US-based Kenyan content creator Owen Githanga, popularly known on TikTok as The Kenyan American Home, has opened up about his health struggles in an emotional video filmed from his front porch, telling followers exactly what his body has been going through over the past two months.
Owen had earlier been hospitalised for several days before being discharged, and after sharing a post saying he almost did not make it to his 40th birthday, fans have been following his recovery closely, flooding his inbox with prayers and messages of support.
Owen shares the reality of his daily struggles
In the video, Owen was visibly moved by the outpouring of love from his community. He took a moment to express heartfelt gratitude before getting into the details of his condition.
“Thank you, thank you so much for all those friends who have stood with me,” he said, adding that knowing people out there were praying for him made him emotional every time he thought about it.
He described his daily reality as genuinely tough. Every morning, he wakes up to persistent stomach pain that he likened to being cut open with force from the inside.
He has been relying on pain medication every single day just to manage the discomfort, which worsens the moment he tries to drink fluids or eat.
“Every time you drink fluids, the stomach swells. And sometimes when you eat, the stomach swells and you feel like it is completely full,” he explained.
The bloating and discomfort have been so severe that it has forced him to reduce both food and fluid intake, making recovery even harder since doctors have advised him to eat and drink more to heal.
Drainage procedure and long road to recovery Owen confirmed that doctors have identified the root cause of much of his discomfort: fluids accumulating in his abdomen.
He said it was apparently too soon to perform the drainage procedure while he was still hospitalised, so he will need to go back in for it sometime in November.
He also revealed that his next scheduled doctor’s appointment is not until mid-December, meaning he is managing his condition largely on his own in the meantime.
Despite everything, Owen struck a hopeful note throughout the video. He said his mental health was holding up well and that he could feel his body getting stronger each day, even if progress was slow.
He spoke of the battle ahead with quiet determination, saying the entire journey would eventually be a testimony.
“We will come out victorious. It will be a testimony,” he said, signing off with gratitude for every prayer and word of encouragement sent his way.
