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Palate reconstruction surgery for Kennedy: covering what insurance won't
Kennedy needs palate reconstruction surgery at San Francisco General Hospital and the family is $5,000 short of the hospital's estimate.
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In August I was diagnosed with an aortic valve defect. My surgeon at San Francisco General Hospital recommended palate reconstruction surgery, and I have been placed on the schedule for October. The hospital's financial office gave me a written estimate of $7,250, and after what the public health scheme will pay, I'm still $5,000 short.
Doctors at San Francisco General Hospital told me an aortic valve defect will get worse without palate reconstruction surgery. I work as a taxi driver, and I have saved what I can, but the estimate of $7,250 is far beyond what I've.
Until the surgery I can't work full days, and my hours as a taxi driver have already been cut. Every week of waiting means more pain and a bigger risk.
Recovery is expected to take about 3 weeks. I'll not be able to work a full shift 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 $5,000 goes:
• Physiotherapy sessions: $790
• Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $3,950
• Post-operative medication: $260
I hope life is good to you.
- Kennedy
- due date
- 2026-10-03
- bill type
- Hospital invoice
Updates from Kennedy
Quick update: $1,735 raised so far (35%). I met with the hospital and confirmed the amounts. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.
Small update. $1,021 so far, I made the first payment toward physiotherapy sessions.
Good news. Because of your gifts ($511 in total) the first invoice got paid this week. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.
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Wishing you peace, Kennedy. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. The breakdown of costs made it easy to trust.
Wishing you the best, Kennedy. Hope the treatment goes smoothly and recovery is quick. We're a small family in San Antonio but we're thinking of you
Thinking of you, Kennedy. Gave what I could, wish it was more.
best of luck. Hope the treatment goes smoothly and recovery is quick. We lost years of savings to something like this so I get it
Stay strong, Kennedy. Shared this with my family. Please keep us posted. Thinking of San Francisco.