Stage 4 cancer but still standing strong: Eunice Mwende's life after terminal diagnosis

When Eunice Mwende Mutiso first heard the words “You have breast cancer” at just 23 years old, her world changed completely. That was in 2016. Today, nine years later, she is a mother, a survivor and still fighting.

Mwende was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer during a routine check-up. She had no family history, no warning signs. The diagnosis was followed by surgery to remove the affected breast (a mastectomy), and several years of treatment. Between 2016 and 2019, she received chemotherapy and targeted therapy.

“The side effects were tough,” she says. “I had hot flushes, body and joint pain, brain fog and constant tiredness. I couldn’t sit still for long, my joints would start aching. The fatigue was horrible.” But the physical effects were just one part of the challenge. Emotionally, Mwende struggled.

“I was diagnosed with major depression during that time. I had to take antidepressants for a while. Losing a breast at 23, it broke me inside.”

The emotional impact of the surgery hit her quickly. “The moment the bandage was removed and I saw my chest, I knew I needed something to help me feel whole again,” she says. Just two weeks after surgery, while her scar was still healing, Mwende bought a prosthetic breast and special bra.

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“I wore it even at home. I couldn’t stand the feeling of being uneven. But a year and a half later, the depression got worse. That’s when I truly felt the weight of what had happened.”

Through therapy, Mwende slowly began to heal emotionally. “I had to learn to love my new self,” she says. “I redefined what beauty meant to me. Whether you have one breast, two or none you’re still beautiful. I always say, I can buy another breast, but I can’t buy my life back.”

In 2022, Mwende was forced to stop her cancer treatment due to lack of funds. She had no private insurance cover and was paying for everything out of pocket. By September 2023, her cancer had returned.

“I found a lump under my mastectomy scar and swollen lymph nodes on my neck. Tests confirmed the cancer was back and this time, it had spread to one of my lungs.”

She had moved into stage 4 breast cancer, which is not curable but can be managed. Doctors carried out a full-body PET scan, MRIs and blood tests. She restarted treatment, including chemotherapy and IV Herceptin every three weeks.

This second round of treatment hit even harder. “The fatigue was worse than before. The soles of my feet were swollen and painful. I couldn’t walk properly. My nails turned black, and the nail beds bled from the slightest pressure.” She continued to face emotional struggles. “The brain fog was terrible. I couldn’t concentrate. And the depression came back.” Still, Mwende pushed on.

Just before starting her latest round of treatment, Mwende found out she was pregnant. She made the decision to pause treatment to carry her baby safely.

“Throughout the pregnancy, my oncologist and gynaecologist did regular check-ups to monitor both me and the baby. I didn’t get any treatment during that time, just close observation.”

She later gave birth to a healthy child and is now preparing to resume her treatment journey.

Mwende is now waiting for another PET scan to check her current condition. But there’s a problem: only one hospital in Kenya is currently offering PET scans, due to a shortage of the tracer used (called FDG).

“I’ve been waiting for months,” she says. “It’s frustrating because PET scans are key for deciding whether treatment should continue or change. But they’re not available everywhere. Most public hospitals don’t have the FDG needed for the scan.”

This has become a major challenge for many cancer patients in Kenya.

For Mwende, like many others, cancer is not just a health issue; it’s a financial burden.

She has had to pause treatment more than once because of money. “The biggest challenge has always been cost. If you don’t have a good insurance cover, you either delay treatment or stop completely.”

Today, she continues to go for scans and blood work when she can afford it. Her journey is far from over, but she faces it with courage and honesty.

“With stage 4 cancer, you don’t get cured,” she explains. “But you can reach a point where there’s no evidence of disease, what we call NED. That’s what I’m hoping for.”

Through it all, Mwende continues to share her story to encourage others and raise awareness about what it means to live with cancer.

“I want people to know that there is still life after a diagnosis. There is still beauty. And there is still hope.”