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Surgery fund for Russell: a partial thyroidectomy in San Francisco

Russell needs a partial thyroidectomy at San Francisco Regional Medical Center and the family is $8,500 short of the hospital's estimate.

🇺🇸 United States1,570 views
Russell D. Castro
Email verified
San Francisco
In December I was diagnosed with a thyroid nodule that needs removal. My surgeon at San Francisco Regional Medical Center recommended a partial thyroidectomy, and I have been placed on the schedule for March. The hospital's financial office gave me a written estimate of $10,750, and after what our health plan will pay, I'm still $8,500 short. Doctors at San Francisco Regional Medical Center told me a thyroid nodule that needs removal will get worse without a partial thyroidectomy. I work as a taxi driver, and I have saved what I can, but the estimate of $10,750 is far beyond what I've. Until the surgery I can't work full days, and my hours as a taxi driver have already been cut. Every week of waiting means more pain and a bigger risk. The recovery period is expected to take about 7 weeks. I'll not be able to look after the children alone during that time, so this has become a financial emergency as well as a medical one. I'll pay the hospital and pharmacy directly and post every receipt in the updates section. Where the $8,500 goes: • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $3,850 • Hospital stay (2 nights): $3,250 • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $430 • Post-operative medication: $240 • Physiotherapy sessions: $480 • Travel and lodging for the family: $250 Thank you for reading my story.
due date
2026-03-04
bill type
Hospital invoice
#surgery#hospital-bills#recovery#medical

Updates from Russell

  1. We're at 11% thanks to 20 of you. the plan for surgeon and anesthesia fees is now scheduled. More news soon.

  2. Good news. Because of your gifts ($497 in total) I made the first payment toward surgeon and anesthesia fees. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely. - Russell

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Anonymous 🇨🇦 · $200

    “Best of luck. Hope the March deadline works out. - Ottawa”

  • Gaurav S. Dwivedi 🇮🇳 · $100
  • Anonymous 🇯🇵 · $100
  • Isla Gilbert 🇺🇸 · $100
  • Aarav T. Singh 🇦🇺 · $100
  • Anonymous 🇯🇵 · $100
  • Hoa Bích Mai 🇻🇳 · $66
  • Sakura Yui Ueno 🇯🇵 · $50

    “Happy to help. From Setagaya with love.”

  • Anonymous 🇺🇬 · $50

    “Good luck. Hope the March deadline works out. - Jinja”

  • Carmen A. Moreno 🇺🇸 · $50
  • Luke B. Jordan 🇬🇧 · $50

    “Hope this helps. My mother told me about this one. - Leeds”

  • Eva A. Nash 🇺🇸 · $50
  • Joseph Yaw Adjei 🇬🇭 · $50
  • Gustavo Pedro Medeiros 🇧🇷 · $30
  • Radha B. Chauhan 🇮🇳 · $30
  • Karanja Kato Ssemwogerere 🇹🇿 · $30
  • Yubraj Sagar Thapa 🇳🇵 · $25
  • Lorenzo Cortés 🇺🇸 · $25

    “Thought of Russell all day after reading this. - San Antonio”

  • Vincent William Kumi 🇬🇭 · $25
  • Anonymous 🇺🇸 · $25

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  • Shreya B. Gaikwad

    Wishing you the best. Get well soon. I went through something like this 3 years ago and strangers helped me out

    • Lydia D. Hayes

      hope things get better soon, Russell. Shared this with my family. It's not much but it's yours. Greetings from Hồ Chí Minh City.

      • Kylie K. BurtonQuestion

        Is there a list of costs somewhere? Just curious how it adds up for Russell!

        • Christian M. Park

          Best of luck, Russell. It takes guts to ask. Well done. Take care.

          • Vipul W. Vora

            So sorry you're going through this, Russell. Your post was clear and honest. This is the second need I've supported on here and the first that made me cry.

            • Charmaine W. Bautista

              Keep going, Russell. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Put this on a community board in São Paulo this morning.

              $1,615.50 raised of $8,500

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