Success! Hope from Uganda raised $640 to fund thyroid surgery.

100%

$640 raised, $0 to go

$640

raised

to go

Hope's story
Hope's update

December 15, 2016

Hope is a 44-year-old woman from Uganda. She is a single mother of four daughters. She has worked hard to send her daughters to school. The oldest is studying at a university, while the others are in high school or primary school. Hope works as a nurse. The family lives in a three-room house in western Uganda.

For over five years, Hope had a multinodular goiter, or thyroid swelling, which she treated with medication. In August of 2016, she met a missionary doctor who connected her with a surgeon at our medical partner’s care center in Kenya, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Hope traveled all the way to Kenya to receive treatment.

When Hope reached the hospital, she was unable to breathe or swallow easily. Without treatment, she risked further swelling and pain. Fortunately, on December 16, she underwent a thyroidectomy, during which surgeons removed her thyroid. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $640 to fund this treatment.

“I want to be well to continue working for my four girls and give them education,” says Hope.

Hope is a 44-year-old woman from Uganda. She is a single mother of four daughters. She has worked hard to send her daughters to school. The ...

Photo of Hope post-operation

February 2, 2017

Hope underwent successful thyroid surgery.

The swell on Hope’s neck has lessened. She can now breathe easily and swallow solid foods. This surgery reduced her risk of further goiter growth.

Hope says, “Thank you for the kind help. God bless you.”

The swell on Hope's neck has lessened. She can now breathe easily and swallow solid foods. This surgery reduced her risk of further goiter g...

December 15, 2016
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Hope was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, SAFE Senior Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
December 16, 2016
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Hope 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.
January 2, 2017
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Hope's profile was published to start raising funds.
January 2, 2017
FULLY FUNDED
Hope's treatment was fully funded.
February 2, 2017
TREATMENT UPDATE
Hope's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 1 donor

Treatment

Thyroidectomy

Diagnosis
Procedure

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients in need of a thyroidectomy often present with a small thyroid growth (nodule or cyst), a thyroid gland that is so overactive it is dangerous (thyrotoxicosis), cancer of the thyroid, noncancerous (benign) tumors of the thyroid that are causing symptoms, or thyroid swelling (nontoxic goiter) that makes it hard to breathe or swallow. Patients in need of thyroid surgery often present with nervousness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, hand tremor, excessive sweating, weight loss, and sleep problems, among other symptoms.

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

The thyroid gland is an organ located in the front of your neck. It releases hormones that control your metabolism (the way your body uses energy), breathing, heart rate, nervous system, weight, body temperature, and many other functions. When the thyroid gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism) the body’s processes speed up and you may experience nervousness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, hand tremor, excessive sweating, weight loss, and sleep problems, among other symptoms.

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

Thyroid disorders are relatively common in the African continent. Iodine deficiency, although still the commonly documented cause of thyroid disorders in Africa, is not as rampant as it used to be. There is a compelling need to set up thyroid disorder registries in order to determine not only the scope of the burden of these disorders, but also to document changing trends, if any, especially given the background of widespread iodization programs. Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, and its incidence has continuously increased in the last three decades all over the world. This trend is present on every continent except Africa, where detection is possibly insufficient.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Thyroid surgery takes approximately three to eight hours depending on the patient. Patients will stay in the hospital for a maximum of six to eight weeks or as needed for recovery. A patient will usually have one follow-up appointment in six weeks.

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

In case of thyroid cancer, the surgery is the patient’s best chance of preventing the spread of cancer and saving the patient’s life. In cases of hyperthyroidism, the treatment help stabilize the hormones that regulate metabolism and effectively treat some of the patient's symptoms, such as rapid heartbeat, anxiety etc.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Thyroid surgery is often 90% curative should diagnosis be done early. For benign tumors and hyperthyroidism, the surgery is more than 90% curative. The surgery comes with few risks.

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

The accessibility of the treatment is fairly easy in this region. Due to the high numbers of patients flocking to the government facilities, most patients opt to seek care in missionary and private hospitals which are slightly more costly. In Kijabe, we have an average of 80 to 100 thyroidectomies in a year (three to four cases a week).

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

In Kenya, surgery is the only treatment offered for thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism. This is because radiotherapy and medication alternatives are not easily accessible. Also, the cost of treating with radiotherapy and medication is higher than that of surgery.

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Kan is a retired rice farmer from Kandal province. He is the proud father of two daughters and three sons, and his family now includes ten grandchildren. Unfortunately, he experienced the heart-wrenching loss of his wife to stomach cancer several years ago. Presently, he resides with his youngest daughter and her family, finding comfort in their company. Since retirement, he has nurtured his spiritual side by frequenting the local pagoda. Over the years, he has become a wise mentor to young monks who seek his guidance. Six years ago, Kan developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing him difficulty with his vision. He says he feels like something is always in his eye. It now covers his pupil and he cannot recognize friends and family. 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, wind or dust and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. When Kan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two-and-a-half hours seeking treatment. Kan needs 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 his procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 2nd. Kan shared: "I hope after surgery my eye can see better and stop irritation and I can read books and go to the pagoda by myself."

Happiness's baby is a newborn who is barely two weeks old. Happiness and her husband, James, have been blessed with a new baby, expanding their family to two children. They reside in Morombo, located in the Arusha region of Tanzania. Happiness is a stay-at-home mother managing the household and caring for their children, while James works diligently on their farm to provide food and sells surplus harvests for additional income. In addition to farming, James seeks casual day jobs to supplement their finances, yet despite their efforts, they find their income insufficient to cover all expenses. At times, they struggle to afford medical bills, particularly when faced with a poor harvest, making providing adequate meals for the family challenging. Happiness's baby was born with clubfoot of both feet, causing his feet to twist inward and downward. Concerned for their son’s future, the parents sought advice from the attending doctor, who recommended seeking treatment, as the condition is treatable. They were referred to our medical partner's care center for help. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Happiness traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on February 16th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Happiness's baby's clubfoot repair. After treatment and as he grows, the baby will be able to wear shoes and walk properly. Happiness says: “I want my baby to grow up with normal feet and never bear the burden of the condition he is born with.”

Ol is a 52-year-old rice farmer who lives in Kampot province with her husband. Their three children live nearby and help support them and visit often. Ol loves spending time with family, chatting with her friends in the village, and watching Cambodian soap operas. This past September, Ol fell at home and fractured her right arm. She sought treatment from a traditional healer in the village, but the fracture has not healed. She is in pain and unable to carry out every day activities. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) can help. On December 7th, Ol will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will help her restore function in her arm. Ol and her family are able helping to contribute towards the cost of the surgery, but need help raising $483 to fund her treatment. She shared, "I want to get better so I will be able to do my housework and cooking."

Hope's Timeline

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Funded by 1 donor

Treatment

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100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.