A bill that makes me HAPPY!!(OT))

Avatar for 2locachicas
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
A bill that makes me HAPPY!!(OT))
7
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 10:20am

I never thought I would be so happy to be expecting a bill but I am.I came though my surgery just fine and got home yesterday afternoon. I spent 3 days in ICU and one day in step down. It looks like everything was fine but we need to wait on the biopsy and my final MRI that they did in the hospital.

I feel like while this was a bad thing but it could have been much worse. I have good insurance and I came out healthier then when I went in. I am still very tired and will have help for this week but God is good. I worked really hard while I was there to be a compliant patient and be a blessing to the wonderful nurses and doctors thathelped me. They actually loved me so much they wanted me to stay! I believe it made my stay easier and their job a little happier.

Idon't know what my total bill will be but I do know they accept payments of 10% a month interest free until it is paid in full. I also feel very blessed that we have an efund of over 1000 to help through any hurdles we may have paying it.

It really brought to light how important insurance is. While I was in ICU a 26 year old girl with 6 children came in that had had a stroke & an anyreusm. She didn't have insurance and everytime they needed to do something she had to ask how much it would cost. She didn't get to eat anything because she didn't want the billfor it. That was her last night on earth....it is something that has changed me forever. Listening to her making calls trying to find a guardian for her children and worrying about paying her bills just broke my heart....then to find out the next day she didn't make it was very hard.

thanks for my vent and sharing in my excitement that all of this wasn't as hard as it could have been....count your blessings this week I know I AM!!

loca

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2006
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 10:27am

That's great news that you're surgery went so smoothly. Get well soon:)

The story about the 26 year old woman just makes me want to cry! To have to leave your family so young and to top it off, to go hungry and in the hospital is terrible! Nurses have a hard job to do, not only helping people, but having to see that sort of thing go on, I just can't believe it!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-09-2004
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 10:34am

I am so happy your surgery went well! Congratulations.

I am sitting at work right now trying not to cry thinking about that poor girls family. How heart breaking. It does change your perspecitive on life doesn't it?!


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2005
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 10:52am

OMG, how sad for that woman. that is aweful in so many ways...as if its not enough to be stressed on any typical day...

last week i had an accident and broke my arm. since the moment it happened i've been thinking "thank God we have insurance"...cause as incoherent as i was that night, with every shot, every procedure, each new dr who came to see me i was wonering "how much, is this a seperate charge?" a few days later the bills started coming, and it makes me sick to think if i was uninsured.

we went almost 5 years without insurance, made it through okay, but it was worrisome. at one time i had a painful ear infection that i couldn't shake, but i wasn't going to the dr for myself.

i'm happy to hear you are home and feeling well. i hope you have positive news to share soon, how long for your biopsy do you have to wait? take care of yourself!!

Avatar for 2locachicas
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 11:07am
I will see my neuroseurgeon next Monday and he will have the biopsy. less than 1% of these tumors are cancerous and they are pretty confidant that this one is not....
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2004
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 11:23am

Sending you huge wishes for a full recovery and continued good health!

Thank you for writing about the woman who passed away, I needed to read that and realize how good I have it.

Sometimes my perspective needs shaking up.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 3:41pm

What a great attitude!

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-2005
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 3:58pm
I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling better--and hope that your tests come through fine. I'm sure that this 26yr old woman's experience was life changing for you. It certainly made me tear up. I hope that her lack of insurance didn't keep her from getting the medical attention she needed. I'd hope that despite the costs she'd gotten the proper medical care. I've never been in that type of situation myself but I know that given the choice between a million dollar medical debt or my life, I'd first save my life then pay up later. Maybe she didn't think it was as bad as it really was since obviously she was coherent for awhile. Anyway, I can see how that'd affect you. And I agree about the nurses. I sure do hope someone fed her too. I'm upset for her children, I hope there is a father in the picture.