#saveDebbie or not?

So the #saveDebbie campaign is still going on and strong.

Cancer has hit clost to home for a lot of us. We are related to or know someone who has had to deal with it. Pata pata e, if you own an iPhone, yeah Steve Jobs died from cancer.

Breast cancer  is the third leading cause of cancer related deaths and the leading cause of cancer related deaths in women. 

Cancer is pretty much your normal breast cells going gaga. 

There are two major types of cancer. 

1. Ductal carcinoma starts in the tubes (ducts) that move milk from the breast to the nipple. Most breast cancers are of this type.

2. Lobular carcinoma starts in the parts of the breast, called lobules, that produce milk.

It's staged in four stages. I couldn't find a neat little table, so I'll do my best to summarize

Stage 1: the cancer is still confined to the primary site, eg breast

Stage II: the tumor has spread to lymph nodes

Stage III: the tumor has spread to tissues close by eg rib cage, Skin, chest wall, muscles

StageIV: the cancer has spread to distant tissues eg liver, Lungs, Brain etc.

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/About-Breast-Cancer/Stages.aspx

Anyways, the point of this post is what's the prognosis for Debbie? Survival rates are based on data from a whole bunch of people that had breast cancer, and seeing how many of them survive past a certain number of years.

Stage	5-year Survival Rate
0	93%
I	88%
IIA	81%
IIB	74%
IIIA	67%
IIIB	41%*
IIIC	49%*
IV	15%

*These numbers are correct as written (stage IIIB shows worse survival than stage IIIC)

What's the treatment strategy?

The treatment strategy is based on the stage of the cancer. 

I took the liberty of asking a friend (surgeon) if she would operate on a patient with stage IV breast cancer. Her response? 

The operation would not affect survival, it would just be palliative. Meaning its not a curative operation. If the patient had a huge fun gating mass, we'd take it out so that the patient has a better quality of life.

So how would you manage stage IV breast cancer? Mostly chemo and hormonal therapy. Even then, this is not meant to be curative. It just buys the patient a little more time till the inevitable. 

Am I saying we should not #savedebbie? At all! She still has a 15% chance at survival. Not much, but it's something. And even if she's gonna go out, let her go out fighting. 

Who are we saving next?

A couple of days ago, we applauded Donjazzy for donating #2 million to save Funmi Lawal. And before that we saved Oke and saved Jude. Now we're trying to save Akerejola Meka (kidney transplant). While we're still at it, Debbie needs saving too!

It's beginning to seem like every other day, there's someone that needs saving. And that's fine, nothing wrong about that. However, isn't it high time that we stopped using the "Jesus is my Insurance" or rather, subsidized the heavenly insurance plan? 

Nigerians generally don't have the culture of good preventative care. We reject illnesses and even when we're sick we go to the chemist/ nurse Abe-le. We expect malaria, and maybe the occasional typhoid fever, but apart from that we refuse to prepare for the worst.

Of course nobody can prepare for breast cancer or kidney transplants. However, people with hypertension and Diabetes can see their doctors regularly so that they don't progressive to chronic kidney disease and eventually need kidney transplants. 

I think it's high time Nigeria had some sort of decent health insurance so that we don't have to rely on public sympathy and donations for people who need to get medical treatment. Also with health insurance people will be able to go see their doctors early enough before they progress to needing surgeries, transplants and amputations. 

For six years Okeoghene Ighiwotho (Oke), who had a severe case of diabetes, needed the sum of N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira) for surgical procedures in India but was unable to raise the funds. He wouldn't be needing the amputation had his diabetes been better managed.

Akerejola Meka needs kidney transplant , please help save a life.Zenith Bank - Account # 2080664569 Akerejola Meka #SaveMeka

Wouldn't be needing a kidney transplant if his hypertension were better managed.

To save @debbified you can pay into » Acc num 0000216933 idiagbonya osasere access bank #SaveDebbie . She has CANCER. Can't prepare for cancer, but why someone in their early twenties should be battling stage 2 breast cancer is sad. 

It's great when well-to-do public people donate to such causes, but I think that's a bandaid fix for a deeper cancerous problem. Moreover nobody needs to be guilt tripped into donating. I think as a country we should look into a proper health insurance scheme. A stitch in time saves nine
and frees up donjazzy's money so he can buy me a MacBook pro

Twitter High (II)

Prep time!"

"bmorenigerian": dude, you going to prep or not?

"bennybing": I'll meet you in a few minutes, I just need a couple of mins to tidy up some stuff and I'll be there

Bmore: aight, no shakings. I'll keep a table for you

Benny: thanks fam

Benny: Sparkles! Come here!

Sparkle: yes, snr Benny

Benny: go fetch me a bucket of water from the borehole

sparkle: but Snr Benny, it's prep time and...

Benny: so? You want to make that two buckets? 

Sparkle: no senior

Benny: then you better get to stepping 

Sparkle: here's your water

Benny: thanks! You're the best 

Sparkle: you're welcome

Benny: you know I've always told everyone you're the best junior, always polite, very respectful ...come here

sparkle: *moves closer*

Benny: come on, don't be shy, come and sit on my legs

Sparkle: but snr Benny...

