Bills & expensesMedical & healthCritical
A partial thyroidectomy for Nicole: covering what insurance won't
Nicole needs a partial thyroidectomy at Lapu-Lapu University Hospital and the family is $950 short of the hospital's estimate.
🇵🇭 Philippines741 views
In January I was diagnosed with a thyroid nodule that needs removal. My surgeon at Lapu-Lapu University Hospital recommended a partial thyroidectomy, and I have been placed on the schedule for April. The hospital's financial office gave me a written estimate of $1,200, and after what our health plan will pay, I'm still $950 short.
Doctors at Lapu-Lapu University Hospital told me a thyroid nodule that needs removal will get worse without a partial thyroidectomy. I work as a farm laborer, and I have saved what I can, but the estimate of $1,200 is far beyond what I've.
Until the surgery I can't work full days, and my hours as a farm laborer have already been cut. Every week of waiting means more pain and a bigger risk.
Recovery is expected to take about 8 weeks. I'll not be able to drive during that time, so this has become a financial emergency as well as a medical one.
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 $950 goes:
• Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $320
• Post-operative medication: $70
• Physiotherapy sessions: $125
• Hospital stay (4 nights): $370
• Pre-operative tests and imaging: $65
Ask me anything below before you decide. I'd rather you were sure.
- due date
- 2025-04-17
- bill type
- Hospital invoice
Updates from Nicole
Update from Lapu-Lapu: I met with the hospital and confirmed the amounts. We're at 27% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.
- Kariuki James Kiptoo 🇰🇪 · $6
- Victoria Palmer 🇺🇸 · $100
“Happy to help! - Miami”
- Michael Femi Quadri 🇳🇬 · $74
- Ishrat Sharmin Jahan 🇧🇩 · $61.50
- John Paul L. Gonzales 🇵🇭 · $25
“Hope this helps. Please keep us posted. - Caloocan”
- Chiara Maria Sala 🇮🇹 · $25
- Stella H. Padilla 🇺🇸 · $50
- Pamela P. Thornton 🇺🇸 · $50
“You got this. I'm in Glendale, thinking of you.”
- Carol K. Ashworth 🇬🇧 · $10
- Benjamin R. Harvey 🇨🇦 · $80
- Shapla Rahima Ali 🇧🇩 · $50
“Take care of yourselves. Only $50 but hope it helps. - Comilla”
- Diego P. Castro 🇦🇷 · $75
- Gauri F. Phadke 🇮🇳 · $25
“Thought of Nicole all day after reading this.”
- Anonymous 🇷🇴 · $21
Reviews
Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.
No reviews yet.
Questions & comments
Ask before you give. Email-verified members can comment and ask questions - no donation needed.
Sign in or create a free account to join the conversation.
is there a list of costs somewhere? Just curious how it adds up for Nicole.
Sure. The biggest one is surgeon and anesthesia fees, $320. The rest is in the list at the bottom of the post and I'll upload receipts as I pay each one.
You're not alone, Nicole. This could happen to any of us. We're a small family in Campinas but we're thinking of you. Thinking of Lapu-Lapu.
Sending love. I work in healthcare and wanted you to know people are on your side. Put this on a community board in San Jose this morning.
Take care, Nicole. Your post was clear and honest. Don't lose heart. A few weeks ago I was in a hole too and it changed faster than I expected.