Liliosa from the Philippines raised $187 to fund a hysterectomy.

100%

$187 raised, $0 to go

$187

raised

to go

Liliosa's story
Liliosa's update

February 1, 2017

Liliosa is 47 years old. She is a mother to five children. Her husband works as an ice cream vendor. She is a gospel minister and loves to serve the church.

For one year, Liliosa has experienced irregular menstruation, headaches, and body fatigue. She has tried using herbal medicines, but her symptoms have not improved.

Liliosa is a pastor for our medical partner, so she shared her condition with the medical staff. She was diagnosed with a uterine myoma, a benign tumor in her uterus. A hysterectomy to remove her uterus and the tumor was scheduled for February 15.

Liliosa and her husband make enough money to sustain their needs and pay for their children’s education. However, they cannot afford the surgery. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, is requesting $187 to help Liliosa. The treatment will relieve her symptoms and prevent any complications from arising.

“I am thankful for this opportunity to get treatment…I am excited to wake up one day feeling good and with no difficulty,” says Liliosa.

Liliosa is 47 years old. She is a mother to five children. Her husband works as an ice cream vendor. She is a gospel minister and loves to s...

March 10, 2017

Liliosa did not receive treatment as expected.

Unfortunately, Liliosa decided not to undergo surgery. She was advised to visit the nearest hospital if complications arise.

Unfortunately, Liliosa decided not to undergo surgery. She was advised to visit the nearest hospital if complications arise....

February 1, 2017
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Liliosa was submitted by Krishiel Ferenal, National Health Officer at International Care Ministries.
February 3, 2017
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Liliosa's profile was published to start raising funds.
February 15, 2017
TREATMENT SCHEDULED
Liliosa was scheduled to receive treatment at Zamboanga Del Norte Medical Center in Philippines. 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.
March 10, 2017
TREATMENT UPDATE
Liliosa's treatment did not happen. Read the update.
March 10, 2017
FUNDING ENDED
Liliosa is no longer raising funds.

Funded by 6 donors

Treatment

Hysterectomy Mission

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

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

Hospital Fees

Medical Staff

Medication

$95

Supplies

Travel

$27

Labs

$18

Other

$47

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

During a hysterectomy, a woman's uterus is removed. Sometimes, the ovaries and tubes are also removed at the same time. This surgery may be required to treat a number of conditions. These include fibroids (non-cancerous growths that cause heavy bleeding), endometriosis, cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and chronic pelvic pain. Many of these conditions develop in older woman. Risk factors include having no children, obesity, and family history of a certain condition.

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

Symptoms vary depending on the condition. Typical symptoms include heavy bleeding, fatigue, and pelvic pain. These symptoms can significantly impair a woman's normal daily activities.

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

This treatment is necessary and has no historical, cultural, or regional significance.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

The patient is admitted prior to surgery to be assessed by the surgeon and anesthetist. Depending on the underlying condition and the size of the uterus, it may be removed through an abdominal incision (called an abdominal hysterectomy) or through the vagina (called a vaginal hysterectomy). The surgery is usually done under a general anesthesia. Once the medications have taken effect, the anesthetist will insert a tube into the patient's throat to manage her breathing. The patient will lie on her back, and a catheter will be inserted into her bladder. The surgeon will make incisions inside the vagina to access the uterus. Blood vessels on either side of the uterus are clamped with long instruments, and the uterus is separated from the surrounding pelvic tissues. The uterus is removed, and the patient is taken to the recovery area until stable.

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

After surgery, most of the patient's symptoms will resolve. She will no longer experience bleeding or pain, though some pain may persist from scarring. The patient will be able to resume her usual lifestyle. If the patient's ovaries were removed, she will enter menopause. This may require further management, such as hormone replacement therapy.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This surgery is common and generally very safe. The risks of undergoing a vaginal hysterectomy are significantly lower than those associated with an abdominal hysterectomy. Risks of an abdominal hysterectomy include heavy bleeding, infection, and damage to surrounding organs.

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

Patients participate in a surgical mission that treats many patients in a short time. This is offered once a year at the local public hospital. Patients only pay for medications, blood products, and some tests. Other expenses are covered by the organizer of the surgical mission. Patients learn about this opportunity from our medical partner's local staff. Many patients travel two to three hours to reach the hospital.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Some conditions, such as endometriosis and pelvic pain, can be treated with hormonal treatments, such as the combined contraceptive pill or progesterone. The uterus must be removed if it contains an abnormal mass and/or cancer is suspected.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Aye is a 25-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her parents, grandfather, aunt, brother, sister and daughter. She and her sister are homemakers, while her father is a day labourer. Her brother works in a garment factory, and her mother and aunt are unemployed. Since Aye was 12 years old, she has experienced difficulty passing urine on and off. In October, this worsened and she now has blood in her urine and severe pain in her lower back. Doctors want Aye to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Aye's CT scan and care, scheduled for December 20th. Aye said, "I have been experiencing these symptoms for so many years but because of financial problems, I have never receive proper treatment."

Nob is a 53-year-old rice farmer from Prey Veng province in Cambodia. She and her husband work in the rice paddies near their home. Together they have one daughter in 8th grade. When not working, Nob is busy looking after her daughter and helping elderly relatives nearby. In her free time, she enjoys watching the news or Cambodian dramas on TV. About two years ago, Nob developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Nob learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On February 6th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She shared, "I hope after surgery I can see more clearly and return to work because I haven't been able to work and support my daughter's school fees."

Nyi is a 22-year-old man from Thailand. He lives in the monastery with two other monks. He helps the monk with cooking, cleaning, and looking after the monks. He receives free food and free accommodation. He has no income but has enough food. Originally from Burma, his aim of coming to Thailand was to look for better job opportunities and also to seek treatment but because of his condition, he does not have job and ended up living in the monastery. In December 2022, Nyi started experiencing some headaches and blurred vision. He went to the local eye clinic and his eyes were tested and he received a pair of eyeglasses. However, the eyeglasses did not help him see better so the doctor suggested him to have further investigation and possibly a computerized scan (CT). Nyi had no money so he did not pursue further investigation of his symptoms. He was looking for a way to get treatment and finally arrived in Thailand and visited Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) in November 2023. After meeting with the doctor at MTC, the doctor told him to go to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for further investigation and explained to him that his eyes looked normal but there might be a tumor that is causing his blurred vision, the doctor then recommended he undergo a CT scan to confirm his diagnosis and make the best plan for his care. Doctors want Nyi to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Nyi's CT scan and care, scheduled for January 30th. Nyi said, "I want to recover and get a job so that I can earn money for my living."

Liliosa's Timeline

Funded by 6 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.