According to Punch Newspaper, 27-year-old Delta-based makeup artist Ruth Enakerakpo has shared the heartbreaking impact of battling Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, revealing that the illness has changed her appearance so much that her young daughter now finds it difficult to recognise her.
In an interview with PUNCH Healthwise, Ruth spoke about the emotional and financial challenges her family has faced as she struggles with the life-threatening disease while trying to care for her child.
She explained that her health problems began with persistent weakness, intense body pain, and other unusual symptoms before doctors eventually diagnosed her with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, an aggressive cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow.
According to Ruth, the illness and the effects of treatment have severely weakened her body and drastically altered her appearance.
She emotionally revealed that her daughter hardly recognises her because of the changes caused by leukaemia.
Ruth added that beyond the physical suffering, the emotional pain of seeing her daughter struggle to identify her has been deeply distressing. She said she often cries because she no longer looks like herself, noting that the medication, stress, and treatment process have significantly changed her appearance.
The young mother also disclosed that the financial burden of treatment has overwhelmed her family, with the cost of medications, hospital appointments, laboratory tests, and other medical expenses continuing to rise.
According to her, she has exhausted all her savings and is no longer able to work regularly because of her deteriorating health. She said her greatest desire now is to survive for the sake of her child.
Ruth appealed to Nigerians and compassionate individuals for financial support to help her continue treatment, warning that delays in receiving proper medical care could worsen her condition.
She further explained that the illness has affected nearly every part of her life, including her career, marriage, and ability to support her family.
Despite the difficulties, Ruth said she remains hopeful and believes she can recover with adequate treatment and support.
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia is a fast-progressing cancer of the blood and bone marrow that often requires urgent care such as chemotherapy and, in some cases, stem cell transplantation. Health experts say early diagnosis and access to quality treatment can improve survival rates, although many patients in Nigeria struggle with the high cost of cancer treatment and limited specialised healthcare facilities…See More
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