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Success! Mi Mi from Burma raised $760 to fund a life-changing procedure to drain an abscess so she can walk again.

Mi Mi
100%
  • $760 raised, $0 to go
$760
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Mi Mi's treatment was fully funded on December 29, 2022.

Photo of Mi Mi post-operation

December 31, 2022

Mi Mi underwent a life-changing procedure to drain an abscess so she can walk again.

Mi Mi’s surgery was a success! Before undergoing surgery, she was in pain and could not stand or walk without help. She was unable to sleep and experienced stress and worry over her health. After surgery, Mi Mi is happy to report that she is getting stronger and can walk without assistance. Her pain has subsided, and she can work and move easily again.

Mi Mi said: “I am very thankful to donors for help in paying for my surgery. Without your support, I would be in debt.”

Mi Mi's surgery was a success! Before undergoing surgery, she was in pain and could not stand or walk without help. She was unable to sleep ...

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July 26, 2022

Mi Mi is a hardworking 40-year-old woman from Burma who lives alone and likes to read religious books in her free time. She previously worked as a domestic worker, but she had to stop once her condition worsened.

Four months ago, Mi Mi’s left foot became swollen. She gradually developed a painful abscess on her left foot. She attempted to treat herself with traditional medicine, but it only worsened the abscess. Despite her desire to seek treatment at a clinic or hospital, her financial constraints prevented her from doing so. She is currently unable to walk due to the pain and pus in her foot. She also experiences pins and needles in both of her legs and has difficulty sleeping at night.

Fortunately, neighbors arranged for her to be brought to our medical partner’s care center, Mawlamyine Christian Leprosy Hospital (MCLH). At the hospital, doctor examined her left foot and diagnosed her with cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection.

Mi Mi is scheduled to undergo a procedure to drain the abscess on July 26th at MCLH. Our medical partner is requesting $760 to fund this procedure, which will cover medication, supplies, inpatient care, physical therapy, and travel to the hospital. After surgery, Mi Mi’s symptoms will hopefully be alleviated, and she will be able to walk again.

Mi Mi says, “When I learned a charity organization will help pay for my treatment cost, I felt very happy. I want to say thank you to all the donors and everyone else who has helped me.”

Mi Mi is a hardworking 40-year-old woman from Burma who lives alone and likes to read religious books in her free time. She previously worke...

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Mi Mi's Timeline

  • July 26, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • July 26, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Mi Mi 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.

  • July 26, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Mi Mi's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • December 29, 2022
    FULLY FUNDED

    Mi Mi's treatment was fully funded.

  • December 31, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Mi Mi's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 10 donors

Funded by 10 donors

Treatment
Incision and Drainage
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $760 for Mi Mi'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.