A craniotomy for Thulani: covering what insurance won't

Thulani was diagnosed with a deviated septum causing chronic infections in August. The surgeon at Soweto Regional Medical Center recommended a craniotomy, and He is scheduled for December. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $530, and after what the public health scheme will pay we're still $400 short. my son has been in and out of Soweto Regional Medical Center since August. The doctors say a deviated septum causing chronic infections will get worse without a craniotomy. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $530 is more than we can find. While we wait, Thulani struggles with daily life and can't lift anything heavy. His family has taken turns caring for him, and I've cut my own work hours to be there. The recovery period is expected to take about 6 weeks. During that time Thulani won't be able to lift anything heavy, so the costs keep growing. The money goes straight to the treatment bills, and I'll share the invoices as they're paid so you can see exactly what your gift did. Where the $400 goes: • Travel and lodging for the family: $55 • Post-operative medication: $75 • Hospital stay (4 nights): $270 Even a small gift gets used right away and I'll thank you myself. - Hlengiwe