Success! Lydia from Uganda raised $229 to fund a femoral hernia.

100%

$229 raised, $0 to go

$229

raised

to go

Lydia's story
Lydia's update

October 15, 2016

Lydia is a 45-year-old mother from Uganda. She is married and has six children. Lydia and her husband (Justus) struggle to pay for the education of their children that are still in school. Both Lydia and Justus are subsistence farmers who cultivate on their small portion of land to produce food for their family.

Lydia has a femoral hernia which has brought discomfort and pain to her. If the hernia is not fixed she may get intestinal obstruction. She has lived with this hernia for the last fifteen years but the last four months she has had a lot of pain which has stopped her from performing her household duties.

Lydia is a leader of a local women’s group and she enjoys spending her time with other women after work. She learns new skills like weaving that help her support her family. In their women’s group they weave mats with local materials and use natural dyes to beautify the colors.

Lydia hopes that after the surgery, she will be able to recover well and regain her energy and continue looking after her family. She also plans to start trading in food crops and vegetables so as to get income to pay for the education of the children.

Lydia is a 45-year-old mother from Uganda. She is married and has six children. Lydia and her husband (Justus) struggle to pay for the educa...

Photo of Lydia post-operation

February 21, 2017

Lydia was successfully treated for a femoral hernia.

Lydia underwent successful surgery to repair her femoral hernia. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is pleased to report that Lydia has regained her strength and is now able to do some work on the farm. Lydia says that she no longer feels any pain.

Her children are very excited and grateful for the support their mother received. They hope that she will be able to support them in school as she continues with her work on the farm.

Lydia says, “I am thankful for the people who donated to my surgery.”

Lydia underwent successful surgery to repair her femoral hernia. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is pleased to report that ...

October 15, 2016
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Lydia was submitted by Barnabas Oyesiga, Communications Officer at The Kellermann Foundation.
October 21, 2016
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Lydia received treatment at Bwindi Community Hospital in Uganda. 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.
November 11, 2016
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Lydia's profile was published to start raising funds.
February 17, 2017
FULLY FUNDED
Lydia's treatment was fully funded.
February 21, 2017
TREATMENT UPDATE
Lydia's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 4 donors

Treatment

Hernia - Unobstructed

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $229 for Lydia's treatment

Hospital Fees

$115

Medical Staff

$17

Medication

$20

Supplies

$55

Labs

$22

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

A bulge and pain in the affected area are the most common symptoms. The symptoms may get worse with straining. The pain may be severe enough to affect the patient’s ability to work and perform daily activities.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Because they can’t afford the cost of surgery, many patients wait years before having their hernias repaired. They live with chronic pain. In addition, the economic impact on families can be profound. Patients with hernias are often unable to work full-time, reducing their ability to grow or purchase food and to pay school fees for their children. If surgery for children is delayed, the hernia may become incarcerated or strangulated, cutting off blood supply to the intestine.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

There is no historical, regional, or cultural significance to this condition. Surgery is often delayed because of poverty.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

The patient is typically admitted to the hospital one day prior to the surgery to be assessed by the surgeon and anesthetist. At Bwindi Community Hospital, surgery for hernias is conducted under general anesthesia. The Bassini hernia surgical technique is used for inguinal hernias. An incision is made in the area of the hernia, and the defect in the abdominal wall is identified. The edges of the defect are brought together and sutured. The skin incision is then sutured, the wound is dressed, and the patient is taken to the recovery area until stable. The patient will typically remain in the hospital for two days post-surgery. The patient will be discharged on the third day and return for followup after two weeks.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

After rest and healing, the patient will be able to resume normal activities. Long-term complications in children may be avoided.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

There are always risks with anesthesia, especially in children. The surgical repair procedure is simple and effective, and the risk of complications is very low.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Hernia surgery is only available at hospitals. The nearest alternative hospital is more than two hours away. Patients may live anywhere from 2 to 50+ kilometers away from Bwindi Community Hospital. They may walk or take a taxi to the hospital. Normally, they learn about Watsi from the community health nurses.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Adult patients may wait years before seeking treatment because they cannot afford the cost of surgery. Alternatives may include pain management medicine or abdominal support. Some patients may use herbal medicines or treat themselves with ash to relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Sokkry is a 22-year-old rice farmer who lives with his mother and younger sister. Sadly, his father passed away a few years ago. Since then, he and his mother support the family by working in the nearby rice fields. In his free time, he likes to play soccer with his friends in the village. Two years ago, Sokkry fell off a wall while he was training for the army and fractured his right femur. He was immediately transferred to a nearby military hospital where doctors used nails and screws to align the bone and heal the fracture. Now that the fracture is healed, the hardware is causing problems. It is difficult for him to walk, and he is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 21st, Sokkry will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This procedure will help him walk easily again and stop the risk of infection. After surgery, he hopes he is no longer in pain and will be able to walk normally and play soccer again.

Saream lives in Cambodia with her niece's family. Her niece and husband work as grocery sellers in the village, while Saream stays home as a caretaker. In her free time, she likes listening to Cambodian traditional music and cooking. Saream and her niece traveled two hours to reach the Children's Surgical Centre for consultation regarding scar tissue contractures on her ankle. Due to the swelling and restriction of movement, Saream finds it difficult to walk and get housework done. On March 4th, Saream will have a contracture release surgery. This surgery will improve her mobility and ability to carry out everyday tasks at home. Now, the family needs help to fund the $487 procedure, including post-op care and physiotherapy. Saream shared, "I hope I can fix this problem and be able to take care of my family."

Nan is a 50-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. Nan's and his wife have eight children. Four still live at home - one son works in the rice paddies with his parents, and the three youngest children are still in school. His four older children are married but visit the family frequently. Last February, when Nan was on his way home on his motorbike during a rainstorm, he suddenly lost control of the bike on the muddy road. He fractured his left femur, but could not afford to visit the clinic, so he was treated by a Khmer traditional healer. His fractured femur has still not healed. When a bone fracture is untreated, the bone doesn't heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, Nan continues to have swelling, tenderness, and pain that has worsened over the past ten months. It is difficult for him to walk and he is in constant pain. Nan is embarrassed because he cannot work outside with his wife and son or help to feed his family. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) can help. On December 11th, Nan will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will fixate his unhealed fracture with an orthopedic nail to help to heal the bone and allow him to walk again. Nan is able to contribute towards the cost of surgery and needs help raising the remaining to fund his procedure. He said, "I hope to be able to walk again after my operation, so I can work to feed my family and send my younger children to school."

Lydia's Timeline

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Funded by 4 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.