Thidar is a 47-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband, son and daughter in Mon State. Thidar is a homemaker while her daughter goes to school. Since schools closed due to the recent coup and COVID-19, she now looks after her daughter and does the household chores. Thidar’s husband is too ill to work, and their son is a day laborer.
One month ago, Thidar noticed that the back and inner part of her left calf was red and swollen. When she went to Mawlamyine Christian Leprosy Hospital (MCLH) to have her calf checked, she was admitted and diagnosed with cellulitis. She was given daily injections of antibiotics and when she was discharged, the doctor gave her oral medication and told her to come back if her condition worsened. At first, Thidar felt better, but three weeks later, her left calf became swollen and painful. She also developed a blister on her inner calf and at the back of her calf. Although she wanted to go back to the hospital, her family did not have any money. Ten days after her symptoms returned, her son sold his motorcycle and brought her back to MCLH.
The doctor examined her and saw that her blisters had now turned into ulcers. She underwent surgery to clean the ulcers and remove any necrotic tissues. After the surgery, a nurse cleaned and dressed her left calf every day. A few days later, the doctor checked her left calf and saw that her calf was not healing well. The doctor told Thidar she would need to undergo another surgery to clean and remove necrotic tissue. When Thidar told the doctor she had no money left to pay for another surgery, the doctor referred her to our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund for assistance accessing further treatment.
Currently, Thidar’s left calf is in pain and swollen. She cannot do household chores and she is worried about their debt, as they have had to borrow money for her treatment, and they already owe money they borrowed to buy a house.
Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Thidar receive treatment. On October 22nd, surgeons will perform a debridement to help Thidar to be free from pain and able to resume her regular work. Now, Thidar’s family needs help to fund this $694 procedure.
Thidar said, “When I recover, I will raise pigs to earn money and pay back our debts. I will also have money for our everyday needs this way.”
