Bills & expensesMedical & healthCritical
Marlene's spinal decompression surgery can't wait - please help us cover the bill
After a torn ligament that needs reconstruction, Marlene was cleared for spinal decompression surgery, but the bill is more than we can manage.
🇿🇦 Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa869 views
Marlene was diagnosed with a torn ligament that needs reconstruction in December. The surgeon at Stellenbosch Orthopedic Institute recommended spinal decompression surgery, and She is scheduled for February. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $3,500, and after what the government subsidy will pay we're still $2,100 short.
my mother has been in and out of Stellenbosch Orthopedic Institute since December. The doctors say a torn ligament that needs reconstruction will get worse without spinal decompression surgery. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $3,500 is more than we can find.
While we wait, Marlene struggles with daily life and can't walk without help. Her family has taken turns caring for her, and I've cut my own work hours to be there.
Rehabilitation is expected to take about 8 weeks. During that time Marlene won't be able to walk without help, so the costs keep growing.
I'll pay the hospital and pharmacy directly and post every receipt in the updates section.
Where the $2,100 goes:
• Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $590
• Hospital stay (4 nights): $970
• Pre-operative tests and imaging: $145
• Post-operative medication: $90
• Physiotherapy sessions: $190
• Travel and lodging for the family: $115
Thanks for being kind about this.
- due date
- 2026-02-11
- bill type
- Hospital invoice
Updates from Lucky
We're at 7% thanks to 4 of you. I made the first payment toward pre-operative tests and imaging. More news soon.
- Abigail A. Lewis 🇺🇸 · $50
- Shailesh G. Gandhi 🇮🇳 · $100
“Every little bit. Hope the March deadline works out. - Nashik”
- Lucas M. Rogers 🇺🇸 · $25
“Praying for you. Please keep us posted. - Toledo”
- Grace Hellen Kessy 🇰🇪 · $13.50
“All the best. Hope you get the rest soon. - Naivasha”
- Courtney B. Hawkins 🇺🇸 · $25
- Denise A. Romero 🇬🇧 · $66.50
- Charles Ashworth 🇺🇸 · $13
- Ángel W. Gutiérrez 🇺🇸 · $25
“Best of luck. From Durham with love. - Durham”
- Lucas A. Schwartz 🇺🇸 · $50
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how is Marlene doing now?
Thanks for sharing this, Lucky. Wishing Marlene a smooth procedure and a full recovery. Sent it to 35 people at work.
Sending love, Lucky. Shared this with my family. I'm in accounting myself and wanted you to know we're cheering for you. God bless
take care, Lucky. Hope you get there. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like. Love from Wudil
Thinking of you and your family. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. Put this on a community board in Los Angeles this morning. All the best!