For the Olakanmi family, challenges come in different shades.
Yemi learns of his new medical diagnosis and weighs his options, to seek a miracle or embrace what medical science has to offer.
Lucy Olakanmi believes in perfection, but when pregnancy creeps in against all odds, she must reconsider.
To earn the title Mrs, Fikemi is ready to go to the end of the world. What result will her journey yield?
‘In this Tent’ is an inspiring and riveting story of a family as they journey through life.
Excerpt:
Dr Jack removed his eyeglasses and carefully placed them on the file tray. He leaned forward, his arms resting on the broad table and fingers interlocked. His permanently furrowed forehead, receding hairline, and grey hair gave him away—he was no longer as young as he would have loved people to believe.
Dr Jack spoke in a gentle voice, attempting to infuse compassion into every word he uttered. Relaying bad news was not strange to him. He had done it more times than could be counted in his thirty-three years of medical practice. It was almost the order of the day in his chosen speciality. However, he had determined to be kind each time he had to do it.
He stared at the couple seated before him. “Having reviewed the results of the various investigations you have undergone so far, I’m sorry to inform you that the tumour is malignant. I mean the growth is cancerous.” He paused briefly, allowing them to interpret his words in their heads.
Yemi and Tito exchanged glances. Tears welled up in Tito’s eyes in seconds. They had hoped for a miracle. They had prayed for good news.
“The good news is that we can salvage this situation through surgery and therapy.” Dr Jack hushed. He had a habit of allowing a moment of silence or response between his statements.
Yemi sighed. Looking at his wife, he could sense how much she was trying to fight back her tears. It was no surprise that her eyes were reddened and heavy. She had sobbed uncontrollably during the prayer session they had the previous night.
Yemi raised his gaze to meet the doctor’s. “What does the surgery entail?” he managed. It was time for a mind shift. There was no doubting it. Dr Jack was the third oncologist to confirm this case.
Yemi and Tito had flown to the UK from Nigeria after they had refused to be convinced by a senior oncology consultant who gave them a second opinion in Abuja. There was no hiding from the truth anymore. The sooner they embraced the truth, probably the better.
“That is a good question. Due to the size of the tumour and its features, we will have to remove the affected kidney completely. Thereafter, you will go through a course of treatment to reduce the likelihood of reoccurrence and attempt to destroy any cancer cell left.”
“Remove a whole kidney!” Tito’s voice shot through the roof. She didn’t need to be a medical person to know that the kidney is a vital organ.
“Yes, I’m afraid. There’ll be one kidney left.” Dr Jack cast a glance at the CT scan and MRI report on his table. “Yes, the right kidney will be left intact,” he affirmed. He was aware that rarely some people were born with a single kidney. It was a relief that Yemi’s reports showed he didn’t belong to that group.
Tito shook her head. “God knows the body needs two kidneys. He doesn’t waste resources. How can a person deal with having only one kidney?” Her voice exposed how deeply troubled she was.
I understand your fears, ma’am. However, I can tell you that there are many people with one kidney living a good life and there are others who would have been alive if only they had one. Some are actually born with only one. Of course, there will be precautions to heed to preserve the health of the organ, but it is far from being a death sentence,” Dr Jack said.
Titi drew a breath. The doctor could not be wrong, she thought.
“I’m glad the reports show there’s no significant metastasis yet. Meaning no extensive spread of the cancer cells at the moment. I suggest an immediate preparation for surgery as delay often tilts the table out of favour in many cases.” Dr Jack sat up. His job was done. It was left for Yemi to make his decision.
“Thank you, Doctor. How many weeks would you say is too long? We need more time to digest this,” Tito said.
“I can make arrangements to put you on the priority list for theatre in two weeks or three max.” Dr Jack pulled out a yellow folder from the pile and opened it, quickly scanning through the operation schedule. The next week and the subsequent one were fully booked with cases. But he knew if he tried, he could get a slot before the third week ran out.
“Alright. We will let you know what we decide. Thank you very much for your help,” Tito said.
Dr Jack wondered why Yemi was quiet. “Do you have any further questions?” he said, facing Yemi.
“No, thank you. We will get across to you as my wife has said,” Yemi said.
Dr Jack nodded. “Okay. You are welcome and I hope to hear from you as soon as possible.”
The couple rose to their feet. Yemi stretched out his hand to the doctor.
Dr Jack took the hand and shook it lightly, a smile plastered on his face. “See you later,” he said as Yemi and his wife took their leave.
