Success! Turyatunga from Uganda raised $268 to fund gynecological surgery.

100%

$268 raised, $0 to go

$268

raised

to go

Turyatunga's story
Turyatunga's update

November 17, 2017

Turyatunga is a farmer from Uganda. She is 54 years old and a mother of two. She and her husband are farmers. They cultivate food for home consumption and for sale in order to raise income for their family.

For ten years, Turyatunga has had an abdominal mass and experienced lower abdominal and back pain. She has been diagnosed with multiple uterine fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $268 to fund Turyatunga’s surgery. On November 18, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner’s care center. Once recovered, Turyatunga will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain.

She says, “After surgery I will resume farming.”

Turyatunga is a farmer from Uganda. She is 54 years old and a mother of two. She and her husband are farmers. They cultivate food for home c...

Photo of Turyatunga post-operation

November 27, 2017

Turyatunga underwent gynecological surgery.

Turyatunga’s surgery was a success. She is no longer at risk of obstruction. After recovery, she will be able to resume farming.

She says, “Thank you very much for paying for my surgery and for giving me hopes to live again. After recovery, I will continue with farming. God bless you.”

Turyatunga’s surgery was a success. She is no longer at risk of obstruction. After recovery, she will be able to resume farming. She says...

November 17, 2017
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Turyatunga was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, SAFE Senior Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
November 17, 2017
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Turyatunga's profile was published to start raising funds.
November 18, 2017
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Turyatunga received treatment at Holy Family Virika Hospital in Uganda. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
November 27, 2017
TREATMENT UPDATE
Turyatunga's treatment was successful. Read the update.
December 31, 2017
FULLY FUNDED
Turyatunga's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 1 donor

Treatment

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $268 for Turyatunga's treatment

Hospital Fees

$182

Medical Staff

Medication

$76

Supplies

Labs

$10

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Symptoms vary depending on the condition that requires the total abdominal hysterectomy. If the cause is cervical, uterine, or ovarian cancer, there may not be symptoms, especially if the cancer is early-stage. In more advanced cases of cervical and uterine cancers, abnormal bleeding, unusual discharge, and pelvic or abdominal pain can occur. Symptoms of ovarian cancer may include trouble eating, trouble feeling full, bloating, and urinary abnormality. If the cause is fibroids, symptoms may include heavy bleeding, pain in the pelvis or lower back, and swelling or enlargement of the abdomen.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Fibroids can grow large, cause abdominal pain and swelling, and lead to recurring bleeding and anemia. Cancer can cause pain and lead to death.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Most cervical cancer is caused by a sexually transmitted infection called human papillomavirus (HPV), which can often occur alongside a HIV infection. As a result, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among African women in areas of high HIV prevalence. Cervical cancer is also more prevalent in Africa than in the United States due to the lack of early-detection screening programs. The other conditions treated by a total abdominal hysterectomy are not necessarily more common in Africa.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

The patient first reports for laboratory testing. The following day, the patient undergoes surgery. After the operation, the patient stays in the hospital ward for three to four days, during which she is continually monitored. The surgery is considered successful if the wound heals without infection, bleeding, or fever, and if the patient no longer experiences urinary dysfunction.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

In the case of uterine fibroids or early-stage cancer, a total abdominal hysterectomy is curative.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

If performed early enough, this surgery is low-risk and curative, with few side effects.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

This surgery is available, but many patients cannot afford it. Many women are screened for cervical cancer with a low-cost alternative to a pap smear. This is common in HIV treatment programs. If necessary, the woman is referred for surgery, which she often cannot afford.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

If cervical cancer is caught early enough, some minor procedures can solve the problem. Women with fibroids who still wish to have children may opt to undergo a surgery only to remove the fibroids, which is called a myomectomy.

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Ny is a 62-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has a daughter, three sons, and five grandchildren. She and her husband live near their children and help them on the farm. She enjoys keeping the house clean, cooking for her family, and listening to local monks pray. Three months ago, she was in a motorbike accident and fell on her left forearm, fracturing her forearm bones. Pins and wires were inserted by a local hospital to support the bones until they healed. The pins, called K-wires, have migrated out of their intended location and must be removed. The wires cause pain, increase the chance of infection, and risk injury to nerves or tendons. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On March 12th, Ny will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This procedure will remove the misaligned pins and allow her fractures to continue to heal. Ny said, "I hope to have no pain, and my arm will heal well so I can take care of my family."

Phyu is a 32-year-old mother of three from Thailand. She resides with her family in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp along the Thai-Burma border where she also teaches at the camp school. During her free time, Phyu enjoys spending quality time with her family. Since August 2023, Phyu has been experiencing pain in her abdomen, pelvis, and lower back, along with irregular menstruation. She has been diagnosed with left ovarian cyst, and has been advised to undergo a hysterectomy, which surgically removes of her uterus and ovaries. If left untreated, Phyu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Phyu is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on February 23rd. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, Phyu will be relieved of her pain and able to resume her daily activities. Phyu said, “With my current condition, I cannot teach my students, do household chores for my children, or assist my husband. I am looking forward to a complete recovery soon."

Sokkry is a 22-year-old rice farmer who lives with his mother and younger sister. Sadly, his father passed away a few years ago. Since then, he and his mother support the family by working in the nearby rice fields. In his free time, he likes to play soccer with his friends in the village. Two years ago, Sokkry fell off a wall while he was training for the army and fractured his right femur. He was immediately transferred to a nearby military hospital where doctors used nails and screws to align the bone and heal the fracture. Now that the fracture is healed, the hardware is causing problems. It is difficult for him to walk, and he is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 21st, Sokkry will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This procedure will help him walk easily again and stop the risk of infection. After surgery, he hopes he is no longer in pain and will be able to walk normally and play soccer again.

Turyatunga's Timeline

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Funded by 1 donor

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.