It was January of last year when 16-year-old Kiptoo first fell ill, fainting at his grandmother’s house. Then he began suffering a constant, serious headache. After collapsing a second time, he was given an MRI, which led to grim news: Kiptoo had a brain tumor.
The teen needed urgent intervention to save his life, and his doctors decided first to drain the fluid that had built up in his brain. By then, it was March, and the COVID pandemic had thrown the world into turmoil.
Thankfully, even during the fear and uncertainty of the emerging pandemic in Kenya, Kiptoo was admitted to the hospital and underwent a successful procedure. Then he underwent a series of 30 radiation therapy sessions to shrink the tumor.
It was an especially anxious time for Kiptoo’s family and the staff at the Compassion center he attends because radiation compromises the immune system. That meant Kiptoo was at greater risk of contracting COVID-19. To protect his health, he was kept in isolation at the hospital.