Thin is a 20-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his mother, father, and older brother in Kampong Thom province. When he is not in the rice paddies, he likes to play volleyball with his friends.
A week ago, Thin suffered an injury to his left forearm from a rice harvest. He went to a local clinic for wound care but was still in pain. At the suggestion of a villager, the family drove three and a half hours to reach our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) for further care.
Doctors at CSC diagnosed Thin with compartment syndrome in his injured forearm. This is a condition that occurs when pressure within the damaged muscles builds to dangerous levels. This puts pressure on nerves and muscles. This can be very traumatizing for a young man. Thin is in pain, cannot move his arm, and there is no pulse on that extremity.
Although doctors hoped to save his arm, it was determined that he needs an amputation. The cost of this procedure is $479, and Thin and his family need help to raise the fund. Thin hopes to be relieved of his pain after the surgery.
Thin’s mother said, “We are worried about our son, and hope after the surgery his pain will be less.”