Success! Monicah from Kenya raised $756 to fund a hysterectomy.

100%

$756 raised, $0 to go

$756

raised

to go

Monicah's story
Monicah's update

August 23, 2017

Monicah was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer this past July. Previously, she had been managing lower abdominal pain for about two years. Monicah is in much pain and cannot eat well.

Monicah and her husband are small scale farmers who make very little income to support their five children. Monicah has spent a lot of money due to frequent hospital visits. The family is unable to raise the whole amount required for treatment.

Fortunately, we can help. Monicah is scheduled for a total abdominal hysterectomy to treat her cancer on August 31. Now, she needs help raising $756 for the procedure.

Monicah says, “I pray that the pain ends and that my health will be restored.”

Monicah was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer this past July. Previously, she had been managing lower abdominal pain for about two years. ...

Photo of Monicah post-operation

October 5, 2017

Monicah underwent a hysterectomy.

Monicah received successful surgery. She recovered well and the mass had been removed.

Monicah says, “I am thankful to Watsi for the support. I hope that I will recover fully. I don’t have the lower abdominal pains are now over and am hoping that soon I will walk out of the hospital stronger than I came in.”

Monicah received successful surgery. She recovered well and the mass had been removed. Monicah says, “I am thankful to Watsi for the supp...

August 23, 2017
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Monicah was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, SAFE Senior Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
August 31, 2017
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Monicah received 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.
September 21, 2017
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Monicah's profile was published to start raising funds.
October 5, 2017
TREATMENT UPDATE
Monicah's treatment was successful. Read the update.
December 30, 2017
FULLY FUNDED
Monicah's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 6 donors

Treatment

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $756 for Monicah'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.

Immaculate is a 22-year-old farmer from Uganda. She and her husband are expecting to deliver their baby but due to previous health complications and challenges accessing pre-natal care, her doctors recommend that she deliver via a Cesarean section to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Immaculate undergo a C-Section on March 1st. This procedure will cost $207 and Immaculate needs your support. Immaculate says, ‘’Thank you, donors, for putting a smile of hope on my face. I have high hopes of having a safe surgery and I know I will receive a live baby. May God bless every one of you. I will be able to continue with my usual activities of farming and later I set up a grocery shop.’’

Cyrus is an energetic young boy from Kenya. He completed his national exam last month. Cyrus is the 2nd born of a family of five children. The 1st born is 17 years, while the last born is in grade 2. His mom is a single parent, who is currently unemployed and working small jobs that she can get to make ends meet. She has been taking care of the five children by herself with no consistent source of income. He lives in single rental room which they pay $15 per month. His mother was referred to our medical partner's BethanyKids Hospital by a local doctor in a nearby facility to correct the condition. They came to BethanyKids and the doctor examined him, he has recommended surgery. This surgery will enable him to live a normal life like other children urinating properly. Cyrus was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of cancer and infertility. Fortunately, Cyrus is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 4th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $847 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Cyrus's mother says, “This condition will affect his self-esteem. He already feels low and sad because of the condition.”

Sandi is a young monk from Burma. He lives alongside his fellow novices and monks in a monastery. As a novice, Sandi does not have a personal income, but his family support him and the monastery provides him with food and shelter. In his free time, Sandi enjoys listening to the Dhamma. In February 2022, Sandi began experiencing blurred vision in both eyes. A CT scan revealed a cystic lesion in his brain, indicating a fluid-filled tumor, craniopharyngioma. Sandi experiences significant blurred vision in both eyes, occasional headaches and dizziness, and pain at the nape of his neck. Due to his poor vision, he cannot read books and cannot walk without assistance. Sandi sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. He is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on January 10th. Our partner is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Sandi said, "I want to express my gratitude to BCMF and donors for helping me. I would love to request continued assistance throughout my entire treatment. My desire is to fully recover my vision. Once I recover, I aspire to dedicate myself to studying and trying to become a monk."

Monicah's Timeline

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Funded by 6 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.