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Valve repair surgery for Eli: covering what insurance won't

After a hernia that has become strangulated, Eli was cleared for valve repair surgery, but the bill is more than we can manage.

🇺🇸 Riverside, California, United States2,743 views
Eli Richards
Email verifiedPhoto verified
Riverside
In September I was diagnosed with a hernia that has become strangulated. My surgeon at Riverside Orthopedic Institute recommended valve repair surgery, and I have been placed on the schedule for November. The hospital's financial office gave me a written estimate of $6,750, and after what the public health scheme will pay, I'm still $5,000 short. Doctors at Riverside Orthopedic Institute told me a hernia that has become strangulated will get worse without valve repair surgery. I work as a school bus driver, and I have saved what I can, but the estimate of $6,750 is far beyond what I've. Until the surgery I can't work full days, and my hours as a school bus driver have already been cut. Every week of waiting means more pain and a bigger risk. Recovery is expected to take about 3 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. 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 $5,000 goes: • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $3,700 • Physiotherapy sessions: $840 • Travel and lodging for the family: $460 I'll keep this page updated with receipts as things happen.
due date
2026-10-22
bill type
Hospital invoice
#surgery#hospital-bills#recovery#medical

Updates from Eli

  1. Small update. $293 so far, we've booked the dates and paid the deposit.

  2. Wanted to say thank you properly. 12% funded and I met with the hospital and confirmed the amounts.

Donations

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  • Ezekiel C. Chavez 🇬🇧 · $100
  • Roman Yilma 🇪🇹 · $100
  • Nyambura Atim Mussa 🇺🇬 · $75

    “Rooting for you. Only $75 but hope it helps. - Mbarara”

  • Sebastian Damian Ostrowski 🇵🇱 · $73
  • Anonymous 🇮🇹 · $67
  • Hùng Hùng Ta 🇻🇳 · $57.50

    “Best of luck! - Cần Thơ”

  • Chantel G. Zulu 🇿🇦 · $50

    “Hope this helps. Small amount but sent with love. - Johannesburg”

  • Yuni Ani Tampubolon 🇮🇩 · $50
  • Aarav E. Tiwari 🇮🇳 · $50

    “Praying for you. Hope this covers a bit of it. - Mangaluru”

  • Sanket E. Vora 🇮🇳 · $50
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  • Anonymous 🇹🇭 · $50

    “Get well soon. I'm in Chiang Mai, thinking of you.”

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    “Saw your post and had to give. - Soweto”

  • Parker Jennings 🇬🇧 · $32

    “Good luck - Dundee”

  • Uyên Ngân Tran 🇻🇳 · $28

    “My brother told me about this one. - Thủ Đức”

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    “Only $25 but hope it helps. - Kano”

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  • Anonymous 🇮🇳 · $25

    “Be well. I'm in Pune, thinking of you. - Pune”

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  • Erik Sven De Bruin

    Sending love. Hope the doctors have good news.

    • Tobias Ben LangQuestion

      any update on how things are going in Riverside?

      • Aylin Gizem AcarID verifiedPhoto verified

        Good luck, Eli. Wishing Eli a smooth procedure and a full recovery. Please keep us posted.

        • Popy Tania Chatterjee

          keep going. Hope the treatment goes smoothly and recovery is quick. We're a small family in İzmir but we're thinking of you.

          • Clément Duval

            Good luck. Hope this works out for you. My husband and I read this together. All the best.

            • Rachel Sivan Ben-David

              So sorry you're going through this, Eli. Hope the doctors have good news. My neighbor in Kumasi donated after I showed her your page. Take care.

              • Stelios Thanasis Stavrou

                Hope it all works out, Eli. Hope the treatment goes smoothly and recovery is quick. We lost years of savings to something like this so I get it. Blessings.

                $1,558 raised of $5,000

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