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Pho is a 55-year-old man from Cambodia who needs $397 to fund nasal surgery.

Pho
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  • $20 raised, $377 to go
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$377
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January 17, 2023

Meet Pho, a 55 year old father of four, who lives with his wife. At home he likes to grow vegetables around his house to supplement the family’s diet, and to earn extra money.

For the past five years, Pho has suffered from chronic nasal congestion and headaches. He has trouble sleeping and he often has to breathe through his mouth. He could not afford treatment at a local hospital, so instead, he purchased medicine from a pharmacy, which did not improve his symptoms. Left untreated, Pho’s condition can cause obstructive sleep apnea, which can lead to other serious medical problems.

Fortunately, Pho’s son told him about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, and the medical work they do for Cambodians. After meeting with the doctors, Pho was diagnosed with a deviated nasal septum. This occurs when the nasal septum is significantly displaced to one side, making one nasal air passage smaller than the other.

Now doctors have planned a septoplasty for January 17th at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, and Pho needs your help to pay for the surgery, which will cost $397. After his surgery and recovery, Pho will be able to breathe through his nose easily, which will be a big improvement in his life.

Pho shared: “I hope after surgery, it will be easy to breathe and the headaches will stop. I will be able to do my work and sleep well.”

Meet Pho, a 55 year old father of four, who lives with his wife. At home he likes to grow vegetables around his house to supplement the fam...

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Pho's Timeline

  • January 17, 2023
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Pho was submitted by Romanea Khun, Assistant Manager, CSC at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • January 17, 2023
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Pho was scheduled to receive 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.

  • January 20, 2023
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Pho's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING FUNDING

    Pho is currently raising funds for his treatment.

  • TBD
    AWAITING UPDATE

    Awaiting Pho's treatment update from Children's Surgical Centre.

Funded by 1 donor

Funded by 1 donor

Treatment
Nasal Polypectomy (Bilateral)
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $397 for Pho's treatment
Hospital Fees
$25
Medical Staff
$321
Medication
$0
Supplies
$43
Labs
$3
Radiology
$5
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Nasal polyps are growths that line the inside of the nasal passage that can cause a blocked or runny nose, loss of smell or taste, stuffiness, tooth pain, and facial pain.

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

Nasal polyps can cause persistent discomfort through the obstruction of normal airflow and chronic inflammation. Other complications from untreated nasal polyps include exacerbated asthma, sleep apnea, and recurrent or chronic sinus infections.

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

While some nasal polyps can be treated through steroid drops or sprays, the limited number of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists in Cambodia means that at a point when surgery is needed to remove the nasal polyps, patients are unlikely to receive it.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Removal of the polyps by nasal polypectomy is a surgery performed using a microdebrideror polyp forceps. The tool is inserted through the nostrils to take out the polyps, which avoids any skin cuts. Patients can generally return home the next day following surgery.

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

A nasal polypectomy can clear a blocked nose and improve sinus infections, relieving the patient of the chronic discomfort caused by the polyps. It may also improve sense of smell if previously impaired by the nasal polyps.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Risks of a nasal polypectomy include nosebleeds and infection from the swelling of the sinuses. The proximity of the sinuses to eyes creates a very small risk of eye injury during the surgical procedure.

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

Cambodia does not have many ENT specialists and such services can be expensive. Patients will travel for hours to reach the Children’s Surgical Centre to receive care, arriving by bus, motorbike, or taxi.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Alternatives to a nasal polypectomy include steroid sprays, drops or tablets to shrink the polyps. However, these are usually tried before surgery and if ineffective, surgery is required to remove the polyps.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Saoly

Saoly is a 33-year-old former garment factory worker from Cambodia. He is from the Kampong Speu province, and married with two children. His wife makes and sells traditional Khmer cakes at the local market. His children are four and seven years of age. Since an accident, he has been home and likes to listen to the news, watch TV, and play with his children. In March 2020, he was in a motorcycle collision with a truck and fell on his left shoulder on the pavement. This caused paralysis of his left shoulder and arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left 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. In August 2020, he had a surgical nerve graft, which allowed him to successfully bend his elbow, but he still cannot move his shoulder or his fingers. He cannot work, feels phantom pain in his arm, and is very depressed he cannot support his family and his wife has to work hard. Saoly traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On December 1st, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he hopes that he will be able to move his shoulder, use his hand, and work again to support his family. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Saoly said: "I hope this surgery will help me to use my arm again. I would like to work in a factory again to support my family."

29% funded

29%funded
$207raised
$502to go
Samson

Samson is a widower and father of a 9-year-old child. He works as a laborer at a garage washing cars to support himself and his child. A few years ago, Samson started experiencing epigastric pain and discomfort, and could not keep down his food. He has sought treatment at other hospitals before, but to no avail. A few weeks ago, Samson's condition worsened and his brother helped him seek care with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Doctors there conducted an endoscopy and found that the cause of Samson's symptoms was gastric obstruction due to pyloric stenosis, a narrowing of the opening from the stomach into the small intestine. If left untreated, Samson will continue to experience pain. His symptoms may also worsen, leading to dehydration, weight loss, and an overall decreased quality of life. Surgeons have recommended a laparotomy to treat Samson's condition. Fortunately, Samson is scheduled for surgery on March 13th with the help of African Mission Healthcare. Samson needs help raising $788 to fund the cost of his procedure. After surgery, not only will Samson's quality of life improve, but he will also be able to care for himself and his child. “I have been unable to care for myself and my child, becoming a burden to my family. The pain is also too much and I am afraid my wife went through the same and died. I plead for support so that I may be treated and get back to my normal life. I am also the only hope of my child,” said Samson.

6% funded

6%funded
$50raised
$738to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.