Not sure what category to ask question

[jp5050]

My husband has a hernia or tear in his chest area.  He was told years ago that surgery would be the last option, because of where the tear is located.  For the last few weeks, he has been having nausea, vomiting, extreme pain in his upper stomach area and everything he eats hurts him.  His abdominal and upper area swells for no apparent reason.  He has also been experiencing pain in the area of the tear. He went to his Physcian and was told that the tear had enlarged and that in his opinion, that my husband needed surgery at this time. He can not afford medical insurance, so he can not go for tests or further diagnosis. He is in the middle area with many Americans:  he does not qualify for medicaid,  can not afford to stop working, no matter how bad his health and pain gets. He couldn't get medical insurance, even if he could afford it, because of preexisting conditions. Are these symtoms standard for his type condition or could it be something else wrong, along with the tear? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.