Woman battling breast cancer cries out for help
By Faith Awa Maji
Miss Felicia Wazi James Tsaku, a single mother of a 12 years old boy is critically ill after being diagnosed with cancer.
In this interview with FMBlog, Felicia speaks on the excruciating pains she is going through while soliciting for help from kind-hearted Nigerians, cancer foundations and international health bodies, to save her life.
Excerpts
How did you know about your cancer status and what steps have you taken so far to address the problem?
Well I am Felicia Wazi James Tsaku, an orphan, a single mother of a 12 years old boy and I clocked 43 June 30 2023. From a family of eight children, I am the brain winner of the family that is why things are so difficult for us.
It all started in February 2022 when I felt a sharp pain around 3 am in my back. The following day I traced the pains and it led me to the armpits. So I bought empiclux tabs and I later noticed the pains were coming to my left breast so I stopped taking the drugs and went to hospital. I did series of tests and the results said cancer. I have been battling with it since then. From Dr. Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, to Gombe Teaching Hospital. From Gombe Teaching Hospital to JUTH where they are currently assessing the ailment.
When and where was it confirmed that the ailment you have is cancer?
First, at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital and later at Gombe Teaching Hospital.
At first, it was so hard to believe that I have cancer. It took me months to believe that. And, when I finally believed to be my cross, I accepted but there has been a day that I don’t cry and ask God why me. I later said to myself that those people suffering from the same ailments, are they not God’s loving children too?
How is the treatment going? What stage are you in now and what is next?
Cancer treatment is actually very painful and expensive. I do not wish an enemy to have such ailment. I have received assistance from close friends and family members, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule too gave me 250,000.
The highest was N1000,000 from the former Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku but I have spent all including the immediate family savings of millions of naira. I am completely out of funds now. I still have a long way to go. I need contributions or donations from people with compassionate hearts so that I can continue the treatment which is is estimated at well over N6 million.
My high point in this battle is just the fact that I live in Akwanga community and I had little fund to start the treatment immediately I was diagnosed due to my background I told you earlier that is why at time I felt depressed thinking about funds to complete treatment because I still have a long way to go which is the main reason for soliciting for funds from well-meaning people.
This is my referral letter to the National Hospital, Abuja for spinal cord emergency radiotherapy. Apart from that money I told you about. No income again and as I told you there’s this injection of N350,000 each for chemoptherapy which I did only twice. My dear am just confused on what to do.”
Those who wish to help Felicia can donate through her Access Bank account number 0012970790, Felicia Wazi James Tsaku.
She can be reached through telephone number +234 803 647 7198, 09163667172 .
