Success! Herbert from Uganda raised $187 to fund a mass removal on his head.

100%

$187 raised, $0 to go

$187

raised

to go

Herbert's story
Herbert's update

January 21, 2020

Herbert is a peasant farmer from Uganda who has been having a persistent pain on his back and headache due to a visible frontal swell. He fears that without treatment, he will continue struggling with persistent pain.

Previously, he tried seeking treatment but could not raise the funds needed for surgery. He came to our facility whereupon he received a lipoma diagnosis and had an excision recommended. However, he is still struggling with finances.

Herbert is a farmer who together with his wife tends to their small farm to meet the family demands of their five children. His children are in school making it hard to consolidate finances for his surgery.

Herbert traveled to our medical partner’s care center to receive treatment. On January 22nd, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Herbert needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure.

Herbert says, “I hope my surgery will go on well and I expect a better quality of health after I have fully recovered.”

Herbert is a peasant farmer from Uganda who has been having a persistent pain on his back and headache due to a visible frontal swell. He fe...

Photo of Herbert post-operation

February 25, 2020

Herbert underwent a mass removal on his head.

After a successful excision lipoma treatment due to a facial lipoma, Nishaba Herbert is now much better and presents with no current major complaint, only appreciating the great work the Watsi and SAFE program has done for him.

Nishaba Herbert says, “Thank you for having supported my surgery and restoring my health once again. I will continue with cultivation.”

After a successful excision lipoma treatment due to a facial lipoma, Nishaba Herbert is now much better and presents with no current major c...

January 21, 2020
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Herbert was submitted by Robert Kariuki, Process Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
January 22, 2020
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Herbert 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.
January 26, 2020
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Herbert's profile was published to start raising funds.
February 25, 2020
TREATMENT UPDATE
Herbert's treatment was successful. Read the update.
March 24, 2020
FULLY FUNDED
Herbert's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 3 donors

Treatment

Mass Excision

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $187 for Herbert's treatment

Hospital Fees

$96

Medical Staff

Medication

$29

Supplies

$28

Labs

$34

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Broadly speaking, masses come in two types: benign (not cancer) and malignant (cancer). The types of tumors are many and could range from osteosarcoma of the jaw (a bone tumor) to thyroid enlargement to breast lump to lipoma (benign fat tumor), among others. The symptoms vary depending on the type of tumor. Not all tumors, cancerous or benign, show symptoms. A common benign tumor, such as a lipoma (fatty tumor), may cause local pressure and pain, or may be disfiguring and socially stigmatizing. An ovarian mass may be benign or cancerous and may cause pain, bleeding, or, if malignant, death.

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

If the tumor is cancerous, it is usually aggressive and invasive. If not treated (like certain skin cancers, for example) there could be great tissue destruction, pain, deformity, and ultimately death.

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

Due to lack of accessibility to treatment facilities, some of the patients have lived with masses for a long time. Access to medical facilities is difficult for people living in remote parts of Uganda.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

The patient is usually admitted for three days. They undergo three- to five-hour surgery depending on the location of the mass and whether it's cancerous. After surgery, they are continuously monitored in the wards.

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

In the case of cancer, the procedure can be life-saving. In the case of benign tumors, patients can be free of pain or social stigma.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

If the tumor is cancerous, the surgeon will only try to remove it if the procedure would be curative. If cancer has already spread, then surgery cannot help. Most of these surgeries are not very risky.

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

There are few qualified facilities and surgeons to perform this procedure.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Alternatives depend on the type of tumor. If the tumor is cancerous, chemotherapy may help, but that treatment is even less available than surgery. If the tumor is benign, it depends on the condition but just watching the mass would be one option.

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Mohammed is a 3-year-old boy living in Kenya. He is the older of two siblings, who are raised by their single mother. Mohammed enjoys singing and is always cheerful. Mohammed has clubfoot on both feet. This causes his feet to turn inward instead of pointing straight. Despite doctors' attempts to correct this condition through the use of casts on his feet immediately after birth, there has been no improvement. Consequently, Mohammed can't walk, stand, or wear shoes like other children because his feet are too twisted. Fortunately, Mohammed traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on April 18th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Mohammed's procedure. After treatment, he will be able to walk and play like other children. “I look forward to seeing my son standing upright and walking normally like other children.” Mohammed’s mother said.

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."

Herbert's Timeline

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Funded by 3 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.