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

A scheduled spinal decompression surgery in October is out of reach without help covering $6,700 of the cost.

🇺🇸 Austin, Texas, United States1,685 views
Karina F. Ramos
Email verifiedDriver licence verifiedPhoto verified
Austin
In June I was diagnosed with a hip fracture that never healed properly. My surgeon at Austin Regional Medical Center recommended spinal decompression surgery, and I have been placed on the schedule for October. The hospital's financial office gave me a written estimate of $8,500, and after what my employer's plan will pay, I'm still $6,700 short. Doctors at Austin Regional Medical Center told me a hip fracture that never healed properly will get worse without spinal decompression surgery. I work as a restaurant cook, and I have saved what I can, but the estimate of $8,500 is far beyond what I've. Until the surgery I can't work full days, and my hours as a restaurant cook have already been cut. Every week of waiting means more pain and a bigger risk. Recovery is expected to take about 4 weeks. I'll not be able to drive during that time, so this has become a financial emergency as well as a medical one. I'll pay the hospital and pharmacy directly and post every receipt in the updates section. Where the $6,700 goes: • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $3,350 • Hospital stay (4 nights): $1,750 • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $530 • Post-operative medication: $230 • Physiotherapy sessions: $570 • Travel and lodging for the family: $270 If you're reading this, thank you. - Karina
due date
2026-10-03
bill type
Hospital invoice
#surgery#hospital-bills#recovery#medical

Updates from Karina

  1. Wanted to say thank you properly. 24% funded and the plan for surgeon and anesthesia fees is now scheduled.

  2. Update from Austin: the plan for hospital stay is now scheduled. We're at 14% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

  3. Quick update: $290 raised so far (4%). I met with the hospital and confirmed the amounts. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Rowan S. Carr 🇦🇺 · $5
  • Ramon T. Dizon 🇵🇭 · $50
  • Rafael Espinoza 🇺🇸 · $10
  • Justyna Ewa Kowalski 🇵🇱 · $22

    “Hope this helps. Thought of Karina all day after reading this.”

  • Sarah Ruth Mushi 🇰🇪 · $25

    “Good luck. Thought of Karina all day after reading this. - Mombasa”

  • Anonymous 🇳🇿 · $50
  • Lungile J. Joubert 🇿🇦 · $5

    “Sending love. Thought of Karina all day after reading this. - Johannesburg”

  • Anonymous 🇺🇸 · $20
  • Supaporn Anong Thammasat 🇹🇭 · $50
  • Oanh My Diep 🇻🇳 · $100
  • Vaibhav L. Jadhav 🇮🇳 · $25
  • Sofía A. Zamora 🇺🇸 · $25
  • Lydia N. Taylor 🇺🇸 · $100

    “Get well soon. Thought of Karina all day after reading this. - Toledo”

  • Dominik Beck 🇩🇪 · $25
  • Jigna M. Zaveri 🇮🇳 · $20

    “Every little bit. Only $20 but hope it helps. - Chennai”

  • Esther Winnie Wafula 🇹🇿 · $250
  • Daan Milan Hendriks 🇳🇱 · $50
  • Beth S. Sanchez 🇨🇦 · $200
  • Omar Morgan 🇯🇲 · $30

    “Hang in there. I'm in Montego Bay, thinking of you.”

  • Oky Pandu Budiman 🇮🇩 · $25

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  • Sandesh M. Parikh

    Wishing you peace, Karina. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. My neighbor in Jodhpur donated after I showed her your page. Love from Jodhpur.

    • Meena A. Sood

      Take care, Karina. Shared this with my family

      • Praveen G. Raman

        I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. I went through something like this 3 years ago and strangers helped me out. Thinking of Austin.

        • Sami Ibrahim Hamdan

          Thanks for sharing this, Karina. Looking forward to the next update.

          $2,125 raised of $6,700

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