Watsi

Success! Veneranda from Uganda raised $219 to fund a hysterectomy for cervical cancer.

100%

$219 raised, $0 to go

$219

raised

to go

Fully funded

Veneranda's treatment was fully funded on October 9, 2021.

Veneranda's story
Veneranda's update

Photo of Veneranda post-operation

October 14, 2021

Veneranda underwent a hysterectomy for cervical cancer.

Veneranda had a successful surgery at our medical partner’s care center Nyakibale Hospital. This surgery reduces the chances of cancer spreading to other parts of her body and she’ll be able to proceed with other forms of treatment after recovery. She hopes to resume her daily life with ease.

Veneranda says: “I have nothing to pay you in return, but to first offer to bless the work of your hands so that you have much more and continue helping even others as you did for me.”

Veneranda had a successful surgery at our medical partner's care center Nyakibale Hospital. This surgery reduces the chances of cancer sprea...

September 13, 2021

Veneranda is a 70-year-old wife and mother who together with her husband has six children and several grandchildren. She raises cows with her husband to make ends meet.

For the past six months, Veneranda has been experiencing bleeding, backaches and lower back pain. She was referred to our medical partner’s care center for examination and treatment. She has been diagnosed with premalignant cervical lesions and surgery was recommended.

Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Veneranda to receive treatment. On September 15th, she will undergo a hysterectomy at AMH’s care center. Successful treatment will reduce the chances of cancer metastasis, and she hopes to get well and resume her duties at home after full recovery. Now, she needs help raising $219 to fund her procedure and care.

Veneranda shared, “I think the only chance for me to get relieved from this pain is by surgery and with your support, I hope it will be possible.”

Veneranda is a 70-year-old wife and mother who together with her husband has six children and several grandchildren. She raises cows with he...

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Veneranda's case was submitted by Edward Mugane at African Mission Healthcare.

Veneranda's Timeline

September 13, 2021
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Veneranda was submitted by Edward Mugane, Impact Assessment Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
September 16, 2021
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Veneranda received treatment at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale 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.
September 19, 2021
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Veneranda's profile was published to start raising funds.
October 9, 2021
FULLY FUNDED
Veneranda's treatment was fully funded.
October 14, 2021
TREATMENT UPDATE
Veneranda's treatment was successful. Read the update.

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Funded by 2 donors

Treatment

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $219 for Veneranda's treatment

Hospital Fees

$126

Medical Staff

Medication

$17

Supplies

$59

Labs

Other

$11

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 (tumors in the uterus) 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?

Cervical cancer is caused by a sexually transmitted infection called human papillomavirus (HPV), which can often occur alongside an 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 time 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 that only removes the fibroids, which is called a myomectomy.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Brian is a cheerful 10-year-old student. He is the third and youngest child of the family. His mother is a homemaker and his father is a farmer. Brian lives with his parents and siblings in a village, and attends the local primary school, where he is in fifth grade. Despite his birth condition, Brian is a passionate footballer. Brian was born with a clubfoot condition in which his feet are twisted out of shape, and has been treated with serial casting starting from when he was just a day old. His left foot has corrected while his right foot has not - he currently tiptoes when he walks and feels pain whenever he runs, including pain on the field while playing football. Fortunately, Brian traveled to visit our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 13th. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,286 to fund Brian's procedure. After treatment, Brian will be able to walk well, play football, and continue with his studies uninterrupted. Brian's mother said, “I am pleading for help from the donors for my son to undergo surgery and I will appreciate your support.”

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Manith is a 19-year-old with two brothers, two sisters, and his parents are rice farmers. He recently got a job feeding and looking after ducks. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball and going out with his friends. In 2020, Manith was in a motorbike accident and fractured his right clavicle and patella. He went to an emergency hospital and he had a sling fixed for the clavicle fracture and a tension bend wire for his patella. Now, it is time to remove the fracture hardware from his knee so he can fully heal and be out of risk for infection. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 11th, Manith will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This procedure will help him walk easily again. He shared, "After I have surgery, I want to walk easily again and do my new job well."

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Em is a 67-year-old rice farmer. He is from Kampong Cham province and has four sons, two daughters, and nine grandchildren. He lives with his wife and daughters who plant rice with him. He likes to listen to the news on the radio and join local ceremonies at his village pagoda. One year ago, Em developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision and photophobia. He is no longer able to drive because his vision has deteriorated so much. It is also difficult for him to work on his farm. When Em learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 9th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Em said: "I hope after surgery my eye will see clearly once again. I'll be able to drive my moto by myself and continue to work on my farm."

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