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

Shirley needs spinal decompression surgery at Tallahassee General Hospital and the family is $7,750 short of the hospital's estimate.

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Lillian S. Butler
Email verified
Tallahassee
Shirley was diagnosed with a hernia that has become strangulated in November. The surgeon at Tallahassee General Hospital recommended spinal decompression surgery, and She is scheduled for February. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $9,750, and after what my employer's plan will pay we're still $7,750 short. my mother has been in and out of Tallahassee General Hospital since November. The doctors say a hernia that has become strangulated will get worse without spinal decompression surgery. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $9,750 is more than we can find. While we wait, Shirley struggles with daily life and can't walk without help. Her family has taken turns caring for her, and I've cut my own work hours to be there. Recovery is expected to take about 8 weeks. During that time Shirley won't be able to walk without help, 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 $7,750 goes: • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $3,750 • Hospital stay (2 nights): $2,650 • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $290 • Post-operative medication: $140 • Physiotherapy sessions: $450 • Travel and lodging for the family: $470 With deep gratitude, Lillian
due date
2026-03-02
bill type
Hospital invoice
#surgery#hospital-bills#recovery#medical

Updates from Lillian

  1. Thank you all. We're at 40% now ($3,087). I'm honestly stunned. we've booked the dates and paid the deposit.

  2. Thank you all. We're at 39% now ($3,007). I'm honestly stunned. I met with the hospital and confirmed the amounts.

  3. Update from Tallahassee: the plan for pre-operative tests and imaging is now scheduled. We're at 21% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Brooklyn Welch 🇺🇸 · $20

    “Blessings. Thought of Shirley all day after reading this. - Bakersfield”

  • Hugo Nicolas Joly 🇫🇷 · $20

    “Hope it all works out. - Nîmes”

  • Hong Yan Ding 🇺🇸 · $100
  • Simone Carlo Greco 🇮🇹 · $50

    “Thought of Shirley all day after reading this. - Rome”

  • Amna Samina Hashmi 🇵🇰 · $50

    “Wishing you the best. My cousin told me about this one. - Multan”

  • Maria Warren 🇬🇧 · $5
  • David Kiptoo Lyimo 🇹🇿 · $10
  • Alok C. Kumar 🇨🇦 · $200
  • Wondimu Haile Bekele 🇪🇹 · $100
  • Citlali B. Vásquez 🇦🇷 · $75
  • Greta Veronica Fontana 🇮🇹 · $41.50

    “Sending love. Hope you get the rest soon. - Messina”

  • Liliana E. Vega 🇪🇸 · $10
  • Benjamin Emmanuel Kyei 🇬🇭 · $24

    “Sending love. Hope you get the rest soon. - Madina”

  • Anonymous 🇲🇽 · $100
  • Mousumi Popy Khatun 🇧🇩 · $5
  • Anonymous 🇧🇩 · $20
  • Sota Ishii 🇯🇵 · $100

    “God bless. Thought of Shirley all day after reading this.”

  • Francis Dennis Darko 🇬🇭 · $18

    “Blessings. Shared with friends too. - Takoradi”

  • Harold M. Riley 🇺🇸 · $20
  • Hari C. Venkatesh 🇮🇳 · $25

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  • Jayanthi S. KurupPhoto verified

    Thinking of you. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. Sent it to 10 people at work. Thinking of Tallahassee.

    • Zainab Sara Maalouf

      hang in there, Lillian. Gave what I could, wish it was more. I'm in engineering myself and wanted you to know we're cheering for you. Take care.

      • Vilai Tippawan KaewklaPhoto verified

        Thinking of you and your family, Lillian. Looking forward to the next update. I have a 7 year old who wants to send good wishes too. Greetings from Liverpool

        • Rita Asante

          Hope it all works out, Lillian. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. Our whole street has been following this since the weekend. Love from Orlando.

          • Hannah J. Vazquez

            Sending good thoughts, Lillian. It takes guts to ask. Well done. I went through something like this 8 years ago and strangers helped me out. Love from Osaka.

            • Kadiatou Konaté

              Good luck, Lillian. Hope this works out for you!

              • Caroline Kato

                wishing you peace, Lillian. Hope the doctors have good news

                • Waqas Hassan Qazi

                  Thinking of you and your family, Lillian. I work in healthcare and wanted you to know people are on your side. I hope February is when things finally get easier. Love from Badagry.

                  $6,632.50 raised of $7,750

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