23-year-old Savy, a factory worker from Cambodia, has had problems with ear infections since he was a child. "Savy began having bilateral pus ear discharge when he was six-years-old," reports our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). "On the right side, he eventually developed a cholesteatoma."
A cholesteatoma is an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear behind the ear drum. This causes him recurrent discharge with a bad smell, hearing loss, pain, and a ringing in his ear. "I get discharge every day and this makes me unhappy," Savy tells us. "I cannot work anymore because it is painful."
Savy works in a factory to support his wife and child, but since he has been unable to work he does not have the income to pay for his medical treatment. He traveled two hours to CSC for proper care, and needs $809 to fund his mastoidectomy procedure.
During this operation, doctors will remove the infected skin cells and then drain his middle ear. After a couple weeks of healing, "Savy's ear discharge will stop and his hearing will improve."
Savy is excited to have his operation so he can return home where he enjoys listening to the radio and playing football with his neighbors. "I hope my ear discharge stops and I have no pain after surgery," Savy shares.