'No Need to Lie” by Rolf Schmid
After a long, busy day, I wanted something interesting to read, and I chose to select one of the fourteen stories in “Memories We Lost” compiled by Chris Wanjala. The title, “No Need to Lie,” caught my attention, and I opened the pages. It was worth the selection.
“No Need to Lie” is a section of Rolf Schmid’s memoir whose origin is Germany, but he is based in Kenya. At fifty, his concern for better health pushes him to visit a health spa to detox and relax. He lost 12 kilograms after the three weeks, which is a remarkable growth. However, his ‘usual’ throat pain resurfaces, and he buys antibiotics thinking it is tonsillitis, commonly known as tonsils. The pain is unbearable, and he postpones going to the hospital until it is unbearable. Also, the doctors are on leave for the December Holiday.
Schmid’s story reflects cancer patients, whose number has dramatically increased in Kenya. Apart from that, it is a replica of the situation of the country’s hospitals. For instance, no one tells him the meaning of Biopsy, while each doctor puts the face, “You know this is worse, and you may not recover. You are likely to die.” Besides, there is no explanation for why he has to undergo the excruciating pain of radiation twice per day while the doctors cannot operate on him. Still, their responses to any question he asked concerning his health were; let’s wait and see; we cannot tell since it is too early, and we need first to see how you respond to treatment. It is weird how all these had to happen while he eventually sought medical attention in Stuttgart, Germany.
Further, Schmid knew that AIDS and Cancer were deadly diseases, but he dreaded the first and could not live with it. He was somehow relieved when he realized that he had cancer. This is when he realized the essence of his close friends and family. For example, Alberto welcomed him anytime and was ready to provide any information concerning the disease. Roland stayed with him during the Stuttgart’s treatment, while his wife Asmahan prayed for his recovery and stayed by him. These individuals watched him as he lost weight tremendously, from 125kgs to 87.3kgs, eventually lower. They empathized with him as he ate soup comprising minced chicken, vegetables, leeks, celery, carrots, and three liters of water. Unfortunately, Roland would die in a fatal road accident a year after Schmid’s operation/.
I admire his ardent personality and how he believed that apart from medical attention, cancer can be treated through food, optimism, and strong willpower. He was still showing up for polo play amidst the intense cancer pain. He often could not allow despair to take over, as he believed he had to be alive to watch his children grow. This confidence was until he saw his image after the operation; half his neck had been cut out, while the left side of his head had swollen double its initial size. He fainted whenever he saw this image.
“No Need to Lie” is a painful experience and describes the onset of a sad story from when the doctor tells one that they have cancer; worst still, it is in its third stage. There are numerous questions about why you did not notice the signs early and whether you will survive or die. Regrets complicate the healing process if you have been postponing seeking medical attention for unusual pain or swelling in the body. But you could choose Rolf Schmid’s mind-setting during this period.
