Breathing New Life: Maria’s Journey with One World Surgery

My name is María, and I am 64 years old. Originally from Venezuela, I now live in the Dominican Republic. I have two children; my son lives here with me, while my daughter remains in Venezuela. I left my home country in search of a better life. For the past five years, I’ve dedicated myself to sewing and crafting at home. Before that, I worked for a pharmaceutical company in Venezuela. 

I’ve been battling nasal polyps for over a decade. These growths have worsened my allergies and asthma, making breathing increasingly difficult. Initially, I didn’t pay much attention to my symptoms, but as it worsened, it severely affected my breathing and caused adverse reactions to some medications. The polyps continued to grow, and I had to undergo my first surgery.  

Living with nasal polyps has been incredibly challenging. The obstruction they caused made sleeping a struggle; I often had to sleep sitting up and dealt with constant dizziness. Breathing through my nose became nearly impossible, and I had to resort to mouth breathing, which made even small efforts exhausting. Eating was difficult, and I often felt like I was choking. Strong smells bothered me, and I suffered from intense headaches. 

My husband worked with Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH), where he learned about One World Surgery (OWS) and their work in the Dominican Republic. He told me about OWS, and I reached out to a staff member, who visited me immediately to understand my condition. 

Unfortunately, the surgery I needed to remove the polyps couldn’t be done quickly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and increased health insurance costs. I waited four years, managing my hypertension and allergies during this time. 

When OWS visited me, they were incredibly supportive. Through their Patient Assistance Program, OWS provided the necessary funds for my surgery and primary care services while I awaited the procedure. The surgeons were able to remove the polyps endoscopically, which means they will take longer to grow back.

I am immensely grateful to OWS for their support during my time of need. Thanks to them, I no longer have any obstructions and can finally breathe again. 

Get Involved with One World Surgery 

Thank you to our generous donors who support patient care and primary care services to ensure patients like María get the support they need until our new surgery center is open. Learn more about how you can get involved and support our mission.

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