Success! Bunsey from Cambodia raised $709 to fund brachial plexus repair surgery to regain use of his arm.

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$709 raised, $0 to go

$709

raised

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Bunsey's story
Bunsey's update

November 17, 2022

Bunsey is a 22-year-old garment factory worker from Cambodia. His father is a rice farmer and his mother is also a garment factory worker. He has one brother and two sisters. Bunsey’s older brother and older sister are both married, while his younger sister is a 10th grade student.

In June 2022, Bunsey was in a motor vehicle accident that caused paralysis of his right shoulder. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to lift his arm and he cannot work.

Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Bunsey receive treatment. He traveled to CSC’s care center, which is the only center in Cambodia where this treatment is available. On November 17th, he will undergo brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to use his right arm again. Now, he needs help raising $709 to fund his procedure and care.

Bunsey shared, “after surgery, I hope I can use my right arm again so I can return to work and support my family.”

Bunsey is a 22-year-old garment factory worker from Cambodia. His father is a rice farmer and his mother is also a garment factory worker. H...

Photo of Bunsey post-operation

April 24, 2023

Bunsey underwent brachial plexus repair surgery to regain use of his arm.

Bunsey had a complex brachial plexus repair surgery at CSC. After a week at the hospital, he was able to return home. This surgery is life-saving for Bunsey; it will give him a chance to regain the use of his right arm and hand so that he can return to work. He is working closely with the physiotherapy team to regain strength, as it may be many months until the regeneration of his nerves may be visible. Bunsey is optimistic that he will be able to see a return to normal function, dress himself, and be more independent. He hopes to have a normal life again, as it has been very hard for him to be dependent on others for his care.

His mother said: “After his accident, Bunsey has been depressed that he could not work or do anything for himself. It has been hard on our small family with the pandemic; now we have hope again. Thank you to the strangers who helped to pay for his surgery and to the hospital staff who treated him so well.”

Bunsey had a complex brachial plexus repair surgery at CSC. After a week at the hospital, he was able to return home. This surgery is life-s...

November 17, 2022
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Bunsey was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.
November 17, 2022
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Bunsey 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.
November 18, 2022
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Bunsey's profile was published to start raising funds.
April 7, 2023
FULLY FUNDED
Bunsey's treatment was fully funded.
April 24, 2023
TREATMENT UPDATE
Bunsey's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 19 donors

Treatment

Brachial Plexus Injury Surgery

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $709 for Bunsey's treatment

Hospital Fees

$92

Medical Staff

$566

Medication

Supplies

$43

Labs

Radiology

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Symptoms of brachial plexus injury (BPI) vary on the severity and location of the injury, but include muscle weakness, loss of sensation, pain, and paralysis. BPI can cause neuropathic pain with damage to the spinal cord and can be long-lasting, with effects such as burning numbness.

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

The impact of a brachial plexus injury can range in severity; some patients may experience weakness or great pain, others may be paralyzed in their shoulder and upper arm. This can make day-to-day tasks difficult and impair quality of life.

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

Motorcycle collisions are the most common cause of brachial plexus injury, and are, unfortunately, an exceedingly common occurrence in Cambodia.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Treatment for brachial plexus injury can involve nerve repair, nerve grafting, nerve transfer, or tendon and muscle transfers depending on the location and type of injury, and the amount of time since the injury occurred. A nerve repair involves reattaching a severed nerve; nerve graft is a procedure that takes a healthy nerve from another part of the body and transplants it to the injured nerve to guide regrowth; a nerve transfer is a procedure that cuts a donor nerve and connects it to the injured nerve when there is no functioning nerve stump to attach a graft. Nerve regeneration occurs approximately at a rate of 1 mm/day, and so recovery from a brachial plexus injury can take months for small improvements. Physical therapy during this time is important to prevent stiffness, contractures, or atrophy and increase the chances of regaining good movement in the affected limb.

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

While BPI surgery may not restore full movement to a patient, it can greatly increase the patient’s ability to use the affected limb and reduce the pain of the injury.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

BPI surgery is complicated and risks include infection as well as failure to restore movement, which would require further surgery.

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

Surgery to treat brachial plexus injury can be very complex and not widely performed. Surgical treatment in Cambodia can be expensive and hard to access. Patients will travel for hours by car, motocycle, and bus to receive free surgery at CSC.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Brachial plexus injury can have a range of severity; some patients may be able to be treated by splinting or physical therapy, but serious cases require surgical intervention. These types of injuries do not have alternatives to improving movement and functionality.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Serey is a 21-year-old blacksmith from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and younger brother in Kampong Cham province. His parents are rice farmers, and his brother is still a student. In his free time, Serey likes scrolling his social media and watching the local news. About three months ago, Serey was injured at work by an electric shock. Cataracts are a well-known complication of electrical injury. Following this experience, Serey developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him to have blurry vision and be unable to work as a blacksmith. He also has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go places on his own. When Serey learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On May 11th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly again. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. Serey contributed $100 to his care. Serey shared, "After surgery, I hope my eye can see better, and I can go back to work."

Samorn is a 79-year-old nun living in a rural village in Kandal province, Cambodia. Sadly, her husband passed away 20 years ago and Samorn has lived and worked in a pagoda ever since. She enjoys cooking and meditation. One year ago, Samorn developed a cataract in her left eye, which causes her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Because she has difficulty seeing clearly, she is no longer confident about going places on her own. When Samorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours to seek treatment. On May 8th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform small incision cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After she has recovered, Samorn will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs your help to fund this $253 procedure. Samorn shared: "I hope I can see more clearly and do more at the pagoda and visit the temples further away some time."

Anthony lives with his parents and two younger siblings in a mining city in central Bolivia. He is in the fourth grade and loves computer science. His parents co-own a small tailoring shop together. Anthony was born with a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, which involves several related heart defects, including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. These defects deprive his body of oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. During surgery, doctors will close the hole with a patch and remove the blockage from his valve. Heart surgery will allow Anthony to live a full, active life, and our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1500 to fund his life-saving procedure. Anthony can't wait to feel better soon and shared: "I am excited to be able to start running and keep up with my friends!"

Bunsey's Timeline

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Funded by 19 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.