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Success! Princess from the Philippines raised $465 for hernia repair surgery.

Princess
100%
  • $465 raised, $0 to go
$465
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Princess's treatment was fully funded on September 6, 2016.

Photo of Princess post-operation

October 19, 2016

Princess successfully received hernia repair surgery.

“It was a dream come true for the two year old who loves to play in an imaginative castle,” shares Princess’ medical team.

Princess’ surgery was a success! Only a few weeks after surgery, she is more active than ever, more playful, and more smiley. Since, she has been freely moving with ease without any episodic pain. Princess’ family expresses their deep gratitude for the support of their little girl’s health, now hopeful that she will grow up healthy and strong and unhindered by medical problems.

“To all the people who helped Princess, my earnest and thankful prayer be to all of you,” says Princess’ mother, “Our happy daughter is back and she does not felt pain anymore that is due to her condition. Thank you so much, we will not forget this.”

"It was a dream come true for the two year old who loves to play in an imaginative castle," shares Princess' medical team. Princess' surg...

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July 24, 2016

Two-year-old Princess “is a playful girl and very cute,” reports our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). “She was loved not only by her parents but her neighbors and friends as well. She loves to play with kids around the neighborhood like they are living in a castle and she and her friends are princesses and princes.”

Princess lives in a mountainous part of the Philippines with her parents. Recently, her mother noticed a mass near her reproductive organs and sought care for her.

“The mother did not hesitate to coordinate with the health staff to subject Princess for consultation to a surgeon,” ICM explains. “Tests were performed including ultrasound and she was diagnosed with indirect inguinal hernia and surgery is needed. They cannot afford the surgery needed for Princess because of financial constraints.”

Princess’ hernia is causing her pain, and her mother has had to stay home from work to care for her. For $465, we can pay for surgery to repair her hernia, allowing her to live a normal life.

“I am thankful for the sponsors and donors who are very willing to help us. Princess is really a princess to her small kingdom we called our home. Thank you for making her wish come true,” Princess’ mother says.

Two-year-old Princess "is a playful girl and very cute," reports our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). "She was loved no...

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Princess's Timeline

  • July 24, 2016
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Princess was submitted by Krishiel Ferenal, National Health Officer at International Care Ministries.

  • July 29, 2016
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Princess received treatment at Gov Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital Keep Mindy 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.

  • August 31, 2016
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Princess's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • September 6, 2016
    FULLY FUNDED

    Princess's treatment was fully funded.

  • October 19, 2016
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Princess's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 11 donors

Funded by 11 donors

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

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

The most common symptoms include a local bulge or swelling and pain or discomfort in the groin. An incarcerated or strangulated hernia can lead to nausea, vomiting, fever, intense pain, and a hernia bulge that turns red, purple, or dark. This condition is life-threatening and needs urgent surgical care.

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

An inguinal hernia causes pain and swelling in the groin. Because these symptoms worsen with activity, this condition can limit a patient's ability to work and participate in daily life. This may have significant financial implications for a household. If a hernia gets stuck outside of the abdominal cavity and the opening around it tightens, it is called a strangulated hernia. This condition can disrupt the blood supply to the tissue and result in death of the tissue. This condition is life-threatening.

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

Hernias and hydroceles are common around the world and are not specific to our medical partner's region.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

In the Philippines, most surgeries for inguinal hernias are conducted under general anesthesia, although local anesthesia is also injected into the incision. Once the medications have taken effect, the anesthetist will insert a tube into the patient's throat to manage his or her breathing. An incision is made in the groin, and the defect in the abdominal wall is identified. The edges of the defect are brought together. A patch of mesh is laid on the repaired section to strengthen the closure. The skin incision is then sutured together, the wound is dressed, and the patient is taken to the recovery area until stable. This surgery typically takes about 30 minutes.

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

After a time of rest and healing, the patient will be able resume normal activities. There is a very small risk that the hernia will reoccur or that another hernia will develop at a different site.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

The surgical repair of an inguinal hernia is simple and effective. The risk of complications is very low.

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

Most public hospitals in the Philippines offer this surgery. However, even if a family has government insurance, there are significant out-of-pocket costs that make surgery inaccessible for the poorest patients.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

For younger children with congenital inguinal hernias, there is no alternative treatment to surgery. Older patients who are not suitable candidates for surgery may wear a truss, a suspender that provides support to the hernia.

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.