49-year-old Maw has lived in a village in Burma her whole life. She lives with her husband, two daughters, one son, and three grandchildren.
Five years ago, Maw began to experience uncomfortable symptoms. She visited a local hospital, where a doctor informed her that she had a bladder stone. She was prescribed medication, which worked to reduce her symptoms until she could no longer afford to buy it.
Two years later, Maw’s symptoms returned. An ultrasound revealed another bladder stone, and her doctor recommended surgery. Maw returned home, knowing that she could not afford surgery. She tried to use traditional medicine, but her symptoms did not improve.
By July of this year, Maw’s condition had grown severe. She was experiencing back pain, stomach aches, weight loss, and urinary dysfunction. She was referred to our medical partner’s hospital, Mae Sot Hospital, for further investigation. She underwent an X-ray, which confirmed the presence of a bladder stone. On December 13, she underwent a cystoscopy to remove the stone.
Maw used to work as a day laborer, but she stopped working last year because of her condition. Her husband’s health does not allow him to work. They cannot afford this treatment, so our medical partner is requesting $1,155 in funding.
“I just want to recover and live happily with my family,” says Maw.
