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Palate reconstruction surgery for Ruby: covering what insurance won't

After severe cataracts in both eyes, Ruby was cleared for palate reconstruction surgery, but the bill is more than we can manage.

🇺🇸 San Diego, California, United States4,445 views
James A. Little
Email verifiedPhoto verified
San Diego
Ruby was diagnosed with severe cataracts in both eyes in August. The surgeon at San Diego Orthopedic Institute recommended palate reconstruction surgery, and She is scheduled for November. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $8,000, and after what my insurance will pay we're still $4,800 short. my mother has been in and out of San Diego Orthopedic Institute since August. The doctors say severe cataracts in both eyes will get worse without palate reconstruction surgery. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $8,000 is more than we can find. While we wait, Ruby struggles with daily life and can't climb stairs. 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 3 weeks. During that time Ruby won't be able to climb stairs, so the costs keep growing. I'll pay the hospital and pharmacy directly and post every receipt in the updates section. Where the $4,800 goes: • Hospital stay (2 nights): $1,800 • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $2,750 • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $250 I'll pay this kindness forward the moment I'm able to.
due date
2026-11-03
bill type
Hospital invoice
#surgery#hospital-bills#recovery#medical

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  • Courtney J. Nash 🇺🇸 · $10

    “Thought of Ruby all day after reading this. - San Jose”

  • Anonymous 🇳🇬 · $25

    “Hope it all works out. Saw your post and had to give. - Kaduna”

  • Jimena H. Cruz 🇨🇴 · $10
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  • Zubair Bilal Chaudhry 🇵🇰 · $10

    “Take care of yourselves. Gave what I could this week. - Quetta”

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    “Best of luck. Only $50 but hope it helps. - Kharkiv”

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    “Be well. Shared with friends too. - Bristol”

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    “All the best. Been where you're, it gets better. - Mannheim”

  • Jepkoech Amani Githinji 🇰🇪 · $10
  • Sergio E. Moreno 🇲🇽 · $25

    “Thought of Ruby all day after reading this. - Tehuacán”

  • Jordan Boyd 🇬🇧 · $54

    “Keep your head up. Please keep us posted. - Coventry”

  • Janet K. Knight 🇺🇸 · $20

    “God bless. Thought of Ruby all day after reading this. - Fort Worth”

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  • Everett H. Russell

    wishing you peace. Hope the doctors have good news. I have a 9 year old who wants to send good wishes too. Love from Mumbai

    • Garba Kingsley Obi

      Shared this with my family. The breakdown of costs made it easy to trust. Love from Dammam.

      • Patrick M. Steele

        Wishing you peace, James. Look after yourselves too, caregivers need rest. It's not much but it's yours. Take care.

        • Noel A. Ocampo

          Thanks for sharing this, James. Hope you get there. Love from Yogyakarta.

          • Silas SpencerPhoto verified

            Sending strength, James. I hope things turn around soon. I'll check back for the next update. Blessings.

            • Rowan E. Ward

              Sending good thoughts. Hope the doctors have good news. My late mom used to say help given quietly counts double. All the best!

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