Even if you have read Fatama's story before, please do so again, as the information and fundraising link has changed!
I am writing today with a heavy heart, and a call to action. A woman contacted us at Khadarlis only a few days ago, informing us of a desperate need for assistance. A young Sierra Leonean woman named Fatama has been suffering from an oral infection (now identified as cancer) for a heartbreakingly long time. She had a tooth extraction in March of 2012, and a few days later, she began to experience swelling in her jaw. A ground team in Sierra Leone confirmed this case and sent us photographs as evidence of its legitimacy. Fatama has had surgery, antibiotics and more, but has responded to none of the treatments. She is now experiencing a burning in her throat, and can barely eat. No hospital or clinic has been able to treat her with any success.
This beautiful young woman is 17 years old, an accomplished high school student in Freetown. Khadarlis is trying to raise money to send her to a hospital that can properly treat her. Please, if you can help, even a small amount, even a few dollars, it will go a long way to helping Fatama get treatment that will save her life. You can make a tax-deductible donation online here: http://www.razoo.com/story/Help-Save-Fatmata-Turay-S-Life or mail a check (memo line: Fatama Turay) to:
Khadarlis for Sierra Leone
99 Academy Avenue, Providence, RI
02908
This picture above is Fatama before the infection set in.
I have attached a photo and her sick history (written by her mother) below from just a few days ago, but please be wary, the pictures are simply heartbreaking, and very difficult to look at. Please, consider putting your support behind this important case. Every penny is significant, and each bit goes another step towards saving this young woman’s life.
HER SICK HISTORY
Fatmata had a tooth extraction carried out on 3rd March, 2012. After few days, swelling commenced.
On April, 2012 surgical procedure had to be done on the same area at the Connaught Hospital Freetown (Dr. Patrick Don-Davies- Chief Dental Officer), after that, Radiographic survey showed osteolytic, and destruction lesion of most of the right mandible and maxilla. Since April to June, she was on antibiotics but was not responding to treatment. So, some doctors were suggesting that it could be Burkitt Lymphoma.
On August, 2012 she was referred from another clinic from one of the hospital in the North Makeni Government Hospital to be precise, X-ray shows she has loss of the mandible.
On October, 012 she was admitted again at the Holy Spirit Hospital, Northern Sierra Leone, she was giving the same treatment (antibiotics) but the swelling still remain the same.
On November, 2012 Fatmata was referred to Guinea – Conakry Hospital Ship M/V Africa seeking surgical treatment. During the pre-operative screening process the doctors said they highly suspect symptoms for Burkitt Lymphoma, but they didn’t do any test nor X-ray. They said they do not have the capability to provide treatment for this illness.
On December, 2012 Madam Harriet took the poor girl to her doctor (Dr. Arthur D O Wright) who suggested we do biopsy test. The result of the biopsy was Epulias with no signs of malignancy. However, other experts doubted this diagnosis so with the help of fun-raising efforts from Madam Harriet Danjaju, we were sent to recommended hospital in Ghana for repeat biopsy and possible treatment. Their biopsy concluded Squamous cell carcinoma and they told us Fatmat’s condition was terminal and abandoned us. We flew back to Sierra Leone, again with the help of Madam Danjaji, and are now admitted at Choitram Hospital in Freetown for stabilization as Fatmata’s condition continues to worsen. Experts abroad and in Sierra Leone doubt the cursory medical investigations done in Ghana and the diagnosis. A hospital in the USA has agreed to analyse another biopsy of Fatama’s mass so we can get a definite diagnosis and pursue treatment. We are hoping to go to a hospital in India once a diagnosis is made and Fatmata is stable enough to travel.
Imagine if this was your child. Please help me save my only child’s life. Every little helps. May God bless you in abundance for your generousity. Please pray for my child’s recovery. My heart bleeds for her as I see her slowly and painfully fade away likel this. Thank you for reading our story.
