Patient Testimonial - "A Story of Hope and Healing"

JULY 2020: Akossiwa Anani-Mekle came to Sioux City from her home country Togo, Africa in 2019 for work. Her 18-year-old daughter lives with her in Sioux City but the rest of her family still resides in Africa. Akossiwa was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer after she woke up one day and her right breast was itchy. She showed her daughter, who had just learned about breast cancer in school and she said they needed to go to the hospital right away.

Akossiwa began her journey at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center with 10 days of radiation followed by chemotherapy. She started chemotherapy on April 28th and completed it on July 10th. She is now receiving target and hormone therapy.

Akossiwa was overcome with emotion when she said she has had a very good experience with the cancer center, her mass is gone, and she is very happy about it. She is thankful for our Patient Assistance Committee which covered three months of rent for Akossiwa to free up funds to help her pay for her treatment costs. She is also grateful for her Palliative Care team at Hospice of Siouxland who arranged a private graduation for her daughter in May.

Akossiwa is feeling much better than at the beginning of her cancer journey. Her advice to everyone is to go to the doctor when you’re not feeling well, don’t delay. She says when you’re not feeling well you need to figure out what is wrong with your body and try to stay ahead of it.