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Success! Rosette from Uganda raised $252 to fund life-changing thyroidectomy surgery.

Rosette
100%
  • $252 raised, $0 to go
$252
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Rosette's treatment was fully funded on November 3, 2022.

Photo of Rosette post-operation

November 21, 2022

Rosette underwent life-changing thyroidectomy surgery.

Rosette underwent a successful thyroidectomy treatment. She no longer experiences shortness of breath or difficulties in swallowing and is doing well. Rosette was relieved of the disfigurement and is now on the road to a complete recovery where she can resume her usual activities. She will live a better quality of life as a result of successful surgery and support from donors that made it possible - she is very grateful.

Rosette says, “I have nothing much to pay in return for the support I have received. Only God knows it all and I pray for his blessing upon you. I will now live a better life and be able to do all my activities.”

Rosette underwent a successful thyroidectomy treatment. She no longer experiences shortness of breath or difficulties in swallowing and is d...

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May 16, 2022

Rosette is a 47-year-old woman who has two grown children: a married daughter and a son who works as a casual laborer. Rosette and her husband practice small scale-farming, which Rosette uses to supplement her income from a small food vending business.

Rosette has been experiencing troubling symptoms, including pain and swelling on her neck, for some time now. As a result, Rosette cannot carry anything on her head, which negatively affects her business. Upon review, doctors diagnosed her condition as a nodular goiter and determined that she needs to undergo surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse.

Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Rosette receive treatment. On May 17th, she will undergo a thyroidectomy. During this procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMH is requesting $252 to help fund Rosette’s surgery.

Rosette says, “I had given up on my care because I need more money than I can afford. I beg for your support and will be very glad when I get surgery to enable me to do well in my activities.”

Rosette is a 47-year-old woman who has two grown children: a married daughter and a son who works as a casual laborer. Rosette and her husba...

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Rosette's Timeline

  • May 16, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Rosette was submitted by Edward Mugane, Impact Assessment Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.

  • May 18, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Rosette received treatment at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale in Uganda. 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 20, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Rosette's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • November 3, 2022
    FULLY FUNDED

    Rosette's treatment was fully funded.

  • November 21, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Rosette's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 5 donors

Funded by 5 donors

Treatment
Thyroidectomy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $252 for Rosette's treatment
Hospital Fees
$163
Medical Staff
$0
Medication
$22
Supplies
$49
Labs
$6
Other
$12
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Patients in need of a thyroidectomy often present with a small thyroid growth (nodule or cyst), a thyroid gland that is so overactive it is dangerous (thyrotoxicosis), cancer of the thyroid, noncancerous (benign) tumors of the thyroid that are causing symptoms, or thyroid swelling (nontoxic goiter) that makes it hard to breathe or swallow. Patients in need of thyroid surgery often present with nervousness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, hand tremor, excessive sweating, weight loss, and sleep problems, among other symptoms.

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

The thyroid gland is an organ located in the front of your neck that releases hormones that control your metabolism (the way your body uses energy), breathing, heart rate, nervous system, weight, body temperature, and many other functions in the body. When the thyroid gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism) the body’s processes speed up and you may experience nervousness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, hand tremor, excessive sweating, weight loss, and sleep problems, among other symptoms.

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

Thyroid disorders are relatively common in the African continent. Iodine deficiency, although still the commonly documented cause of thyroid disorders in Africa, is not as rampant as it used to be. There is a compelling need to set up thyroid disorder registries in order to determine not only the scope of the burden of these disorders, but also to document changing trends, if any, especially given the background of widespread iodization programs. Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, and its incidence has continuously increased in the last three decades all over the world. This trend is present on every continent except Africa, where detection is possibly insufficient.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Thyroid surgery takes approximately 3-8 hours depending on the patient. Patients will stay in the hospital for a maximum of 6-8 weeks or as needed for recovery. A patient will usually have one follow-up appointment in six weeks.

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

In cases involving thyroid cancer, the surgery is the patient’s best chance of preventing the spread of cancer and saving the patient’s life. For hyperthyroidism, the treatment helps stabilize the hormones that regulate metabolism and effectively treat some of the symptoms that the patient presents with such as rapid heartbeat, anxiety etc.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Thyroid surgery is often 90% curative if diagnosis happens early. For benign tumors and hyperthyroidism, the surgery is more than 90% curative. The surgery comes with few risks.

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

There are few quality care centers in the region. Hospitals lack adequate resources and expertise to treat this condition.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

In Kenya, surgery is the only treatment offered for thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism. This is because radiotherapy and medication alternatives are not easily accessible in the county. Also, the cost of treating with radiotherapy and medication is higher than that of surgery.

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.