Lay is a 42-year-old cookie seller at a local school. She has one son and her husband passed away of lung cancer two years ago. The school Lay normally sells cookies at is closed during the COVID lockdown, so she is staying at home right now. She shared that she enjoys planting flowers and gardening.
Four years ago, Lay developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her tearing and irritation. 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 Lay learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled there with her sister seeking treatment. Lay 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 May 13th.
Lay said, “I hope after surgery I feel comfortable and my eye looks better. Then I can look forward to selling sweets again when the school opens.”