Read our powered by our community 🙌 Check out our 🙌
Meet another patient

Watsi logo blueWatsi

Success! Murungi from Uganda raised $219 to fund a life-changing hysterectomy.

Murungi
100%
  • $219 raised, $0 to go
$219
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Murungi's treatment was fully funded on February 15, 2023.

Photo of Murungi post-operation

January 18, 2023

Murungi underwent a life-changing hysterectomy.

Murungi underwent successful surgery. She is recovering well, and her previous symptoms have disappeared. She shared her gratitude to the Watsi donor program, saying: “I honestly thank you so much, my donors, for saving my life. I pray to God to bless you abundantly for what you’ve done for me.”

Murungi underwent successful surgery. She is recovering well, and her previous symptoms have disappeared. She shared her gratitude to the Wa...

Read more
September 26, 2022

Murungi is a farmer who is married and a mother to 3 children - 2 sons who works as a nurse and another a teacher. Her daughter was a teaching but lost her job and is now married and working as a small-scale farmer. Murungi does farming together with her husband but being that they have limited land, they mostly grow food to feed their family but when need calls, they sell off some to generate an income for the family.

Since ten years ago, Murungi has been experiencing severe bleeding has been diagnosed with uterine myomas. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Murungi’s surgery. On September 27th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner’s care center. Once recovered, Murungi will be able to finally resume her daily activities free of pain.

Murungi says: “I pray that my health gets well because 10 years is too long to live in such suffering, but I hope with your support, all will be well.”

Murungi is a farmer who is married and a mother to 3 children - 2 sons who works as a nurse and another a teacher. Her daughter was a teachi...

Read more

Murungi's Timeline

  • September 26, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Murungi was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare.

  • September 29, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Murungi 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.

  • September 30, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Murungi's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • January 18, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Murungi's treatment was successful. Read the update.

  • February 15, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Murungi's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 5 donors

Funded by 5 donors

Treatment
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $219 for Murungi's treatment
Hospital Fees
$126
Medical Staff
$0
Medication
$17
Supplies
$59
Labs
$6
Other
$11
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Symptoms vary depending on the condition that requires the total abdominal hysterectomy. If the cause is cervical, uterine, or ovarian cancer, there may not be symptoms, especially if the cancer is early-stage. In more advanced cases of cervical and uterine cancers, abnormal bleeding, unusual discharge, and pelvic or abdominal pain can occur. Symptoms of ovarian cancer may include trouble eating, trouble feeling full, bloating, and urinary abnormality. If the cause is fibroids, symptoms may include heavy bleeding, pain in the pelvis or lower back, and swelling or enlargement of the abdomen.

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

Fibroids (tumors in the uterus) can grow large, cause abdominal pain and swelling, and lead to recurring bleeding and anemia. Cancer can cause pain and lead to death.

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

Cervical cancer is caused by a sexually transmitted infection called human papillomavirus (HPV), which can often occur alongside an HIV infection. As a result, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among African women in areas of high HIV prevalence. Cervical cancer is also more prevalent in Africa than in the United States due to the lack of early-detection screening programs. The other conditions treated by a total abdominal hysterectomy are not necessarily more common in Africa.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

The patient first reports for laboratory testing. The following day, the patient undergoes surgery. After the operation, the patient stays in the hospital ward for three to four days, during which time she is continually monitored. The surgery is considered successful if the wound heals without infection, bleeding, or fever, and if the patient no longer experiences urinary dysfunction.

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

In the case of uterine fibroids or early-stage cancer, a total abdominal hysterectomy is curative.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

If performed early enough, this surgery is low-risk and curative, with few side effects.

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

This surgery is available, but many patients cannot afford it. Many women are screened for cervical cancer with a low-cost alternative to a pap smear. This is common in HIV treatment programs. If necessary, the woman is referred for surgery, which she often cannot afford.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

If cervical cancer is caught early enough, some minor procedures can solve the problem. Women with fibroids who still wish to have children may opt to undergo a surgery that only removes the fibroids, which is called a myomectomy.

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.