UPDATE July 28 : I will have healthcare September 4th and the reimbursements shortly after. They couldn’t tell me why it’s going to take so long or what I’m actually going to get back but apparently c’est comme ça. So I will have to continue paying out of pocket for my follow ups and medications.

UPDATE July 31: Surgery went well on the 30th and they removed all of the obstructing stones. It looks like I had complications because I woke up from anesthesia without the ability to move my right leg. It is entirely numb and I can’t walk. They are keeping me here to monitor my leg and run tests. Neuro will be by later today and they have ordered some scans. I did not forsee having to be here longer than just the surgery day. I’m afraid I’ll max out my card with these additional days and it will be declined.

UPDATE August 1 : I have an intermediate fibular nerve injury from the positioning during surgery. This will require follow up with several doctors and rehabilitation. The injury is not permanent but severe enough that it will take months to recover from and I’m going to have to learn to walk again.

UPDATE August 3: I finally got to go home. My leg is still useless and I'm going to be stuck in the apartment. At least we have a balcony so I can enjoy some fresh air. This week I'm going to research doctors and rehab to find affordable care.

I have Cystinuria and I had a really bad flare-up in January. Since then, I have needed continuous care at CHRU Nancy Hopitaux de Brabois and I need help paying for a follow-up surgery I need on July 30th.

I moved to France a little over a year ago and navigating the healthcare system has been a process. I have travel insurance, but that only covers emergencies. I didn't know I was able to fully qualify for French healthcare benefits until a few months ago. I submitted all my paperwork for la securité sociale and for reimbursement of all the care I have received. I should have received a response today, July 25th. It's been a month. I didn't get any news today, so Monday I'm going to have to call and find out what's going on. I've noticed anything involving paperwork seems to move at a snail's pace. It took 2 and a half weeks to open a French bank account. I should have taken that as a sign that the healthcare benefits were going to take a long time too, but I was told with emphasis that I would receive a response in one month.

I am panicking because I do not have the money I need for this surgery and have been waiting as well to be reimbursed for all the medical care I have received. I expected to have my benefits today so that my surgery would be covered. On my current visa, I am not permitted to work and have burned through my savings paying for my medications, appointments and other surgeries I've had this year. I don’t really have anyone to turn to to help me financially. I have one emergency credit card that I can use to pay for the surgery and follow-up care, but it is an American card that requires to be paid in dollars. I have about 400 euros I can put towards the surgery, but I desperately need help paying for the rest until my healthcare benefits come through. Thankfully, healthcare here is more affordable; otherwise, I would be paying $20,000 in the States without insurance. I have already done all the pre-op requirements and I can't reschedule the surgery because the stent I have in my kidney has to come out, and if it's left in any longer, I risk another sepsis episode. It has already crystalized because of my Cystinuria and has been causing frequent bladder and urinary tract infections.

So please, if you have anything to spare to help me pay for medical care I would be eternally grateful. No amount is too small. Every single dollar helps.