Say is a 58-year-old vegetable and rice farmer from Cambodia. Say has two sons, one daughter, and six grandchildren. Her husband was killed years ago in a shooting and she now lives with her daughter. Say enjoys watching Khmer dramas on TV and listening to the monks pray on the radio or at the pagoda.
Five years ago, Say developed a pterygium in right, causing her burning, irritation, tearing, itching, and discomfort with her appearance. 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 Say learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours by taxi with her son seeking treatment. Say needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for September 24th.
Say said, “I hope after surgery I can continue my work easily and I will feel comfortable with my eye again. I would like to spend time cooking with my grandchildren.”