A brave Naajama Odunton told Health her story, 'Breast cancer will not defeat me' on March 14, 2007 in our 'Living with a chronic disease' series. Only 47 years old, Naajama discovered a lump seven years ago while doing her regular breast self-examination. Her honest disclosure of her struggles with the disease captured the attention of many readers, including some from her native country, Ghana, West Africa; they have been asking for a follow-up and now here it is, in Naajama's own words.

"Since the last article, I thought my life was going as it should - I felt well and I was happy. I even had a plan for facing and fighting life's stresses as they came. I was well on my way to where I thought God was taking me. But 'life' crept up on me.

I hadn't mentioned earlier that I had metastasis in my brain. I had had whole brain radiation and two bouts of stereotactic surgery (SRS) to the lesions in the brain. Though the actual procedures were quite painless, the residual effects were headaches, a feeling of weakness and 'fogginess' in my brain. There were times when I thought I had had enough and couldn't take any more. I was unable to process information as clearly and as fast as I normally would. My memory was touch and go sometimes, though I suspect age had something to do with that.

Definitely not living well

It hit me one day that I really was not on top of things - I was definitely not 'living well with a chronic illness'. I was irritated by the least thing - any word or action that I interpreted as thoughtless or intended to provoke my wrath would set me off. My children would say 'Mummy, don't take it personally'.

I still had headaches sometimes and those made me feel quite miserable. I was distracted and 'diverted' from what and where I thought I needed to be - a place of serenity and purpose, to feed my spiritual, emotional and physical needs. My interaction with others was strained. I was in turmoil! The joy of the Lord which I claimed was my strength and medicine had deserted me. If we are to march past our trials and be a testimony and encouragement to others, this was not going well. I felt like a fraud, a hypocrite. I could not encourage others because I could not even help myself. But God is faithful and I'm thankful for His mercy and grace.

Scar tissue

A recent MRI had revealed scar tissue left by one of the lesions in the brain. The others had disappeared but this one was obviously planning on taking up residence in my brain. It was causing pressure on and swelling in the brain, hence the headaches, nausea and imbalance in my gait that I had been experiencing. The neurosurgeon suggested that the best way to get rid of it, since the SRS hadn't got rid of it, was brain surgery. The surgery went well and so did my recovery and recuperation. I feel much better now with those headaches a thing of the past.

Apart from a feeling of malaise sometimes, especially when I do too much, I am 'living well with a chronic illness'. I thank God for His love that casts away fear and for His patience. I have been blessed by all the prayers and support I have received from family and friends, and also by the testimonies and encouragement of others.

And to that reader in Ghana: I know who you are! Thank you very much for your interest and support."