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Spinal decompression surgery for Gianna: covering what insurance won't

Gianna needs spinal decompression surgery at Wollongong Orthopedic Institute and the family is $4,600 short of the hospital's estimate.

🇦🇺 Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia4,678 views
Maria S. Ross
Email verified
Wollongong
Gianna was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the right knee in June. The surgeon at Wollongong Orthopedic Institute recommended spinal decompression surgery, and She is scheduled for September. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $5,750, and after what our health plan will pay we're still $4,600 short. my daughter has been in and out of Wollongong Orthopedic Institute since June. The doctors say osteoarthritis in the right knee will get worse without spinal decompression surgery. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $5,750 is more than we can find. While we wait, Gianna 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. The recovery period is expected to take about 5 weeks. During that time Gianna won't be able to climb stairs, so the costs keep growing. 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 $4,600 goes: • Travel and lodging for the family: $300 • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $3,500 • Post-operative medication: $290 • Physiotherapy sessions: $510 Whatever you can give, even just sharing this page, means a lot.
due date
2026-09-01
bill type
Hospital invoice

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  • Rami Mahmoud 🇪🇬 · $250

    “Only $250 but hope it helps.”

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  • Khoa Tâm Huynh 🇻🇳 · $174

    “Keep your head up. - Cần Thơ”

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    “Keep your head up. - Sacramento”

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    “Keep your head up. My mother told me about this one.”

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    “Hang in there! - Mumbai”

  • Anonymous 🇺🇸 · $100
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    “Sending love! - Madrid”

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    “Blessings. From Naples with love.”

  • José Maurício Vasconcelos 🇧🇷 · $75
  • Pravin L. Williams 🇿🇦 · $67.50

    “Thought of Gianna all day after reading this.”

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  • A colleague of mine might know someone for this in New South Wales. I'll ask around and let you know!

    • So sorry you're going through this, Maria. Get well soon.

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