Benny: coooome nau! *drags Benny unto laps* this your breasticles ehn, I've been looking at them since. What size do you wear? 

sparkle: 34DD

Benny: Oya let me confirm

Sparkle: senior Benny pls, mi o like e

Benny: a ni ko pakurumo ko Jo daada

Sparkle: ha! Snr Benny o ma n dun mo mi...ha, snr Benny,..

Babse: what is going on here? 

Benny: can you imagine, I caught this silly junior girl, she didn't go for prep!

Babse: is that true? 

Sparkles: yes, but it's...

Benny: but me no but! I'm going to punish u today! Oya, frog jump! 

Benny: *whispers* see her breastickes...Na 34DD o! 

Babse: ehen! Confam! Is that how to frog jump? Your two hands should be on your ears so that...

Bmorenigerian: what is going on here? 

Benny: we were just about to release this junior girl that didn't go to prep!

Babse: yeah

Bmorenigerian: Oya, go back to your dorm! 

Twitter handles: @bmorenigerian, @bennybing , @oluwasparkles and @1babse

Ode to My Aduke

IHad stuff shipped for me from Nigeria, and my cargo has been sitting at the airport - cos I don't have a ride to get there! I've called all my friends, foes, and haters alike, but it seems like everyone is either too busy or just full of excuses! If only my Aduke was here!
I remember when I brought you home for the first time. You were everything I wanted you to be, small and perfect! Then i had to take you back briefly, I was worried. I worried that something was wrong with you, that you were less than perfect.
On the eighth day, according to tradition, I christened you Aduke.
The one who was struggled to be nurtured.

And nurture you I did. You had the best care, even though it was sorta expensive. I spared no cost.

Then you started getting sick, and I started getting broke. I didnt have the money to get you the care you deserved. Your problems started getting worse. You needed a transplant.
But I persevered, we persevered.

Now I'm digging up your birth certificate. I cant believe I'm letting you go.

Two summers ago, we rode without AC
Two winters ago, we rode without heat
You only had a flat tire once.
Im sorry for all the times I hit you...
When you lost your voice

Aduke mi Okin
Omo 're bi iyan
Omo bi kii te, kii gbo
Omo ete wole, abukun tele
Omo obe o mu ni nwo fun o n'isu je
Omo t'isu ba jina, big stout la fi n ti s'ile

Aduke mi a pon b'epo re
Won ni ki gbogbo Omoge ilu jade
Mesidis Benz jade ko le ba o Yangan
Rangi rofa tele ko le ba o Duro
Aduke jade, Hummer figbe ta
O wipe "ha! Aduke iwo lo dun to yii"
Aduke rerin muge, bi olomoge oloyan tutu




PS: Aduke has not really been given up for adoption, she ran away from home and is being held hostage at the towing company. It feels like she's gone already. I miss her.

HOElympics!

So the Olympics are done, and Team Nigeria has not made any appearance on the medal podium. That's bad, real bad Michael Jackson.

While the sports minister is still giving ngbati ngbati excuses for their failure to win any medals, I couldn't let them leave the Queen's land with no medals, not with that gorgeous aso-ebi parade they did at the opening ceremony. So we came up with another plan to get them medals: get ready for the HOElympics! 

Johnny Akinyemi (canoeing)

Awon pepperless sturves!  

Johny Akinyemi, the first athlete to paddle for Nigeria at the world's major sport event -- the 23-year-old enters the race on July 29, just two days after the Games' opening ceremony.

Born and raised in the UK to a Nigerian father and a British mother, Akinyemi's is our Bronze medalist! 

Alade Aminu (Basketball)

Vanilla! Take it easy! 

Abdul Alade Aminu (born September 14, 1987 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA) is a Nigerian American professional basketball player. He played college basketball with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Georgia Tech. He is currently playing for the French Pro A team Élan Chalon. Alade is our silver medalist! 

Voulez-vous couche avec moi c'est soir? 

Al-farooq Aminu

Fine boy Lomo latile! 

Al-Farouq Ajiede Aminu (born September 21, 1990, in Georgia, United States) is an American-born Nigerian basketball player for the New Orleans Hornets. His brother is former Georgia Tech forward Alade Aminu. Aminu was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2010 NBA Draft with the 8th overall pick. Yes, he's the younger brother of our silver medalist! They definitely gat good genes in the family! Al- Farooq takes Gold! 

Yes, I'll help this student.

I really don't do this often, but I went blog trolling and came across ego Dujour's post on Prince Otchere. 

prince is a second year medical student who has run into financial difficulties and needs to fundraise to pay for his fees. I guess I sort of empathize with him because I come from a similar struggle.

Somewhere down the line, I decided that I wanted to come to America to study, and I've had the lifelong dream of studying medicine. I had no idea as to how medical school runs in America. Unlike Nigeria where medicine is a straight course, America requires a first degree.

