meaning the one with “a hand” that could not stretch.

My parents taught me one thing from child, “A person should not entirely be defined by their physical appearance but rather by their brains and character.” They further said, “Be the best you could ever be, and your hand or physical appearance will not matter to you or anyone.”

With those words kept in my heart, I pursued excellence in whatever I involved myself in, and the rest is history.

It cannot be ignored however that the pain of being constantly ridiculed, the inability to play and participate in the so many seemingly exciting things that my age mates were enjoying, was unbearable. But I had to soldier on.

The issue was that, the skin on my right hand was very delicate to a point that one little scratch would result in wounds that would take some time to heal.

In the past, I would do crazy things and injure myself. Normally those little abrasions, would heal after sometime, and of course, I would receive the appropriate scolding from my mum and dad, and my siblings. They care and they love me. That I knew from the beginning.

Fast forward, in 2,000, for the first time in my life, I moved from the village in Mukosa, Kasama, Northern Province, to come to the biggest city, Lusaka, Zambia. The experience was overwhelming.

Yes, after undergoing a successful plastic surgery, for the first time, I started stretching my right hand, and would do anything normal as anyone. Over the years, I came to be almost both left and right handed.

In 2016, I developed a little sore on my right hand elbow. As usual, I thought it was one of those, little did I know that this, was no ordinary sore.

I had been undergoing various wound treatments from various hospitals in Lusaka, spending time, and money but to no avail.

Early 2017, the great sad news was delivered by my Doctor when he said, “Owen my friend, you know that I care for you, and you are someone special to me, but I have to unfortunately tell you some not so good news. The laboratory test results came out, and as I feared, you have got cancer.”

In a flash of a second, I was there asking myself so many questions which I did not even have answers to.

Me, Owen, the guy with an athletic body, no. How possible could it be that a healthy, energetic, vibrant, and full of life person could possibly end up suffering from cancer?

A million things went into my head. I became anxious about so many things including trying to figure out what would happen to my career when I was just beginning to feel like I was slowly getting on top of things?

Anyway, long story short, over the coming months, I was to be prepared psychologically among others things for what I was to go through.

I WILL SING, I WILL PRAISE

Yes, it may at some point might have been very hard for me to see all the thoughts and plans my Maker has for me but I just had to put my trust in Him and soldier on.

“… I will sing, I will praise, even in my darkest hour, through the sorrow and the pain, I will sing, I will praise, lift my hands to honour you, because Your word is true, I will sing…” (I Will Sing by Don Moen).

I resolved therefore to continue pursuing my passions and talents on earth in order to live my life with a purpose whether I was to die if things became worse or I was to live just fine afterwards as the Doctors had assured me.

SPEAK UP FOR CANCER

I am fully aware that I am breaking my Personal Code to keep my personal life private.

I am fully aware that by doing what I have done, I am opening up my life and the life of my precious family, relatives, and close friends to the public.

#1. Raise Awareness

I strongly believe by speaking out, this is for a greater cause.

I urge you to also spare a little time from your usual busy schedules and politics to just raise awareness that could help someone who may be dying at home and in the hospitals from cancer.

Please just hashtag #cancerisnotdeath.

Apart from the fairly-known breast and prostate cancer, there are so many people grappling with all sorts cancers out there with some not even knowing it is cancer.

Others are busy going to traditional healers, the pastors, and other just self-medicate.

My considered view and stance on this matter is that, prayers should be combined with appropriate medical treatment from trained health workers/institutions.

#2. Early Detection

Cancer is a treatable condition if detected early.

Please do not let yourself, a relative, or anyone you know continue dying at home being given all sorts of unhelpful concoctions. Seek medical treatment.

There is so much misinformation and things making people not to access cancer treatment. We all need to do our part.

#3. A Call to Action on Cancer

Yes, we appreciate a lot for all that has and shall be done about the problem of HIV and other diseases.

We believe that, there is now need for more to be done on cancer by all.

We call upon the online and print media as well as TV and radio stations to do their part in sensitizing the public on this vice.

So many people have various forms of cancer and end up dying without having been diagnosed and given early treatment. Some even when they reach the hospitals, it is too late. Instead of Curative Care, they only receive Palliative Care in cancer and soon they die as you are watching.

We are very thankful to the Government for setting up the Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH) at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka.

One CDH for a population of over 15 million Zambians is a drop in the ocean.

Being at CDH, hearing the heart-breaking stories of the helpless patients will only leave you with tears.

The Government and collaborating partners should invest more in decentralising cancer treatment services to each Province in Zambia, as a matter of priority.

Hundreds of people are seeking treatment and yet the facility can only accommodate so much.

We are thankful to the ever hardworking health workers at CDH and those in all health facilities.

CLOSING REMARKS

I certainly cannot put all my cancer story in this little article. I am endeavouring to put my full experiences with cancer in a book and video series that are to come soon.

I want to expressly convey my heartfelt gratitude to my wife, my children, my family, relatives, friends, the health professionals, my supportive boss, my great HR Team, workmates, the church, and all the great and loving people who care for me in their own special way.

To all who may be passing through all sorts of challenges of health, work, business, and generally in life, remember that life is a journey. Embrace your hardships, believe, and soldier on. Never give up and best of lucky!

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NOTE:

If you wish to comment on this posts, please stick to the purpose of the article. Please share with others and simply hashtag #cancerisnotdeath (as one word) with your comments and help us spread word and raise awareness on cancer.

Tag your network connections if you can and hopefully we reach and get the word out there to the Decision Makers.

We are thankful to you all for your support and collaboration.

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The author Owen Katongo Kabanda is a Business and Human Resources Advisor | Neuropsychologist.

Get in touch for your professional advisory services via Email: [email protected]; LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/owenkkabanda; Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/OwenKatongoKabanda; Skype: Owen K. Kabanda; and Twitter: @OwenKabanda

#cancerisnotdeath