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Willem's a craniotomy can't wait - please help us cover the bill

A scheduled a craniotomy in September is out of reach without help covering $1,550 of the cost.

๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ South Africa2,491 views
Willem Fourie
Email verified
Pretoria
In June I was diagnosed with gallstones with repeated infections. My surgeon at Pretoria General Hospital recommended a craniotomy, and I have been placed on the schedule for September. The hospital's financial office gave me a written estimate of $2,600, and after what the public health scheme will pay, I'm still $1,550 short. Doctors at Pretoria General Hospital told me gallstones with repeated infections will get worse without a craniotomy. I work as a call-centre agent, and I have saved what I can, but the estimate of $2,600 is far beyond what I've. Until the surgery I can't work full days, and my hours as a call-centre agent 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 climb stairs 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 $1,550 goes: โ€ข Physiotherapy sessions: $165 โ€ข Pre-operative tests and imaging: $175 โ€ข Travel and lodging for the family: $125 โ€ข Post-operative medication: $100 โ€ข Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $985 I never thought I'd be the one asking, and I'm grateful for every bit of support. - Willem
due date
2025-10-13
bill type
Hospital invoice
#surgery#hospital-bills#recovery#medical

Updates from Willem

  1. Small update. $1,041 so far, I met with the hospital and confirmed the amounts.

  2. Wanted to say thank you properly. 47% funded and I met with the hospital and confirmed the amounts.

  3. Quick update: $390 raised so far (25%). the first invoice got paid this week. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

Donations

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    โ€œEvery little bit. Saw your post and had to give. - Denpasarโ€

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    โ€œAll the best. My brother told me about this one.โ€

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    โ€œThinking of you! - Regensburgโ€

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Reviews

2.6(20 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Sapna Panwar๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified helper
    Very responsive and caring

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Nyambura Musyoka๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ชVerified helper
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  • Pooja C. Jadhav๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified helper
    Restored my faith in humanity

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  • Madhuri Gandhi๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified helper
    Great help in a difficult time

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

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Questions & comments

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  • Abigail W. Santiago

    A colleague of mine might know someone for this in Gauteng. I'll ask around and let you know.

    • Aoife W. O'DwyerQuestion

      any chance of seeing the hospital estimate?

      • Willem FourieOwnerAnswer

        I do, the hospital estimate is with the HelpBLESS team. Happy to answer anything else about it. Good question.

    • Julian E. Vazquez

      So sorry you're going through this, Willem. Shared it with a few friends. Read this on the bus and kept thinking about it all day.

      • Jung-hee Bo-ra SonQuestion

        any update on how things are going in Pretoria?

        • Anoma Lakshmi Wanigasekara

          Sending good thoughts, Willem. Wishing Willem a smooth procedure and a full recovery. My husband and I read this together. All the best

          • Kariuki MukasaQuestion

            What exactly is the $1,550 for?

            • Willem FourieOwnerAnswer

              Sure. The biggest one is physiotherapy sessions, $165. The rest is in the list at the bottom of the post and I'll upload receipts as I pay each one. Happy to explain more.

          • Hแบฃi Sฦกn HoangAddress verified

            Keep going. Your post was clear and honest. Greetings from Bengaluru

            • Auma Beatrice BakariQuestion

              Is there anything that isn't money that would help Willem?

              • Willem FourieOwnerAnswer

                Sharing the link is the biggest thing. And if you know anything about physiotherapy sessions, advice is welcome too. Thanks for looking so closely.

            • Titilayo Sade Quadri

              Thanks for sharing this, Willem. Wishing Willem a smooth procedure and a full recovery. I hope October is when things finally get easier.

              • Chinedu Uche EkwuemePhoto verified

                Keep going. Shared this with my family. I'll check back for the next update. Love from Pasig.

                • Queen Amaka Obi

                  Thanks for sharing this. Hope the doctors have good news. I hope October is when things finally get easier. Thinking of Pretoria

                  • Evelyn B. Marquez

                    Sending love, Willem. Wishing Willem a smooth procedure and a full recovery. I went through something like this 14 years ago and strangers helped me out. Blessings.

                    • Ruth Senait Tesfaye

                      Good luck, Willem. I work in healthcare and wanted you to know people are on your side. We're a small family in Tarragona but we're thinking of you.

                      • Kostas Giannis Oikonomou

                        wishing you peace, Willem. Looking forward to the next update. We're a small family in Munich but we're thinking of you. All the best.

                        $1,723 raised of $1,550

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