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Success! Peter from Kenya raised $660 to treat his broken jaw.

Peter
100%
  • $660 raised, $0 to go
$660
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Peter's treatment was fully funded on October 11, 2016.

Photo of Peter post-operation

October 25, 2016

Peter had his broken jaw mended.

Peter received a successful open reduction internal fixation surgery on his mandible. This surgery reduced the pain and swelling in his lower jaw, and it lowered the chance of infection. Doctors have been monitoring Peter’s recovery process. After a full recovery, he will be able to return to work.

“Thank you for paying my hospital bills,” Peter says. “I look forward to a full recovery and being able to continue working”

Peter received a successful open reduction internal fixation surgery on his mandible. This surgery reduced the pain and swelling in his lowe...

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August 9, 2016

Peter is a 34-year-old man from Kenya who works as a farmer on his parents’ land. “He also earns some money working on other people’s farms,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF).

In May 2016, Peter was in a motorcycle accident that left him with a fractured mandible. He was hospitalized for two weeks and had plates fitted on his jaws. Peter has had difficulty eating. He is not able to work, and has to rely on his brothers for daily upkeep.

After he was discharged from the hospital, Peter was advised to come for surgery to repair the broken jaw. With help from family and friends, he has raised $208 towards associated costs with his care, but needs help from Watsi to cover the treatment fee of $660.

“If not treated, Peter will continue experiencing pain and numbness on his mandible. He might also get an infection further compromising his health,” AMHF says.

“I want to be well and continue working and providing for myself,” Peter shared.

Peter is a 34-year-old man from Kenya who works as a farmer on his parents' land. "He also earns some money working on other people’s farms,...

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Peter's Timeline

  • August 9, 2016
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Peter was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare.

  • August 11, 2016
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Peter 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 13, 2016
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Peter's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • October 11, 2016
    FULLY FUNDED

    Peter's treatment was fully funded.

  • October 25, 2016
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Peter's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 8 donors

Funded by 8 donors

Treatment
ORIF Mandible/Simple
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

This procedure corrects a severe, poorly aligned fracture where the ends of affected bones are far apart. Such a fracture may occur anywhere in the body (leg, hip, arm, jaw, etc) usually as a result of trauma. Common symptoms include extreme pain, inability/difficulty in using limbs, and deformed limbs.

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

A non-union leads to chronic disability, pain, and inability to work.

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

Car/motorcycle taxi accidents are the number one cause. Work-related accidents and violence are others. The condition is more common largely because African roads (particularly Kenyan roads, where this procedure is approved) are among some of the most dangerous in the world.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

In general, an ORIF (open-reduction internal-fixation) procedure uses rods or plates to bring multiple parts of bone together and help them heal correctly.

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

Curative. An ORIF fixes the broken bone, restoring it to complete function and enabling the patient to be able to work.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This procedure has medium surgical risk but most trauma patients are young and tolerate the procedure well. Overall, the risk of surgery is less than the risks of the alternative (traction), or doing nothing. There is a risk of the metal becoming infected, which would require antibiotics and perhaps removal of the hardware and a second surgery.

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

There are few quality orthopedic centers in developing countries. Often patients have received initial care for a fracture at another hospital and may have been placed in “traction.” This involves placing the affected limb in a cast under tension for prolonged periods to try to re-align the bones. Those who have funds try to make their way to a place like Kijabe Hospital. Most patients seen in Kijabe who are in need of an ORIF are patients who have been mismanaged in other hospitals. Usually, those hospitals lack adequate resources and expertise to treat them.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

As mentioned, traction is an alternative for some — but not all — cases. And traction requires a patient to be in the hospital, immobile, for months — leading not only to lost wages but risk of bedsores, blood clots, and hospital-acquired infections.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Samson

Samson is a widower and father of a 9-year-old child. He works as a laborer at a garage washing cars to support himself and his child. A few years ago, Samson started experiencing epigastric pain and discomfort, and could not keep down his food. He has sought treatment at other hospitals before, but to no avail. A few weeks ago, Samson's condition worsened and his brother helped him seek care with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Doctors there conducted an endoscopy and found that the cause of Samson's symptoms was gastric obstruction due to pyloric stenosis, a narrowing of the opening from the stomach into the small intestine. If left untreated, Samson will continue to experience pain. His symptoms may also worsen, leading to dehydration, weight loss, and an overall decreased quality of life. Surgeons have recommended a laparotomy to treat Samson's condition. Fortunately, Samson is scheduled for surgery on March 13th with the help of African Mission Healthcare. Samson needs help raising $788 to fund the cost of his procedure. After surgery, not only will Samson's quality of life improve, but he will also be able to care for himself and his child. “I have been unable to care for myself and my child, becoming a burden to my family. The pain is also too much and I am afraid my wife went through the same and died. I plead for support so that I may be treated and get back to my normal life. I am also the only hope of my child,” said Samson.

6% funded

6%funded
$50raised
$738to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.