The Johnsons… Before death took Caroline away
By Anifowoshe George
The movie industry in Nigeria is still mourning the passing, yesterday, of actress Caroline Johnson.
The late actresses’ first and second children-Omolayo and Bisioluwa aged 7 and 4 were playing in the living room when NET visited their home in Ijaiye Ogba, Thursday. The last child Oluwatise a toddler under the care of a relative coincidentally clocked one today and the couple were already making plans for his birthday before death struck.
‘‘She had to go and rest unfortunately. We did everything humanly possible to save her but God Knows best’’, her husband Tony Johnson told NET
It will be recalled that the story of her ailment came to light in August 2008 when her husband Tony Johnson came out in the media to solicit for funds summing to a total cost of $50, 000 (fifty thousand dollars). (N8.5M) to enable the ailing-actress undergo bone marrow transplant in India. She was five months pregnant when she was first diagnosed.
‘‘Initially the cancer was diagnosed at a Private Hospital at Surulere in Lagos, but we were referred to the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja where she went through a series of chemotherapy and blood transfusion hoping it would help contain the cancer cells’’ Mr Johnson told NET.
She was eventually flown to India for bone marrow transplant after the assistance of church members at the The Potters House Christian Fellowship and well-meaning Nigerians from all over the world.
‘‘When the ailment first started, we thought she had an acute anaemia, but four weeks after delivery of our last child, my wife’s immune system and blood level dropped to 9% PCV and fell almost into a shock, then further investigations were carried out including bone marrow test (aspiration and biopsy) and she also had multiple transfusions. It was then the doctors gave us the news that my wife has Acute Lymphobiastic Leukemia Type 1 also known as (Cancer of the Blood).’’ The widower recounted to NET.
Caroline returned to Nigeria in October, after a ‘successful’ surgical operation to remove the Leukemic cells. She was billed to go back to India in a couple of months for further check up but death was already lurking in the corner.
‘‘She stayed fine until last Saturday, the 12th when she suddenly took ill. By Sunday she was unconscious. We took her to the hospital (St Mary’s hospital in Omole, Lagos) where she was transfused and revived. She was placed on artificial Oxygen. By Tuesday, her condition improved and the Doctors were planning to discharge her before she broke down again on Wednesday morning. She never recovered.’’
Unfortunately, their two older children Omolayo 7 and Imisioluwa 4 do not seem to understand what has suddenly happened to their very loving mother. ‘‘Daddy when is mummy coming back?’’ they asked. When will she wake up, where has she gone too? They bombarded their Father with questions. Mr Johnson replied she had gone to see Jesus and will be back soon to answer their probing.
‘‘I’ll miss every thing about her; she was a complete woman. We made every decision together and stood by each other through the good and the bad times. It’s like there’s big vacuum in my life right now.’’ he concluded cutting the figure of a man whose world has been shattered.
Although their home was already wearing a Christmas look, an air of gloom hung over the house with families and friends trooping in to offer their condolences
Quick Caroline facts
. The late actress was 32 years old when she died. She was born on the 3rd of August 1977
. She was the mother of three kids-Omolayo 4 , Bisioluwa 7 and Oluwatishe 1
.While she was battling with the ailment which eventually claimed her life, the Actor’s guild allegedly did little or nothing to assist her.
. She gave up the ghost on December 16 at Saint Mary’s Hospital Omole, Ikeja.
. She suffered a relapse on the morning of Saturday the 12th of December after an earlier operation in India to remove the Leukaemia cells.
.She acted as ‘‘UJU’’ in popular Christian soap Heaven’s gate.
. She studied Mass Communication at Moshood Abiola Polythecnic Ogun State.
.She was married to her Archirtect husband for seven years
6 comments
At this time, the children need more love, care. Although they are still too young to know what really has happened but they should be given so much love to enable them move on.
A special woman, a dear mother, the lover of the damily and the children is gone, gone to a journey of no return, gone to a journey where decisions can not be changed. A journey which is unchangable, a path people tread and never look backwards. A broad way peopl pligh but do not speak one to another.
A way everyone minds his business and a place they forget whatever they have left behind.
No day, neither night, it is a forever bright. The lord shall be their shield, they shall weep no more, no no more pain. will never be sad no more, a place where joy unspeakable reigns.
Caroline has left this world of uncertainty, she is no more concerned with the sorrows of this world, neither partakes in the hardship of this evil world anymore.
Sometimes, we feel our loved ones who are no more, thehy sometimes see us. We imagine we ever should be together,at that time they are near us, but we cannot touch them because they are immortal, they are angels we cannot speak to, they are new creatures who will never live with us anymore.
Caroline, johnson, rest in peace, everyone loves you.
nobody could take your place in our lives, you were a great friend, you came, you saw and you conquered, you fought death till the last minute. Good night, adieu, rest in the right bossom of your creator.
You shall be fondly missed by all, we loved you but God does that far better than we ever could imagine..
Carol you are gone! Just like that! Who are we to question God? You have left a void that can never be filled. I remember the nights you wil call me, telling me you dont want to die. I remember the times you will come to my house, always with smile on your face. I remember before you went to india, you called me late at night to get to ur house early because you had something to tell me before people starts coming, i got there and warned you never to try it again, oh! How i wish the time can go back, i would have come early in the morning everyday. The inner secrets we shared! You had dreams. I remember making fun of you on the sick bed one day, that you were still speaking your impeccable english. Oh! Carol you left without saying goodbye to me. Anyway i know you are free from the pains, chemotherapy and fears. You have made it to the the place we are all working to get to one day. Rest in perfect peace my friend.
she is going to be missed, her role in the xtian soap show that she is full of talent, i send my heartfelt condolence to her family. May her soul rest in the Lord Jesus Christ.
To the departed…….Rest in perfect peace until the resurrection morning.
To the family she left behind……..may God give you the fortitude to bear this great loss. It will surely be a bleak christmas, but because Jesus is the reason for the season…….affliction shall not arise a second in your lives. There shall be no more untimely deaths.
To the rest of us…….Caroline made her mark in this world……and she is being fondly remembered
What shall the world remember us by?
Dear one………rest in the bossom of the Almighty God.
I never knew you but l am moved and shocked at your demise…… we followed your story with keen interest and rejoiced when you came back home from India and thanked those who stood by you.
Adieu CJ…….adieu!
Dear Carolene,
Thank you for submitting to His will when you were still here with us. I looked forward too seeing you again after years of parting ways from high school but I am consoled with the fact that we will definitely meet again at Jesus' feet on that great day. You indeed touched lives and you will always be remembered. We love you but God loves you more.
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
may her soul rest in peace.