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Michelle is a sweet 6-year-old girl from Kenya who needs $714 to fund surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids.

Michelle
45%
  • $328 raised, $386 to go
$328
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$386
to go
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November 28, 2022

Michelle is a young child with a sweet smile. She is the firstborn of a two-child family. Her parents are modest farmers who grow potatoes and vegetables primarily for their own family’s consumption. Additionally, they run a small kiosk out of their home, but its limited earnings are insufficient to cover their basic needs. Michelle is presently enrolled in nursery school at a nearby public school.

Michelle had a normal cold when she visited our medical facility. She was gasping loudly while inhaling and coughing frequently. Since last year, Michelle has been ill. Her mother noticed that whenever she had a cold, she would frequently complain of a sore throat and cough a lot. She also have a hard time sleeping, has trouble breathing, and has difficulty feeding because she always breathes through her mouth.

Michelle has to wear extra warm clothing to stay warm during the colder months because her nose always gets congested, which is hard for her. She has been an inactive child as she is always tired. Her sleep patterns are constantly off, and she easily nods asleep during the school day, which has a negative impact on how well she does academically. Due to recurring tonsil infections that are resistant to therapy, Michelle has been in and out of the hospital several times.

During her last visit, the doctor examined her and realized that her tonsils and adenoids had hypertrophied. She has been diagnosed with grade three tonsils, and since she was not responding to any medication, the doctor advised them to have surgery, which would provide a lasting, long-term solution to her problem.

Michelle’s parents have medical insurance, but in the last three months, they did not manage to pay their monthly subscriptions as they were low on income. Their coverage is in arrears, and unfortunately, it will not cover her procedure. She requires $714 for her surgery to be done, and her parents are appealing to all well-wishers reading her story to assist her in getting her surgery.

Michelle’s mother says, “My daughter has really suffered over a long period of time. She has taken numerous drugs without any noticeable change in her, and this has me very concerned. I want her to be able to have a regular life and do well in school. Please assist her so that she can eventually realize her goals.”

Michelle is a young child with a sweet smile. She is the firstborn of a two-child family. Her parents are modest farmers who grow potatoes a...

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Michelle's Timeline

  • November 28, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Michelle was submitted by SAFE Program Admin, SAFE Program Admin at African Mission Healthcare.

  • November 29, 2022
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Michelle was scheduled to receive treatment at AIC Kapsowar Hospital in Kenya. 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 29, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Michelle's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING FUNDING

    Michelle is currently raising funds for her treatment.

  • TBD
    AWAITING UPDATE

    Awaiting Michelle's treatment update from African Mission Healthcare.

Funded by 11 donors

Funded by 11 donors

Treatment
Adenotonsillectomy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $714 for Michelle's treatment
Hospital Fees
$453
Medical Staff
$3
Medication
$6
Supplies
$160
Labs
$25
Other
$67
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove tonsils. Tonsils are two small lymph glands located in the back of the throat. They house white blood cells to help fight infection but sometimes the tonsils themselves become infected. Tonsillectomy can be a treatment for breathing problems such as heavy frequent snoring and sleep apnea (periods in which one stops breathing during sleep) related to swollen tonsils; trouble swallowing chewy foods especially meats; bleeding of tonsils; cancer of the tonsils. Adenoidectomy removes glands behind the nose (adenoids). This surgery is done to remove infected adenoids which lead to difficulty breathing or swallowing. Symptoms indicative for a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy include: fever, trouble swallowing, trouble breathing, swollen glands around the neck, and exudate on the tonsils.

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

In tonsillitis and adenoiditis, patients will often experience frequent infections and obstructed breathing and trouble swallowing or feeding. Frequently affects children and teens although adults of any age can acquire it.

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

Adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy are among the most common surgical procedures performed in children.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Patients are generally in the hospital for three days when the infected tonsils or adenoids are removed. The patient is discharged if there is no swelling or infection present.

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

After surgery, most children have fewer and milder throat infections, fewer ear infections, breathe easier through the nose, and can feed normally.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy are very common procedures and typically low-risk.

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

There are few quality hospitals in our medical partner's region with the expertise and facilities to perform this procedure.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Infection of the adenoids and tonsils is treated with antibiotics. However, if a child has frequent infections, including ear and sinus (throat) infections, or if antibiotics do not help, or the child has ongoing breathing problems, a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy is required.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.