I've been very hesitant to put up a fundraiser, but after a lot of thought and encouragement here I am.
On March 12th, 2019 I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. After verifying my condition, the best course of action was thought to be a full thyroidectomy. This usually takes care of this cancer, further treatment is not always needed. Once we determined the cancer hadn't spread, a surgery date was set for April 19th at a well-known facility in Charleston, SC. The Tuesday before the surgery I received an estimate (for which I am ultimately thankful to have gotten beforehand) saying the average cost for this procedure, at this facility, is over $60,000. I am uninsured, so the hospital asks for only half (about $31k). After some research, I discover that the national average for this procedure is $18,ooo. The average internationally is lower still.
Why didn't I have or get insurance? I stopped buying it in 2013 when I began working in my family's small auto repair business to fill my mother's shoes when she began her battle with brain cancer. When I left my previous job and checked with COBRA, they offered to extend my current plan for $900 per month. Not a reasonable amount. I have looked at the Healthcare marketplace for insurance almost every year since during open enrollment. A medium plan for myself would have been $300-$400 per month after a small supplement was applied. This was about 10% of my income and I've been pretty healthy my entire life, so I reasoned that I would rather live more comfortably. I've paid about $1000 a year into my health since 2013, and until this year it's worked out (it's also saved me $2600 a year) . As we're outside of the U. S. 's open enrollment period, it's a bit late to sign up.
So with the certainty that my health costs will be my own for this, I chose not to spend what could have been an additional $12,ooo. Knowing I would have to wait to be seen at another facility regardless of location opened my options further. After still more research, I finally settled on traveling to Lithuania. They are home to the world's oldest medical university, have nearly 5 times the number of doctors per capita, and their unfortunate relative proximity to Chernobyl means they see cases like mine often. My flight, accommodations, and procedure are expected to cost less than the national average. We're guessing, but expecting about $15,000.
Many of you are in the same boat I was. We work hard and make too much money for charity and supplements from bigger institutions, but we do not make enough to live lavish lifestyles and pay for large, unexpected expenses. I know a lot of you are watching me to see how this goes, because this could be you someday. This is somewhat of a social experiment, and if you care about the outcome your support is greatly appreciated. My first consultation in Lithuania is Tuesday, and I will update from there.
On March 12th, 2019 I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. After verifying my condition, the best course of action was thought to be a full thyroidectomy. This usually takes care of this cancer, further treatment is not always needed. Once we determined the cancer hadn't spread, a surgery date was set for April 19th at a well-known facility in Charleston, SC. The Tuesday before the surgery I received an estimate (for which I am ultimately thankful to have gotten beforehand) saying the average cost for this procedure, at this facility, is over $60,000. I am uninsured, so the hospital asks for only half (about $31k). After some research, I discover that the national average for this procedure is $18,ooo. The average internationally is lower still.
Why didn't I have or get insurance? I stopped buying it in 2013 when I began working in my family's small auto repair business to fill my mother's shoes when she began her battle with brain cancer. When I left my previous job and checked with COBRA, they offered to extend my current plan for $900 per month. Not a reasonable amount. I have looked at the Healthcare marketplace for insurance almost every year since during open enrollment. A medium plan for myself would have been $300-$400 per month after a small supplement was applied. This was about 10% of my income and I've been pretty healthy my entire life, so I reasoned that I would rather live more comfortably. I've paid about $1000 a year into my health since 2013, and until this year it's worked out (it's also saved me $2600 a year) . As we're outside of the U. S. 's open enrollment period, it's a bit late to sign up.
So with the certainty that my health costs will be my own for this, I chose not to spend what could have been an additional $12,ooo. Knowing I would have to wait to be seen at another facility regardless of location opened my options further. After still more research, I finally settled on traveling to Lithuania. They are home to the world's oldest medical university, have nearly 5 times the number of doctors per capita, and their unfortunate relative proximity to Chernobyl means they see cases like mine often. My flight, accommodations, and procedure are expected to cost less than the national average. We're guessing, but expecting about $15,000.
Many of you are in the same boat I was. We work hard and make too much money for charity and supplements from bigger institutions, but we do not make enough to live lavish lifestyles and pay for large, unexpected expenses. I know a lot of you are watching me to see how this goes, because this could be you someday. This is somewhat of a social experiment, and if you care about the outcome your support is greatly appreciated. My first consultation in Lithuania is Tuesday, and I will update from there.