Surgery fund for Ezra: a partial thyroidectomy in Chattanooga

Ezra was diagnosed with gallstones with repeated infections in July. The surgeon at Chattanooga Community Hospital recommended a partial thyroidectomy, and He is scheduled for September. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $6,000, and after what my employer's plan will pay we're still $4,750 short. my son has been in and out of Chattanooga Community Hospital since July. The doctors say gallstones with repeated infections will get worse without a partial thyroidectomy. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $6,000 is more than we can find. While we wait, Ezra struggles with daily life and can't lift anything heavy. His family has taken turns caring for him, and I've cut my own work hours to be there. Rehabilitation is expected to take about 7 weeks. During that time Ezra won't be able to lift anything heavy, 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 $4,750 goes: • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $3,500 • Post-operative medication: $370 • Travel and lodging for the family: $195 • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $685 I'll keep this page updated with receipts as things happen.