Success! EdithMary from Uganda raised $319 to fund a hysterectomy.

100%

$319 raised, $0 to go

$319

raised

to go

EdithMary's story
EdithMary's update

March 3, 2022

EdithMary is primary school teacher and a married mother of five. She and her husband are teachers and they both have been laid off from work due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Their family owns a three-room house for shelter. Three of her children have completed higher-level learning institutions and her youngest recently completed primary school class seven. They have always managed to pay school fees for their children through manageable loans along with the little they earn.

For three years, EdithMary has been experiencing severe lower abdominal pains and severe backache so she can no longer bend down comfortably. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $319 to fund EdithMary’s surgery. On March 4th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner’s care center. Once recovered, EdithMary will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain.

Edithmary says, “My condition has always affected my performance in class and has always kept on worsening over time. I pray and hope that I may get better again through surgery so that I may continue teaching and live an improved life.”

EdithMary is primary school teacher and a married mother of five. She and her husband are teachers and they both have been laid off from wor...

Photo of EdithMary post-operation

April 6, 2022

EdithMary underwent a life-changing hysterectomy.

EdithMary underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy to heal her uterine leiomyoma. She had a successful surgery and is now relieved to be in good health. Her husband is also very happy and he thanks the donors for funding her surgery because they could not have afforded it. She hopes to continue teaching after her recovery.

Edithmary shared, “I thank God for giving me the strength to go through with the surgery having turned down the offer a few months ago because I got scared. I thank the donor program for giving me a second chance to benefit and access the surgical service. You have saved my life. Thank you.”

EdithMary underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy to heal her uterine leiomyoma. She had a successful surgery and is now relieved to be in ...

March 3, 2022
PROFILE SUBMITTED
EdithMary was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare.
March 4, 2022
TREATMENT OCCURRED
EdithMary received treatment at Rushoroza Hospital 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.
March 11, 2022
PROFILE PUBLISHED
EdithMary's profile was published to start raising funds.
March 24, 2022
FULLY FUNDED
EdithMary's treatment was fully funded.
April 6, 2022
TREATMENT UPDATE
EdithMary's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 4 donors

Treatment

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $319 for EdithMary's treatment

Hospital Fees

$218

Medical Staff

$12

Medication

$14

Supplies

$53

Labs

Other

$16

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.

Leonard is a 14-year-old boy from Mpanda, Tanzania. Leonard's parents manage a small farm that provides their family with food. They also take on various additional jobs during the day, including helping on other people's farms, washing clothes, and cleaning yards, to support their family. Despite their hard work, Leonard's parents have a hard time supporting their five children and Leonard's grandparents. Leonard was diagnosed with genu varus, a condition where his legs bow outwards. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Due to his condition, Leonard has difficulty walking and participating in daily activities. However, as a result of financial constraints, Leonard's family has been unable to seek treatment for him. An outreach team directed by our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), visited Leonard's village and spread the news about available treatment for genu varus. As a result, Leonard's parents were motivated to seek treatment for their son at AMH's care center. AMH is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Leonard. Leonard's procedure is scheduled for June 6th. This treatment will reduce the discomfort in his legs, restore his mobility, greatly decrease his risk of future complications, and allow him to resume his daily activities. Leonard says, "I am glad that after a long wait, I get to have treatment that will make my legs better. I can't wait to enjoy playing soccer with my friends and helping my parents at the farm."

San is a 43-year-mother of two from Thailand. San and her husband stay apart and San works as an agricultural day laborer. Her son lives with his own family and her daughter is a second grader. During her free time, San used to read the news on her phone. In 2020, San began to experience occasional abdominal pain and an urge to vomit, along with tiredness and unusual colored urine. She was then diagnosed with multiple gallstones and cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gallbladder. San has been advised to undergo a surgery to remove the gallbladder. If left untreated, San's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), San is scheduled to undergo her surgery on September 14th. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of San's procedure and care. San cried and said, "Thank you for helping me. It is not just saving me but also saving my daughter from becoming a motherless child. You have helped me continue my life with my loved ones. I do not know how to express my heartful and profound gratitude to you all. Thank you so much.”

Sofia is a 21-year-old student from the Philippines. She loves to read and is very active in school. She is in her final year of college and is getting ready to graduate. During her spare time, Sofia likes to help out in her family's sari-sari store. When Sofia was in high school, she noticed a mass in her left breast. Fearing their family’s history of breast cancer, Sofia and her mom decided to consult a doctor. Sofia was diagnosed with breast cancer. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, was suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. However, due to financial constraints, Sofia was unable to undergo treatment at the time. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Sofia receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a mastectomy on June 24th at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising $1058 to cover the remaining cost. After treatment, Sofia will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Sofia shared, "I hope the operation will be a success so that I can continue my studies, and my mom can stop worrying about my future health conditions. I'm grateful to WATSI and World Surgical Foundation Philippines for providing me with this opportunity to have the surgery free of charge."

EdithMary's Timeline

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Funded by 4 donors

Treatment

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100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.