A New Dawn for a 38-year-old man After a Life-Changing Spine Surgery

A New Dawn for a 38-year-old man After a Life-Changing Spine Surgery

story by Sherine Atieno and photos by Ogega Ondari.

For Francis Muema, 38 years old, from Makueni County, life was a balancing act between pain and perseverance.

As a construction worker, every day meant lifting heavy loads, moving materials, and enduring harsh working conditions. For over a decade, he endured devastating effects of spine injury characterized by burning pain, numbness, and limited mobility. His recent successful surgery at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), during the ongoing Neurosurgical camp finally granted him relief and hope for a better future.

Muema’s ordeal began in 2011 when a routine day at work turned tragic. He fell from a height of 10 meters while on a construction site, landing on sharp rocks that severely injured his back. His colleagues rushed him to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where tests revealed that his soft tissues had been badly damaged. While surgery was recommended, he was treated with medication and discharged. He thought he would heal completely and get back to work.

Despite the lingering pain, Muema had no choice but to return to work. Construction jobs were his family’s sole source of income, and as a father of four, he had mouths to feed and school fees to pay. His work took him from one town to another, often in search of new contracts.

In 2019, the pain returned with a vengeance. Simple tasks like bending or lifting heavy materials became unbearable. “I couldn’t lift heavy loads anymore,” Muema said.

Seeking relief, he visited a private hospital in Kisumu while working at a construction site. He was told surgery was necessary, but the cost was out of reach for a man whose daily earnings barely met his family’s needs.

In 2022, the pain worsened further. It spread to his knees, and the left side of his body felt as if it was on fire.

Financially strained, Muema made a painful decision as his children’s education had to come first. Two of them were joining high school, while the younger two were advancing to junior school. “I couldn’t afford to prioritize my health,” he admitted. “My family needed me more.”

By December 2024, his condition became critical. While laying cabros at a site, a sudden, sharp pain struck him down. He collapsed, unable to get up. His toes went numb, unable to fold or respond to touch. His colleagues rushed him to a clinic, where an MRI confirmed a dislocated disc compressing spinal nerves.

Despite the grim diagnosis, the cost of surgery at KSh 800,000 was far beyond his reach.

Desperate, Muema was referred to Dr. Lee Ogutha, a renowned neurosurgeon in Nyanza. Dr. Ogutha reviewed his case and advised him to take advantage of the neuro camp at JOOTRH, organized by the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative.

Muema was the first patient to undergo a complex neurosurgical procedure during the camp. The surgery was a success.

The pain that tormented him for years is finally manageable and he can now move, walk, and feel his toes again. He is equally grateful for the camp that saved his life

Post-surgery, Muema underwent physiotherapy sessions to strengthen his back and regain mobility. He can now walk with minimal support and is well on his way to full recovery.

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