Help : 35-year-old needs N4m to fight cancer

 

To any young man who is just about to clock 35, life is just starting. But this is not the case for Mobolaji Adeyemi.

Mobolaji is the first son of Reverend and Mrs. Adio Adeyemi. After his primary and secondary education in Lagos, he proceeded to bag a degree in Agriculture from the University of Ibadan. He spent his early working years teaching in secondary schools.

All of a sudden, he developed ‘adenocarcinoma’ (Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that may affect various organs. It is derived from the word “adeno,” meaning ‘pertaining to a gland’ and “carcinoma” meaning cancer) around his neck that led to the removal of his lower jaws.

He was operated upon in a surgery which took not less than 10 hours in May 2013 at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. According to the family, the surgery cost about N1.6m – an amount that was donated by friends, classmates, and other Good Samaritans.

But after this surgery, Adeyemi could no longer eat well nor speak properly like he did before going for the operation. However, to solve this problem, doctors said it would be required of him to go for a reconstruction surgery at Apollo Hospital in Ahmedabad, India.

Unfortunately for the family, they have not been able to meet up with the financial requirements to go for the surgery. According to an estimate made by the hospital, the surgery would cost $25,000 (N4m).

The amount covers consultancy fees, anaesthesia, surgical fees by the chief consultant and two assisting surgeons, post operation care/treatment, various laboratory tests as well as therapy after operation. It also includes cost of obtaining visa, feeding and moderate accommodation covering three good months.

In an emotion-laden voice, Titilayo Adeyemi, wife of Mobolaji Adeyemi, told Saturday PUNCH she would be happy to see her husband using his mouth to eat and talk properly again.

She said, “It has been a terrible situation in my family since my husband developed this disease. We have spent all we had on him, yet he has not been able to eat or talk with his mouth. I hereby appeal to people to come to our aid.

“He is really suffering. I cannot even remember the last time we talked together as husband and wife again. I want to see him express his love to me again by talking. Please come to our aid.”

Likewise, his father, while fighting back tears, said, “I am using this medium to solicit your financial support for my son. Ever since he had the first surgery, he has not been able to feed well or talk properly.

“Right from then, we have been living from hand to mouth…………… As it is now, if we don’t get the N4m we need for the reconstruction surgery, we might lose him. He is passing through hell. We want to see him look well again and that is why we are appealing to members of the public to come to our aid.”

A copy of the medical report of Adeyemi by the Dental Department of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja dated November 23, 2013 and which was made available to our correspondent read:

“The above named patient presented at the oral and maxillofacial surgery clinic on 23rd of April, 2012 with a complaint of a growth on his neck and palate x6/12 (duration).

“Following tumour board discussion, CT scan pharynx and FNAC neck node were requested.

“FNAC of neck growth yielded metastatic malignancy while CT scan showed a palatal lesion + neck node. A diagnosis of Ca Palate cT4N3 was made.

“Patient was scheduled for a Fasciocutaneous fibular free flap as a delayed reconstruction. He decided to travel abroad for his reconstruction surgery. Please kindly oblige him with the necessary assistance.”

Since Adeyemi could not talk, readers could reach his wife via 08057310451 for any financial assistance.