My name is Richard Kiprono Ngeno from Kapsoit, Kericho County of Kenya. I am a 37-year-old man and a small-time farmer.

My condition started as a swelling on the testes in August 2018. At the time, I was working in Nyamira County about 54 KM away. I went for treatment at the nearest private clinic where I was treated for Orchitis.

I visited several clinics and hospitals in Kericho and Nyamira County without getting a proper diagnosis.

By May 2021- almost three years later- there was no significant improvement in my condition, and my weight had spontaneously dropped. The disease had taken a considerable toll on my general well-being. I was referred to Tenwek Mission Hospital where several tests were done, including HIV, Ultrasound and CT scans, and it was here where I was diagnosed with neuroendocrine of the testicles, and it had spread to the duodenum and liver.

I was started on Sandostatin treatment which I am required to receive every month. The first injection in June had me paralyzed on the right-hand side of my body. I also experienced nausea and loss of appetite for a couple of days. During the second Sandostatin injection, though, I did not feel any notable side effects like the first.

The treatment for my NET condition is costly in Kenya. Each injection costs Ksh.120,000 (about USD 1,100). Given my humble background, this has impacted negatively on my family. I sold some of my few valuable belongings to get the funds and borrowed more from my relatives. My neighbors organized a fundraiser. That catered for my first and second injections. My wife abandoned me. Right now, I am preparing to go for my third injection and I have no money left to cater for it.

Even with my condition, I can run small-scale gardening. I plant kales, and it is from here, where I get some money to get me going every day in terms of meals. Nonetheless, my mother and brother’s support, love, and care have always been the fuel which get me courage to stand up to this monster.

When I was linked up with a local Net Organization, ANECS, my morale further rose, and I felt further encouraged. I will always feel thankful for their support and counseling I will forever be grateful to my hero, Doctor Felix Kibutit and other doctors, from Tenwek Mission Hospital. They were able to diagnosed the disease, gave me words of encouragement, and started me on treatment. I feel that had I been diagnosed earlier; I would have so far been free from this disease and would have already started the process of rebuilding myself and my family. Right now, amidst the ongoing treatment, I am feeling well and strong.

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