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Success! Jacenta from Uganda raised $219 to fund her hysterectomy so she can life pain-free.

Jacenta
100%
  • $219 raised, $0 to go
$219
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Jacenta's treatment was fully funded on July 7, 2022.

Photo of Jacenta post-operation

July 18, 2022

Jacenta underwent her hysterectomy so she can live pain-free.

Jacenta’s surgery was successful! She has now been relieved of the symptoms she experienced before and is happy to be feeling so much better. She hopes to fully recover and be able to resume her day to day work.

Jacenta says: “I almost sold off my small piece of land to pay for the hospital bills. I am grateful for your support. I will go back to farming once I recover.”

Jacenta's surgery was successful! She has now been relieved of the symptoms she experienced before and is happy to be feeling so much better...

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May 9, 2022

Jacenta is a Ugandan mother of five young children. Her children are still in school and thus together with her husband, they have to put all their efforts to pay for their school fees and meet their day to day needs. She is a small scale farmer who has a small banana plantation and also grows maize and beans.

For about six months now, Jacenta has been experiencing lower abdominal pain and bleeding. She tried managing the pain with oral medication, but that has not been successful. She has been diagnosed with multiple uterine myomas and needs surgery. She is not able to raise the funds needed for the surgery, yet is worried about her condition’s progression. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $219 to fund Jacenta’s surgery. On May 10th, she will undergo the surgery at our medical partner’s care center. Once recovered, Jacenta will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain.

Jacenta says “I desire to be treated for this condition that has affected me for a long time now.”

Jacenta is a Ugandan mother of five young children. Her children are still in school and thus together with her husband, they have to put al...

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Jacenta's Timeline

  • May 9, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Jacenta was submitted by Edward Mugane, Impact Assessment Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.

  • May 10, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Jacenta's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • May 11, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Jacenta received treatment at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale 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.

  • July 7, 2022
    FULLY FUNDED

    Jacenta's treatment was fully funded.

  • July 18, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Jacenta's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 1 donor

Funded by 1 donor

Treatment
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $219 for Jacenta's treatment
Hospital Fees
$126
Medical Staff
$0
Medication
$17
Supplies
$59
Labs
$6
Other
$11
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Symptoms vary depending on the condition that requires the total abdominal hysterectomy. If the cause is cervical, uterine, or ovarian cancer, there may not be symptoms, especially if the cancer is early-stage. In more advanced cases of cervical and uterine cancers, abnormal bleeding, unusual discharge, and pelvic or abdominal pain can occur. Symptoms of ovarian cancer may include trouble eating, trouble feeling full, bloating, and urinary abnormality. If the cause is fibroids, symptoms may include heavy bleeding, pain in the pelvis or lower back, and swelling or enlargement of the abdomen.

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

Fibroids (tumors in the uterus) can grow large, cause abdominal pain and swelling, and lead to recurring bleeding and anemia. Cancer can cause pain and lead to death.

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

Cervical cancer is caused by a sexually transmitted infection called human papillomavirus (HPV), which can often occur alongside an HIV infection. As a result, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among African women in areas of high HIV prevalence. Cervical cancer is also more prevalent in Africa than in the United States due to the lack of early-detection screening programs. The other conditions treated by a total abdominal hysterectomy are not necessarily more common in Africa.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

The patient first reports for laboratory testing. The following day, the patient undergoes surgery. After the operation, the patient stays in the hospital ward for three to four days, during which time she is continually monitored. The surgery is considered successful if the wound heals without infection, bleeding, or fever, and if the patient no longer experiences urinary dysfunction.

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

In the case of uterine fibroids or early-stage cancer, a total abdominal hysterectomy is curative.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

If performed early enough, this surgery is low-risk and curative, with few side effects.

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

This surgery is available, but many patients cannot afford it. Many women are screened for cervical cancer with a low-cost alternative to a pap smear. This is common in HIV treatment programs. If necessary, the woman is referred for surgery, which she often cannot afford.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

If cervical cancer is caught early enough, some minor procedures can solve the problem. Women with fibroids who still wish to have children may opt to undergo a surgery that only removes the fibroids, which is called a myomectomy.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.