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Success! Blessing from Kenya raised $615 for brain surgery.

Blessing
100%
  • $615 raised, $0 to go
$615
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Blessing's treatment was fully funded on September 11, 2016.

Photo of Blessing post-operation

October 11, 2016

Blessing received successful brain surgery.

Finally, Blessing has had the surgery she needed to drain the excess fluid in her brain due to a condition called hydrocephalus. She seems more relaxed post-surgery. A successful but a critical surgery of has made Blessing’s life normal and healthy. Her mother was in tears as she left the hospital and profusely appreciating everyone who helped towards her daughter’s surgical care.

“I just want to thank you for your support this year,” Blessing’s mother shared. “What you are doing is so amazing and it meant so much to our family during our very difficult times this year, we love Watsi.”

Finally, Blessing has had the surgery she needed to drain the excess fluid in her brain due to a condition called hydrocephalus. She seems m...

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July 20, 2016

Meet Blessing, an adorable baby girl born to loving parents in Kenya. Her mother is a housewife while her father works in a hardware store.

Ever since she was born, Blessing has had a series of health complications. Born with a mass swell on her lower back, Blessing underwent surgery which repaired her back two weeks after birth. A few weeks later, Blessing developed an infection and was readmitted in hospital for care.

Just as she was getting better, the doctor diagnosed her to have hydrocephalus, a condition where one is found to have excess fluid in her skull. This condition is associated with a progressive increase in head circumference, headaches, and irritability. The resulting increased intracranial pressure can lead to brain stem compression. All the while, Blessing’s parents have been looking for financial support from family and friends, so that Blessing can receive the treatment she needs. Her parents are now in a dilemma as they are not in a position to raise the funds required for surgical care, let alone repay the debts.

Watsi’s medical partner will provide the surgery she needs to divert the excess fluid from her brain to her abdomen. The excess cerebrospinal fluid will then be drained and can relieve the overwhelming pressure on her swelling brain.

In tears, Blessing’s mother shared: “Blessing has spent most of her life in the hospital. We have incurred so much debt and we are not even close to clearing any of it. Watsi will be life saving.”

Meet Blessing, an adorable baby girl born to loving parents in Kenya. Her mother is a housewife while her father works in a hardware store. ...

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Blessing's Timeline

  • July 20, 2016
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Blessing was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare.

  • July 21, 2016
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Blessing received treatment at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH) 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.

  • August 31, 2016
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Blessing's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • September 11, 2016
    FULLY FUNDED

    Blessing's treatment was fully funded.

  • October 11, 2016
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Blessing's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 28 donors

Funded by 28 donors

Treatment
Hydrocephalus - Shunt
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Symptoms of hydrocephalus include an enlarged head size, irritability, abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, and increased intracranial pressure. Cognitive development can be affected, and damage to the optic nerve can cause blindness.

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

In young children, hydrocephalus affects brain development, cognition, and vision. In older children and adults, hydrocephalus also causes headaches.

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

The burden of infant hydrocephalus in East Africa is significant, with more than 6,000 new cases estimated per year. The majority are caused by neonatal infection and vitamin deficiency, and should thus be preventable. In East Africa, the single most common cause of hydrocephalus is infection, usually via neonatal meningitis or ventriculitis. Neonatal sepsis is common and is exacerbated by the lack of skilled perinatal care for the majority of births in Africa.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Hydrocephalus patients are usually treated within a few days of arriving at the hospital. Fortunately, our medical partner can accept many patients who would otherwise go home if they could not afford the surgery cost. Treatment involves inserting a shunt into the brain to route cerebrospinal fluid to another part of the body. One month after surgery, the patient returns for a follow-up appointment.

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

This surgery is lifesaving. The patient will no longer be at risk of cognitive and vision damage. Surgical treatment for hydrocephalus can restore and maintain normal cerebrospinal fluid levels in the brain.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This condition is treatable, though the outcome depends on how quickly the disease is identified and treated.

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

There are few quality care centers in the region. Hospitals lack adequate resources and expertise to treat this condition. With about one neurosurgeon per 10,000,000 people in East Africa, initial treatment for hydrocephalus is often unavailable.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Surgery is the only option.

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.