It has been a long month for me, health-wise. First, there was my surgery followed by two weeks of recovery and then the really awful follow-up appointment. Not a day after that all died down, I got sick this week. I talked to my doctor today and I go in the morning to be tested for strep, but he thinks that it’s mono. Not that one can diagnose over the phone after a 23 second conversation, but he says it’s going around and I have the classic symptoms. Fabulous.

I actually was feeling a little irked that all the surgery stuff and such was adding up to near $400 last week between copays for office visits, copay for the surgery itself, medical supplies, etc…and then I got a bill this week. For $340. For the surgery. I’m being charged for half of it. I called for an explanation since I’d been told I just had the copay to pay. They informed me that not only am I responsible for that bill but also the one that is coming soon for $348 for the anesthesia. I loved that anesthesia, let me tell you, but not that much!

So, the bills are mounting and it’s not over yet. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. I am trying to keep it all in perspective though. This past few weeks has taught me a lot of things. I have learned to let go of trying to be everything for everyone and do everything around the house. That was hard. I got yelled at a few times for getting off the couch during my recovery to tidy up and vacuum. I had to remind myself that the world wouldn’t end if my house was messy. I learned that my mom is just as fabulous as I have her cracked up to be. I learned that if I tell my daughter I don’t feel well, she’ll bring me cups of water with ice in them and pick me flowers from the yard to make me feel better. I learned that in times of pain and suffering, I have some truly wonderful friends who stop by to cheer me up, call me to see if I need anything and one cool friend who even sent me this

And when you have a friend like that, well, you’ve got a whole lot.

So instead of whining and complaining about the medical bills that are insane especially considering how much we already pay just to have the honor of the lame policy, I am going to be grateful. For all the wonderful people around me. For my somewhat healthy self. For all the things I do have. For perspective when it comes to being mom and wife and homemaker - knowing I don’t always have to do it all and my family loves me and adores me even if there are dirty dishes in the sink.

I’d say that when it’s all said and done and I’ve forked over $1200 for medical expenses, well, it was more than worth it.