Help William Plumbley: Major surgery, no insurance
Donation protected
Help for William Plumbley
So many of us have been “rolling the dice” and canceling health insurance because the cost is just too great. William Plumbley is in this category. When the cost of his insurance was more than the family’s budget could bear, he decided to cancel it this year. What he did not realize was that this was the year his luck would change: he would require two major surgeries in less than two years
William and Lynn
William and Lynn are members of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in northwest Houston. Lynn is a lifelong Catholic. William, her husband of 25 years (this coming February,) was called to join the Catholic Church in 2010 through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process.
Both Lynn and William are active in the church. Lynn sings in the choir and volunteers as choir librarian, and she is a regular participant in bible study classes. William serves in the program that brought him into the faith by acting as a mentor and guide to others in RCIA.
Things go wrong
William underwent knee replacement surgery in August of 2018. A motorcycle accident in 2003 created ongoing problems with one of his knees, and he was looking forward to finally experiencing relief. He had insurance and had met his deductible, so they were able to afford the surgery. When insurance premiums went up substantially, and the deductible was raised for 2019, William and Lynn felt they could no longer afford coverage. And, it seemed that things were going well – his knee was repaired and he was well on his way to complete recovery.
Then, early in February of 2019, William fell ill. An infection had entered his body and settled into the knee. He became so ill he was taken to the ER and then admitted to ICU. As the infection spread, Lynn was terrified that she would lose him over the next few days. Although William has been on antibiotics constantly since that time, he continued to have pain and swelling in his knee. The doctors said that it sometimes happens that infection will be attracted to a foreign body (like knee replacement parts) and will become extremely difficult to eradicate.
The bills begin to accumulate
In addition to taking care of William, Lynn spent many hours at the hospital working with the accounting department. Through her persistence, the hospital and doctors worked with the family on a payment plan. Remember, they now have no insurance and have had multiple days in ICU, followed by many days in the hospital, a number of diagnostic tests such as MRI’s and X-rays, doctor’s visits, and medications.
He continued to take the antibiotics, and to go to work. After all, he had a lot of medical bills to pay. Staying home was not an option. As the weeks went by, his doctors determined that his only hope was to open the knee and remove the hardware. By this time, the Plumbleys owed the doctors and hospital a large sum, but they were making regular monthly payments.
When this new surgery was scheduled, the hospital told Lynn she had to have $16,000 up front before William could be admitted.
The hospital once again agreed to a payment plan and William had his knee operated on to remove the replacement hardware in mid-December. He is still looking at another surgery to install new hardware once it is safe to do so. There is a good chance that William will be on antibiotics for the rest of his life.
Where are they now?
William and Lynn are so grateful to the doctors and the hospital that not only saved William’s life, but worked with them on the costs. William is improving. But this family’s stress is still great. They are looking at many thousands of dollars in medical bills, which will keep them in debt for many years to come.
Help is needed!
The leading cause of bankruptcy in the U.S. is excessive medical bills, and no one wants to see this family fall under the weight of their bills. Lynn and William are such and kind and giving couple. A bit of help from the community could go a long way in helping them pay some of these bills and be ready for William’s next surgery.
The Plumbleys are just regular people, living a pretty normal, simple life. But they are people who give back with generous hearts. And now they need a little help. We know that our community is kind and generous. Let us lift up this family with some practical help, but especially with prayer.
So many of us have been “rolling the dice” and canceling health insurance because the cost is just too great. William Plumbley is in this category. When the cost of his insurance was more than the family’s budget could bear, he decided to cancel it this year. What he did not realize was that this was the year his luck would change: he would require two major surgeries in less than two years
William and Lynn
William and Lynn are members of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in northwest Houston. Lynn is a lifelong Catholic. William, her husband of 25 years (this coming February,) was called to join the Catholic Church in 2010 through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process.
Both Lynn and William are active in the church. Lynn sings in the choir and volunteers as choir librarian, and she is a regular participant in bible study classes. William serves in the program that brought him into the faith by acting as a mentor and guide to others in RCIA.
Things go wrong
William underwent knee replacement surgery in August of 2018. A motorcycle accident in 2003 created ongoing problems with one of his knees, and he was looking forward to finally experiencing relief. He had insurance and had met his deductible, so they were able to afford the surgery. When insurance premiums went up substantially, and the deductible was raised for 2019, William and Lynn felt they could no longer afford coverage. And, it seemed that things were going well – his knee was repaired and he was well on his way to complete recovery.
Then, early in February of 2019, William fell ill. An infection had entered his body and settled into the knee. He became so ill he was taken to the ER and then admitted to ICU. As the infection spread, Lynn was terrified that she would lose him over the next few days. Although William has been on antibiotics constantly since that time, he continued to have pain and swelling in his knee. The doctors said that it sometimes happens that infection will be attracted to a foreign body (like knee replacement parts) and will become extremely difficult to eradicate.
The bills begin to accumulate
In addition to taking care of William, Lynn spent many hours at the hospital working with the accounting department. Through her persistence, the hospital and doctors worked with the family on a payment plan. Remember, they now have no insurance and have had multiple days in ICU, followed by many days in the hospital, a number of diagnostic tests such as MRI’s and X-rays, doctor’s visits, and medications.
He continued to take the antibiotics, and to go to work. After all, he had a lot of medical bills to pay. Staying home was not an option. As the weeks went by, his doctors determined that his only hope was to open the knee and remove the hardware. By this time, the Plumbleys owed the doctors and hospital a large sum, but they were making regular monthly payments.
When this new surgery was scheduled, the hospital told Lynn she had to have $16,000 up front before William could be admitted.
The hospital once again agreed to a payment plan and William had his knee operated on to remove the replacement hardware in mid-December. He is still looking at another surgery to install new hardware once it is safe to do so. There is a good chance that William will be on antibiotics for the rest of his life.
Where are they now?
William and Lynn are so grateful to the doctors and the hospital that not only saved William’s life, but worked with them on the costs. William is improving. But this family’s stress is still great. They are looking at many thousands of dollars in medical bills, which will keep them in debt for many years to come.
Help is needed!
The leading cause of bankruptcy in the U.S. is excessive medical bills, and no one wants to see this family fall under the weight of their bills. Lynn and William are such and kind and giving couple. A bit of help from the community could go a long way in helping them pay some of these bills and be ready for William’s next surgery.
The Plumbleys are just regular people, living a pretty normal, simple life. But they are people who give back with generous hearts. And now they need a little help. We know that our community is kind and generous. Let us lift up this family with some practical help, but especially with prayer.
Organizer and beneficiary
Christine Doughty Marté
Organizer
Cypress, TX
Lynn Plumbley
Beneficiary