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Success! Sinet from Kenya raised $430 for hernia repair surgery.

Sinet
100%
  • $430 raised, $0 to go
$430
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Sinet's treatment was fully funded on September 11, 2016.

Photo of Sinet post-operation

October 19, 2016

Sinet received successful umbilical hernia repair surgery.

After the surgery, Sinet experienced a few days of pain and vomiting. However, she is now completely healed and her navel is no longer swollen. She is no longer at risk of intestinal incarceration, obstruction, and strangulation.

“I will always encourage people from my place to seek after medical treatment as opposed to traditional,” says Sinet’s mother. “I had so many people visit my home to see Sinet’s belly button. Thanks to all the charitable people from Watsi program without whom this could not have been possible. It was quite a transformation for us and our community.”

After the surgery, Sinet experienced a few days of pain and vomiting. However, she is now completely healed and her navel is no longer swoll...

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July 25, 2016

This is Sinet, the last-born in a family with three children. Sinet’s mother is a housewife while her father is a pastoralist. The family lives in a traditional hut in the North Eastern region of Kenya.

Sinet was born with a swell on her abdomen and as she grew, so did the swelling. In normal circumstances, the swell disappears as the baby grows older. However, Sinet’s did not disappear. Sinet’s parents tried to treat her with traditional herbs, but that did not reduce the swell and instead, it got bigger.

Sinet and her family came to Bethany Kids Kijabe Hospital for specialized treatment, and they were told Sinet’s umbilical hernia would need surgery. However, the umbilical hernia repair comes at a cost that Sinet’s parents cannot afford. If it remains untreated, Sinet may suffer intestinal incarceration, obstruction, and/or strangulation.

With $430, Sinet will receive the medical attention she needs and hospital respite to recover smoothly.

Sinet’s mother shares with us, “I have never known life to be easy and to acquire anything we have has been a real struggle. I knew this too wouldn’t be easy after trying traditional treatment with no results. I am hoping I will get help in this hospital and perhaps educate my fellow villagers about the importance of modern medicine compared to the traditional way.” Our support will help Sinet develop into a healthy, young girl.

This is Sinet, the last-born in a family with three children. Sinet’s mother is a housewife while her father is a pastoralist. The family li...

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Sinet's Timeline

  • July 25, 2016
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • July 28, 2016
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Sinet received treatment at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH) 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 1, 2016
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Sinet's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • September 11, 2016
    FULLY FUNDED

    Sinet's treatment was fully funded.

  • October 19, 2016
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Sinet's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 15 donors

Funded by 15 donors

Treatment
Hernia / Hydrocele
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

A hernia occurs when a portion of the intestine protrudes through the lower abdominal wall, usually for one of two reasons. The first is a congenital abnormality in which the tissues did not close. The second is excessive stress in an adult, often due to heavy physical labor or pregnancy. Patients experience a bulge or lump in the affected area. The hernia may cause the patient to feel pain, discomfort, weakness, pressure, and sensations of heaviness or aching. These symptoms are often exacerbated when the patient coughs, bends over, or lifts heavy objects. In some cases, hernias have no symptoms and are only detected during routine medical exams.

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

Patients with uncomplicated hernias may experience only annoyance or discomfort. As the hernia opening expands, the discomfort will increase. Small openings are more likely to trap the intestine, potentially leading to intestinal damage or death.

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

Hernias are common in Africa. People often do very hard physical labor and lift heavy objects. Women tend to have more children than those in the United States. It is possible that some hernias have infectious or genetic causes.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Surgery lasts for three to eight hours, depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the hernia. The patient will stay in the hospital anywhere from two days to eight weeks, again depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the hernia. The patient is continually monitored.

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

Treatment is curative. The chance of intestinal strangulation or bowel obstruction reduces significantly.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Hernia repair is not a risky procedure, and it comes with few side effects.

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

Many patients will ignore a hernia until it becomes uncomfortable and seek care at that time. Some people will wear tighter pants or a tight band around the waist to prevent the intestine from protruding.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

If the hernia is not “stuck,” patients tend to ignore it and adapt to living with it. However, this could lead to future complications.

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.