Matthew's valve repair surgery can't wait - please help us cover the bill

Matthew was diagnosed with a thyroid nodule that needs removal in May. The surgeon at Pittsburgh Orthopedic Institute recommended valve repair surgery, and He is scheduled for August. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $8,500, and after what my insurance will pay we're still $6,700 short. my son has been in and out of Pittsburgh Orthopedic Institute since May. The doctors say a thyroid nodule that needs removal will get worse without valve repair surgery. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $8,500 is more than we can find. While we wait, Matthew struggles with daily life and can't lift anything heavy. 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 12 weeks. During that time Matthew won't be able to lift anything heavy, so the costs keep growing. I'll pay the hospital and pharmacy directly and post every receipt in the updates section. Where the $6,700 goes: • Hospital stay (4 nights): $2,350 • Travel and lodging for the family: $200 • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $470 • Physiotherapy sessions: $420 • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $3,260 If you can't give, please share this page. It does reach people.