I knew my parents do not have that kind of money, so I specifically targeted schools that would give me scholarships and I came here armed with a full scholarship, however just as I was about to graduate, I realized what med school was, and scholarships for med school weren't in abundance,

Everybody said they usually take out loans for med school. I did my research and found out that my best bet was private loans. I got the loans for the first two years and couldn't find anyone willing to consign for the last 2 years. 

I asked an "uncle" and his response was "why did I go to med school if I didn't know how to pay for it?". I quietly thanked him and kept it moving. I stayed in class even thou my fees were not paid, I didn't know how my rent was going to be paid, I racked up credit card debt to pay for my living expenses, and just as I was about to be sent away, my dad came through with part of the money.

My school was very helpful in seeing that they did everything they could to make sure I got some money.

Why am I typing all this epistle, because I believe if you have a dream, you should go for it. Find out ways to help you pay for it. I had a friend who got a 1 million Naira scholarship from the Lagos state government to help her, another friend got a scholarship from the Niger Delta something something.  In thiese cases, you exhaust all means until you find what works for you.

Nobody in America pays for medical school out of pocket, because they KNOW that nobody has that kind of money ($250,000. ) just lying around. What's more, you know you'll be able to pay it off once you start working as an attending.

I believe this Prince guy should do whatever he can to raise his tuition, medical school is stressful enough without trying to source for money ion your own.

A couple of points that was raised

1. Medicine is different in America, so are we saying people should not aspire to study medicine in America cos of the huge costs involved even though they have one of the best educationAl systems? 

2. Not All schools ask for financial statements before they accept you - that is why we apply to those who don't! 

3. Once you're in the US, you don't need a visa to come in, you just have to show that you have the money coming in and you'll get your I-20. 

4. Also this is a call to other successful African doctors to set up scholarships for bright students from their countries in similar predicaments.

Here's the link to his campaign: 

http://www.indiegogo.com/Princemed

Famzing with the Stars!

So I briefly saw the flyer, and at first I assumed it was unreal because I couldn't think that a concert with Brymo, Jesse Jags, Samklef noni,  JMartins, Timi Dakolo and Tuface would not receive that much publicity. However I made a mental note to find a parunz buddy that would organize a ticket for me. I didn't even commit the date to memory sef.
So I was excited when Gbemi sent me a message asking me if I was going. I decided to play it cool and I just said I might go if i find a parunz buddy. She asked for my help with covering the event, in exchange for an all access backstage pass!

As if the devil knew I was to meet my future baby daddy today, my ride didn't make it on time, and i was already 2 hours late. out of frustration, I was going to take a cab before my friend offered to drop me off.  Enough of this pipu talk Jare, let's talk about Awon stars.

I missed Brymo's performance (don't worry boo, you'll get to sing "good morning" to me at a later date specially). I came in while Jesse Jags was performing.
One thing I gotta say is, those choc boys know how  to get a crowd hype!  As in, awon DMV bigs boys and gehs actually stood up to dance! Im impressed. I confess i didnt know most of Jesse Jags and Icepeince's songs, but i just dey chop mouth join (ahmean, if Davido can do it, why cant bumight abi?) anywhoos, i Have made a mental note to go listen to Ice prince's songs again!

I missed most of Jmartin's performance, cos I was busy famzing with the stars. I got to meet Brymo and Jesse Jagz, imagine my ecstasy when Brymo asked me to sit on his laps and take a picture with him! I died and went to groupie heaven!!!  Yes, I was very excited. I think I'm a real groupie now!
Jesse Jags is really sweet....and Jags is the greatest, but he was tired from all that performing. My future baby daddy was shy, but never mind, I was just overexcited enough for two!

then I got to meet Tubaba! He is so cool as in if he were any cooler, he'd be frozen! He introduced himself, and still remembered my name 5 mins after (I know, I know, allow a new groupie) .but really, Tuface is reaaaaallly cool! I guess I'm going to have to retire all my Tuface jokes now, abi?
This was my first Tuface concert, and I was glad I had the experience. He performed with a live band, and he was awesome!
that was one of the best NAIja concerts I've been to, and im not even washing them. right venue, the sound and video was on point, beautiful crowd, It was on a Monday night, with little publicity yet it was awesome!

I got to meet @olukanye, saw @verastic shaking her lil bumbum to Ice Prince, THE Igwe!.
I don't even know how to thank @GbemiOO enough, seeing as I didn't do any work! Lol. O well, I called into the beat FM sha, Yes, I was the crazy chick that called Brymo her future baby daddy!
Awesome stuff, I'm glad I went, now I can live happily ever after.....till the Wizkid's concert!


PS: the USA Tour continues, Look out for them in...
Aug 7 - NewYork: Irving Plaza: 17 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003
Aug 9 - Ontario Canada: Opera House: 735 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON M4M 1H1
Aug 10 - Chicago, IL: House of Blues: 329 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610
Aug 12 - Los Angeles, CA: House of Blues: 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069 
TBA - Houston, TX: House of Blues: 1204 Caroline Street, Houston, TX, 77002

This tour is a music project that brings the best African music vocalist.artists/composers together on a series and combinging the diverse African cultures on all music platforms globally. And as a great poet said, "... And that is the African bootey-ey-ey"