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Spinal decompression surgery for Chai: covering what insurance won't
After osteoarthritis in the right knee, Chai was cleared for spinal decompression surgery, but the bill is more than we can manage.
Anywhere in the world3,419 views
In October I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the right knee. My surgeon at Chiang Mai Orthopedic Institute recommended spinal decompression surgery, and I have been placed on the schedule for January. The hospital's financial office gave me a written estimate of $2,450, and after what the public health scheme will pay, I'm still $1,850 short.
Doctors at Chiang Mai Orthopedic Institute told me osteoarthritis in the right knee will get worse without spinal decompression surgery. I work as a delivery rider, and I have saved what I can, but the estimate of $2,450 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 6 weeks. I'll not be able to drive during that time, so this has become a financial emergency as well as a medical one.
The money goes straight to the treatment bills, and I'll share the invoices as they're paid so you can see exactly what your gift did.
Where the $1,850 goes:
• Hospital stay (4 nights): $770
• Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $720
• Physiotherapy sessions: $175
• Pre-operative tests and imaging: $90
• Travel and lodging for the family: $95
I'll keep this page updated with receipts as things happen.
- due date
- 2023-12-22
- bill type
- Hospital invoice
Updates from Chai
73% there. I made the first payment toward physiotherapy sessions. Thank you.
- Emma Winkler 🇩🇪 · $30
- Anonymous 🇮🇩 · $21
- Luca L. Marshall 🇺🇸 · $100
- Logan H. Rodriguez 🇺🇸 · $10
- Ishita B. Luthra 🇮🇳 · $200
“Thought of Chai all day after reading this. - Saket”
- Alexa Bradley 🇺🇸 · $10
- Anonymous 🇧🇷 · $25
“Hope things get better. Hope the January deadline works out. - Rio de Janeiro”
- Jéssica Lorena Miranda 🇧🇷 · $75
- Kayode Kingsley Odukoya 🇳🇬 · $10
- Natalia Sanders 🇺🇸 · $25
- Maëlle Véronique Benoit 🇫🇷 · $50
“All the best. My brother told me about this one. - Marseille”
- Héctor B. Salazar 🇲🇽 · $15
- Janaka Kumara Herath 🇱🇰 · $10
“Hope the January deadline works out. - Negombo”
- Orly Hannah Rosenberg 🇮🇱 · $59
- Delphine Claire Perrin 🇨🇦 · $25
- Mustafa Recep Karakaya 🇹🇷 · $75
“Thought of Chai all day after reading this.”
- Zakaria Mazen Siddiqui 🇪🇬 · $10
- Arslan Zeeshan Ismail 🇵🇰 · $25
“Hope it all works out. Thought of Chai all day after reading this. - Faisalabad”
- Beatriz R. Quintero 🇺🇸 · $20
- Benjamin T. Lewis 🇺🇸 · $20
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Thinking of you. Wishing Chai a smooth procedure and a full recovery
Is there anything that isn't money that would help Chai?
Keep going, Chai. I hope things turn around soon
Thinking of you, Chai. Hope this works out for you. Don't lose heart. A few weeks ago I was in a hole too and it changed faster than I expected.
Best of luck, Chai. Hope the treatment goes smoothly and recovery is quick. After 16 years in nursing I know how hard it's to ask for anything. Love from Fresno.
Wishing you peace, Chai. Get well soon. Sent it to 5 people at work
Hope it all works out, Chai. Your post was clear and honest. We lost years of savings to something like this so I get it. God bless.
wishing you the best. Hope the treatment goes smoothly and recovery is quick. Read this on the bus and kept thinking about it all day. Thinking of Chiang Mai.