Unfortunately, Beatrice’s denial of cancer almost had dire consequences for her overall health as refusing treatment would mean she could no longer be included on the kidney transplant list. In disbelief and struggling to accept the diagnosis, Beatrice and her husband sought a second opinion – only to be redirected between different hospitals for the tumour removal.

But the runaround didn’t end there. After being told by one medical team that she wouldn’t need chemotherapy, Beatrice was shocked to later learn from another that she would have to undergo eight cycles of treatment. The lack of consistency and consideration left Beatrice feeling bitter and distrustful of health care professionals—a sentiment she never shared much with her friends or family, as she preferred to keep her experience to herself.

As Beatrice’s oldest child and caretaker, Akua Obeng shares that she found her mother’s way of dealing with her diagnosis to be isolating and lonely. “In Ghanaian culture no one talks about anything,” she says, going on to theorize that maybe people in the community view admitting you’re sick as a way of giving power to the illness. “Perhaps it’s embarrassing but overall, it’s just not up for discussion.”

In response to Akua’s observations, Beatrice says that she doesn’t share her hard days with anyone—not even her husband. Hearing this, Akua shakes her head in disappointment.

“But why do you have to carry the entire load by yourself?” Akua asks. “That’s lonely.”

Beatrice, ever the iron-clad matriarch, simply responds with, “I have to let [my kids] find their life.”

As of today, Beatrice has been cancer free for six years. Grateful to have more time with her mother, Akua’s advice to other Black women is simple: