Watsi

Success! Hor from Cambodia raised $930 to fund spinal surgery.

100%

$930 raised, $0 to go

$930

raised

to go

Fully funded

Hor's treatment was fully funded on January 7, 2019.

Hor's story
Hor's update

Photo of Hor post-operation

November 7, 2018

Hor underwent spinal surgery.

Hor’s surgery went well and she’s doing light physiotherapy as she begins the long recovery process. Hor will need to work hard over the next six months to rebuild muscle and mobility in her back, which will allow her to walk and sit comfortably. Hor hopes to walk on her own again.

Her husband says, “I am happy with the operation. She can walk well without any support.”

Hor's surgery went well and she's doing light physiotherapy as she begins the long recovery process. Hor will need to work hard over the nex...

October 18, 2018

Hor is a woman from Cambodia. She has been married for 38 years. She has one daughter and four sons. She likes to watch TV and cook in her free time.

Four months ago, she developed back pain that increasingly got worse. Now, she has pain all down her leg and her left foot is numb. She needs to undergo a laminectomy and discectomy surgery to improve her spine and get rid of her pain. This will help her be able to walk again.

Fortunately, surgery is scheduled for October 19. She needs help raising $930 to fund this procedure.

She says, “I really hope I won’t be in pain after the surgery and I can walk on my own again.”

Hor is a woman from Cambodia. She has been married for 38 years. She has one daughter and four sons. She likes to watch TV and cook in her f...

Submitted by

Learn more

Hor's case was submitted by Christine Jacobson at Children's Surgical Centre in Cambodia.

Hor's Timeline

October 18, 2018
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Hor was submitted by Christine Jacobson, Stakeholder Relations Officer at Children's Surgical Centre, our medical partner in Cambodia.
October 19, 2018
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Hor received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. 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.
October 19, 2018
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Hor's profile was published to start raising funds.
November 07, 2018
TREATMENT UPDATE
Hor's treatment was successful. Read the update.
January 07, 2019
FULLY FUNDED
Hor's treatment was fully funded.

Share Hor's story

Funded by 17 donors

Treatment

Spinal Surgery (without implants)

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $930 for Hor's treatment

Hospital Fees

$160

Medical Staff

$722

Medication

Supplies

$40

Labs

Radiology

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients experiencing severe back pain may also experience fever and chills, unexplained weight loss, sudden bowel and/or bladder incontinence, and severe, continuous abdominal pain. Often, pain, numbness, or weakness is also felt in the arms and legs.

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

Patients with severe back pain experience difficulty walking, sleeping, sitting, riding a motorcycle, working, going to school, and carrying out everyday tasks. If the pain affects a patient's ability to work or go to school, the patient will be unable to earn money to support his or her family or continue his or her education. Patients may experience discomfort and difficulty breathing.

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

Cambodian culture emphasizes the importance of working hard and earning money to support the family. When a patient is unable to work, he or she may feel helpless or may experience financial difficulty.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Spinal surgeries are generally classified as decompression or fusion. Decompression surgeries are performed to relieve pressure on a spinal nerve, and involve removal of a disc or of bone that presses on the spinal nerve in order to relieve this pressure. Common decompression surgeries are discectomy and laminectomy. Fusion surgeries are performed to stabilize the spine and relieve pain. There are various methods of fusion surgeries; in those performed without hardware, two or more vertebrae are fused together by inserting a bone graft, which helps bone grow and eliminates motion between the fused vertebrae.

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

The patient will be able to work or go to school without pain.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

As with any operation, there are potential risks associated with spinal surgery. These include: Infection: Antibiotics are regularly given to the patient before, during, and after surgery to lessen the risk of infection. Bleeding: A certain amount of bleeding is expected, but this is not typically significant. Pain at bone graft site: A small percentage of patients will experience persistent pain at the bone graft site. Recurring symptoms: Some patients may experience a recurrence of their original symptoms. Nerve damage: It is possible that the nerves or blood vessels may be injured during these operations. These complications are very rare. Blood clots: Another uncommon complication is the formation of blood clots in the legs.

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

Spinal surgery is not widely offered in Cambodia, especially for low-income patients who cannot afford treatment. Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) provides this procedure free of charge. Patients travel to CSC by bus, taxi, or motorbike from all over Cambodia.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Patients that do not seek a surgical procedure may try exercises and medication. However, these forms of treatment may not be effective.

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