Zipporah from Kenya raised $756 to fund a hysterectomy.

100%

$756 raised, $0 to go

$756

raised

to go

Zipporah's story
Zipporah's update

June 30, 2017

Zipporah is a 76-year-old woman from central Kenya. She is a mother of six children, all sons. She lost her husband in 1979 and has since lived with her sons.

In February 2017, Zipporah noted some troubling gynecological symptoms. She was hesitant to go to the hospital but finally decided to seek care at AIC Kijabe Hospital, our medical partner’s care center, in June. Doctors recommended that Zipporah undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy.

Zipporah needs help raising the money to pay for her surgery. Her sons work as casual laborers to support their own families and help Zipporah meet her daily needs. She sold her only sheep to raise the transport fee to the hospital.

Our medical partner requests $756 to pay for Zipporah’s hysterectomy, four nights in the hospital, lab tests, and medicine. Her operation is currently scheduled for July 24.

“My hope is to be treated and lead a normal life after surgery,” shares Zipporah. Let’s help make that happen!

Zipporah is a 76-year-old woman from central Kenya. She is a mother of six children, all sons. She lost her husband in 1979 and has since li...

September 28, 2017

Zipporah did not receive treatment as expected.

Ziporah did not arrive for her scheduled surgery. When our medical partner contacted her, she had decided not to undergo treatment.

Ziporah did not arrive for her scheduled surgery. When our medical partner contacted her, she had decided not to undergo treatment....

June 30, 2017
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Zipporah was submitted by Robert Kariuki, Process Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
July 24, 2017
TREATMENT SCHEDULED
Zipporah was scheduled to receive treatment at AIC Kijabe Hospital 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 16, 2017
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Zipporah's profile was published to start raising funds.
September 28, 2017
FUNDING ENDED
Zipporah is no longer raising funds.
September 28, 2017
TREATMENT UPDATE
Zipporah's treatment did not happen. Read the update.

Treatment

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $756 for Zipporah's treatment

Hospital Fees

$703

Medical Staff

Medication

$33

Supplies

Labs

$20

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 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?

Most cervical cancer is caused by a sexually transmitted infection called human papillomavirus (HPV), which can often occur alongside a 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 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 only to remove the fibroids, which is called a myomectomy.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Saream lives in Cambodia with her niece's family. Her niece and husband work as grocery sellers in the village, while Saream stays home as a caretaker. In her free time, she likes listening to Cambodian traditional music and cooking. Saream and her niece traveled two hours to reach the Children's Surgical Centre for consultation regarding scar tissue contractures on her ankle. Due to the swelling and restriction of movement, Saream finds it difficult to walk and get housework done. On March 4th, Saream will have a contracture release surgery. This surgery will improve her mobility and ability to carry out everyday tasks at home. Now, the family needs help to fund the $487 procedure, including post-op care and physiotherapy. Saream shared, "I hope I can fix this problem and be able to take care of my family."

Ruhama is a beautiful two month old baby girl, who lives with her parents in Ethiopia. Both of her parents are quite young, and due to their having left school early, both work as day laborers, earning limited wages. Ruhama was born with an anorectal malformation, which is a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate her bowel dysfunction and help her grow up healthy. Ruhama is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on February 1st, at BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Ruhama's procedure and care. After her recovery, Ruhama will no longer experience bowel dysfunction, or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Ruhama's mother said: “I will leave her at the hands of God. I can’t say she will heal or not, but it’s all God’s will."

Chantha is a retired merchant from Preah Vihear province in northern Cambodia. She is 64 years old with three children and five grandchildren. Her husband passed away recently so she moved in with her daughter, who sells clothes in the local market. At home, she likes to cook food for her grandchildren and listen to Buddhist radio. About one year ago, Chantha developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Chantha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for seven hours seeking treatment. On April 18th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Chantha is able to contribute $75 but needs an additional $178 to fund this procedure. She shared, "After surgery, I hope I can see clearly and help more around the house and take care of my grandchildren."

Zipporah's Timeline

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.