Bills & expensesMedical & healthUrgent
Spinal decompression surgery for Elias: covering what insurance won't
After a deviated septum causing chronic infections, Elias was cleared for spinal decompression surgery, but the bill is more than we can manage.
🇺🇸 St. Petersburg, Florida, United States5,446 views
In September I was diagnosed with a deviated septum causing chronic infections. My surgeon at St. Petersburg Orthopedic Institute recommended spinal decompression surgery, and I have been placed on the schedule for December. The hospital's financial office gave me a written estimate of $9,250, and after what the public health scheme will pay, I'm still $6,400 short.
Doctors at St. Petersburg Orthopedic Institute told me a deviated septum causing chronic infections will get worse without spinal decompression surgery. I work as a warehouse packer, and I have saved what I can, but the estimate of $9,250 is far beyond what I've.
Until the surgery I can't work full days, and my hours as a warehouse packer 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 look after the children alone 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 $6,400 goes:
• Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $2,700
• Hospital stay (5 nights): $1,800
• Pre-operative tests and imaging: $610
• Post-operative medication: $290
• Physiotherapy sessions: $440
• Travel and lodging for the family: $560
Glad we found this place.
- due date
- 2026-12-06
- bill type
- Hospital invoice
Updates from Elias
Small update. $2,579 so far, we've booked the dates and paid the deposit.
- Rocío S. Vargas 🇲🇽 · $10
“Wish I could do more. Thought of Elias all day after reading this. - Monterrey”
- Joshua S. Whitaker 🇺🇸 · $5
- Anonymous 🇺🇬 · $25
- Gustavo R. Mora 🇪🇸 · $50
- Ariana F. Beck 🇳🇿 · $14
“All the best. Thought of Elias all day after reading this. - Hamilton”
- Anonymous 🇯🇵 · $30
“Wishing you the best. Gave what I could this week. - Kawasaki”
- Liliana Bennett 🇬🇧 · $10
- Abigail Flores 🇺🇸 · $25
“Get well soon. Thought of Elias all day after reading this. - Salem”
- Weston S. Li 🇺🇸 · $10
- Caroline Muthoni Urassa 🇺🇬 · $5
- Emon Hasan Islam 🇧🇩 · $500
- Beau E. Cole 🇬🇧 · $26
- Enrique N. Maldonado 🇨🇴 · $10
“Best of luck. Thought of Elias all day after reading this. - Medellín”
- Jung-ho Jae-hyun Seo 🇰🇷 · $10
- Edgardo P. Cruz 🇵🇭 · $100
- Andreea Constantin 🇷🇴 · $25
- Declan F. Garrett 🇨🇦 · $25
- Ismael T. Legaspi 🇵🇭 · $30
- Candra Candra Nasution 🇮🇩 · $50
“Hope this helps. Only $50 but hope it helps. - Bekasi”
- Leonardo Alberto Bianco 🇮🇹 · $25
Reviews
Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.
No reviews yet.
Questions & comments
Ask before you give. Email-verified members can comment and ask questions - no donation needed.
Sign in or create a free account to join the conversation.
Stay strong. I hope things turn around soon. Love from Coyoacán.
Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. I'm in retail myself and wanted you to know we're cheering for you
Sending good thoughts, Elias. Shared this with my family. My brother had a similar thing happen so this one hit home.
So sorry you're going through this, Elias. Look after yourselves too, caregivers need rest. I have a 7 year old who wants to send good wishes too.
Praying for you, Elias. Hope the treatment goes smoothly and recovery is quick. My daughter saw me on my phone and now she wants to give her pocket money. Thinking of St. Petersburg.
Thanks for sharing this, Elias. Hope the treatment goes smoothly and recovery is quick. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like. All the best
Thanks for sharing this, Elias. Gave what I could, wish it was more. This is the second need I've supported on here and the first that made me cry. Greetings from Boston.