Bunthen is a 66-year-old mother of three children. Sadly, Bunthen’s husband passed away five years ago. She lives with her oldest son, who works as a driver, and she has five grandchildren. At home, she enjoys listening to the news on the radio and taking care of her grandchildren.
Five years ago, Bunthen developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her irritation, burning, and tearing. 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.
When Bunthen learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for an hour seeking treatment. On October 21st, she will undergo 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, which will cover medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days.
Bunthen shared, “I hope after surgery my eye feels comfortable so I can go outside under the sunshine, help my daughter-in-law do housework, and help take care of my grandchildren.”