Courage & Strength

“Hard things are put in our way not to stop us, but to call out our courage and strength.”

Akou Kewukpo is a woman of courage. In Western Africa, women do an astounding amount of work. They farm, cook, take care of children, and sell goods. They carry heavy items on their heads extremely far distances. They are worked to the bone. Akou did these things while experiencing great pain.

She is a farmer and has 5 grown children. She looks stunning for her age. When you see Akou smile, these perfectly straight, glistening white teeth stare at you. You think: there is a story behind that smile.

A large mass has been growing on her right shoulder for 5 years. The growth began inching up her neck, and exuded immense pain. Akou didn’t know it at the time, but the tumor was slowly filling her lungs and eventually would kill her.

If Akou lived in a developed nation, she would have had the tumor removed at a very early stage. But because of the lack of health care resources, doctors in Togo suggested that she travel to Europe to have the tumor removed.

Europe? They might as well have given her a death sentence.

“I couldn’t believe it when they told me that. I shook my head, and essentially gave up.” Akou said.

Three years later, Akou waited in line to see a doctor at Mercy Ships’ screening day in Togo. The African sun beat down on the hundreds of hopeful people waiting for medical attention. Akou was checked by several nurses and given an X-ray. It was determined that she was a candidate for surgery and was given a date to return to the ship for her tumor to be removed.

“I was so happy that day. More than small happiness…this was BIG happiness. I was in a hurry to get back home so the time would pass faster, and the day of surgery would be here!” Akou remembers.

Eventually surgery day arrived. Akou went in and Dr. Mark performed a marathon nine-hour operation. In order to remove the entire tumor, Dr. Mark had to cut the nerves running through it. Then, he meticulously stitched each nerve back together.

In recovery Akou had staples running down her neck and shoulder resembling a train track of battle wounds.

But the enemy was gone: All that was left was a beautifully sloped silhouette of her shoulders.

Akou’s struggle, however, was not over. God wanted to test her courage further. When she woke up after surgery she could not lift her arm.

It was explained to Akou that the surgeon had to sever the nerves running through the tumor in order to remove it all. It was a requirement to save her life. Akou understood, but needed time to process the situation. Her livelihood depended on being able to lift things.

Charge Nurse, Ali Chandra, explained, “The doctors are quite confident that over time, and with therapy, Akou will regain all movement in her arm. And every day, I can see she is improving emotionally and responding to therapy.”

Akou’s courage and strength were called upon, and she rose to the occasion. Healing began and eventually, it was time to look at her shoulder for the first time. Akou was handed a small mirror and she carefully cleaned it with her hospital gown, and then held it up.

In a matter of seconds that beaming smile returned to her face. She finally allowed herself to enjoy the hope and healing God brought her through Mercy Ships.

“When my hand gets better,” she exclaims, “I will be jumping up and down—hands raised in the air with celebration. The first thing I will do when I return home is go to church and thank God for what he has done for me. All the nurses who have took care of me—I will thank God for them.”

Mercy Ships thanks God for people like Akou. Her story teaches us that God will only give us what he knows we can handle—to call out our courage and strength.

Akou at screening in February.

love.that.smile.

Post-surgery. happy & healing :)

Pay Day...

Akou is a precious lady with the most brilliant smile I have ever seen. Her teeth are so perfect, she should be on a Crest Whitestrips Commercial!!!!
Mercy Ships first met Akou at screening in February. She had a large tumor on her neck and shoulder. Our writer and photographer, Joy and Debra, interviewed her. Akou told them that she has only had the tumor for 5 years, and it has grown steadily over that time. She had several scars on the tumor, which she said were from "natural remedies"....essentially a witch doctor who attempted to cure her of the tumor. Obviously, his efforts failed, only leaving her badly scarred.

I met Akou for the first time with Tom while doing Pre-Op photographs. She was very downtrodden and had a look of despair on her face---even despite the fact that she was finally getting checked in for surgery!! (which should have been a joyous time!)

After Joy realized I was writing about her, she showed me the screening photos they had taken. This was brilliant, I thought!! We've covered this patient from step one: screening! Below are photos taken from the screening, and my favorite: Her bright smile when she received her Card which indicated her surgery date!!! She's IN!!

Akou Kewukpo at screening--you can see her tumor and scars from the witch doctor attempting to cure her.

Akou getting registered at Screening.

Waiting in line. Lots of waiting...waiting....hoping....wishing...waiting...

Inside the screening tents. Talking with a translator.

BINGO!!! There's that smile!

"Best day of my life" -Akou

Five months later, Akou went in for surgery with our Max Fax surgeon, Dr. Mark. Once he opened her up, he realized that her tumor was more advanced that previously thought. It had wrapped itself around several nerves and blood vessels. In order to remove all of the tumor, Dr. Mark had to cut the nerves that ran through the tumor. He knew this would have other affects on her body, but he spent a marathon 9 hours meticulously reconnecting every single nerve he had severed.

Akou was wheeled into D Ward after surgery. When the anesthesia wore off, she discovered that she could not lift her right arm. The nerve damage prevented her from raising her arm. She was confused and devastated. I thought the smile was gone earlier---but it was ESPECIALLY gone now :(

Meza & I talking with Akou after surgery. Visibly upset, she told that she couldn't move her arm. "I carry things all day long--for a living. What on earth will I do?" She was very shaken by the effect of the nerve damage.

Days passed and Akou began coping with the situation. Her tumor, which was removed completely, looked fantastic. But she told nurse Ali..."I am not ready to look at the tumor yet. I am still mourning over my arm."

Eventually, Akou's spirit came back. She began working with a physical therapist who has taught her exercises to regain motion. She would pick up beads from her bed and put them in a cup. Back and forth, over and over again.

When I knew the time was right I had something to share with Akou. This was sure to cheer her up. I printed out a large color copy of the photo of her beaming with her Surgery date card, and took it down to her. I told her I had a present for her. {Most of the african people rarely see pictures of themselves, so that is always a treat.}

She looked at me skeptically.

I handed her the picture.

She looked, a little flabbergasted. Absolutely speechless.

Then she broke into a smile.

"Do you remember this day?" I asked.

"Of course I remember it!! That was one of the greatest days."

"Do you remember how you felt that day?"

"I was SO happy. Way more than a small happy, BIG happiness! Oh, I wanted to RUN home. Fast Fast. Get there so that the days and weeks would pass quickly so my date would be here! That's all I could think about"

Then she did something amazing. She whipped out her small, red pocket mirror and gently cleaned it off on her hospital gown. Then, she held it up and admired her neck and shoulder: how beautifully sloped it was---and tumorless!! Then looked back at the picture of her 5 months earlier. She was amazed and consumed with JOY.

"When my hand gets better, I will be jumping up and down with my hands in the air in celebration!"

Then I told her that this picture was on the Mercy Ships website (see blog post here) and that anyone throughout the world could go to the site and see a picture of her. "You're famous, Akou!" She died [of excitement!]. She couldnt believe it!!

Witnessing this moment makes what I do worth it. I can say, with 100% certainty, that was the best moment since I've been on this ship. I dont make a dime being here,  but THIS was pay day.

We wanted to snap a few pictures of Akou and she was eating. Laughing, and eating :)

Beautiful smile! and NO tumor.

She is discharged from the ward and heading to the Hospitality Center.

It's a good day.

***Doctors believe that if Akou continutes the exercises for her arm, she should regain complete movement after one year. It is a very difficult situation to deal with, but given how advanced the tumor was, it was the only option. If not completely removed, the tumor would have eventually filled her lungs and killed her. We take what we can :)