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Success! Mamerta from the Philippines raised $1,500 for life-changing thyroid surgery.

Mamerta
100%
  • $1,500 raised, $0 to go
$1,500
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Mamerta's treatment was fully funded on March 7, 2016.

Photo of Mamerta post-operation

March 24, 2016

Mamerta received successful thyroid surgery.

“I am so thankful for the people who had extended their help to poor people like me,” shares Mamerta. “Without you, I could not have the healing that I dreamed. I felt more confident and very positive to face life and serve my family. I have more strength to take care of my family, serve the church and be a very functional unit of the community.”

Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, adds: “Mamerta is a strong woman who was bravely facing the odds of life. Her life changed when she started attending church, and became whole when she had the treatment. She credits her healing to her growing relationship with the Lord and it brings tears in her eyes when she thanks the people who had the heart to extend help for her treatment. She looks forward to serving her family and church more with her strength.”

"I am so thankful for the people who had extended their help to poor people like me," shares Mamerta. "Without you, I could not have the hea...

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February 16, 2016

Mamerta is a 45-year-old mother from the Philippines. With her husband, she runs a small business selling snacks. “In her spare time she is fond of making delicious snacks for her children,” our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM), tells us.

Mamerta has developed a goiter; an abnormally enlarged thyroid gland. This manifests as a bulge in her neck. Because of the goiter, “Mamerta experiences physical discomfort when she does many things, such as carrying heavy things, working house chores for long hours, and there is slight discomfort when eating solid food,” explains ICM.

Mamerta needs a thyroidectomy, or surgical removal of her thyroid gland. This surgery would normally not be affordable for Mamerta, as she and her husband barely bring in enough income from selling snacks to support themselves and their children. However, for $1,500, we can fund the procedure she needs. Not only will funding cover Mamerta’s thyroidectomy, but it will also pay for her transportation to and from the hospital, and all post-operative care.

“Thank you so much for paving the way to my healing,” Mamerta shares. “After the treatment, I am excited to feel better and take care of my family without any difficulty.”

Mamerta is a 45-year-old mother from the Philippines. With her husband, she runs a small business selling snacks. “In her spare time she is ...

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Mamerta's Timeline

  • February 16, 2016
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Mamerta was submitted by Krishiel Ferenal, National Health Officer at International Care Ministries.

  • February 19, 2016
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Mamerta received treatment at Silliman University Medical Center in Philippines. 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.

  • March 1, 2016
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Mamerta's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • March 7, 2016
    FULLY FUNDED

    Mamerta's treatment was fully funded.

  • March 24, 2016
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Mamerta's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Treatment
Thyroidectomy
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Patients have enlarged thyroid glands and/or elevated thyroid hormone levels. Some have difficulty swallowing and/or breathing. They may be diagnosed with a number of conditions, including hyperthyroidism, Grave's disease, a multinodular goiter, thyroid carcinoma, thyroiditis, and others.

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

At first, the patient will notice a lump or swelling at the front of his or her neck. As the lump grows, it can cause discomfort and psychological distress. Very large goiters may compress adjacent structures in the neck, such as the esophagus (causing difficulty swallowing) and the airways (causing difficulty breathing).

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

This treatment is necessary and has no historical, cultural, or regional significance.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Typically, a major portion of the thyroid gland is removed. The surgery is done under general anesthesia and can take several hours. Once the medications have taken effect, the anesthetist will insert a tube into the patient's throat to manage his or her airway and breathing. An incision is made at the base of the neck, and all or part of the thyroid gland is removed. The incision is then sutured closed, the wound is dressed, and the patient is taken to the recovery area until stable.

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

After the removal of the gland, the patient's symptoms will disappear. The patient will have a thin scar at the base of the neck. If the whole thyroid gland was removed, the patient will need to stay on replacement hormones for the rest of his or her life.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Occasionally, the nerve that innervates the vocal cords can be damaged, causing a permanently hoarse or weak voice. If the tiny parathyroid glands are accidentally removed, the patient may need calcium supplements and monitoring for the rest of his or her life.

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

This surgery is available in most public hospitals throughout the Philippines. Some patients travel to our medical partner from remote communities. They are members of our medical partner's sponsored communities.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Small goiters or thyroid lumps that are not malignant can be left untreated, unless they cause psychological distress to the patient.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Boramey

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43% funded

43%funded
$310raised
$399to go
Victoria

Victoria is a three-year-old girl from Kenya. Victoria is a cheerful, playful girl, who has been raised by her aunties. When she reached walking age, she could not walk. This prompted her family to seek medical attention at a public hospital near their hometown. They were referred to the Provincial General Hospital in Nakuru County, Kenya. Several tests were done, but financial constraints prevented them from returning for the test results. Victoria's medical treatment was further delayed when a relative who was actively supporting and raising her became ill, and all available finances were directed toward their treatment. Recently, Victoria's guardian, who was visiting her grandmother, was advised to seek medical care at BethanyKids. Victoria has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Victoria has been experiencing a visibly enlarged head size. Without treatment, Victoria will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Victoria that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 8th and will drain the excess fluid from Victoria's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Victoria will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Victoria’s aunty says, “This kid is active but unable to support herself because of the condition. She needs this treatment to be able to lead a normal life.”

0% funded

0%funded
$0raised
$720to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Boramey

Boramey is an adorable 2-year-old toddler from Cambodia. She has an older sister, who is seven and in the 1st grade, and an older brother, who is four and not in school yet. Her father works as a driver for a construction company, and her mother sells groceries at a local market. Boramey's favorite activities include playing with the other children in her neighborhood and snacking on bread. When Boramey was born, she experienced an injury called shoulder dystocia, which occurs when one or both of a baby's shoulders become stuck inside the pelvis during childbirth. As a result, the nerves responsible for providing feeling and movement in her shoulder and arm were stretched. Boramey cannot move her left arm and has no shoulder abduction or elbow or wrist flexion. She has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on her left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand; injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. Our medical partner's care center is the only center in Cambodia where the treatment Boramey needs is available. On January 3rd, she will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Boramey's parents were able to gather $100 to contribute to her care. Boramey's mother said: "I hope the doctors can fix her arm so she can use it like other children and be able to go to school when she is old enough."

43% funded

43%funded
$310raised
$399to go