Two weeks to go

Jun 03, 2009

In retrospect, yesterday was a very good day. I received an odd call at 11:30 from my doctor's office letting me know that bariatric surgery was excluded from my policy. It's still so amazing to me that I've been really preparing for this for six months and I just now find out that it's not covered. I understand where it fell apart, I think. When I left my full time job in February (to finally work for myself), we switched to my husband's insurance. Aetna has a really clear bariatric surgery program. Because I started with my insurance (which covered it) then switched to James', it took a while to clear everything up.

Okay, it's not covered. I hadn't expected this.

I have many uses for $13,500 that don't involve surgery. I'm sure Tyler would really enjoy $13,500 towards a car (instead of the $4,000 that we have set aside - but he's 16, he doesn't need anything nicer than that!) We could take a vacation, remodel the bathroom. So many things.

When I found out, I cried. I just whole-heartedly gut-wrenching cried. I talked to James and he said I should come get him from work. (Cursed cycling days when he's not at my beck and call.) I decided to skip a lunch meeting that I just couldn't face and we went to Arboretum and walked by the pond. I asked what he thought and he said that it doesn't seem like really anything has changed except it will cost more money. This is weird for him because he's the thrify one.

The whole time I was anguishing, the thought of not having surgery didn't really make sense. I thought how I would look back on this setback. In five years, would I rather have $13,500 or my health. I think I needed that shock to make me realize that I really really want this. The liquid pre-op is worth it. The gym is worth it. And if I run it through my AmEx card, I can get points - and it's like half a plane ticket. 

Today, it feels real again. I'm about to head to the gym with Ty. It's the first day of summer and everyone is sleeping. I have a lot of work today but I've gotten alot done already this morning.

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