Bills & expensesMedical & healthCritical
Spinal decompression surgery for Seema: covering what insurance won't
After severe cataracts in both eyes, Seema was cleared for spinal decompression surgery, but the bill is more than we can manage.
🇮🇳 Mangaluru, Karnataka, India774 views
Seema was diagnosed with severe cataracts in both eyes in August. The surgeon at Mangaluru Community Hospital recommended spinal decompression surgery, and She is scheduled for November. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $1,050, and after what the public health scheme will pay we're still $850 short.
my mother has been in and out of Mangaluru Community Hospital since August. The doctors say severe cataracts in both eyes will get worse without spinal decompression surgery. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $1,050 is more than we can find.
While we wait, Seema struggles with daily life and can't drive. 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 10 weeks. During that time Seema won't be able to drive, so the costs keep growing.
I'll pay the hospital and pharmacy directly and post every receipt in the updates section.
Where the $850 goes:
• Post-operative medication: $65
• Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $640
• Physiotherapy sessions: $85
• Pre-operative tests and imaging: $60
I'll keep this page updated with receipts as things happen.
- due date
- 2026-11-06
- bill type
- Hospital invoice
Updates from Geeta
Good news. Because of your gifts ($50 in total) I met with the hospital and confirmed the amounts. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.
Update from Mangaluru: we've booked the dates and paid the deposit. We're at 2% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.
Good news. Because of your gifts ($125 in total) the plan for surgeon and anesthesia fees is now scheduled. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.
- Manasi M. Gaikwad 🇮🇳 · $5
- Avery Matthews 🇺🇸 · $25
- Lungile M. Tshabalala 🇿🇦 · $24
- Claire H. Bishop 🇺🇸 · $75
- Brooklyn E. Callahan 🇺🇸 · $5
“You got this. Thought of Seema all day after reading this.”
- Antonio H. Campos 🇺🇸 · $25
- Henry Seyi Nwankwo 🇳🇬 · $10
- Lincoln N. Simmons 🇬🇧 · $10
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hang in there, Geeta. Gave what I could, wish it was more. My daughter saw me on my phone and now she wants to give her pocket money.
It takes guts to ask. Well done. We're a small family in Addis Ababa but we're thinking of you. Thinking of Mangaluru
Keep going. It takes guts to ask. Well done. Sent it to 31 people at work. Love from Rochester.
Sending good thoughts, Geeta. I hope things turn around soon. Thinking of Mangaluru.
Best of luck, Geeta. Gave what I could, wish it was more. God bless.