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Success! Kim from Cambodia raised $572 to fund nerve surgery so he can use his arm and hand again.

Kim
100%
  • $572 raised, $0 to go
$572
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Kim's treatment was fully funded on February 8, 2023.

Photo of Kim post-operation

February 27, 2023

Kim underwent nerve surgery so he can use his arm and hand again.

Kim traveled for two and a half hours to have complex nerve repair and bone graft surgery at CSC. After several days at the hospital, he was able to return home. This surgery is life-altering for Kim; it will allow him to regain the use of his left hand so he can return to farming and construction to support his family. His surgery went well and he’s doing light physiotherapy to begin the recovery process. He will need to work hard over the next six months to rebuild flexibility and muscle function. His full recovery process may take up to a year, but he has renewed hope in being able to support his family.

Kim said: “I am relieved that the surgeons could fix my hand so that I can return to work to feed my family. I was worried I would never be able to hug my wife and son again. Thank you to everyone who supported me to improve our lives so we can care for ourselves.”

Kim traveled for two and a half hours to have complex nerve repair and bone graft surgery at CSC. After several days at the hospital, he was...

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September 11, 2022

Kim is a 43-year-old married father of a 15-year-old son. While his family has a rice farm and tends farm animals to sell at the market, Kim also works in the city in construction, to add to the financial support for his family. When he is home, he enjoys meeting with his friends, and watching boxing on TV.

In May, Kim was in a motor collision with another motorbike, badly injuring his left shoulder and forearm. He went to the local hospital, where he underwent surgery, and had hardware placed that would hold the fractured bones in his arm together. Despite the surgery, his forearm continues to be very painful, and he experiences tingling in his fingers, although he can’t move them. In addition to these symptoms, his fingers are bent into a claw like position, because of damage to a major nerve that controls the muscles in his hand and arm. His arm is weak, and he cannot work with his left hand, so he is unable to pursue jobs in construction. The loss in pay from his construction work has made it difficult for his family financially, and Kim is worried about their future.

Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is here to help Kim access the care that he needs. Children’s Surgical Centre is requesting your help to fund a $572 procedure, which is scheduled for September 12th. During this surgery, physicians at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a nerve exploration and a bone graft, to complete the repair of Kim’s arm, enabling him to return to his construction work, and to a life without pain.

Kim shared: “After surgery, I hope my arm will have no more pain, I will heal soon, and will be able to work with my hand for my family again.”

Kim is a 43-year-old married father of a 15-year-old son. While his family has a rice farm and tends farm animals to sell at the market, Ki...

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Kim's Timeline

  • September 11, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Kim was submitted by Ellen Interlandi, Stakeholder Relations at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • September 12, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Kim received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. 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.

  • September 12, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Kim's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • February 8, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Kim's treatment was fully funded.

  • February 27, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Kim's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 5 donors

Funded by 5 donors

Treatment
Nerve and Tendon Repair
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $572 for Kim's treatment
Hospital Fees
$92
Medical Staff
$429
Medication
$0
Supplies
$43
Labs
$3
Radiology
$5
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

A number of nerve and tendon procedures are performed at Children's Surgical Centre. These are typically performed because a nerve is no longer fully functional. Reasons for this limited functionality can include lacerations, blunt trauma, burns, and tumors. Sometimes, spinal nerves are compressed due to herniated discs, bone spurs, and tumors.

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

The patient cannot work or drive a motorbike, the most common form of transportation in Cambodia.

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

Traffic accidents, common in Cambodia, are the most typical cause of a brachial plexus injury (BPI), or damage to a network of nerves on the neck and shoulders. The inability to use a limb is debilitating for patients, whose livelihoods involve physical activity. They are often farmers, factory workers, or drivers.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

When a nerve no longer functions, the muscle that it innervates no longer functions. Surgeons either repair that nerve or use a nerve from somewhere else in the body to act as a graft. In some cases, a nerve can be redirected from a less important muscle and grafted into a more critical nerve. During a BPI surgery, surgeons divert a nerve from one destination and sew it into the non-functioning nerve. It can take three to six months before a patient fully recovers from this operation.

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

The patient will regain function in his or her arm. The patient can drive a motorbike and go back to work.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This surgery is highly effective. The nerve is already damaged, so there is no risk of causing more harm. The surgery can only improve function.

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

This surgery is not available to most Cambodians. Patients travel up to twelve hours to visit Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). They learn about CSC from the radio, a neighbor, or a family member.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no alternative treatments to regain limb functionality.

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.