It began with 5-year-old Abwoum Keze Tem Mildred Bright from Cameroon complaining of a headache. Abwoum’s mother Bai Sei Kah Atchem explains, “The pain would last briefly and then she acted fine.” A few weeks later Abwoum woke up in the middle of the night screaming and banging the back of her head. This episode lasted all of 20 long minutes, however this time; Bai Sei made an appointment to see the doctor. “I am so thankful her doctor was proactive and requested a CT scan even though Abwoum appeared healthy”, said Bai Sei.
The next day, the doctor called Abwoum and Bai Sei into his office, “I still was convinced Abwoum was fine and the doctor would tell us it was merely a sinus infection”, recalls Bai Sei. The two were in for a shock, “When the doctor told me that Abwoum had a brain tumor I completely broke down, never in the whole world would I have ever imagined that my daughter could be so sick”. Not sure about her diagnosis, Bai Sei wanted to be absolutely sure, “We kept her at the hospital under observation for a few days, while the doctors ran a few more tests including an MRI scan”.
Further test results confirmed that Abwoum had a small tumor on the Cerebellum that was preventing her draining brain fluid properly. The tumor was putting her in grave danger and she needed affordable brain tumor treatment urgently. After looking online for treatment solution for Abwoum, Bai Sei arrived at Vaidam.com through an online reference. “At that time we were looking for hospital in India and were referred to Vaidam by an online friend”.
After explaining Abwoum’s history to their case manager, Bai Sei sent across all of Abwoum’s medical reports and scans that were done in Cameroon. “My case manager helped me explore all the options available to me. After analyzing our case, she sent across the list of top 10 brain tumor treatment centers in India that fit into our budget. In the end, we decided to go with Sharda Hospital,” says Bai Sei.
Arriving on the 7th of April, Abwoum and Bai Sei made their way to Sharda Hospital for their scheduled appointment. Their case manager had made an appointment with Consultant Neurosurgeon Dr. Vikas Bhardwaj. After carefully reviewing Abwoum’s history, Dr. Bhardwaj ordered a fresh round of tests, which any brain tumor surgery doctors in India will suggest. After many hours of MRIs and CT scans, Dr. Bhardwaj was ready with Abwoum’s path of treatment; Abwoum would require Stereotactic Biopsy and ongoing Radiation Therapy. This would require the two to remain in India for the next two months.
Stereotactic is a biopsy procedure that uses a computer and imaging performed to localize a target lesion such as a tumor. Unlike more traditional treatments, the Stereotactic Biopsy is a less invasive procedure and an excellent way to remove tumors. In addition, the doctor suggested further radiation to eradicate remnants of the tumor from Abwoum’s brain.
Abwoum underwent 5 rounds of radiation and multiple visits to the hospital. After closely examine her for a few days, Abwoum was finally discharged from the hospital. “After 2 months in India we are finally returning to Cameroon, this trip has been a huge burden off my shoulders”, says Bai Sei. When asked about her trip and how she felt she says, “We were in safe hands; you helped take care of all our needs in India. We will tell all our friends and family members about you”. After 2 long months in India, the mother-daughter duo finally made their way back to their home country.
Vaidam would like to wish Abwoum a speedy recovery and a fulfilling life ahead for both mother and child.
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