43 February 2022 The Birthday Journal Margaret, Esther, Betty and Philomena on some substance. The sensation lasted for what I believe was a few minutes, yet it felt like a few hours. I am not sure how I felt that day or how I got back to school. My body was dead to the news, and I went to school and carried on as though nothing had happened. I realise now that I was in denial. The real impact of Mummy’s diagnosis was to hit me many years later. I have only once discussed Mum’s illness and the effect it had on me as a young lad. His sisters also got to know the secret. Margaret isn’t sure how she found out, but someone inadvertently mentioned that her Uncle Nettey and Auntie Akweley had organized to have Mummy admitted to Cocoa Clinic, where she was receiving treatment for breast cancer. Mummy?Cancer?How? I remember I was at home in Cape-Coast and my head was spinning in various directions. All I could think of was, I have to be with my mummy. I rushed to the roadside looking for a commercial vehicle that was en route to Accra. I must have been looking distraught and anxious because a non-commercial vehicle stopped, and the driver asked whether I was heading to Accra. Without thinking of the imminent danger of sitting in a stranger’s car, I hopped into his car and the gentleman gave me a lift straight to Accra, all the while I kept thinking... Ihave toget to themummy. Mummy cannot die. Their other sister, Philo, remembers when she first heard the horrible news. IrememberwhenIgotthecall.Ididn’t even know how to react. I had little knowledge about cancer, but then all I could take away from what was said was that there was little chance of survival. I was distraught, but my father assured me that he would do everything medically possible to save her. I was completely shielded from any horrible experiences, so I don’t havemuch to say. And yes, she beat it. God has been gracious to her. I remember new baby hair and beautiful new glowing skin... The prophecy came true. Mummy Esther did not die. To cut a long story short, I am still here, more than 20 years after the diagnosis and treatment. What God declared concerning my life has prevailed, and I am a living testimony of God’s healing power and His goodness. I think I was 52 when I was diagnosed, but I am now 80. My advice to anyone going through a similar predicament is that you must work on both the physical and spiritual dimensions of it. I am convinced that there is a spirit behind cancer. While the doctors are working on the physical side, the spiritual dimension will also
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