Success! Cornelio from Malawi raised $726 for prostate surgery.

100%

$726 raised, $0 to go

$726

raised

to go

Cornelio's story
Cornelio's update

September 5, 2016

Cornelio is a 67-year-old farmer from a village in Malawi’s Central Region. When Cornelio is not farming, he loves spending time with his eight children and 11 grandchildren, and collects firewood for the family to cook with.

For the past five years, Cornelio has been experiencing pain from an enlarged prostate. His condition is benign and easily treated surgically, but unfortunately he has been unable to access treatment until now. Cornelio’s pain has interrupted his ability to work and support his family, jeopardizing their stability.

For $726, Cornelio will receive the prostate surgery he needs. Cornelio and his family are ready for him to be treated and return home.

Cornelio is a 67-year-old farmer from a village in Malawi's Central Region. When Cornelio is not farming, he loves spending time with his ei...

Photo of Cornelio post-operation

October 28, 2016

Cornelio received successful prostate surgery.

Cornelio will now be free from the pain he has lived with for five years. He and his family are relieved that the operation went well and that he is recovering rapidly. Cornelio is looking forward to returning to work as a farmer.

Cornelio shared: “I give thanks to the doctor and the people who donated the funds.”

Cornelio will now be free from the pain he has lived with for five years. He and his family are relieved that the operation went well and th...

September 5, 2016
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Cornelio was submitted by Sadie Bazur-Leidy, Director of Operations at World Altering Medicine.
September 13, 2016
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Cornelio received treatment at Nkhoma Hospital in Malawi. 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.
September 15, 2016
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Cornelio's profile was published to start raising funds.
October 11, 2016
FULLY FUNDED
Cornelio's treatment was fully funded.
October 28, 2016
TREATMENT UPDATE
Cornelio's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 6 donors

Treatment

Colon / Prostate Resection

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $726 for Cornelio's treatment

Hospital Fees

$480

Medical Staff

$12

Medication

$231

Supplies

Labs

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

The primary condition treated with this surgery is benign overgrowth of the prostate, called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Patients generally present with urinary symptoms, including difficulty or inability to pass urine, urination frequency, passing very small amounts of urine, or passing urine very slowly. Some patients experience pain when trying to pass urine.

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

Most Malawians live in rural areas, and a large percentage of them work as farmers. This is also true of our medical partner's patient population. When men are experiencing symptoms related to BPH, they often have a hard time working on their farms. They are therefore unable to support themselves and their families. Before receiving surgery, many men will have a catheter placed, which can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Additionally, using a catheter for a prolonged period of time can lead to infection or trauma to the area.

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

Although experiencing symptoms associated with BPH is not commonly viewed as taboo within our medical partner's patient population, it is rarely discussed. Men can feel embarrassment about the condition and the impact it has on their lives. Some men experience psychological effects from the condition.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

The standard treatment is a prostate resection, which is a fairly standard procedure. After the surgery, the patient will use a catheter for 14 days. Once the catheter is removed and the patient can pass urine freely, they can be discharged.

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

If the treatment goes smoothly, it is expected that healthy patients will make a full recovery and not relapse.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Although there are risks associated with any surgical procedure, the risks associated with a prostate resection are very low. However, as the patient population tends to be of older age, it is common that patients have other underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure. Patients who are candidates for this surgery are screened and monitored carefully. If a patient is found to have another health condition that could jeopardize their health during or after the surgery, that condition is addressed first.

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

In the area of our medical partner's treatment center, there is one central, public hospital. That hospital provides surgical services, but barriers exist. A patient requiring a hernia repair could be on a waitlist for years at the central hospital, or be sent home and told to return a number of times. For this reason, treatment can be very difficult to obtain at the public hospital. In addition to our medical partner's treatment center and the central hospital, there are private clinics that would provide this service, but at a high fee. Our medical partner's treatment center, Nkhoma, is a great option for patients because they are able to receive quality treatment.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Drugs can be used to relieve symptoms for a short period of time, but ultimately, surgery is the only treatment.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Ra is an only child and lives with his parents who work as rice farmers near their home. In school, Ra enjoys mathematics class, and at home, he enjoys playing with his friends in the village and riding bikes. One year ago, Ra fell while playing with his friends. He experienced a significant injury on his left wrist and elbow. Ra's mother observed that he could not flex his elbow properly or extend his wrist and fingers like he could before the accident. Ra was referred by a public hospital in Phnom Penh to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). He and his mom traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 11th, surgeons will perform a nerve and tendon procedure to improve the function of his wrist and elbow. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is seeking assistance to fund the $487 surgery and physiotherapy that Ra needs. Ra's mother shared, "I hope he can recover from this injury and go back to school quickly."

Seng Hour is a 16-year-old student who resides in Pursat province with his parents and two younger sisters. His father is a teacher, his mother is a rice farmer, and his sisters are students at the local school. Seng Hour is in grade 10 and enjoys chemistry; he would like to become a teacher. At home, he enjoys his mother's fried beef and vegetables and playing volleyball with friends. In August 2023, Seng Hour was in a motorbike accident and fell onto his right side. His family sought treatment from a local clinic, but his right arm and hand remain paralyzed, and he cannot use them. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand, and injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. Because Seng Hour is unable to use his hand, he has stopped attending school. Seng Hour traveled to Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre to receive treatment, the only center in the country where the treatment he needs is available. On January 9th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery with the goal of regaining some function in his arm. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Seng Hour said: "I hope the doctors can fix my arm so I can go to school and get a job to help my family."

Sok Im is a 41-year-old factory worker who lives with her husband, a rice farmer, and her elderly parents in Kandal province. During the day, she works at a local garment factory to finance the support of her parents. In the evening, she cooks and cares for her parents and enjoys reading books. In September 2022, she was involved in a motorbike accident with a car, fracturing her left femur and tibia She went to a local hospital where she had orthopedic nails and plates applied to her fractures to assist in healing the bones. Now, her fractures have healed well, and she needs the metal removed from her leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 3rd, Sok Im will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This will help her to walk normally again without pain and reduce her risk of infection. Sok Im said: "I hope the surgery is easy and I will have no ache or pain in my leg anymore."

Cornelio's Timeline

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Funded by 6 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.