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Success! Priscillar from Kenya raised $1,260 to fund a hysterectomy.

Priscillar
100%
  • $1,260 raised, $0 to go
$1,260
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Priscillar's treatment was fully funded on February 24, 2023.

Photo of Priscillar post-operation

March 12, 2023

Priscillar underwent a life-changing hysterectomy.

Priscillar had a successful surgery. It is expected that her symptoms will finally stop and as she heals, she will feel comfortable with other people and going to public places.

Priscillar says, “I am thankful for the support, and I hope the prolonged bleeding will now go away.”

Priscillar had a successful surgery. It is expected that her symptoms will finally stop and as she heals, she will feel comfortable with oth...

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October 25, 2022

Priscillar is a 50 year old single mother, living in Kenya. She has a small area in her ancestral home where she does small scale farming for personal use, and can occasionally sell extra produce at the local market.

For ten years, Priscillar has been experiencing heavy bleeding. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, a condition that usually develops during a woman’s childbearing years. Fortunately, the condition is benign, but it has made Priscillar uncomfortable about being in public places. Priscillar will need to undergo a hysterectomy, to have her uterus removed and fully heal.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,260 to fund Priscillar’s surgery, scheduled for October 27th, at AIC Kijabe Hospital. After she has recovered, Priscillar should be able to resume her life free from pain, and free of the constraints that have kept her from going out in public without discomfort.

Priscillar says: “I have been experiencing heavy bleeding for the last ten years. It is really uncomfortable and makes me ashamed. I hope to get the problem solved.”

Priscillar is a 50 year old single mother, living in Kenya. She has a small area in her ancestral home where she does small scale farming fo...

Read more

Priscillar's Timeline

  • October 25, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Priscillar was submitted by Ruth Kanyeria, SAFE Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.

  • October 27, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Priscillar received treatment at AIC Kijabe 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 1, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Priscillar's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • February 24, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Priscillar's treatment was fully funded.

  • March 12, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Priscillar's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 15 donors

Funded by 15 donors

Treatment
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $1,260 for Priscillar's treatment
Hospital Fees
$856
Medical Staff
$39
Medication
$44
Supplies
$209
Labs
$52
Other
$60
  • 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 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?

Most cervical cancer is caused by a sexually transmitted infection called human papillomavirus (HPV), which can often occur alongside a 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 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 only to remove 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.