Surgery fund for Karthik: a partial thyroidectomy in Indore

Karthik was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the right knee in April. The surgeon at Saint Catherine Hospital recommended a partial thyroidectomy, and He is scheduled for August. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $930, and after what my employer's plan will pay we're still $700 short. my husband has been in and out of Saint Catherine Hospital since April. The doctors say osteoarthritis in the right knee will get worse without a partial thyroidectomy. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $930 is more than we can find. While we wait, Karthik struggles with daily life and can't look after the children alone. 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 12 weeks. During that time Karthik won't be able to look after the children alone, so the costs keep growing. I'll pay the hospital and pharmacy directly and post every receipt in the updates section. Where the $700 goes: • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $330 • Hospital stay (2 nights): $190 • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $90 • Post-operative medication: $30 • Physiotherapy sessions: $50 • Travel and lodging for the family: $10 With deep gratitude, Chitra