Success! Tibabikwata from Uganda raised $208 to fund gynecological surgery.

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$208 raised, $0 to go

$208

raised

to go

Tibabikwata's story
Tibabikwata's update

July 26, 2019

Tibabikwata is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is married with eight children.

For twenty years, Tibabikwata has been experiencing lower abdominal pain. She has been diagnosed with a tubo-ovarian mass. 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 Tibabikwata’s surgery. On July 31, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner’s care center. Once recovered, Tibabikwata will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain.

Tibabikwata says, “I hope to get a better health after the relief of this condition and continue with cultivation for the support to my family.”

Tibabikwata is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is married with eight children. For twenty years, Tibabikwata has been experiencing...

Photo of Tibabikwata post-operation

September 22, 2019

Tibabikwata underwent gynecological surgery.

Tibabikwata received a successful cystectomy due to tubal ovarian mass. She is now fine, reports no pain and hopes to have a better quality of life with good comfort.

Tibinkwata says, “Thanks for supporting my surgery because I was unable to make it, may the Lord bless you. I hope to continue with cultivation.”

Tibabikwata received a successful cystectomy due to tubal ovarian mass. She is now fine, reports no pain and hopes to have a better quality ...

July 26, 2019
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Tibabikwata was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, SAFE Senior Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
August 1, 2019
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Tibabikwata 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.
August 4, 2019
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Tibabikwata's profile was published to start raising funds.
September 13, 2019
FULLY FUNDED
Tibabikwata's treatment was fully funded.
September 22, 2019
TREATMENT UPDATE
Tibabikwata's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 3 donors

Treatment

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $208 for Tibabikwata'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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Naw Sha is a 33-year-old mother who lives with her husband, daughter, sister-in-law, two brothers-in-law, two nieces, and nephew in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. Originally from Karen State, Burma, she fled to Thailand with her family in 2012 due to armed conflict. Currently, she and her sister-in-law are homemakers, while her daughter, nieces and nephew go to school in the refugee camp. Her husband and her brothers-in-law are day laborers. During her free time, Naw Sha enjoys cooking, spending time with her daughter, nieces and nephew, and teaching them Burmese. Naw Sha is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a Caesarean section (C-section) because of her high-risk pregnancy. By delivering with a C-section, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is helping Naw Sha undergo a C-Section on December 8th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Naw Sha needs your support in raising money to fund her care. Naw Sha said, “In the future, if I had an opportunity, I would like to work with a health organization in the refugee camp as a nurse to earn more money to support my family."

Jim is a 21-year-old student from Uganda, confident, outspoken, and sociable. His father is a businessman, and his mother is a farmer. Jim is the second born in a family of four children, with two brothers and one sister currently studying. He is on school break from Senior six and hopes for the best exam results. He previously attended a local college, where he studied math, economics, and entrepreneurship with hopes of becoming an accountant. However, he is concerned about his parents' ability to afford university fees. In his free time, Jim enjoys playing football. Jim presented with a swelling at the back of his neck, which he has had for four years. This swelling causes paralysis of the neck and discomfort and prevents him from turning his neck sideways. It has significantly impacted his quality of life, causing him to no longer enjoy life as he should. Jim had never seen a doctor, but when the symptoms became severe, he sought medical attention. Jim traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 8th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Jim needs help to raise $188 to fund this procedure. Jim says, “This swelling was never painful, but from the moment it started it feels very serious, and this makes me worried. I hope to get support and undergo my surgery. This will help me regain my future so as to continue studying in good health.”

Tibabikwata'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.