Susan is a 34-year-old housewife from the Philippines who lives in a native house her husband, her three children, and her parents. She is a loving mother to her children, who are still very young.
For the last 10 years, Susan has had an enlarged thyroid gland, commonly known as a goiter. Typically presenting as a lump or swelling at the front of the neck, a goiter can become large enough to obstruct nearby structures and cause difficulty swallowing or breathing. Most goiters are due to a deficiency of iodine, an important element in the body’s production of thyroid hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism.
Susan is very worried that her goiter will become bigger. She currently experiences pain with swallowing and eats only semi-solid food or soft foods. Because of her condition, she tires easily and finds it difficult to carry out daily activities such as washing the laundry, cleaning the house, and selling snacks in her neighborhood. Susan is also self-conscious when interacting with other people.
Susan’s husband has long wanted his wife to be examined by a specialist, but he could not afford to pay for her medical care. The income he earns as a family driver barely meets their family’s basic needs.
Susan received a medical examination during a health screening week sponsored by International Care Ministries. When she was told to come to town for her first consultation, she did not hesitate because she really wants the swelling in her neck to be gone so she can do things she wants to do without difficulty or pain. At the consultation, Susan was advised that she could undergo surgery—a thyroidectomy—to remove her thyroid gland.
$1,500 covers the costs of Susan’s surgery, transportation to and from the hospital, 10 days of hospital care—including medicine, imaging, and blood tests—and medication to take after she goes home.
Susan is very optimistic about the operation. “I am very excited to undergo surgery to remove this mass in my neck,” she shares. “I am thankful that my prayers were answered and someone will sponsor me for my surgery. My family and I were overjoyed at this good news. After the surgery, I will look for a job, so I can help my husband meet the needs of our family and provide for the future of our children.”