‘I Couldn’t Walk or Sleep’: Young Woman Defies Severe Spinal Tumour After Eight-Hour Surgery at Tophill Hospital

A young woman from Embu County who was unable to walk, stand or sleep because of severe pain caused by a complicated spinal tumour is now walking again after undergoing an eight-hour operation at Tophill Hospital in Eldoret. Grace Muragu Wamaitha says her health began deteriorating gradually in August last year, but by February this year, her condition had become so serious that she could no longer stand or walk. For months, Grace lived with intense pain that she says continued throughout the day and night. Even painkillers could not provide her with meaningful relief, leaving her struggling to sleep and carry out normal activities. Her legs gradually became weak before she eventually lost the ability to walk.

A difficult search for treatment

As her condition worsened, Grace and her husband began searching for specialised medical care. They travelled to Nairobi, where doctors reviewed her medical history, MRI scans and biopsy results. Grace says she was informed that she had a large and complicated tumour located close to her spinal cord. According to Grace, the doctors she consulted in Nairobi told her family that the condition was too complicated to treat in Kenya and that she would need to travel to India for advanced treatment. The family also sought a second medical opinion from another hospital in Nairobi, where her MRI and biopsy reports were reviewed.

Grace says they received a similar assessment and were again advised to seek treatment abroad. For the young couple, however, the cost of travelling to India and paying for specialised treatment was beyond their immediate financial means. With no clear option available, they returned home to Embu as they continued looking for ways to raise the money needed for treatment. But Grace's condition continued to deteriorate.

A referral changes everything

While the couple was at home, a friend of Grace's husband learned about her illness and told him about his own experience with Tophill Hospital. The friend explained that his wife had previously been treated at the hospital for a tumour affecting the head. The couple began researching Tophill Hospital and discovered that the facility provides specialised treatment for brain and spinal conditions. Having already been told that her condition could not be treated in Kenya, Grace and her husband decided to seek another opinion.

They contacted Dr Florentius Koech, the lead surgeon and CEO of Tophill Hospital, while still at home. They sent him Grace's MRI and biopsy reports and asked whether her condition could be treated. According to Grace, Dr Koech reviewed the reports and told them that he was prepared to take on the case. The response gave the family new hope. About a week later, Grace and her husband travelled to Eldoret and went to Tophill Hospital.

A complex tumour

Dr Koech said Grace's case was particularly challenging because of the size and location of the tumour. According to the surgeon, Grace had initially developed back pain while living in Embu and was referred to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) for further assessment. An MRI revealed a complicated mass in the sacrum, the lower part of the spine. Grace and her family subsequently sought opinions from several hospitals, where they were reportedly advised that the case required advanced treatment abroad. Dr Koech said the financial demands associated with treatment in India proved difficult for the young couple, forcing them to return home without receiving the definitive treatment they needed. Meanwhile, Grace's condition continued to worsen.

Her legs became increasingly weak and she eventually lost the ability to walk. The pain also became severe, affecting her daily life and ability to sleep.

When she eventually arrived at Tophill Hospital, Dr Koech said the scans revealed a large tumour that presented significant challenges for the surgical team. The family was taken through the potential risks and complications associated with the operation before agreeing to proceed.

Eight hours in surgery

The operation was carried out at Tophill Hospital and lasted approximately eight hours. The surgical team worked to remove the tumour while dealing with the complex anatomy and the risks associated with its location near critical nerves and spinal structures. According to Dr Koech, the procedure was successful, and the tumour was removed.

For Grace, the immediate period following the operation marked the beginning of a dramatic change in her condition. After months of living with severe pain, she says she finally began experiencing relief. She says the pain that had prevented her from sleeping began to disappear following the removal of the tumour. She also began regaining movement in her legs. ‘I can walk again’ Grace describes the recovery as a major blessing after months of suffering. She says that before the surgery, she could not stand or walk and had reached a point where she feared she might never regain her mobility. She also experienced excessive sweating and weakness as her condition deteriorated. Following the surgery, she says her body has gradually begun returning to normal.

Today, Grace is able to walk, although she remains under medical care and continues with her recovery. She expressed deep gratitude to Dr Koech and the Tophill Hospital medical team, saying she was treated well throughout her stay. Grace said Dr Koech regularly checked on her after the operation and closely followed her recovery. She described him as an exceptional surgeon and expressed gratitude that he was willing to take on her complicated case after other facilities had advised her to seek treatment outside Kenya. For Grace and her husband, finding Tophill Hospital came at a time when they were beginning to lose hope.

Radiotherapy now underway

Dr Koech said Grace's treatment did not end with the surgery. She has since started radiotherapy and continues to be monitored as part of her ongoing treatment and recovery. The surgeon said Grace is currently doing well and has regained the ability to walk. He described her progress as encouraging given the severity of the condition with which she arrived at the hospital. Dr Koech said the case demonstrated the challenges associated with treating large and complicated tumours affecting the spine and surrounding structures. He said the decision to proceed with surgery was made after carefully discussing the risks and possible complications with Grace and her family.

From paralysis to walking

Grace's journey has been marked by a dramatic change in her physical condition. At the height of her illness, she was unable to stand or walk because of the weakness in her legs. She spent much of her time in pain and struggled to sleep. The possibility of travelling to India for treatment also appeared increasingly difficult because of the financial burden involved. Her eventual referral to Tophill Hospital provided another option.

After the eight-hour operation and subsequent treatment, she is now able to walk and is continuing with radiotherapy. Grace says the experience has strengthened her faith and given her a renewed appreciation for life. She also hopes her story will encourage other patients who have been told that their conditions are too complicated to be treated locally to seek additional medical opinions where appropriate.

A new chapter after months of pain

For the young mother, the road ahead still involves treatment, follow-up appointments and rehabilitation, but being able to walk again has transformed her outlook. She says she no longer lives with the constant pain that once dominated her days and nights. Her family is now focused on supporting her as she continues radiotherapy and follows the medical team's instructions.

Dr Koech said the medical team remains committed to monitoring her progress and ensuring she receives the necessary follow-up care. Grace's story is now one of renewed hope after months of uncertainty. From being unable to stand or walk and being advised that she might need treatment abroad, she has undergone complex surgery in Eldoret and regained her mobility. As she continues with her treatment, Grace says she is grateful to her family for standing by her and to the medical team that gave her another chance at recovery. For her, the biggest milestone is simple but profound: after months of pain, weakness and uncertainty, she can walk again.