Save Levi’s Broken Ear

Hi everybody!

Some of you may know that Levi is hard of hearing; in fact, nearly deaf in one ear for over a decade now. Earlier this year we discovered this is caused by a cholesteatoma, which is an abnormal but non-cancerous growth in the middle ear.

The good news is that the cholesteatoma can be removed! However, the bad news is that it does indeed need to be removed— this condition is typically discovered and treated much sooner than 15ish years deep, and even in those cases, damage to the ear drum and/or conductive bones is common. If untreated, further damage can occur into the inner ear or even the brain.

With surgery, this mass can be removed and the conductive bones repaired, which gives a chance at regaining hearing as well as avoiding further complications of the condition. This is a major surgery, with up to a few weeks of downtime needed. Luckily, we are on-track to receive Paid Leave Oregon benefits to cover pay from lost work hours… but there is still a cost issue.

Levi’s surgery is scheduled for the first week of July. The total estimated patient responsibility, to be paid by July 1st, is $2790.32. I’m not sure what we were expecting, but it certainly wasn’t that price!

I’m humbled to ask on behalf of Levi and myself for our community’s help to cover this cost. We’ve had no shortage of life events and unexpected expenses this year already. It would ease a lot for us financially and emotionally to accept any help with paying this ding dang bill!

Thank you so much for reading. We’re already looking forward to sharing updates on the relief the surgery brings!

Fondly,

Autumn Gosteli-Mandera