Success! Ya from Cambodia raised $464 to fund life-changing ear surgery.

100%

$464 raised, $0 to go

$464

raised

to go

Ya's story
Ya's update

March 7, 2022

Ya is a 40-year-old woman and a mother of four daughters. She works as a factory housekeeper, while her husband works in construction in the capital city Phnom Penh, which is three hours from their province. Their daughters are all in public school. When Ya is not caring for them, she likes to listen and sing along to music and spend time with her mother.

Thirty-five years ago, Ya developed an ear infection that caused her left ear’s tympanic membrane (or eardrum) to perforate. As a result, Ya experiences hearing loss, frequent ear infections, tinnitus, and severe pain. Ya shared that it’s also difficult to communicate with others, which has been really hard on her self-esteem.

Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Ya finally heal. On March 7th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear, during which surgeons will close the perforation. CSC is requesting $464 to fund this procedure; this covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care.

Ya is hopeful that her hearing will finally improve and she will be rid of the chronic infections because of her surgery.

Ya is a 40-year-old woman and a mother of four daughters. She works as a factory housekeeper, while her husband works in construction in the...

Photo of Ya post-operation

July 10, 2022

Ya underwent life-changing ear surgery.

Ya traveled to our medical partner CSC to have surgery to repair her ruptured tympanic membrane. Prior to surgery, Ya was not optimistic that her hearing would ever be better, but soon after surgery, she was thrilled that the tinnitus and pain were decreased. She will rest for a few days, and apply antibiotic ear drops to ensure the infections will not return. Her hearing will slowly improve, and she will be able to return to work in the factory. This will help to support her family and make sure they have funds to keep their daughters in school.

Ya said: “thank you to the CSC staff for helping me with my hearing loss. I had such trouble hearing people when I was at work, and it was difficult to hear my children. Now I don’t have pain or ear discharge, and I can be a better listener. I am thankful to the people who funded my surgery and hope that they continue to help Cambodians with hearing problems!”

Ya traveled to our medical partner CSC to have surgery to repair her ruptured tympanic membrane. Prior to surgery, Ya was not optimistic tha...

March 7, 2022
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Ya was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.
March 7, 2022
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Ya received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. 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
Ya's profile was published to start raising funds.
June 28, 2022
FULLY FUNDED
Ya's treatment was fully funded.
July 10, 2022
TREATMENT UPDATE
Ya's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 5 donors

Treatment

Myringoplasty

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $464 for Ya's treatment

Hospital Fees

$78

Medical Staff

$385

Medication

Supplies

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

A myringoplasty is the closure of the perforation of the tympanic membrane in the ear. This surgery is performed when a patient has a perforated eardrum, certain types of hearing loss, and chronic otitis media (middle ear infection). A bilateral myringoplasty will be performed when a patient has otitis media on both sides. Patients experience difficulty hearing and communicating, in addition to chronic infection and daily ear discharge.

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

The patient has difficulty hearing and experiences daily pain and ear discharge. These symptoms make it difficult to attend school or work regularly.

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

Many people in Cambodia are unaware that medical help is available for ear, nose, and throat (ENT) conditions. In rural villages, if a young child has trouble hearing, it may be assumed that he or she is deaf. For this reason, that child may not attend school.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

A myringoplasty is the closure of the perforation of the tympanic membrane. The temporalis fascia is grafted. An incision is made along the edge of the perforation, and a ring of epithelium is removed. A strip of mucosal layer is removed from the inner side of the perforation. The middle ear is packed with gelfoam soaked with an antibiotic. The edges of the graft should extend under the margins of the perforation, and a small part should extend over the posterior canal wall. The tympanomeatal flap is then replaced.

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

This surgery will repair the perforated tympanic membrane, treat the infection, and stop the ear discharge. This operation has a high success rate of hearing improvement.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This surgery is highly effective with few risks.

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

Treatment for chronic ear infections is not widely available in Cambodia. There are only a handful of doctors in the country that will perform a myringoplasty, but their services are expensive. Children's Surgical Centre is the only affordable treatment option for patients coming in with chronic otitis media on one or both sides.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

The alternative to surgery is antibiotic ear drops, but they have a far lower success rate. Many people neglect their pain and discharge for years, until total loss of hearing becomes a reality.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Nhem is a 77-year-old retired rice farmer from Kandal province. She is has been a widow for 40 years since her husband was killed by the Khmer Rouge. She lives with her daughter, who is also a farmer, and her three grandchildren. At home, she enjoys listening to the radio, especially when the monks pray, and she likes to visit the pagoda. For the last five months, Nhem's vision has been getting worse. She developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. In addition to being unable to travel to her favorite pagoda alone, she feels badly that she requires more assistance with daily tasks such as cooking and cleaning. When Nhem learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On December 7th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Nhem needs help raising $253 to fully fund this procedure. She said, "I hope that after the surgery, my eye will improve and I will be able to see better. I want to help my daughter with the children and the housework, and I want to join the ceremonies and go to the pagoda without any trouble."

Ling is a 5-year-old girl who lives in Kampong Chhnang province with her parents and two siblings. Her parents run a stall at the local market selling children's toys. Ling loves playing with her siblings and running around the village. Her favorite subject is math and she hopes to be a nurse when she grows up. When Ling was 2 years old, she received injections in her left thigh for an infection. Since then, she has developed a stiff knee and hip, making it difficult to bend, carry out everyday activities, walk, and run. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre can help. On March 7th, Ling will undergo a tendon lengthening procedure to improve her mobility. With surgery and physiotherapy, Ling should be able to walk and run again. Our partner is requesting $572 to fund Ling's surgery and care. Ling's mom shared, "I hope she can get better and play with her friends again."

Chrissie is a 50-year-old single mother and primary school teacher. She enjoys spending time with her three adult children who live with her. Chrissie has been experiencing abdominal pain, back pain, and other worrying symptoms. After an ultrasound, she was found to have uterine fibroids or abnormal growths that develop in the uterus. Her condition has affected her daily activities and her work as a teacher. Chrissie needs to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy to address the pain, other symptoms, and future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, will perform the surgery at Partners in Hope (PIH) Medical Center on March 2nd. They are requesting $1,363 for the treatment. After the surgery, it is expected that Chrissie will no longer be in pain, enabling her to perform her daily functions and go back to teaching. Chrissie said, “I am very happy to be seen at PIH and hope that the surgery will help me get better.”

Ya'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.