Feeling Better? Here's The Bill.

Yesterday, (day 17), I was actually feeling pretty good. I started spacing my oxycodone every 8 hours instead of 6 and felt I was comfortable enough.

This morning, (day18), when I woke up, I didn't want to move. I suppose this is to be expected. You have a good day and then a not so good day. Either on my good days, I over do it, or just like with regular exercise, your body needs a recovery day. Whatever the case may be, I'm hopeful with these feeling better days that healing is actually taking place. Its been slow in my opinion, but I suppose others would say my healing expectations are too high. I'm choosing to stay hopeful that however much time it takes, I will restore my life to where I want it to be.

Also yesterday in the mail we received a billing statement. I am so grateful we have good insurance. Just a few years ago, we were without insurance. My heart goes out to all of those who have no choice but to go without insurance. If you are financially well off, I suppose you have nothing to worry about, but most families I know struggle. You can plan on living a healthy lifestyle, but I'm a perfect example of what could happen beyond your control. A simple fall can change your life.

My MRI bills have been in the $3,000-$6,000 range. I've had to have 3 of them.

I haven't seen the statement yet for my emergency room visit or any of the doctor bills.

My room and board for 23 hours in the hospital was $1,141.50. That was some expensive Jello I enjoyed that evening after surgery.

My drugs were $5,238. I'm sure I had some great pain relievers going through that IV in my neck, but there's actually a different bill for anesthesia.

My anesthesia bill is $2,574.75. I'm grateful I have no recollection of the operation, and I am very grateful I woke up!

Lab work was $665. I'm not exactly sure what lab work was done, but I remember being asked if I was pregnant and when I told the nurse no, I couldn't pee, she said, "That's okay. We'll run a pregnancy test with the blood work." I'm sure they needed to verify blood type and other stuff in case anything unexpected popped up during the procedure.

Diagnostic Radiology was $754.75. I think this was the equipment used to make sure Dr. Neurosurgeron was operating in the correct place. I remember being told something about micro equipment and special glasses so he could see my tiny nerve well enough not to damage it.

Medical/Surgical supplies total was $5,498.75. I suppose Mercy Hospital has to pay off the specialized $70,000 back surgery table at some point.

Operating Room Services = $11,042.75. I suppose this helps pays the salaries of everyone else working with the surgeon and anesthesiologist. It certainly didn't go to pay the heat bill because that room was freezing!

Recovery Room total $3,086.50. This was for the nurses who monitored my vitals, and were so wonderful to place cool wash clothes on my forehead because I woke up so nauseous. I have very little memory of the recovery room other than wanting to throw up.

So if you are keeping track, without the actual doctor's costs, my microdiscectomy to repair my herniated disc has cost over $40,000. If we did not have health insurance, I would be beyond depressed. I fell. I didn't get in a car accident. There is no one to sue. This could happen to anyone, no matter how careful they are. I truly believe we must work together in this country to make health care affordable and even more importantly, accessible to everyone.

Interestingly, on the same day I received the billing statement from the hospital, I also received a survey asking me how I thought everything went and how well I was treated. Other than my emergency room nightmare, everyone else at Mercy has been wonderful.

I consider myself fortunate to be so well taken care of that night of Dec 21st because on the surgical recovery floor, it was a very busy night with several snow thrower damaged limbs. I was lucky to be directly across from the nurses' station and even though I felt like I was bothering them every 30 minutes, they assured me it was their job and their pleasure to be there for me. I knew they were busy, but I felt like I was their priority.  

I will fill out the survey praising the staff, but not the prices.