Success! Christine from Uganda raised $219 to fund surgery so she can live pain free.

100%

$219 raised, $0 to go

$219

raised

to go

Christine's story
Christine's update

October 12, 2022

Christine is a 47-year-old woman from Uganda who practices small-scale farming alongside her brother. She has a teenage daughter, who is in school studying. Christine shared that she lost her parents at a young age, which affected her education, and she works hard to ensure her daughter’s needs are met.

Christine has been experiencing severe backache and other troubling symptoms for a while. She has been diagnosed with uterine myoma and experiences anemia. The doctors determined that Christine needs to undergo a hysterectomy to finally heal.

Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help Christine receive treatment. On October 13th, she will undergo surgery at AMH’s care center. Upon recovery, Christine will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. AMH is requesting $219 to fund this procedure.

Christine says, “I have no one to help me with the money needed. I will be glad to be assisted since, without the treatment, I know I will suffer more.”

Christine is a 47-year-old woman from Uganda who practices small-scale farming alongside her brother. She has a teenage daughter, who is in ...

Photo of Christine post-operation

December 31, 2022

Christine underwent surgery so she can live pain free.

Christine underwent successful surgery and has returned home in good health! She is hopeful that her symptoms will no longer affect her and that she can live and work without pain. She will visit the hospital soon for a check-up and plans to resume her farming practice.

Christine shared: “I appreciate the support you gave in making my surgery possible. I thank God you saved my life.”

Christine underwent successful surgery and has returned home in good health! She is hopeful that her symptoms will no longer affect her and ...

October 12, 2022
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Christine was submitted by Edward Mugane, Senior Impact Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
October 13, 2022
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Christine 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.
October 14, 2022
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Christine's profile was published to start raising funds.
December 31, 2022
TREATMENT UPDATE
Christine's treatment was successful. Read the update.
March 2, 2023
FULLY FUNDED
Christine's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 5 donors

Treatment

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $219 for Christine'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.

Angelica is a loving and open-minded tailor from Uganda. She grew up with her father and five siblings. After completing primary school, she joined a tailoring school and attained a certificate in tailoring. She currently lives with her husband and three school-age children. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Angelica is currently expecting a new baby to arrive soon. Since her previous deliveries were done via C-sections, her doctors recommend that she deliver via a cesarean section to protect the health of both the mother and the child. During her prenatal visits in Ibanda Hospital, she was told about the services of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Angelica undergo a C-section on February 22nd. This procedure will cost $207, and Angelica needs your support. Angelica says, "I'm very happy for I know I will have a safe surgery, and I will hold a live baby. May God bless you. After surgery, I can continue tailoring, and one day, we shall have our own house and land."

Maria is a one-month-old baby girl from Haiti. Maria has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Maria has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Maria will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for Maria at Hospital Bernard Mevs which will treat her hydrocephalus. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available and the procedure is scheduled to take place on April 12th. The doctors will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from Maria's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Maria will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. The family is looking forward to having their baby grow up healthy

Junoir is a student from Kenya, currently he is in fifth grade. He resides in the interiors of Igembe North County and is the eldest child of three. He has twin younger sisters. Junoir and his family live on Junior's grandfather’s land, where his mother grows maize and beans. They have a single room house built of poles and an open kitchen roofed with a polythene paper. Junior's mother uses the money she gets from her daily jobs to pay for her children's school supplies and household necessities. For ten months, Junoir has been experiencing pain in his left groin from a symptomatic hernia. He was taken to the nearby health center where he was treated for an infection. He improved, but the pain recurred. He was referred to a regional clinic, but they did not have transportation. Later Maua Methodist Hospital announced a medical camp near them, and it was a great relief to Junior and also his mother. He was seen by the doctors in the medical camp and referred to the hospital where they found left testicular swelling from the hernia. If not treated, it can progress to intestinal complications. Fortunately, on February 15th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $733 to fund Junoir's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Junior's mother says, "Please help my son so that he can continue with schooling with ease. I believe he has a bright future ahead”.

Christine's Timeline

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Funded by 5 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.