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Success! Budensiano from Uganda raised $333 to fund life-changing thyroidectomy surgery.

Budensiano
100%
  • $333 raised, $0 to go
$333
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Budensiano's treatment was fully funded on March 4, 2023.

Photo of Budensiano post-operation

March 25, 2023

Budensiano underwent life-changing thyroidectomy surgery.

Budensiano had a successful surgery that helped remove the neck swelling that had been growing for the past 30 years. Through this surgery, she believes she will be able to resume farming and be able to take good care of herself and grandchildren. She has new hope that she will finally live a better life.

Budensiano says, “I am very happy after having a successful surgery. I thank all people of God especially the donors and the hospital staff for the good care and treatment I have received. I thank you for making me look beautiful again.”

Budensiano had a successful surgery that helped remove the neck swelling that had been growing for the past 30 years. Through this surgery, ...

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October 13, 2022

Budensiano is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She has six children who are all grown up with families of their own. Budensiano shared that her husband passed away twenty years ago and left her with their home, which is near our medical partner’s hospital. Currently, Budensiano cannot continue her work as a farmer due to aging and her medical condition.

Over thirty years ago, Budensiano began to experience troubling symptoms, including neck swelling. Although the swelling was initially small and painless, it increased over time. Recently, Budensiano began experiencing worrisome challenges, such as airway obstruction and difficulty eating. She can no longer work or easily climb the hill nearby. She visited our medical partner’s hospital, where the doctors conducted some tests. Upon review, Budensiano’s condition was diagnosed as a non-toxic nodular goiter. If left untreated, there is a risk it will become cancerous or completely inhibit her ability to eat.

Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help Budensiano receive treatment. On October 15th, she will undergo a thyroidectomy, in which surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMH is requesting $333 to fund this procedure.

Budensiano shared, “I have hope again that I can live the remaining part of my life in a normal condition through surgery. I pray for a successful surgery so that I can once more be able to take good care of myself.”

Budensiano is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She has six children who are all grown up with families of their own. Budensiano shared that...

Read more

Budensiano's Timeline

  • October 13, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Budensiano was submitted by Ruth Kanyeria, SAFE Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.

  • October 16, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Budensiano received treatment at Rushoroza Hospital in Uganda. 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.

  • October 16, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Budensiano's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • March 4, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Budensiano's treatment was fully funded.

  • March 25, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Budensiano's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 5 donors

Funded by 5 donors

Treatment
Thyroidectomy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $333 for Budensiano's treatment
Hospital Fees
$233
Medical Staff
$12
Medication
$9
Supplies
$51
Labs
$12
Other
$16
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Patients in need of a thyroidectomy often present with a small thyroid growth (nodule or cyst), a thyroid gland that is so overactive it is dangerous (thyrotoxicosis), cancer of the thyroid, noncancerous (benign) tumors of the thyroid that are causing symptoms, or thyroid swelling (nontoxic goiter) that makes it hard to breathe or swallow. Patients in need of thyroid surgery often present with nervousness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, hand tremor, excessive sweating, weight loss, and sleep problems, among other symptoms.

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

The thyroid gland is an organ located in the front of your neck that releases hormones that control your metabolism (the way your body uses energy), breathing, heart rate, nervous system, weight, body temperature, and many other functions in the body. When the thyroid gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism) the body’s processes speed up and you may experience nervousness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, hand tremor, excessive sweating, weight loss, and sleep problems, among other symptoms.

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

Thyroid disorders are relatively common in the African continent. Iodine deficiency, although still the commonly documented cause of thyroid disorders in Africa, is not as rampant as it used to be. There is a compelling need to set up thyroid disorder registries in order to determine not only the scope of the burden of these disorders, but also to document changing trends, if any, especially given the background of widespread iodization programs. Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, and its incidence has continuously increased in the last three decades all over the world. This trend is present on every continent except Africa, where detection is possibly insufficient.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Thyroid surgery takes approximately 3-8 hours depending on the patient. Patients will stay in the hospital for a maximum of 6-8 weeks or as needed for recovery. A patient will usually have one follow-up appointment in six weeks.

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

In cases involving thyroid cancer, the surgery is the patient’s best chance of preventing the spread of cancer and saving the patient’s life. For hyperthyroidism, the treatment helps stabilize the hormones that regulate metabolism and effectively treat some of the symptoms that the patient presents with such as rapid heartbeat and anxiety.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Thyroid surgery is often 90% curative if diagnosis happens early. For benign tumors and hyperthyroidism, the surgery is more than 90% curative. The surgery comes with few risks.

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.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Surgery is the only treatment offered for thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism. This is because radiotherapy and medication alternatives are not easily accessible in the county. Also, the cost of treating with radiotherapy and medication is higher than that of surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Peter

Peter is a 5th grade student from Kenya. He is an only child being raised by his single mother, who works as a hotel waitress earning about $70 per month. The family also has a small tea plantation in their ancestral home, but are unable to raise the funds needed for Peter's surgery. Peter has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Peter has been experiencing difficulty in holding things and walking. The condition has affected his appearance, with a change in the color of his eyes. Over time, he has developed urine and stool incontinence. His worried mom decided to seek treatment from several hospitals. Doctors determined that Peter needs a special surgery that will relieve pressure from the skull. Without treatment, Peter will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Peter. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 11th, and will drain the excess fluid from Peter's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Peter will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Peter’s mother says, “Peter has been sickly and has been missing school for almost a year now. This condition is affecting his school life. He needs this treatment to recover and go back to school.”

34% funded

34%funded
$248raised
$472to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Peter

Peter is a 5th grade student from Kenya. He is an only child being raised by his single mother, who works as a hotel waitress earning about $70 per month. The family also has a small tea plantation in their ancestral home, but are unable to raise the funds needed for Peter's surgery. Peter has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Peter has been experiencing difficulty in holding things and walking. The condition has affected his appearance, with a change in the color of his eyes. Over time, he has developed urine and stool incontinence. His worried mom decided to seek treatment from several hospitals. Doctors determined that Peter needs a special surgery that will relieve pressure from the skull. Without treatment, Peter will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Peter. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 11th, and will drain the excess fluid from Peter's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Peter will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Peter’s mother says, “Peter has been sickly and has been missing school for almost a year now. This condition is affecting his school life. He needs this treatment to recover and go back to school.”

34% funded

34%funded
$248raised
$472to go