Patient Stories...

What we do...

One thing about living as a person who falls in the less fortunate column is how to wait, pray, and have faith. Waiting for medical treatment is one such situation that exists among the underserved residing in underdeveloped and developing countries. We as missionaries understand the physical and emotional pain and the hopelessness that accompanies long waiting periods in different ways. 

In many such regions in the world, those who wait for medical help understand waiting all too well for the most part that nothing will change for them. Many of these persons eventually make it to the United Mission of Goodwill missionary outreach. The missionary outreach is usually hosted by the Government healthcare organization/hospitals where our team of experienced healthcare professionals provides free healthcare to anyone who seeks our assistance. The good news is that we can help many restore their health and family life, give them hope, and lift their spirits.

United Missional of Goodwill team provides the following services: 

General Surgery – Hernia Repair, Excision of breast mass, Excision of Lipoma.
Gynecology- Removal of fibroids, Hysterectomy, D&C, Tubal Ligations
  
Gastroenterology - Colon Cancer Screening, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Dental- Dental assessment, extraction, cleaning 
Ophthalmology- Eye exam, Prescription glass fitting
Health Education- CPR, ACLS, Physical activities
Diagnostic- EKG analysis 
Health Fairs- Health screening, distribution of medical equipment, supplies, clothing, and personal items

FIVE YEAR OF WAITING
"Hernia is the abnormal exit of a tissue or an organ, such as the bowel, through the wall of the cavity in which it normally resides" There are different types of hernia most common involves the abdomen, specifically the groin – inguinal hernia.
 47-year-old Kevin is a farmer in the rural part of Jamaica. He arrived at the hospital that hosted the 2018 missionary outreach conducted by UMG in Jamaica West Indies. He arrived early in the morning and stayed until late in the evening, hoping that someone on the team would help him. Kevin wore a very long shirt over his pants and would stand more times than he would sit. He tried to get the attention of every team member who would listen to him. "someone who you helped last year told me to come here to get help." He further stated, "I have been waiting for five years. I am not leaving. I am praying I will get through". Kevin was not prescheduled and had to wait. He was willing to wait another day. He was assured he would be helped and he was finally seen and evaluated the following day by DR. V and DR. K - General surgeons who were willing to do the surgical procedure even if it required working late night.
Kevin reported that he has severe pain and has been placed on a waiting list at the public hospital for about five years for care but was always rescheduled, and he could not afford private healthcare. 
A physical exam revealed a grossly enlarged scrotum hanging down his thigh, accompanied by discomfort while sitting. Thus, the reason for wearing the long shirt to avoid embarrassment even in his marital home. A full assessment was done, and he was admitted. A bilateral hernia repair was done successfully. At the end of it all, he was all smiles and thanked the team immensely. Kevin was discharged home two days later as he describes himself as "A NEW MAN."


WAITING FOR THREE YEARS
Mission 2016.

Uterine Fibroids 
Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyomas or fibroids, are benign neoplasm derived from the uterus' smooth muscle layers. Most women have no symptoms, while others may have painful or heavy periods. They may cause pain during sex or lower back pain. Occasionally fibroids may make it difficult to become pregnant.

MARION, a 42-year-old female, reported to the hospital hosting the group more than 100 miles from her home. She was informed about the services that UMG offer by someone who had a successful hysterectomy the previous year and reached out to the group for assistance. She has been experiencing abdominal pain due to uterine fibroids along with heavy and continuous bleeding for more than three years. 
Financially, she could not use a private gynecologist's services, although she had some health insurance coverage. She was anemic and physically weak on her arrival. On assessment and review of her medical records by Dr. J, our lead Gynecologist, it would be necessary for her to have blood available. She was high risk and had a rare blood type and would have to receive autologous blood. She was devastated; she has never been given that information before. As she wept, her husband stood helpless. They both were able to calm down enough to listen to the instructions that Dr. J gave them. She was given medication to correct the anemia and assured that she could attend the next outreach if she were not successful in receiving the surgery when she was better prepared.
Sure, enough she was still unable to save the amount of money for the surgery and had to wait yet another year. In May 2017, she again traveled for over three hours armed with her blood and was the first patient to receive care. With Dr. J's expertise and the gentle touch of hands from the entire team, her surgical procedure was uneventful and successful. She was discharged two days later in excellent condition. Marion has been in good health when last contacted in 2019 to follow up.



The Prostate
The prostate is a small walnut-sized gland that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. Because it surrounds part of the urethra, the enlarged prostate can squeeze the urethra, causing a problem with urination. 
                   
BPH
Benign prostate hyperplasia, also called prostate enlargement, is a noncancerous increase in the prostate gland's size. Symptoms may include frequent urination, trouble starting to urinate, weak stream, inability to urinate, or bladder control loss. The problem develops at approximately 50 years old; however, it can begin earlier.

Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a common and serious health concern. It is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate gland. About 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.it is the second leading cause of cancer death for men, and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Prostate cancer can be treated surgically and possibly cured by radical prostatectomy if cancer has not metastasized outside the prostate gland.

Prostate problems are prevalent in the Caribbean and other underdeveloped and developing countries. The lack of knowledge about the disease and treatment contributes to the increasing number of deaths caused by the disease. UMG provides services during our missionary outreach to increase the knowledge and treat and bring more awareness to persons who would not receive care due to access and poverty. There are limited amounts of urology specialists in developing countries, which adds to the extended waiting list urology care.

Dr. H is a urology specialist who volunteers time, finances, and expertise to serving the poor.
Without question, he religiously travels with the United Mission of Goodwill Mission team yearly, taking his instruments and supplies on his person with him. He ensures he is equipped to teach, assess, and operate from the most uncomplicated procedure to the most complex. 

WAITING TWO YEARS MORE
59-year-old Florizel showed up at our host hospital after a desperate call for help from UMG in March 2012. He was experiencing many symptoms caused by BPH, which got progressively worse over three years. His primary care doctor prescribed medication to treat some of his symptoms, but the surgical intervention was necessary. Due to the "limited amount "of urologist on the island and lack of private care funds, he was placed on a long waiting list and was reassessed every 6-9 months, punctuated with several emergency room visits. As problems worsen, he was fitted with a urinary leg bag attached to a drain. He was embarrassed by his condition on many fronts.  As instructed, he presented with his medical history from the hospital, backed up with a physical assessment from the team's urologist. He was admitted, and the surgical procedure TURP was successful. He was discharged home without complications and the normal function of the urinary tract. In November 2016, Florizel reached out to UMG, asking for assistance again for kidney stones. He was again fitted with a urinary bag at the local hospital. He prepared for the 2017 missionary outreach and traveled 3 hours to our host hospital. Bad news, he was being treated for UTI, which was resistant to the antibiotics he was given. He was admitted reassessed by Dr. H and was prescribed another antibiotic to treat the infection. He continued follow-up visits at the local hospital but was placed back on the waiting list that never ends.  In May 2018, with his infection successfully treated, he again had a second TURP, crushing and removing the kidney stones. He returned to normal functioning and found employment after. He remains stable.

There are hundreds if not thousands of persons with these treatable diseases on a waitlist in need of life-changing surgeries. Hope has been absent for not days, weeks, or months but years. We have been affected by the present pandemic, but the United Mission of Goodwill Missionary team looks forward to restoring hope in those who patiently wait for us to return. It is not impossible to help to support those who wait.

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING SOMEONE BY DONATING TO UNITED MISSION OF GOODWILL MINISTRY.

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