Shola Adedoyin Alao, former Managing Director of the defunct City Express Bank. She is the daughter of Kwara State-born billionaire, Chief Samuel Adedoyin. Shola Adeoti is a victim of cancer survival. She tells of how she survived the ailment. Latasha Ngwube and Vera Wisdom-Bassey write:
She revealed the pains she went through, the
agony of watching some cancer patients
die, and her plans to battle the scourge in Nigeria.
Right now, she has dedicated her life to
helping cancer patients fight the dreaded disease through her organization
MariaSam Foundation.
All over the world, women of all ages, creeds
colour, and ethnicity are diagnosed with this deadly killer disease, Sadly many
die, homes are torn apart and it leaves in its wake frustrations, sadness, and
general misery.
For some though, that is not the case as
early detection has proven to be one of the ways the disease can be combated
and pushed into remission. This is the story of a brave woman who has, against
all odds survived the disease after rigorous treatment.
Her story is inspiring and she is living
proof that you can beat the odds if you fight hard enough through faith and
prayer.
When and how did you find out you had cancer?
It all started in December 2004. In August of that year, I went for my medical check-up and also a mammogram in a very popular hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos. They gave me a clean bill of health but my spirit kept insisting and pressurizing me to go see a doctor, but I didn't understand what God was saying.
My daughters have been calling to see if all
was well. When I went to the United Kingdom to visit my daughters, I decided to
go and see the family doctor and I took my oldest daughter just in case I was
being careless with her own health.
She had never been for a medical check before
and she was already up to 18 years. The doctor decided to use me as an example
to make my girl calm and that was my saving grace. I was asked to lie on the
hospital bed and I got my breast checked again.
Since I had been cleared in Nigeria, I said
to myself -I’m fine", but to my greatest surprise, the doctor said one of
my breasts was more tender than the other so I was asked to see the breast
specialist. I went for several other tests that finally confirmed that I had
breast cancer!
How knowledgeable were you about the disease
at the time, and what was your reaction to your diagnosis?
I was initially confused and told the doctors
that I am not a white woman and it's white women that have cancer! Also being a
pastor, I began to reject it in Jesus' name; I guess I was in denial and I
really was not knowledgeable at all so my reaction was strange.
I was devastated when I was told I had
cancer. The breast cancer I had was peculiar. It came as tiny dots instead of
lumps and it could not be felt during self-examination. After leaving the
hospital, I called and informed my husband of the outcome of the check-up.
My husband immediately sent words to my
family and to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E. 0.
Adeboye,
who prayed for me because I am a Pastor of one of the parishes. What followed
was a gruelling six-month treatment, during which I had six rounds of
chemotherapy.
But before the treatment, when I was told I
had cancer. I rejected it. I said it was not true. It was not my portion. It
wasn't as if I was scared. I went on my knees, prayed to God, and asked Him,
"God, why me When I was told that the treatments I had received were not
effective, I was not all that afraid, but I just said, "God, what will
happen to my children?"
At that time, two of them were grown up and
the other two were still very young. I grew up without a mother. My mother died
when I was very young and went through a lot of difficulties when I was growing
up I don't pray that my children should experience the same thing. That was my
main challenge. I thought of what would happen to the children God has blessed
me with.
Overcoming something like that speaks of
remarkable strength. What do you have to say to victims faced with a similar
situation?
This is when the saying "Joy of the Lord
that is our strength’’ comes into play. The truth is that being a pastor helped
me a lot because to whom much is given, much is expected. I counsel people,
pray, and encourage them. In my case, it was time for my faith and all I had
preached to be tested.
Tell us about the treatment and its impact on
you psychologically and physically.
Cancer is a silent killer so the person will
not really feel any pain until it is about to kill. The operation and treatment for me was what brought the pain. The treatment is meant to poison the cancer
cells but it actually poisons the whole body because it affects the entire system.
It must have been a very hard experience. Not
just for you, but for your family as well. Having lived through it successfully,
are there any specific coping mechanisms you would encourage a family in such a
situation to adopt?
Cancer is a time when everyone must chill. It
is a very difficult time for everybody because cancer is a devourer that
destroys everything on its path. It destroys the body and health. Finances,
relationships, beliefs, etc. At this time, one should not allow interference
from eternal forces but keep the family intact and gave the affected person a
lot of love, understanding, and space.
What is your opinion on traditional forms of
treatment relative to more orthodox treatment?
Is there a permanent disconnect between them
or can the two methods be combined effectively? What I call traditional is
"Holistic treatment and not a local concoction that no one can explain the
origin of. On the other hand, holistic measures such as eating natural herbs,
fruits, and vegetables like ugwu and bitter leaf help the body to tolerate the
treatment better. The two methods cannot be combined effectively. An individual
needs one particular treatment at a time and it's advisable to get orthodox
treatment which could either be a mastectomy, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy.
Usually, in serious personal afflictions like
this, one discovers- or rediscovers - their spiritual self, as the case may be.
Would you share some of your personal discoveries with us, if any?
This disease, cancer, is a life-changing
experience. It is important to take each day at a time. We make plans that we
do not have the power to implement but when God sanctions them, then and only
then, are we able to implement them. I have learnt to be more dependent on God.
Did you at any point get bitter and start to
question your faith?
Not at all, the word of God is, 'Many are the
afflictions of the righteous but God delivers them from it all'. I knew in my
heart that God in His infinite wisdom, who permitted cancer, will help me
overcome it.
What in your opinion are steps that should be
taken to ease the financial burden on families experiencing this?
The Government or Health Ministry needs to
help to provide more screening centres for women to go and get checked. Also,
subsidizing the cost of drugs like they did for HIV-AIDS would help enormously.
In what ways has your outlook on life changed
before and after this?
I have become a lot more accommodating and
have now realised that there are two sides to a coin. Life for me, also now has
different shades to it.
What was the external reaction from friends
and the public to your having cancer?
The external reaction to my illness from
friends and family was a mixed grill indeed! There were many rumours, many
lies, many disappointments, and a lot o misunderstandings but at the same time,
I got love and support.
Would you agree that there is still some
ignorance and stigmatization about cancer among the general public?
Yes, very much so. We had a presentation at a
large corporate organisation and people were asking to confirm if sucking the
breast would prevent breast cancer. Some believe that taking foods like
carrots, sour sap, etc would cure cancer and that is not true.
With all the initiatives already out there,
what more needs to be done to raise public awareness?
Well, we have not created enough awareness.
When elites that visit places like Shoprite do not know what a mammogram test
is, what will you say about those in the villages?
We already touched on character changes, but
since cancer,
are there any lifestyle changes you've made deliberately - in terms of what you
eat, exercise, etc?
No, because I have always been health
conscious.
To what extent, would you say, does faith
have an influence on survival?
It influences it to a major extent, "Be
it unto you according to your faith" is what Jesus said. Cancer is a
battle and that is why our slogan for MariaSam is "Don't fear, beat
cancer."
What motivated you to establish the MariaSam Foundation?
It was established out of passion. I thought
of the idea when I was diagnosed with cancer. Initially, I thought that cancer
was not real. It was after I was diagnosed with it that I knew that cancer is
real. Many people are going through this harrowing experience and need help but
could not get it.
Although I received assistance when I was
diagnosed, I still face some challenges. I had to find the means of helping
myself. A lot of people I have met who have the same problem face the
challenges I have been through. It is familiar terrain.
How old is MariaSam Foundation?
The foundation took off in 2007, in the USA
because I spent more time there, but when I discovered that I wasn't needed
much over there I had to come down to Nigeria because we are lagging behind.
And I think it is a ministry, and my ministry is to my people here in Nigeria.
The NGO took time to form because we were not
planning it until I had this problem, but now we are learning more as each day
comes, because we started with breast cancer, but found out that there are too
many people on it.
But when you go out for breast cancer
campaigns, instead of people admitting they had this ailment, they acclaim that
it is not their portion, instead of coming out for screening. So we had to do a
total bulk thing on this. We screen for hepatitis, blood pressure, etc.
What were your lowest ebbs and how did you
manage to overcome them?
They were how expenses will be met for my
treatments and everything, but God always pulled through for me.
We've talked about life. How, if at all, did
your view of death change - before and after cancer?
I now have the firm belief that 'Don't take
the day for granted and live as if all you have is today. Don't leave things
for tomorrow as that may never come.’
How have your priorities changed?
I put myself and my children first in all
things and I have since stopped living for others.
What would you say has been your greatest
source of strength?
God Almighty.
Describe yourself in three words.
Child of God!
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