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Success! U Nyan from Burma raised $760 to fund treatment for a painful abscess on his elbow.

U Nyan
100%
  • $760 raised, $0 to go
$760
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
U Nyan's treatment was fully funded on October 19, 2022.

Photo of U Nyan post-operation

November 3, 2022

U Nyan underwent successful treatment for a painful abscess on his elbow.

Before surgery, U Nyan had a painful lump on his left elbow and he could not sleep well from the pain and swelling. He could not take care of his wife and a community charity volunteer had care for both U Nyan and his wife. Since his surgery, U Nyan is sleeping well and no longer experiencing pain. He has a lot of relief that now he is able to look after his wife again.

He said, “I cannot express my gratitude towards the donors who helped pay for my treatment cost and the doctor and the nurses who took good care of me. I would like to say thank you so much for supporting the cost of my surgery. May your organisation help more patients in the future.”

Before surgery, U Nyan had a painful lump on his left elbow and he could not sleep well from the pain and swelling. He could not take care o...

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May 9, 2022

U Nyan is a 62-year-old man who lives with his wife in Mon State, Burma. He used to work as a tricycle taxi driver as well as a day labourer but since he had stroke around three months ago, he stopped working. His wife also had a stroke and cannot work. They have a daughter who works across the border in Bangkok, and she sends them some money every three or four months. However, the amount that her daughter sends is not enough for U Nyan and his wife for their daily expenses and they shared that, occasionally, their neighbor also gives them food.

Recently, U Nyan noticed a small lump on his left elbow, which rapidly became enlarged and painful. Currently, U Nyan is in a lot of pain and cannot sleep. After seeking treatment at various clinics and hospitals, U Nyan was finally referred to Mawlamyine Christian Leprosy Hospital (MCLH) where he was diagnosed with an abscess around his left elbow joint and scheduled for surgery on May 9th.

When he told the doctor that he could not afford to pay for his surgery, the doctor referred him to our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund for financial assistance accessing surgery. He has already borrowed about $350 so far to help with his diagnosis and treatment, and people in his community have pitched in to support him financially. Our medical partner is helping him raise $760 for his surgery.

“After surgery I want to go home and look after my wife. I want to listen to sermons, meditate and do good deeds,” shared U Nyan.

U Nyan is a 62-year-old man who lives with his wife in Mon State, Burma. He used to work as a tricycle taxi driver as well as a day labourer...

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U Nyan's Timeline

  • May 9, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    U Nyan was submitted by Bue Wah Say, Project Officer at Burma Children Medical Fund.

  • May 9, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    U Nyan received treatment at Mawlamyine Christian Leprosy Hospital in Burma. 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.

  • May 10, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    U Nyan's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • October 19, 2022
    FULLY FUNDED

    U Nyan's treatment was fully funded.

  • November 3, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    U Nyan's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 17 donors

Funded by 17 donors

Treatment
Incision and Drainage
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $760 for U Nyan's treatment
Hospital Fees
$303
Medical Staff
$82
Medication
$126
Supplies
$188
Travel
$30
Labs
$5
Radiology
$0
Other
$26
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

The patient may experience swelling. The affected area may be warm to the touch and may be red. There will be a visible build-up of white or yellow pus under the skin in the affected area and the patient will have a high temperature.

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

The impact of the patients' lives will depend on the location and the size of the affected area. Patients with large abscesses may experience discomfort, pain and tenderness in the affected area. Failure to treat the large ulcer or large abscess at an early stage may cause complications and result in some life-threatening conditions, including cellulitis and joint infections. Untreated ulcers and abscesses in limbs may lead to amputation of affected limbs.

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

Many people in Burma especially in the remote areas cannot afford medical treatment at hospitals and clinics. They will usually depend on traditional medicine which is affordable or grown in their own garden. In most cases, traditional medicine does not treat infections. By the time people seek medical treatment at a hospital or clinic, infections are usually severe and have become ulcers or abscesses. Because of the severity of their infection, the cost of their treatment will be high and they will require longer and more aggressive treatment.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Firstly, the doctor will clean the surface of the abscess and surrounding skin with povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine solution and drape the area around the abscess with a sterile towels. The doctor will perform a field block by injecting local anesthetic around and under the tissue surrounding abscess. The doctor will then make a linear incision with a surgical blade into the abscess and allow the abscess to drain. The doctor will then gently probe the abscess to break up loculation before manually attempting to express remaining pus from the abscess. Finally the doctor will insert packing material into the abscess and dress the wound with sterile gauze and tape.

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

Performing an incision and drainage will reduce the swelling around the affected area after the pus is drained. The pain will be lessen and will improve the ability of ulcer or the abscess healing properly. The patient will be less likely to develop complications such as cellulitis.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Possible side effects or risks can include pain during and after the procedure due to inadequate anesthesia. Rarely, bleeding, reoccurrence of abscess formation, septic thrombophlebitis, necrotizing fasciitis, damage to nerves and vessels and scarring are also possible.

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

Since most of our partner care centers' patients come from remote areas of Burma, the treatment is not easily accessible. It is only available in cities and towns. Most patients from remote areas cannot afford to pay for the high cost of surgery.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no alternative treatment. Untreated abscesses may slowly reabsorb over time or may rupture spontaneously. While some ruptured abscesses may heal, in other the infection can spread or return.

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.