I was 38 years old lady when I was diagnosed with breast cancer at Mulago Hospital. I had to have surgery to remove the affected breast and thereafter went through many courses of radiotherapy and cycles of chemotherapy. Cancer turned my world upside down!
I was always a hardworking lady and very entrepreneurial, but now with the severe chest pain and a painful and swollen left arm. I was unable to carry out any activity and was dependent on others for activities of daily living like bathing and dressing. Cancer turned my world upside down!
In 2017, I was enrolled in the palliative care programme at Hospice Africa Uganda. The oral liquid morphine along with other medications that I received at Hospice were most helpful for the control of my severe pain and relief of the symptoms which were distressing me.
Although the physical pain that I was experiencing was a prominent part of my existence when I first went to the Hospice, I also had much psychosocial distress. I could no longer afford to sustain my children in school to receive basic education because when I fell sick, I depleted all my savings in pursuit of life-sustaining treatments. So, in addition to essential medicines to control my illnesses and the concurrent pain I suffered, I was also in dire need of social and financial support; cancer had turned my world upside down.
I was aware that Hospice Africa Uganda was bursting at the seams with requests from suffering patients and their families on limited organizational budget, but they recognised my plight, and they managed to support me.
Cate with a social worker from Hospice Africa Uganda
“We were motivated to mobilize and offer Cate resources of a livelihood nature because Hospice had assessed this patient and found that she had been a hard-working lady and very entrepreneurial. We reasoned that a hand-up would likely change around her circumstances and bring her to a place where she could sustain herself and her family. As the saying goes, ‘Hospice is a friend’ and Hospice has plenty of friends. We, therefore, wrote up Cate’s story and shared it with our partners abroad. Our friends in Germany raised funds to support Cate.” Hospice Africa Uganda
Together with my family, we were offered guidance and support by the HAU social worker, and an assessment was conducted to identify a viable income generating business. It became apparent that any physical work which personally involved me would not be a great option. I, therefore, asserted that the best option was for me was to procure a motorcycle (boda-boda) and employ someone to ride it, the daily income would go towards our daily domestic needs and a portion of the proceeds to be saved as tuition fees for my children’s education.
I have since gained entrepreneurial experience to manage this small business very well and it has been profitable to date. My health is good, and I remain truly grateful to HAU, Mulago, and our friends abroad for the hand-up that my family received. Cancer turned my world upside down, but I am grateful to be alive and well.
Adapted from 30 Years, 30 Stories for World Cancer Day 2025
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