Anastacia is a 45-year-old woman who suffers from a cystocele, a condition that occurs when the muscles that hold the bladder in place begin to fail after giving birth. Anastacia’s condition causes her constant pelvic pain and makes it difficult for her to live a normal life, but because of other medical issues, doctors at Wuqu’ Kawoq say she is not a good candidate for surgery right now.
Luckily, Anastacia’s doctors have a safe and effective alternative to surgery. They can fit Anastacia with a small device called a pessary that they believe will relieve her symptoms.
Anastacia comes from an area of Guatemala where nearly 75% of the population live in poverty. On top of that, Guatemala’s public health expenditure is among the lowest in the Americas (around 1% of GDP). Anastacia lives with her husband and children in a small rural community where they farm their own land and grow their own food. Anastacia told her doctors she hopes she can get the treatment she needs to work in the fields more comfortably.