Violet from Malawi raised $650 to fund gynecological surgery.

100%

$650 raised, $0 to go

$650

raised

to go

Violet's story
Violet's update

September 19, 2018

Violet is a mother of five and grandmother of five from Malawi. She spends her time farming, cooking nsima (a local Malawian dish), and attending church services.

Since August 2017, Violet has been experiencing sporadic pain in her stomach. She has been diagnosed with cervical cancer. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus.

Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $650 to fund Violet’s surgery. On September 21, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner’s care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and seven nights of hospital stay. Her family was apprehensive about the surgery at first, but now understand that it will help save her life.

She says, “I am excited about this service and the good treatment I will get at this hospital.”

Violet is a mother of five and grandmother of five from Malawi. She spends her time farming, cooking nsima (a local Malawian dish), and atte...

October 7, 2018

Violet did not receive treatment as expected.

Unfortunately, during the operation, the surgeon discovered that her cervical cancer was too advanced. She was referred to another hospital to undergo chemotherapy for six weeks.

Unfortunately, during the operation, the surgeon discovered that her cervical cancer was too advanced. She was referred to another hospital ...

September 19, 2018
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Violet was submitted by Angela Quashigah at World Altering Medicine.
September 19, 2018
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Violet's profile was published to start raising funds.
September 21, 2018
TREATMENT SCHEDULED
Violet was scheduled to receive treatment at Nkhoma Hospital in Malawi. 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 7, 2018
TREATMENT UPDATE
Violet's treatment was started but not completed. Read the update.
November 5, 2018
FULLY FUNDED
Violet's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 5 donors

Treatment

Hysterectomy

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $650 for Violet's treatment

Hospital Fees

$373

Medical Staff

$12

Medication

$236

Supplies

Travel

Labs

$22

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients requiring hysterectomies at our medical partner's care center generally have one of three conditions: uterine fibroids, cervical cancer, or chronic bleeding. Women with uterine fibroids may experience chronic pelvic pain. Women with cervical cancer are often symptom-free and are only diagnosed upon screening. Finally, women with chronic bleeding experience atypical and excessive vaginal bleeding.

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

These three conditions may impact the patient's life in different ways. Women with pelvic pain and bleeding may be unable to work or be active. Women who experience bleeding may feel weak, due to the loss of blood and inaccessibility of blood products in Malawi. Women with cervical cancer are at risk of cancer metastasis.

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

Cervical cancer is the top killer of women in Malawi, which has the highest rate of this type of cancer in the world. There are several factors that lead to these high rates, including early sexual initiation, high HIV prevalence, and lack of screening and treatment. Although health facilities nationwide are supposed to provide screenings, many do not. Therefore, women are never screened, and the cancer can progress to an untreatable stage. In addition, women with cervical cancer often experience no symptoms and may not go in for a screening. Women with vaginal bleeding may experience stigmatization. In Malawi, menstruation can be a challenge. It is difficult to keep fabric clean, as there is often little access to sanitary products.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

A hysterectomy is a surgical operation to remove all or part of the uterus. Surgeons perform radical hysterectomies on women with cervical cancer. This is an aggressive surgical approach to combat cancer. Women with fibroids or bleeding may receive alternative treatments before a hysterectomy.

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

For patients with cervical cancer, a hysterectomy is a lifesaving operation. Without treatment, the cancer will continue to spread and ultimately become untreatable. Chemotherapy has not been proven effective in treating cervical cancer, so a hysterectomy is the best option for women. Women with fibroids or bleeding will be able to return to their daily lives without chronic pain and bleeding.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. In this case, there is a risk of damage to the ureters and the tubes that connect the kidney to the bladder, as they are near the reproductive system.

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

There is one public hospital in Malawi's Central Region that provides hysterectomies. Unfortunately, the wait time can be very, very long. Women may not be treated in time or may stop showing up for scheduled surgeries as they continue to be delayed. Other private facilities provide hysterectomies, but at rates that are unaffordable to our patients.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

For patients with cervical cancer, there are no good alternatives. For patients with fibroids, it is possible to remove the fibroid alone. This procedure is often done on young women who are still of childbearing age. Some women with fibroids or bleeding receive hormonal treatment before attempting a hysterectomy. In many cases, less aggressive treatments are tried before the patient receives a hysterectomy.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Samuel is a 44-year-old small-scale farmer and driver from Malawi, married with six children. When he was younger, Samuel was unable to complete secondary school due to financial constraints. He decided to shift his focus to being a farmer and a driver. Three weeks ago, Samuel was on his way to the market when he was hit by a vehicle, sustaining injuries to his right leg. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and was then referred to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital. Samuel was diagnosed with lower leg and ankle fractures, and surgery was recommended. Presently, Samuel is in pain - he is unable to walk or work to support his family, and cannot raise funds for his treatment. If the condition is left untreated, there may be nonunion or malunion, with worsening pain and swelling over time. Fortunately, our medical partner, Africa Mission Healthcare, is helping Samuel receive treatment. On April 23rd, Samuel will undergo an open reduction and internal fixation surgical procedure, to promote healing and eventually enable him to resume work. Now, Samuel needs your help to fund this $636 procedure. Samuel says, “Thank you for this rare opportunity for support, I am looking forward to full recovery after treatment.”

Margaret is a shopkeeper and a single mother of three. Her kids are all adults. She used to work at a small shop selling exam papers. However, she has not been able to go to work since December because of her pain. She is currently at home without a source of income and does not have medical coverage. She lives in a three-room house which her family shares with her elderly mother. Margaret 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, is requesting $1110 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Margaret. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 23rd. After treatment, Margaret will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Margaret says, “I am currently experiencing a lot of pain. This condition has caused me not to be able to work at all. I need this surgery to stop the disease from spreading.”

Rosette is a social and engaging lady. She is a mother to two sons; one works in business and her younger son is in school studying. Rosette lost her husband a few years back; however, with farming, she has managed to raise her children. For the past three years, Rosette has been experiencing severe lower abdominal pain, backache, and vaginal bleeding. Due to these symptoms, she has become more limited in her activities. She has been diagnosed with an early cancerous cervical lesion, and doctors recommend a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, requests $219 to fund Rosette's surgery. On February 28th, she will undergo surgery at Karoli Lwanga Hospital. Once recovered, Rosette can resume her work and activities free of pain. Rosette says, "I wish to see my children grow well; however, with such poor health, I can't do much. I thank you for your support and hope to improve after surgery."

Violet's Timeline

Funded by 5 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.