Pain-Free, Happy, and Blessed!

“I’ve never asked for anything in my life until this. I was taught that if I wanted or needed anything I had to work for it.”

Victoria is a 58-year-old cashier and nanny from Anaheim, California. Despite living paycheck to paycheck, she is proud to provide for herself and her 82-year-old mother. Victoria explains, “I live a humble life; I don’t spend money that I don’t have. I have no credit cards. No debt. No luxuries.” After paying her rent she has $350 remaining for the month; that’s just enough to cover utilities, food, and gas. She has no savings and she will not be eligible for social security in the future. 

For the past 10 years, Victoria lived with two painful hernias, an umbilical (belly button) hernia and an inguinal (groin) hernia. “I’ve always strained while going to the bathroom. It would hurt to go,” she said. Victoria would often massage the hernia on her stomach in the hope it would provide some kind of relief from the pain. Working as a nanny, Victoria was heartbroken the day that she was no longer able pick up the toddlers. Sometimes she would force herself to pick them up anyways, despite knowing how much it would aggravate her hernias and intensify the pain.

It came to a point where Victoria could no longer ignore the pain. She was​ at a loss for what to do as she knew she couldn’t afford surgery to repair the hernias. Fortunately, she heard about a low-cost clinic called La Amistad. Through the Community Referral Network, a web-based referral tool created by Lestonnac Free Clinic, that allows non-profits to send and receive referrals, La Amistad referred her to the Surgical Wait List.

Within a year, Lestonnac called her to offer her a FREE surgery that would repair both hernias. Victoria was thrilled! 

Victoria underwent the life-changing surgery on October 10, 2019. The very next day, she was able to walk and cook meals for her mother.

“I’m pain-free now. I’m happy. I’m blessed. I want to thank the doctors who want to help by giving their time and skills to people like me. Thank you for taking such good care of me.” 

Victoria was surprised and inspired that complete strangers wanted to help her out of the kindness of their hearts. “Nobody had any reason to help me but they did. And for that, I’m eternally grateful.”

Thanks to volunteer doctors and generous donors like YOU, we were able to free Victoria of unnecessary suffering. YOUR support helps patients like Victoria get back on their feet. If you are interested in becoming a donor, please know that your gift helps us ensure that the low income and uninsured in our community don’t have to forgo medical treatment due to lack of funds or resources. From everyone at Lestonnac Free Clinic, Thank You!