Watsi

Kyarisiima is a smallscale farmer from Uganda who needs $208 to fund cervical surgery.

24%

$50 raised, $158 to go

$50

raised

$158

to go

Kyarisiima's story

April 20, 2020

Kyarisiima is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She farms simple crops for food like maize, cassava, potatoes, and millet, but because of challenging farming practices, she has little output and no surplus to sell. Her husband work on construction sites to earn income for their family.

Since nine years ago, Kyarisiima has been experiencing backaches, lower abdominal pain, and heavy bleeding. She has been diagnosed with pre-malignant cervical lesions. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $208 to fund Kyarisiima’s surgery. On April 21st, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner’s care center. Once recovered, Kyarisiima will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain.

Kyarisiima says, “This condition has taken away my hope and happiness. I look forward that after my surgery I get back to my farms for cultivation.”

Kyarisiima is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She farms simple crops for food like maize, cassava, potatoes, and millet, but because of ch...

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Kyarisiima's case was submitted by Joan Kadagaya at African Mission Healthcare in Uganda.

Kyarisiima's Timeline

April 20, 2020
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Kyarisiima was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare, our medical partner in Uganda.
April 22, 2020
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Kyarisiima's profile was published to start raising funds.
April 23, 2020
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Kyarisiima received treatment at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale. 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.
June 22, 2020
AWAITING UPDATE
Awaiting Kyarisiima's treatment update from African Mission Healthcare.
TODAY
AWAITING FUNDING
Kyarisiima is currently raising funds for her treatment.

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Funded by 1 donor

Treatment

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $208 for Kyarisiima's treatment

Hospital Fees

$126

Medical Staff

Medication

$17

Supplies

$59

Labs

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.

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