‘Power of prayer’ keeps Christelle going
IT was the power of prayer and support that has prolonged Christelle Oakley Daunakamakama’s life until now.
Mrs Daunakamakama is battling cervical cancer.
Married to Josefa Daunakamakama with five children – four boys and a girl – Mrs Daunakamakama said she was grateful to her family for their support.
“In May 2018, my battle began. It started with heavy bleeding then in July, I was rushed to the CWM Hospital for loss of blood. They had taken my blood samples and that was when I was diagnosed with stage two cervical cancer,” the 35-year-old said.
Born and bred in Nausori with maternal links to Namara Village on Kadavu, she said she was advised by the doctor she needed to go to India for treatment.
“If I want to live longer and see my children grow, then I should take this trip to India and give it a go.
“The only challenge that I faced was finance.
“I had to register with the Fiji Cancer Society and with their great help, especially Belinda Chan and Marica from the Oncology Unit, giving me advice and how to go about staying positive.
“By then, I told my husband and family we need to pray about it and the Lord will provide the way.”
She said her condition affected her work as an agriculture assistant with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Lomaivuna agriculture station in Naitasiri.
“Come August, my work colleagues fundraised and also my family.
“I wrote to the Ministry of Health asking for financial assistance and thanks to them, they paid for my treatment and airfare return for two people.
“So I went with my aunt, Dorothy Oakley. She was just so amazing with the support, holding my hand all throughout the treatment and until today, she calls or messages me to see if I’m OK and how I feel.
“We went to Hyderabad, India in September for six cycles of chemotherapy and radiation.
“We returned to Fiji in December to finish the other four cycles, so a total of 10 cycles. By the time I had arrived, I was tested again and I was stage four so far gone.
“It was through the power of prayer, especially from my 7th Heaven Family, the bond we created when I was diagnosed to date.
“It is through the power of prayer and staying positive and watching my diet, that’s how I’m still going strong and just watching my five kids that’s keeping me going day by day.”
She said her dad, who passed on in 2016, also suffered from cancer.