Success! Tukahirwa from Uganda raised $219 to fund a hysterectomy.

100%

$219 raised, $0 to go

$219

raised

to go

Tukahirwa's story
Tukahirwa's update

January 4, 2021

Tukahirwa is a 50-year-old farmer from Uganda. Tukahirwa is married and a mother to five children. She has three daughters and two sons. Two of her daughters are nurses, and the other one is married and is a small scale farmer. Tukahirwa’s two sons are still studying, in senior four and senior six respectively. She and her husband both earn a living from small scale farming. They normally grow food crops for home consumption, but often sell off any surplus to generate an income for the family.

Two years ago, Tukahirwa started experiencing lower abdominal pain. Upon seeking care, she was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. Tukahirwa needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Tukahirwa’s surgery. On January 5th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner’s care center. Once recovered, Tukahirwa will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain.

Tukahirwe shared, “I hope to continue with farming after I am well again.”

Tukahirwa is a 50-year-old farmer from Uganda. Tukahirwa is married and a mother to five children. She has three daughters and two sons. Two...

Photo of Tukahirwa post-operation

March 1, 2021

Tukahirwa underwent a hysterectomy.

Following her diagnosis of multiple uterine fibroids, Tukahirwa underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy. After the procedure, she was glad to be feeling well and shared that she no longer has issues with pain with her lower abdomen. She has headed home from the hospital and is excited to get back to a better life ahead.

After surgery, Tukahirwa told us, “I really can’t keep away the fact that I am excited after receiving a successful surgery and thanks so much to the program’s donors that made this possible for me. I will be able to continue with farming once I am home.”

Following her diagnosis of multiple uterine fibroids, Tukahirwa underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy. After the procedure, she was glad ...

January 4, 2021
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Tukahirwa was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, SAFE Senior Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
January 6, 2021
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Tukahirwa's profile was published to start raising funds.
January 7, 2021
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Tukahirwa 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.
February 27, 2021
FULLY FUNDED
Tukahirwa's treatment was fully funded.
March 1, 2021
TREATMENT UPDATE
Tukahirwa's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 3 donors

Treatment

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $219 for Tukahirwa's treatment

Hospital Fees

$126

Medical Staff

Medication

$17

Supplies

$59

Labs

Other

$11

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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Caleb is the youngest of three children. His father is a farmer and a boda-boda rider who is working hard to provide for the entire family. Caleb's mother stays at home to take care of the children. Sometimes, she does the laundry of their neighbors in the village so she can help support her family. On April 9th, Caleb fell from a stool while playing with his siblings. He sustained an injury to his right arm. A nearby health facility gave Caleb medication for the pain and was referred to our medical partner's treatment center for further management. Caleb's x-ray showed a fracture in his upper right arm and needs surgery to facilitate its healing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, will perform a closed reduction percutaneous pinning on Caleb's arm on April 12th and is requesting $679 for the procedure. Caleb’s father says, “My youngest son is currently suffering and is in pain. Please help my son as he has always been the joy of our family. School will start soon and we hope that he will have fully recovered so he can continue with his studies.”

Briven is a 2-year-old boy from Uganda. His parents are farmers who grow food for the family. He has two older brothers who are in school. Briven's father hopes his son will be an engineer in the future. Briven was born with hydrocele or a swelling in a sensitive area of the body. The doctors recommended surgery for him once he reached eight months. However, his parents couldn’t raise the funds needed. Recently, Briven has been in pain, unable to walk or play. Fortunately, on March 12, he will undergo hydrocele repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $139 to fund Briven's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Briven's parents shared, “The only hope we have for a complete recovery of our child is by surgery, yet we have no money. We really need support.”

Christine is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is married and blessed with four children aged between 17 years and 1 year who are all in school except the last one. Her husband is a builder, and they live with her parents in a two-room mud house for shelter. They combine efforts to develop and support their family. Eleven years ago, Christine began to experience troubling symptoms, including a neck swelling associated with pain, difficulty in swallowing, and loss of voice. She is also unable to carry heavy items and experiences headaches. She visited Rushoroza Hospital for treatment. She was diagnosed with a goiter and surgery was recommended to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Christine receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 24th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising money. Christine says, ‘‘I believe and pray to have a successful surgery. I hope to continue with farming after my recovery to be able to support my husband and our family. May God bless you.’’

Tukahirwa's Timeline

Share Tukahirwa's story

Funded by 3 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.