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Lemma's spinal decompression surgery can't wait - please help us cover the bill
Lemma needs spinal decompression surgery at Saint Luke Hospital and the family is $900 short of the hospital's estimate.
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In August I was diagnosed with a herniated spinal disc. My surgeon at Saint Luke Hospital recommended spinal decompression surgery, and I have been placed on the schedule for November. The hospital's financial office gave me a written estimate of $1,300, and after what my employer's plan will pay, I'm still $900 short.
Doctors at Saint Luke Hospital told me a herniated spinal disc will get worse without spinal decompression surgery. I work as a delivery rider, and I have saved what I can, but the estimate of $1,300 is far beyond what I've.
Until the surgery I can't work full days, and my hours as a delivery rider have already been cut. Every week of waiting means more pain and a bigger risk.
Rehabilitation is expected to take about 10 weeks. I'll not be able to look after the children alone 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 $900 goes:
• Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $290
• Hospital stay (4 nights): $410
• Pre-operative tests and imaging: $40
• Post-operative medication: $45
• Physiotherapy sessions: $70
• Travel and lodging for the family: $45
Thank you for reading my story.
- due date
- 2026-11-20
- bill type
- Hospital invoice
Updates from Lemma
No updates yet. Supporters are notified when the owner posts one.
- Anonymous 🇮🇳 · $25
- Nirali L. Chheda 🇮🇳 · $20
- Gregory M. Juarez 🇬🇧 · $20
- Alexa E. Robertson 🇺🇸 · $20
“Every little bit. This is from my last paycheck, glad to do it. - Fresno”
- Allison K. Kirby 🇬🇧 · $47
- Laurent Louis Carre 🇫🇷 · $405
- Raquel Carolina Martins 🇧🇷 · $75
“Best of luck. Hope the November deadline works out. - Niterói”
- Anonymous 🇮🇹 · $10
“God bless. Thought of Lemma all day after reading this. - Latina”
- Ingrid Eliane Rezende 🇧🇷 · $10
- Quinn Myers 🇺🇸 · $15
- Dũng Huy Vuong 🇻🇳 · $10
- Brian E. Garza 🇨🇦 · $15
- Tuấn Đạt Huynh 🇻🇳 · $5
“Hang in there. Only $5 but hope it helps. - Thủ Đức”
- Paul Fabrice Adam 🇫🇷 · $5
- Jakob David Pfeiffer 🇩🇪 · $5
- Zeeshan Haider Jilani 🇵🇰 · $10
- Weerasak Phongsri 🇹🇭 · $10
- Anonymous 🇪🇸 · $10
- Kausar Nida Ali 🇵🇰 · $200
“Be well. My colleague told me about this one. - Faisalabad”
- Gabriel A. Evans 🇬🇧 · $10
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can I help in a way that isn't money? I'm near Addis Ababa.
Thank you. If you're in Addis Ababa I'll say if something practical comes up. For now sharing this is great. Thanks for looking so closely.
Thinking of you, Lemma. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes
Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. Greetings from East London
Stay strong, Lemma. Hope this works out for you. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like. Greetings from Chicago.
Praying for you, Lemma. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes.