Kilifi widow with strange stomach swelling appeals for help

A 54-year-old widow from Kilifi county with a strange stomach swelling is appealing for specialized medical aid to save her life.

Esther Sidi, a mother of five from Midodoni village in Gongoni ward, suffers from an unknown condition that has made her stomach swell making her life painful and difficult.

Her problems started in May last year when she felt pain in her lower abdomen after which she sought help from a local medical centre and was treated for a urinal tract infection.

However, Sidi says despite using all the prescribed medication, the pain worsened and by June the same year, she noticed that her stomach had begun swelling.

“I initially assumed that I was just bloated or something and that it would eventually go away but it didn’t,”  Sidi said.

Her attempts to seek medical attention from various health facilities in the county have been futile as her situation worsens each day.

Currently, Sidi’s stomach is close to two times the normal size of pregnancy and continues to grow daily, leaving her in immense pain.

She cannot walk, sleep or stand due to her bulging stomach.

Due to the condition, Sidi has also lost her appetite which has left her malnourished and weak.

The widow who lost her husband and breadwinner 20 years ago is poor and cannot afford the money needed for her to undertake tests prescribed by doctors.

The dejected widow now sits at her home with the hope that help will one day come her way.

“I am appealing for someone to help me get tested so that I know what is causing this swelling and pain. I can’t do it because I don’t have money but am hopeful that one day, I will be okay,” Sidi said.

On December 30 last year, Sidi visited the Maimoon Medical Centre in Malindi where a CT scan showed no abnormality in her major organs leaving doctors puzzled.

“Adrenal glands are normal, urinary bladder well distended. No evidence of extravesical abnormality in the mentioned organ,” read a section of the report.

The uterus was also found to be normal and that there were no lymph nodes that were found to be abnormal in size within the uterus.

Further tests revealed no blockage on the small intestines and no fracture or dislocation of Sidi’s bones.

Doctors at the hospital however concluded that the features outlined are suggestive of large multi-cystic lesions which are likely to emanate from massive ascites, a condition where there is too much fluid buildup in your abdomen or belly.

She has been referred for further medical tests and needs at least Sh500,000 for the tests and surgery.

At the moment, the condition has also caused urine retention making the process a painful one for Sidi.

“Most of the time I don’t get the short call but when I do it's very strenuous and painful. I am appealing for any help to take this pain away,” Sidi said.

Her eldest son Kazungu Mwaringa,36 is a charcoal monger in the village and says her mother’s illness has drained the little finances the family had.

“Hospitals won’t touch her before we pay the needed amount. My business doesn’t fetch much. I have so far saved about Sh12,000 but what we need for the tests is far much more,” Mwaringa said.

“We are appealing for well-wishers to help save my mother’s life. This condition is eating her away.” 

Midodoni village headman Kalama Tsuwi has appealed to well-wishers to assist the widow.

“We are appealing to Governor Amason Kingi, the senator, women rep and county leaders to rally and save this woman’s life,” he said.

Sidi’s neighbour Stephen Hinzano says her condition is a strange one.

Neighbours have organised a fundraiser for Sidi on Thursday.

Edited by Kiilu Damaris