Mama Cleven's page

Elishiisa Mmari (Mama Cleven)'s page

Mama Cleven was diagonized with a brain tumor - meningioma. It was decided that, if possible, we fly her to Bangalore, India for an operation. She flew on April 24 2008 to St Philemona Hospital, with our aunt, mama Flora.

GREAT NEWS! mama Cleven and mama Flora, flew to Tanzania May 13th at 8pm India Time. They expect to arrive in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania around Noon May 14th. She is feeling very well. THANK YOU all for your prayers, help and well wishes...

(Please read below for chronological updates...)

Mama Cleven arriving at Dar-es-salaam International Airport (May 14th 2008)
Mzee Temi (Evan's dad - UO-FHS student) & mama Cleven
On arrival at the airport...

Mama Cleven and mama Flora. Mama Flora has been with mom everywhere - from Dar hospitals to India and now she is staying at her house. May God continue to bless her. Mama Flora is our aunt. (She opened champagne in our in Tanzania - 1996!)

2 days after surgery (May 2nd)	2 days after surgery (May 2nd 2008)
The craniotomy scar!	The craniotomy scar!

	Mama Cleven in July 2004.
	Baba Cleven in July 2004
	Cleven, Donald and mama (July 2004)

April 8 - 12, 2008
My mother,Elishiisa Mmari - affectionately known as "mama Cleven", did a lot of tests in KCMC (Medical facility in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania) that revealed no sickness, she continued to get worse. She started to feel numbness in the left arm and legs. She also started to fall involuntarily. On April 10 she was admitted in MMC (Muhimbili is the hospital in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania) The doctors did an CT scan that revealed a meningioma (brain tumor, usually benign) about 2" by 1.7". This has been the cause of all symptoms she had. After consultations with doctors and family members, it was decided that my mother's surgery to be done in India.

Donald & Philipina Mmari (Brother & sister-in-law in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania) and other family members and friends did a fundraiser to acquire the funds needed for surgery, travel and care for mama Cleven. A number of our family relatives and friend in the US have helped as well. (THANK YOU ALL, from Mmari family) She flew to St. Philomena Hospital - http://www.stphilomenashospital.com/ - in Bangalore, India on April 23/24th 2008. She went with "mama Flora" (Uncle Elias Kileo's wife), who have continued to be so amazing. I call her everyday for update, and she graciously shares the progress news tirelessly!

April 23-30, 2008
The doctors at St. Philomena did some tests found all body organs are normal - blood pressure, sugar, kidney! They did CT scan and decided to schedule a surgery on April 30th 2008. The surgery was from 1pm - 9pm. There were 6 doctors and the head doctor told mama flora afterwards that the surgery was a success. She stayed at the ICU for a day and continued to respond very well. Mama Cleven said afterwards she felt a little tired but was very relaxed.

May 1-3, 2008
I called mama Flora, who told me mama Cleven is doing very well. I spoke with her on the 1st for a little bit. She said "God continues to fight for her, and she feels great" The doctors did the culture of the tumor and confirmed it was benign! On the 2nd and 3rd, the rehab team came and did some exercise with mama Cleven. She walked a bit and continues to feel good. Mama Flora said her body is not as swollen. The doctors said they will remove the stitches in about 10 days and if she continue as well as they see her, she can fly back to Tanzania on May 15th 2008. She will have to get an injection once a month for 6 months and have a regular visit with neuro surgeon in Tanzania for checkup.

May 08, 2008
I talked to my aunt mama Flora - who is staying with mama Cleven in India. She was coming from imigration office, to get some documents and the ticket to fly back home. The doctors are scheduled to remove the stitches Sat May 10th 2008. She is doing very well and continue to do her daily exercises 3 times a day. Doctors said they will discharge her on May 13th. They are scheduled to fly back to Tanzania May 13th at night and will arrive on May 14th. Thank you all for the prayers, help and warm thoughts.

May 10th 2008
This was the day that the doctors had planned to take the stitches out. But when mom woke up, she was in great pain in her left leg. The doctors said this paiful spasm is normal after the surgery mom had. Usually a 50-70mins very painfull spasm. I'm not sure what it is. Her tumor was in the right side of her Brain. She was given some medicine that allowed her to relax and sleep. The doctors postmoned the stitch removal to the following day.

May 12, 2008
I spoke to both mama Flora and mama Cleven. She is doing well and the doctor is writting the discharge instructions. The doctor removed the stitches and mom said "it was not painfull at all." The wound is healing very well. She will need at least 6 months of TOTAL rest. She will be required to rest and walk a lot. That will be her therapy. She said she feels great. They will fly from Bangalore to Bombay and connect to Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania. New will arrive in Tanzania on May14th 2008! THANK YOU ALL!

May 19, 2008
I spoke to my sister-in-law, Philipine, and she said mama Cleven is doing very well. She had a doctor check-up yesterday and they gave her some antibiotic to prevent any infection. She is happy and continuing to recover. Again, Thank you all!

May 25, 2008
Mom continues to improve and do well. The doctors in Dar have allowed her to travel to our village in Lawate, Siha and will have to come for a monthly check in Dar. Dar and Lawate is about 7 hrs drive.

Unfortunately, mama Flora's mother have been diagonized with colon cancer. The doctors are due to finalize their analysis and recommend the remedy. Let us send warm thoughts, prayers and best wishes to them as well.

THANK YOU all for everything.




St. Philemona's Hospital, Bangalore, India Umoja sewing school - one of mama Cleven's village involvement Brain and skull information Information about meningioma - brain tumor of meninges Information about craniotomy

*Address: Elishiisa E. Mmari, Lawate Lutheran Parish, PO Box 103, Sanya Juu, Tanzania*