A Woman’s Despair, A Husband’s Love, and FAME’s Quick Intervention
Sisina
Sisina (center) poses with her husband (right) and his friend (left)
Sisina* is a 28-year-old woman and mother of four. She lives in a village in Ngorongoro, 37 miles from FAME. For a few weeks now, Sisina has suffered from severe stomach pain and nausea. She had been to three different clinics close to her home, but she had found no relief. One of the clinics had suggested that she might be pregnant with her fifth child, but she wasn't. The other diagnosed her with indigestion and prescribed an antacid, but this did not help.
“I was feeling poorly. I couldn’t take care of my children. I was in pain and miserable. My husband was very worried. He told me he wanted to take me to a hospital in Karatu called FAME to see a doctor. But it was very far from our village, and I didn’t want to leave my kids alone. So I said No.”
However, Sisina’s symptoms got worse. She was now vomiting, experiencing fever, and having a bloody stool. That’s when her husband put his foot down and forced her to come to FAME.
“She was very sick but still very stubborn. She didn't want to leave home. But she was getting worse, and we had exhausted all possible medical interventions close to home. A friend had told me about this hospital called FAME in Karatu, and I thought we should try it. So I put my foot down and brought her here.” - Sisina’s Husband.
Accompanied by a friend, the couple took a bus to Karatu town and then a bajaji (auto rickshaw) the remaining two miles to FAME. Once at FAME, Sisina was received by the emergency department. She had a CT scan and blood work done. The doctors gave her a prompt diagnosis of gallbladder perforation and informed her that she would require immediate surgery.
“When the doctor mentioned surgery, I was very scared. My husband and I asked the doctor many questions, and he was very patient with us and explained everything. Together, we agreed on the surgery.”
The surgery was a success, and after two hours, Sisina was reunited with her husband in FAME’s inpatient ward.
“I was very happy when they brought her back to the ward and said that everything had gone well. She was still unconscious, so I sat by her bedside and waited for her to wake up. When she did, I asked her how she felt, and she said better than before! This made me very happy. I made a joke that I saved her life by bringing her to FAME, but she didn't find it funny. Sisina is always very serious.” - Sisina’s husband.
“I am thankful to FAME for the good service they have given me and the fact that it’s affordable. When I saw how beautiful it was when we arrived, I was worried it would be very expensive! I am pleasantly surprised that they put the welfare of their patients before money. Thank you, FAME.”
After nine days, Sisina was allowed to go back home.
We are very happy about the service, and we pray that FAME continues to provide this much-needed help in our community.” - Sisina’s husband.
“I want to congratulate FAME. What you are doing here is amazing. We pray that you continue to do it for years to come.” - Sisina’s husband’s friend.
*While the patient’s name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share her photos and story with FAME supporters, and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical