The title of this post says it all.
But what it doesn't tell you is that this happened twice within 2 minutes.
Here's the scoop:
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| After day 4 of hospital visit - looks who's walking upright! |
January
Before I moved to Portland, I was in the hospital twice in two weeks. Stress kicked in and my body felt it was necessary to pass a kidney stone. Twice.
February
Moved to Portland and 1 week later, my body decided to part ways with my appendix in a non-routine appendectomy. I spent 1 week in the hospital.
April
Appendectomy problems, back in the hospital for 2 days.
August
Doing great!! Until another Kidney Stone made its appearance into this world. Hello hospital.
Last month I was SO HAPPY to finally pay off all of my hospital bills. Even with insurance, I was up to my chin in hospital bills. Over $3,000 now.
So this past weekend boyfriend and I went to the Post Office to pick up mail.
I began ripping through my mail expecting it to be all spam when I saw at the top of a statement:
THIS IS A BILL
What???
Granted, it was only $50.
But what???
I paid off all of my bills!!
Did you know you have to pay for the doctor who sees you IN ADDITION TO the emergency room visits? True flipping story. So slap my booty and pull my hair, my emotions kicked in.
I know it's only $50 and compared to the rest of my bills was relatively tiny, but I was so relieved to have all of my bills paid off that this just sucked.
So I cried.
And boyfriend calmed me by saying:
"At least it's not that much."
He was right. Buck up and grow a pair, Ashley. It's not the end of the world and other people have it 10x worse.
So I open the next letter and see:
THIS IS A BILL
WHAT-THE-HOLY-HECK-WHERE-ARE-THESE-BILLS-COMING-FROM-SHUT-UP-AND-STOP-IT-NOWWW!!
What's the damage?
$297
Release the gates, it's flood season.
I bawled.
You know the kind where you blubber and gasp for air.
That kind of bawling.
The kicker? This bill was from service I received 7 months ago!!
To some people who have constant hospital bills this might not seem like much and I might seem like a total whiner. But to the average healthy Joe Schmoe who gets a flu once a year and maybe allergies, this is ridiculous. And it totally sucks for the girl who is in the process of buying a home and wondering:
"Where the heck does all of my money go?"
Well let me tell you.
It's going toward healthcare where expenses are increasing drastically from people who can't pay their bills or afford insurance.
With $3,000 (and growing) I could afford:
- A bigger house down payment
Lots of clothes for Fall. Boots anyone? Tons of boots.
- A princess castle for Polly
- An epic new computer
- Investment opportunities
- Braces/Prettier Teeth (don't even get me started)
- Flying back home 12 times
- Ski tickets to Whistler, and then some
- 300 Puppies
...I'll stop now
Medical bills and bills in general really do suck. Thinking about you and hope everything goes well for you in the months to come!
ReplyDeleteI hear ya, girl! I had some issues this summer and had to go to the emergency room. After the whopping $150 copay, I got bills in the mail for random amounts. It's scary how the bills come so late! You're like, ummmm, will I getting these bills for years to come?!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're on the mend, so I hope you stay that way!
Oh hon I would have the exact same reaction as you!!! Let it out!! Kick, scream, cry because you know what? We are one of the only developed countries in the world without national healthcare. Break your leg in Canada? Not a problem. Get cancer in England? Suuure they'll fix you right up. Get university paid for in Denmark? Yes, please! Honestly it's a shame that America is so behind on such an important thing. Keep kicking and screaming about this bc it IS a very important issue!! Hopefully our kids won't have to go broke paying for medical bills :(
ReplyDeleteGosh almighty, I hate that for you, I really do. Having that feeling of accomplishment of paying the last amount of debt to someone just to find out, it wasn't really the end of it SUCKS. Been there, done that. And you are in every right to be upset over it, chick! I would have done the same thing!
ReplyDeleteAnd I must say, "So slap my booty and pull my hair" was an expression I had never heard before but I thoroughly enjoyed and am now adding it to my vocab!
Def buy 300 puppies.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the lame mail, not cool.
xoxo
I'm so sorry! I have medical bills rolling in all the time because there's always stuff happening to me. It's a little ridiculous. But I can totally relate. (Mine aren't usually $3000 buuuuttt I've def crossed the $1000 mark in 2012 so far. No fun.)
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ReplyDeleteUgh, that sucks!!!! And that's a lot of hospital trips in one year, poor girl! I'm with you though- it's ridiculous all the 'extras' you end up paying for when you have to go in. I had minor surgery last November and I'm still paying off part of it. Soooooo many other places I'd rather spend my money...like on those TB boots or and awesome new computer, for sure!!!
ReplyDelete