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Success! Millicent from Kenya raised $585 to fund hernia repair surgery so that she can live comfortably.

Millicent
100%
  • $585 raised, $0 to go
$585
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Millicent's treatment was fully funded on April 10, 2022.

Photo of Millicent post-operation

April 19, 2022

Millicent underwent hernia repair surgery so that she can live comfortably.

Millicent’s surgery was done successfully with our medical partner African Mission Healthcare. She is so happy to be out of pain and her swelling has disappeared. She is now back home and her mother brings her for follow-up appointments to make sure she fully recovers.

Millicent’s mother shared, “I was angry at myself that I could not cater for my child’s hospital bill, but God has worked his way out for us. Thank you.”

Millicent's surgery was done successfully with our medical partner African Mission Healthcare. She is so happy to be out of pain and her swe...

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February 6, 2022

Millicent is a playful and confident eight-year-old student. She has big dreams and, in the future, she would like to be a news anchor. She is the youngest child in a family of two children, and her older sibling is 12 years old. Sadly, her father recently passed away in December. Her mother works as a security officer at a local school trying hard to cover the needs of their family on her own now.

For the past two weeks, Millicent has experienced intermittent umbilical swelling. She has been diagnosed with a reducible umbilical hernia and requires surgery to treat her condition. If left untreated, the hernia is likely to grow and could cause life-threatening complications like gangrene or peritonitis.

Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Millicent receive treatment. On February 7th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at AMH’s care center. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Now, she and her family need help raising $585 to fund her procedure and care.

Millicent mother shared, “we are still mourning our loss and now our girl is sick. I am unable to pay for the important treatment she needs.”

Millicent is a playful and confident eight-year-old student. She has big dreams and, in the future, she would like to be a news anchor. She ...

Read more

Millicent's Timeline

  • February 6, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Millicent was submitted by Robert Kariuki, Process Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.

  • February 7, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Millicent received treatment at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH) in Kenya. 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.

  • February 8, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Millicent's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • April 10, 2022
    FULLY FUNDED

    Millicent's treatment was fully funded.

  • April 19, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Millicent's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 14 donors

Funded by 14 donors

Treatment
Hernia / Hydrocele
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $585 for Millicent's treatment
Hospital Fees
$421
Medical Staff
$10
Medication
$31
Supplies
$90
Labs
$5
Other
$28
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

A hernia occurs when a portion of the intestine protrudes through the lower abdominal wall, usually for one of two reasons. The first is a congenital abnormality in which the tissues did not close. The second is excessive stress in an adult, often due to heavy physical labor or pregnancy. Patients experience a bulge or lump in the affected area. The hernia may cause the patient to feel pain, discomfort, weakness, pressure, and sensations of heaviness or aching. These symptoms are often exacerbated when the patient coughs, bends over, or lifts heavy objects. In some cases, hernias have no symptoms and are only detected during routine medical exams.

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

Patients with uncomplicated hernias may experience only annoyance or discomfort. As the hernia opening expands, the discomfort will increase. Small openings are more likely to trap the intestine, potentially leading to intestinal damage or death.

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

Hernias are common in Africa. People often do very hard physical labor and lift heavy objects. Women tend to have more children than those in the United States. It is possible that some hernias have infectious or genetic causes.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Surgery lasts for three to eight hours, depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the hernia. The patient will stay in the hospital anywhere from two days to eight weeks, again depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the hernia. The patient is continually monitored.

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

Treatment is curative. The chance of intestinal strangulation or bowel obstruction reduces significantly.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Hernia repair is not a risky procedure, and it comes with few side effects.

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

Many patients will ignore a hernia until it becomes uncomfortable and seek care at that time. Some people will wear tighter pants or a tight band around the waist to prevent the intestine from protruding.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

If the hernia is not “stuck,” patients tend to ignore it and adapt to living with it. However, this could lead to future complications.

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.