Dorice W., 19

Dorice is a young teenager and a recent high school graduate who is currently unemployed. She lives with her spouse, also a young high school graduate, in a single-room mud-walled house that they inherited from her spouse’s late brother. Both of them are without stable employment, and her spouse survives on occasional menial jobs to support the household. Despite their difficult circumstances, Dorice dreams of becoming a successful business owner one day. Dorice reports that about three months ago, she began experiencing recurrent abdominal pain. She initially sought care at a nearby health facility but was unable to receive medical attention because she did not have medical insurance or cash to pay for services. She returned home, but as the pain intensified, she decided to walk to another facility in search of help. At the second facility, she underwent some tests, though she does not recall the specific investigations performed. She was advised to return after one week so that a consultant could review her case. However, after going back home, her abdominal pain worsened significantly, and she began experiencing vaginal bleeding. She reports that she subsequently lost consciousness and has no recollection of events until she regained awareness at Siaya County Referral Hospital. At the referral hospital, she was evaluated and diagnosed with a dermoid cyst. She was informed that surgical removal would be necessary, but the procedure would need to be scheduled after optimization of her condition, as her hemoglobin level was noted to be slightly low. While admitted, Dorice shared that she had earlier sought care at a private health facility near her home but could not access treatment due to lack of insurance coverage or funds. It was during this discussion that hospital staff informed her about Helpster Charity, which supports vulnerable patients who are unable to afford medical care. After a socioeconomic assessment, she was guided on how to seek assistance through the organization, giving her renewed hope for accessing the surgery she requires.

Dorice was brought with complaints of abdominal pains, and vaginal bleeding. She was diagnosed with a haemorrhagic cyst that prompted admission. While admitted she was administered tranexamic acid, brufen pcm among other drugs to which she was receptive. Eventually she was discharged on orals and a follow up gynaecological clinic booked for her

Dorice’s recurrent abdominal pain is most likely attributable to the dermoid cyst identified during evaluation. Ovarian dermoid cysts can cause persistent or intermittent lower abdominal pain, particularly if they increase in size or exert pressure on surrounding pelvic structures. In some cases, the pain may become severe if the cyst undergoes torsion (twisting of the ovary), which compromises blood supply. Her low hemoglobin level suggests that she may have developed anaemia, possibly worsened by blood loss or chronic nutritional deficiency, contributing to weakness and fainting. The prognosis for dermoid cysts is generally very good, especially when diagnosed early and managed appropriately. Surgical removal typically resolves symptoms completely, and most patients recover well without long-term complications. In the short term, once her anaemia is corrected and surgery is performed, Dorice is expected to experience significant relief from abdominal pain.