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Success! Exavier from Haiti raised $897 to fund life-changing surgery to drain excess fluid from his brain.

Exavier
100%
  • $897 raised, $0 to go
$897
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Exavier's treatment was fully funded on January 21, 2023.

Photo of Exavier post-operation

February 7, 2023

Exavier underwent life-changing surgery to drain excess fluid from his brain.

Exavier had surgery to heal his condition, which is a big relief to his family. He will now be able to grow up healthy and not have complications from hydrocephalus.

Exavier’s family is grateful that their child was given this chance at a full life!

Exavier had surgery to heal his condition, which is a big relief to his family. He will now be able to grow up healthy and not have complica...

Read more
August 25, 2022

Exavier is an adorable 5-month-old baby from Haiti who has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Exavier’s head circumference has increased. Without treatment, he will experience severe physical and developmental delays.

Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost of surgery for Exavier at Hospital Bernard Mevs. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available, and the procedure is scheduled to take place on August 26th. This critical treatment will drain the excess fluid from his brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Exavier will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy.

Exavier’s family shares that they hope the surgery with allow him to grow, attend school, and play with the other children.

Exavier is an adorable 5-month-old baby from Haiti who has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal flui...

Read more

Exavier's Timeline

  • August 25, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Exavier was submitted by Jennifer Rogers, Chief Nursing Officer at Project Medishare.

  • August 26, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Exavier received treatment at Hospital Bernard Mevs in Haiti. 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.

  • August 29, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Exavier's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • January 21, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Exavier's treatment was fully funded.

  • February 7, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Exavier's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 26 donors

Funded by 26 donors

Treatment
Hydrocephalus ETV
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $897 for Exavier's treatment
Hospital Fees
$357
Medical Staff
$100
Medication
$80
Supplies
$0
Labs
$10
Radiology
$350
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Families usually notice this condition with their child as their head grows large. These children do not reach normal developmental milestones and become unable to hold their head up, sit on their own, or talk. Some children become very irritable and become unable to suck and swallow so getting enough nutrition becomes difficult.

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

Children living with hydrocephaly are living with some form of brain damage that progresses as they get older. This damage will prevent them from developing on a normal trajectory. They have trouble eating, being able to sit, stand and communicate. Often they develop seizures and often experience pain and irritability. If it remains untreated, this condition will lead to death.

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

There is a lot of fear and stigma toward these patients as their heads grow large. Families with children who have hydrocephalus have trouble finding caregivers and support because of this fear. Also it is a financial burden to care for these children because of medication for seizures and the extra care they require as they grow older.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

The treatment process involves a surgery to stop the extra fluid in the brain from accumulating and putting pressure on the brain. This is done by making a hole in part of the brain to drain the liquid (ETV). The patient usually spends one or two nights in the hospital and then goes home with a tiny incision in their head and abdomen.

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

This treatment is the only thing that will save the patient’s life. This treatment will prevent further brain damage. If it is caught early it allows the child to grow and develop fully. If it is caught late, the patient can receive therapy to assist them to overcome the developmental difficulties caused by the damage already done to their brain.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

The main complication caused by this surgery is simply that is does not work. In this case the child is given another surgery and a shunt is placed.

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

There is only one hospital in the country that performs surgeries for children with hydrocephaly. This hospital is in Port au Prince, Haiti. Children that live in the North or South of the country have to travel very far for clinic visits and surgery. This requires spending all day or several days on public transport to reach the hospital.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no current alternatives this treatment. If the brain damage is too far advanced then palliative care to treat the child’s pain and support the family is the only other option.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.