Hello everyone, my name
is Uche Agbai, many of you may know me as ‘SenseiUche’ of City 105.1FM.
Those of you who do may have also noticed I have been off air for an
unusually long time. In appreciation of the concerned messages and
loving support that I have received I would like to take this
opportunity to explain the circumstances of my absence.
The story
began sometime in December 2016. I had slowly come to realise that I
was losing sense of hearing in my left ear. With the onset of persistent
nasal congestion and a recurring sore throat I sought medical
attention. After visiting a number of hospitals all of whom subjected me
to several tests, I was told I had simply been suffering from an
infection. I began my treatment in the hopes the symptoms would clear.
The symptoms worsened and I started having severe nose bleeds. I was
then advised to consult an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. After
several scans, an MRI scan of my head revealed an unidentified growth in
my upper nasal tract measuring 8.5cm and 3cm wide, my blood ran cold.
The
discovery cast my life into limbo, suddenly confronted with several
frightening prognoses; potential blindness, partial deafness, anosmia or
worse. After undergoing surgery, a biopsy of the mass returned the
diagnosis; cancer. Analysis of my scans would show I had a stage 3 nasal
lymphoma. To this day I cannot quite find the words to describe the
emotions of helplessness and despair that beset me. It was as though my
life had suddenly and without fair warning, been brought to a screeching
halt. I was advised on the high risk of my situation with the danger
that the cancer could metastasise and spread to my brain. Compounded by
my struggle in finding adequate medical care in Nigeria, I felt as
though I was in a lopsided battle against time for my wellbeing.
It
has been in no uncertain terms, thanks to the support of my family,
friends, and dear colleagues at City FM that I have been managing to
cope with all of this. The emotional, the physical and the financial
struggles that accompany fighting such a disease are just too
overwhelming for one person to hope to transcend. To those who have been
there, my sincerest and deepest gratitude.
My treatment plan
consists of 6 courses of chemotherapy and intermittent radiotherapy
spread over a 7 month period. My fight has begun, and at the time of
writing I have completed 2 courses of chemotherapy at Lakeshore Center
in Lagos, with plans to receive radiotherapy in one of their affiliates
abroad. With a projected cost of 21,000 USD/~16,000 GBP to complete my
treatment, I wish to appeal to you all to help in my battle against
cancer.
Yours truly,
Uche ‘SenseiUche’ Agbai
Name: Uche Agbai
Account number: 2008856221