The Cost of Getting Better

I had open heart surgery 2 weeks and 4 days ago. Surprising, huh?

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been really tired and avoiding the computer. (Typing and reading still gives me a headache. I'm thinking it's still a side effect of the anesthesia.)

I'm sleeping much better (but still taking painkillers at night) and am feeling better. It's been so d**n hot in Minnesota that I haven't been able to walk outside and get some exercise. Yesterday we hit 101 with at least 70% humidity. The heat index was around 110. Today it's not quite as hot, but it's still really humid - 80% humidity. Thank God for air conditioning.

The one thing that's really bothering me even more than the incision on my chest is the incision on my bikini line/groin area. It looks okay, but it pulls when I walk and pain shoots down my inner thigh. Sounds like fun, huh?

I'm still quite tired a lot of the time and it sucks. When am I going to start feeling more energetic?

Okay. Here's the topic at hand - I got a statement from Mayo on Saturday. The porcine (pig) valve alone cost $4900. The surgery JUST to replace that (not all of the other stuff they ended up having to do) was $21,650. With the hospital stay and all of the drugs they pumped into me and all of that stuff, the entire bill so far is $56,654.85. I say so far because there are always extra costs that they haven't figured into it yet. I have pretty good insurance, so I'm hoping that my $1000 annual out-of-pocket maximum will come into effect and that will be all I have to pay. Let's hope!

It's a perfect Mastercard ad:

New heart valve: $4900
Surgery to replace old heart valve with new heart valve: $21,650
Cost of the above plus the hospital stay at one of the best facilities in the world: $56,654.85
Improving my quality of life: Priceless

Speaking of improving my quality of life, I start cardiac rehab in two weeks. I'm really looking forward to it. I'll be closely monitored while I exercise so I know what my targets are and how much my body can handle. I'll also start feeling better and more energetic. So I can't wait for that.

My mother-in-law came on Friday and she's here until Monday. This is actually a good thing, as she's so wonderful and we all love her so much. She's really helping us out. Today she took Will and his friend to the local outdoor waterpark. So I had a day to myself as RobbieMax was at work. What did I do with my time? I watched more mindless TV, like I've been doing since I got home from the hospital. You'd think that I'd get pretty bored just doing that since I can't read or anything yet, but I'm doing okay. I've watched the entire first season of Grey's Anatomy and loved it. (I started watching it this past season.)

Well, the headache is starting, so I gotta get going. Now I'm off to watch more TV...