Surgery fund for Ezra: gallbladder removal in Chicago

Ezra was diagnosed with a herniated spinal disc in August. The surgeon at Chicago General Hospital recommended gallbladder removal, and He is scheduled for November. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $7,500, and after what our health plan will pay we're still $4,450 short. my son has been in and out of Chicago General Hospital since August. The doctors say a herniated spinal disc will get worse without gallbladder removal. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $7,500 is more than we can find. While we wait, Ezra struggles with daily life and can't work a full shift. 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 5 weeks. During that time Ezra won't be able to work a full shift, so the costs keep growing. I'll pay the hospital and pharmacy directly and post every receipt in the updates section. Where the $4,450 goes: • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $630 • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $1,850 • Post-operative medication: $260 • Travel and lodging for the family: $290 • Hospital stay (2 nights): $1,420 With deep gratitude, Samuel