Gorret is a small-scale farmer and a married mother of four children. Her husband works as a small-scale businessman, and together they own a four-room house for their family. Their children are in school, with their eldest at 16-years-old in secondary school and their youngest at 8-years-old in primary school. The family shared that they pay for school fees through loans that they repay over time.
About eight years ago, Gorret experienced swelling in her neck during her third pregnancy, but it normalized after her delivery. However, she experienced swelling again during her subsequent pregnancy, but this time it did not decrease after her delivery as it had before. As a result, Gorret experiences chest pains and backaches, and occasionally she experiences temporary numbness in her arms. She can no longer carry or lift heavy loads comfortably, which is making things hard for her.
Fortunately, Gorret recently visited the hospital at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). The doctors diagnosed her condition as a goiter, which is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. They recommended a thyroidectomy, which will address her symptoms and prevent the risk that a goiter may become cancerous and cause difficulty breathing and eating over time.
On November 9th, Gorret will undergo a thyroidectomy at AMH’s care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMH is requesting $333 to fund this procedure.
Gorret shared, “I hope to look normal again after struggling with this goiter for many years. I was feeling inferior whenever in public, but I finally have the hope of living a better and improved life through surgery. I hope to continue with farming after recovery.”