Name: Godwin Adanon
State of Origin: Lagos State
Age: 26 years
Dependents: None
Occupation: Teacher
I used to teach Music at Christabel Nursery and Primary School, Oshodi. I also taught Music in College Best Secondary School but I quit teaching in schools in 2015 when I started experiencing a severe hip pain.
I have had issues with my left leg for a long time but sometime in 2015, I discovered that each time I stood up to teach, the pain at the hip was always severe.
What did you do when you noticed the severe pain?
I went to General Hospital, Isolo, for diagnosis. I was referred to Ikeja General Hospital for X-ray. After the X-ray, I was told I needed a surgery. The doctor said my entire hip has gone and must be replaced.
The bill I was given was huge so I went to my pastor for prayers. One of the leaders in my church raised N50, 000 for me and another leader from another church raised N50, 000, making it N100, 000. Since then (February 2016) till now, no more money has been raised.
What is the cost implication?
The bill I was given by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) on the September 30, 2016, was N823, 000 for the hip replacement, but recently, I went back to the hospital and was told I needed about N1.4million which will cover the surgery, admission bill, drugs, and blood.
Have you taken any treatment since then?
I have not taken any treatment. The doctor advised me to be using crutches to avoid total breakdown of the hip since I don’t have the money for the surgery. I also have to use the crutches each time I want to go out to reduce the pain on my leg.
I have had this issue for long and I usually take Renaf Plus and other pain-relieving drugs prescribed by my doctors. I take the drugs once in two days just to calm the pain and it lasts for a week, after which the pain would come up again. If that happens, I rush and get the drugs.
How have you been coping since you noticed this in 2015?
I had to stop teaching Music in schools. I only teach a student Music at home on Saturdays and I’m paid N15, 000 a month. I used that money to support myself. My family are poor and could barely feed themselves let alone help with my medical bill. I still support them with the little I make.
I cannot go far with the crutches. Sometimes, I have to trek from my house to the junction to catch a bus and that usually gives me a tough time. I discovered that each time I walk the bones at my hip rub against each other and that gives me serious pains at the hip. Each time I’m walking, the hip generates pain. The best thing I was told is to do the surgery.
This hip problem has caused me so much pain. It’s hard for anyone to know what I’m going through but whenever I’m alone, I cry so much praying that God will raise men to help me do this surgery.
If you want to contact the writer of this story call: +234(0) 803 889 1567, +234(0) 802 223 8495. [email protected]
Chinwe Agbeze
