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Help Howard pay for valve repair surgery at Christchurch Orthopedic Institute
Howard needs valve repair surgery at Christchurch Orthopedic Institute and the family is $5,800 short of the hospital's estimate.
🇳🇿 New Zealand2,120 views
Howard was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor in July. The surgeon at Christchurch Orthopedic Institute recommended valve repair surgery, and He is scheduled for October. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $9,750, and after what our health plan will pay we're still $5,800 short.
my brother has been in and out of Christchurch Orthopedic Institute since July. The doctors say a benign brain tumor will get worse without valve repair surgery. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $9,750 is more than we can find.
While we wait, Howard struggles with daily life and can't work a full shift. His family has taken turns caring for him, and I've cut my own work hours to be there.
Rehabilitation is expected to take about 8 weeks. During that time Howard won't be able to work a full shift, so the costs keep growing.
I'll pay the hospital and pharmacy directly and post every receipt in the updates section.
Where the $5,800 goes:
• Physiotherapy sessions: $530
• Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $1,800
• Hospital stay (4 nights): $3,250
• Travel and lodging for the family: $220
You're what makes this possible, and I'll never forget it.
- due date
- 2026-09-22
- bill type
- Hospital invoice
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take care, Isabella. Shared it with a few friends
What exactly is the $5,800 for?
Sure. The biggest one is physiotherapy sessions, $530. The rest is in the list at the bottom of the post and I'll upload receipts as I pay each one. Happy to explain more.
Praying for you. Hope this works out for you. My mother had a similar thing happen so this one hit home. God bless.
Hang in there, Isabella. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Read this on the bus and kept thinking about it all day. Greetings from Karachi.
Any update on how things are going in Christchurch?
Keep going, Isabella. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. My daughter saw me on my phone and now she wants to give her pocket money. Take care
You're not alone, Isabella. Look after yourselves too, caregivers need rest. Take care
Wishing you the best, Isabella. I work in healthcare and wanted you to know people are on your side. Blessings