Tough times in our lives are etched in our hearts and sometimes we wish we could erase them. Other times, looking back at what we have passed through gives us strength and resilience to move past tough times, knowing it will one day end. Seeing this prompt I asked myself what I was going to write, the sickness that stole my joy flashed in my memories.
It all started a few days after the New Year's Day in January 2022. I fell seriously ill, to the point my family made me cut my natural hair that I suffered to grow😄😄😄, thinking maybe it might be the cause of my illness. Back then, the sickness didn't worsen, they took me to the hospital and I was given drugs. As I continued taking my drugs I started experiencing some side effects. It wasn't a funny one, I told my parents that I didn't want to take the drugs anymore, but they still insisted. When it became worse, instead of taking me back to the hospital they started seeking spiritual help thinking it was no longer ordinary. I won't blame them cause this world is full of evil and spiritual occurrences.
After visiting different churches, there was still no improvement, they took me back to the hospital, where the doctor confirmed that I was having side effects of the drugs and I was admitted to the hospital. It was a new year and school was going to resume soon, I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to meet up with the incoming semester. I was close to my finals (400lv) and also it was my field practical year. My dad reassured me not to be worried that I could skip a year and come back later to continue, but deep down I didn't want to accept it and promised to do my best to recover soon.
I experienced episodes where the drugs started reacting to my body. Sometimes my neck would twist to the back on its own, and other times my tongue would twist making it difficult to speak. The nurses weren't helping issues they felt relaxed about it until my parents intervened and called the doctor. I was pained but I still thank God for everything.
A miracle happened ( the usual University strike in my country, Nigeria occurred) while I was still in the hospital and it was my chance to do everything possible so I could resume with my coursemate, I didn't want to spill over. Still on my recovery sometimes I get better and other times it's like I haven't even started treatment. After trying different drugs they finally got the one that didn't react to my body. My condition started improving, and school resumed but I didn't resume because I was still in the hospital. It came time for our trip to a National park in my state and I told my dad that I could join them, so he agreed and I was discharged. I spent a month in the hospital and I was grateful to my family for their love and support.
During my field practice, I broke down again, but this time I wasn't admitted. I was at home taking drugs and going for check-ups. Thanks to my course mate they helped me out during this period. Another luck was on my side and Universities went on indefinite strike. During this period I recovered myself and I went in search of a job because the holiday seemed longer. I was still on drugs and I got employed as a POS attendant, during my first week I was duped 75k I was so frustrated though I worked the money for my boss using my salary to replace it. The drugs were making me so weak at work, so I stopped it and decided to believe in God for permanent healing
I learned a lot during this tough time to speak out and to stand firm in whatever you say, especially when you know it is the right thing. Maybe my illness wouldn't have escalated. Reflecting on this, I remember my hostel mate losing her brother to sickness due to "you are young, what do you know". With my family by my side, I was able to overcome this tough time and I am forever grateful.
Thank you for reading