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Pho is a 55-year-old man from Cambodia who needs $397 to fund nasal surgery.

Pho
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  • $20 raised, $377 to go
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January 17, 2023

Meet Pho, a 55 year old father of four, who lives with his wife. At home he likes to grow vegetables around his house to supplement the family’s diet, and to earn extra money.

For the past five years, Pho has suffered from chronic nasal congestion and headaches. He has trouble sleeping and he often has to breathe through his mouth. He could not afford treatment at a local hospital, so instead, he purchased medicine from a pharmacy, which did not improve his symptoms. Left untreated, Pho’s condition can cause obstructive sleep apnea, which can lead to other serious medical problems.

Fortunately, Pho’s son told him about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, and the medical work they do for Cambodians. After meeting with the doctors, Pho was diagnosed with a deviated nasal septum. This occurs when the nasal septum is significantly displaced to one side, making one nasal air passage smaller than the other.

Now doctors have planned a septoplasty for January 17th at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, and Pho needs your help to pay for the surgery, which will cost $397. After his surgery and recovery, Pho will be able to breathe through his nose easily, which will be a big improvement in his life.

Pho shared: “I hope after surgery, it will be easy to breathe and the headaches will stop. I will be able to do my work and sleep well.”

Meet Pho, a 55 year old father of four, who lives with his wife. At home he likes to grow vegetables around his house to supplement the fam...

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Pho's Timeline

  • January 17, 2023
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Pho was submitted by Romanea Khun, Assistant Manager, CSC at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • January 17, 2023
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Pho was scheduled to receive treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. 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.

  • January 20, 2023
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Pho's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING FUNDING

    Pho is currently raising funds for his treatment.

  • TBD
    AWAITING UPDATE

    Awaiting Pho's treatment update from Children's Surgical Centre.

Funded by 1 donor

Funded by 1 donor

Treatment
Nasal Polypectomy (Bilateral)
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $397 for Pho's treatment
Hospital Fees
$25
Medical Staff
$321
Medication
$0
Supplies
$43
Labs
$3
Radiology
$5
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Nasal polyps are growths that line the inside of the nasal passage that can cause a blocked or runny nose, loss of smell or taste, stuffiness, tooth pain, and facial pain.

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

Nasal polyps can cause persistent discomfort through the obstruction of normal airflow and chronic inflammation. Other complications from untreated nasal polyps include exacerbated asthma, sleep apnea, and recurrent or chronic sinus infections.

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

While some nasal polyps can be treated through steroid drops or sprays, the limited number of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists in Cambodia means that at a point when surgery is needed to remove the nasal polyps, patients are unlikely to receive it.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Removal of the polyps by nasal polypectomy is a surgery performed using a microdebrideror polyp forceps. The tool is inserted through the nostrils to take out the polyps, which avoids any skin cuts. Patients can generally return home the next day following surgery.

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

A nasal polypectomy can clear a blocked nose and improve sinus infections, relieving the patient of the chronic discomfort caused by the polyps. It may also improve sense of smell if previously impaired by the nasal polyps.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Risks of a nasal polypectomy include nosebleeds and infection from the swelling of the sinuses. The proximity of the sinuses to eyes creates a very small risk of eye injury during the surgical procedure.

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

Cambodia does not have many ENT specialists and such services can be expensive. Patients will travel for hours to reach the Children’s Surgical Centre to receive care, arriving by bus, motorbike, or taxi.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Alternatives to a nasal polypectomy include steroid sprays, drops or tablets to shrink the polyps. However, these are usually tried before surgery and if ineffective, surgery is required to remove the polyps.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Chanthoeun

Chanthoeun is a 57-year-old rice farmer. She is a widow and lives in Kampong Cham province with her youngest daughter. She has a total of four daughters and nine precious grandchildren. She spends her days outside on the farm and caring for her grandchildren while her daughter sells soft drinks. She likes to watch Khmer dramas on TV in the evening. Twelve years ago, Chanthoeun developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her Irritation and redness. Lately, it has been much worse and she has difficulty seeing. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Chanthoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. Chanthoeun needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for February 7th. Chanthoeun said, "I hope after surgery my eye irritation will go away, and no redness. I want to help my daughter to take care of my grandchildren, go outside to help with the rice, and do housework well"

0% funded

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$0raised
$225to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.