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

Watsi logo blueWatsi

Success! Edith from Kenya raised $657 to fund thyroid surgery so she can live more comfortably and confidently.

Edith
100%
  • $657 raised, $0 to go
$657
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Edith's treatment was fully funded on November 29, 2022.

Photo of Edith post-operation

December 13, 2022

Edith underwent thyroid surgery so she can live comfortably and confidently.

Edith underwent a successful surgery and had a good recovery. With this treatment, Edith is now free from her chronic headache, dryness of the throat, and low self-esteem due to swelling. She is still in recovery, but as healing takes place, she will be comfortable, and looks forward to interacting with her community with her renewed sense of confidence.

“I am happy this problem will soon be over…. I also look forward to the healing so that I can continue with my passion for socializing with friends and family. God bless all those that assisted me,” said Edith.

Edith underwent a successful surgery and had a good recovery. With this treatment, Edith is now free from her chronic headache, dryness of t...

Read more
August 13, 2022

Edith is a 49-year-old mother from Kenya. To support their four children, she works as a homemaker, and her husband works as a driver. She shares that her husband earns enough to support their family’s basic needs. As Edith does her family chores, she enjoys socializing with friends and neighbors.

Two months ago, Edith began to experience troubling symptoms, including neck swelling. After seeking medical attention at a hospital, she was diagnosed with thyroid hyperplasia, a condition that leads to thyroid enlargement. In order to alleviate her symptoms and prevent them from worsening, she must undergo thyroid surgery.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Edith receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 15th at our medical partner’s care center. During this procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. The surgery will cost $657, which she and her family need help raising.

Edith shares, “The doctor said that with this surgery, this problem will be solved. I kindly request help so that I can be operated on soon. I also pray that the surgery will go on well.”

Edith is a 49-year-old mother from Kenya. To support their four children, she works as a homemaker, and her husband works as a driver. She s...

Read more

Edith's Timeline

  • August 13, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Edith was submitted by Edward Mugane, Impact Assessment Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.

  • August 15, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Edith's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • August 16, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Edith received treatment at Nazareth Hospital 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.

  • November 29, 2022
    FULLY FUNDED

    Edith's treatment was fully funded.

  • December 13, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Edith's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 7 donors

Funded by 7 donors

Treatment
Thyroidectomy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $657 for Edith's treatment
Hospital Fees
$414
Medical Staff
$0
Medication
$23
Supplies
$101
Labs
$87
Other
$32
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Patients in need of a thyroidectomy often present with a small thyroid growth (nodule or cyst), a thyroid gland that is so overactive it is dangerous (thyrotoxicosis), cancer of the thyroid, noncancerous (benign) tumors of the thyroid that are causing symptoms, or thyroid swelling (nontoxic goiter) that makes it hard to breathe or swallow. Patients in need of thyroid surgery often present with nervousness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, hand tremor, excessive sweating, weight loss, and sleep problems, among other symptoms.

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

The thyroid gland is an organ located in the front of the neck. It releases hormones that control metabolism (the way the body uses energy), breathing, heart rate, the nervous system, weight, body temperature, and many other functions. When the thyroid gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism), the body’s processes speed up and the patient may experience nervousness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, hand tremor, excessive sweating, weight loss, and sleep problems, among other symptoms.

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

Thyroid disorders are relatively common in the African continent. Iodine deficiency, although still the commonly documented cause of thyroid disorders in Africa, is not as rampant as it used to be. There is a compelling need to set up thyroid disorder registries in order to determine not only the scope of the burden of these disorders, but also to document changing trends, if any, especially given the background of widespread iodization programs. Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, and its incidence has continuously increased in the last three decades all over the world. This trend is present on every continent except Africa, where detection is possibly insufficient.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Thyroid surgery takes approximately three to eight hours depending on the patient. Patients will stay in the hospital for a maximum of five days or as needed for recovery. A patient will usually have one follow-up appointment.

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

In the case of thyroid cancer, the surgery is the patient’s best chance of preventing the spread of cancer and saving the patient’s life. In cases of hyperthyroidism, the treatment helps stabilize the hormones that regulate metabolism and effectively treat some of the patient's symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and anxiety.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Thyroid surgery is often 90% curative should diagnosis be done early. For benign tumors and hyperthyroidism, the surgery is more than 90% curative. The surgery comes with few risks.

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

This hospital is generally located in a rural area and is relied upon by many Kenyans who cannot get treated in smaller facilities.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

In Kenya, surgery is the only treatment offered for thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism. This is because radiotherapy and medication alternatives are not readily available. Also, the cost of treating with radiotherapy and medication is higher than that of surgery.

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.