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Derek's spinal decompression surgery can't wait - please help us cover the bill

After a hip fracture that never healed properly, Derek was cleared for spinal decompression surgery, but the bill is more than we can manage.

🇺🇸 California, United States4,530 views
Derek N. Wells
Email verifiedPhoto verified
San Francisco
In November I was diagnosed with a hip fracture that never healed properly. My surgeon at San Francisco Regional Medical Center recommended spinal decompression surgery, and I have been placed on the schedule for January. The hospital's financial office gave me a written estimate of $8,750, and after what the public health scheme will pay, I'm still $6,500 short. Doctors at San Francisco Regional Medical Center told me a hip fracture that never healed properly will get worse without spinal decompression surgery. I work as a retail assistant, and I have saved what I can, but the estimate of $8,750 is far beyond what I've. Until the surgery I can't work full days, and my hours as a retail assistant have already been cut. Every week of waiting means more pain and a bigger risk. The recovery period is expected to take about 5 weeks. I'll not be able to walk without help 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 $6,500 goes: • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $3,000 • Hospital stay (4 nights): $1,750 • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $300 • Post-operative medication: $240 • Physiotherapy sessions: $940 • Travel and lodging for the family: $270 Thanks for being kind about this. - Derek
due date
2025-01-15
bill type
Hospital invoice
#surgery#hospital-bills#recovery#medical

Updates from Derek

  1. Good news. Because of your gifts ($3,983 in total) I made the first payment toward hospital stay. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  2. We're at 31% thanks to 56 of you. the first invoice got paid this week. More news soon.

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Anonymous 🇺🇸 · $20
  • Yuki Yamaguchi 🇯🇵 · $50
  • Ssebuliba Mwangi Swai 🇺🇬 · $30
  • Damilola Chiamaka Nwachukwu 🇳🇬 · $5
  • Christopher H. Callahan 🇺🇸 · $100

    “Thought of Derek all day after reading this. - Grand Rapids”

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    “Praying for you. Hope the January deadline works out. - Bangkok”

  • Julien Dubois 🇫🇷 · $15
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    “From my family to yours. My neighbor told me about this one. - Jeddah”

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    “Every little bit. Hope the January deadline works out. - Kisumu”

  • Terry P. Black 🇺🇸 · $14
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  • Leah L. Dixon 🇬🇧 · $50

    “Thought of Derek all day after reading this. - Cardiff”

  • Emmanuel Alcantara 🇵🇭 · $21
  • Ishrat Shirin Bose 🇧🇩 · $25
  • Anonymous 🇱🇰 · $10

    “All the best. My mother told me about this one. - Dehiwala”

  • Anonymous 🇧🇷 · $75
  • Anisur Habib Parvez 🇮🇳 · $10

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  • Tatiane Júlia Oliveira

    Hope things get better soon. Hope you get there. This is the second need I've supported on here and the first that made me cry. Thinking of San Francisco.

    • Rhea E. Mabini

      Hang in there, Derek. It takes guts to ask. Well done. Love from Los Angeles.

      • Eiji Fukuda

        Sending good thoughts, Derek. Get well soon. Love from Bengaluru.

        • Tadhg S. Fitzpatrick

          Wishing you the best, Derek. Get well soon. Blessings.

          $5,953 raised of $6,500

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