Watsi

Success! Phoebe from Kenya raised $794 to fund a hysterectomy.

100%

$794 raised, $0 to go

$794

raised

to go

Fully funded

Phoebe's treatment was fully funded on July 30, 2021.

Phoebe's story
Phoebe's update

Photo of Phoebe post-operation

August 11, 2021

Phoebe underwent a hysterectomy.

Phoebe was diagnosed with invasive cervical carcinoma and required an urgent radical hysterectomy to prevent its spread. She requested support from the WATSI community and eventually underwent the procedure. All went as planned and was successful. Phoebe has returned home and is relieved that the medical team recommends that no additional surgeries will be needed since the procedure went so well.

Phoebe says, “Finally, I get to go home. I hope now to get rid of this cancer that scares me a lot, and go back to my normal life.”

Phoebe was diagnosed with invasive cervical carcinoma and required an urgent radical hysterectomy to prevent its spread. She requested suppo...

July 12, 2021

Phoebe is a fruit vendor and a single mother with one daughter, now 27 years old. She moved in with her daughter in December 2018 after she was involved in an accident and broke her leg. She used to sell fruits but has not been able to work since her accident.

Since the beginning of January 2021, Phoebe has been experiencing back pains, which have persisted over time and extended to her lower abdomen. Upon examination, doctors found a mass on the cervix which was bleeding, and she has been diagnosed with an early stage cancer. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $794 to fund Phoebe’s surgery. On July 15th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner’s care center. Once recovered, Phoebe will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain and her risk for future spreading of the cancer will be limited.

Phoebe says, “Cancer is scary for me. I cannot wait to be declared free of the dangerous cells that I know can end my life. ”

Phoebe is a fruit vendor and a single mother with one daughter, now 27 years old. She moved in with her daughter in December 2018 after she ...

Submitted by

Learn more

Phoebe's case was submitted by Joan Kadagaya at African Mission Healthcare.

Phoebe's Timeline

July 12, 2021
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Phoebe was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare.
July 17, 2021
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Phoebe's profile was published to start raising funds.
July 23, 2021
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Phoebe received treatment at AIC Kijabe Hospital in Kenya. 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.
July 30, 2021
FULLY FUNDED
Phoebe's treatment was fully funded.
August 11, 2021
TREATMENT UPDATE
Phoebe's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Share Phoebe's story

Funded by 20 donors

Treatment

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $794 for Phoebe's treatment

Hospital Fees

$703

Medical Staff

Medication

$33

Supplies

Labs

$20

Other

$38

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 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?

Most cervical cancer is caused by a sexually transmitted infection called human papillomavirus (HPV), which can often occur alongside a 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 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 only to remove the fibroids, which is called a myomectomy.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Farhio is a 47-year-old mother and widow from Somalia. She lost her husband two years ago. She is now the sole breadwinner to her family of four children, aged between 8 and 16. Farhio works as a street vendor selling tea by the roadside. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago and underwent chemotherapy, a mastectomy, and radiation. She thought that the cancer had subsided, but, unfortunately, it returned. She went to a hospital in her home country of Somalia where doctors recommended she undergo surgery. She preferred to come to Kijabe Hospital after relatives who live in Nairobi referred her there. Farhio has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,110 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Farhio. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 3rd. After treatment, Farhio will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Farhio says, “I thought this disease had gone. Sadly, it came back. I need to treat it before it spreads.”

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Pauline is a 65-year-old small-scale farmer and mother of eight, living in Uganda. In addition to farming, Pauline raises cows so that she can sell milk to earn additional money for her family. For the past eight months Pauline has had a swelling on her back. The swelling causes her pain, and has continued to increase in size. Pauline sought medical attention, and it was recommended that she have the mass excised. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Pauline to access the care that she needs. On December 21st, surgeons at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale will remove the mass on Pauline's back. Now she needs your support to raise the $137 to fund this procedure. Pauline says: "I believe that I will get better once this swelling is removed. I appeal for your financial support to undergo this surgery."

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