Support Chuen Chi Lai's Journey to Recovery and Independence

My name is Chuen Chi Lai and I am 72 years old. I am a cancer survivor and diabetic. Every day I have to inject insulin.

In October 2023, I fell and fractured my left hip. I had surgery and a prosthesis was placed. I felt a lot of pain after the surgery and the wound was bleeding. The medications did not relieve the pain, and they said it was due to my anxiety. Even in that state, they sent me home. Every day that passed, more water with blood that smelled very bad came out. At the follow-up appointment, the doctor told me that I had an infection caused by bacteria and that I needed to be hospitalized again. I needed another surgery to remove the infected prosthesis. I was a victim of medical negligence because they never detected that I had an infection since the surgery, despite presenting all the symptoms that were ignored by them.

In the second surgery, I lost a lot of blood and my blood pressure dropped. The practicing doctors could not find my vein to give me a blood transfusion. I was hospitalized for 45 days receiving antibiotic treatment to attack the bacteria, and during that time, I acquired a new nosocomial bacteria much more resistant than the previous one. They performed a third surgery to clean the infection, and the treatment was much more painful.

I went through a lot of pain, anguish, despair, loneliness, and helplessness in the face of the indifference of the medical staff during my stay in the hospital. My world collapsed when the doctor told me that I would not be able to walk normally again. As a result, I was left with a 3-inch difference between one leg and the other. Now I have to use a wheelchair and walker.

I had no strength in my left leg; I could not stand up. I received physical therapy twice a week. When I was alone in the room, I would hit the bed hard and scream. My face did not smile. I did not want to remember anything. I prayed for God to give me peace, to comfort the fear in my heart, to take my hand so I could continue the path ahead.

I had to pause physical therapy because I developed an infection near the wound, and it hurt too much to do the exercises. The tests showed an infection inside the bone.

In January of this year, I had a fourth surgery to take a bone biopsy. God performed a miracle in my life because the result was negative. I was so happy that I cried. The cause of the infection was a wire that was left tied to the bone of my left leg in the first operation and that should have been removed when the prosthesis was removed in the second surgery. This wire was poking the flesh.

The doctor told me that I could have a fifth surgery to place a new prosthesis. The approximate cost of the surgery is US$20,000. I would like to walk again even if it is with a cane, to be independent, to be able to cook, to shower in the shower, as I cannot enter the bathroom with the wheelchair. I appreciate your financial support to alleviate the costs of the operation.

I pray to God to open the way for me. I have hope and faith.

Thank you very much!