I'm Baaaaaaack!

This one is for you, Ruby! I didn't really realize that it has been over a month since I posted anything. I was trying to compose a post in my mind before I put it down in print but just couldn't get past the first couple of lines. I wanted to do something about insurance after having received all the bills from my surgery and saw what the insurance paid and what I had to pay. I was going to say that according to my insurance company I saved $46,000+ for having their insurance and using a doctor and hospital in their network. So if I saved that much--why did they charge me over 54 thousand? I just don't understand how the insurance industry works but I do think that this is what really needs to be reformed instead of health care.

Now, that being said, I'm glad that I do have a good insurance policy. All told, I probably had about $75,000 in bills (hospital, doctors, anesthesiologists, etc.) and I was only out about $1500. I can't complain. I have a $2000 deductible during which I have to pay 30% and the insurance company pays 70%. When the deductible is met, the insurance pays 100%.

We had Thanksgiving breakfast with Charles' sister and her family in Greenfield today. Last year we got together in Clever for breakfast. It was a lot of fun so I'm glad that we are going to continue this. Breakfast is my favorite meal...love those biscuits and gravy! It's still sad not to have Mom and Irene there with us. But I just bet they were having their own good time together and watching us as we shared time together. It was 4 years ago next week that Mom passed away. Irene's been gone a little over two years. I miss these two women greatly.

Valary still wanted turkey and dressing so when we got home I began working on our evening meal. I made a pumpkin pie cake and then put a turkey breast in the oven. We had potatoes and stuffing and turkey and hot rolls. Charles had shrimp since he doesn't care for turkey. We had a nice quiet family meal-just the three of us.

I talked with my brother, Keith, this evening. He was in good spirits. They had quite a bit of company and I could tell he was tired. I just pray that his spirit stays strong throughout the course he has ahead. He said that the guys at work had taken up a collection for him and that made him feel good. He is supposed to start receiving Social Security soon. He had been worried about paying all his bills. I'm glad that some good things are happening for him, yet am sad knowing that he has just a short time left. He said that the doctors haven't really given him any length as to live expectancy, but we have heard 6 to 12 months. And I forgot to ask if he had started chemo. He did get to go home from the hospital but isn't getting out of the house yet.

Valary and I are talking about going to Springfield tomorrow. I don't know for sure yet if we will. I'm going to a 60th wedding anniversary celebration tomorrow. So we'll just have to see about the Springfield trip.

Hope everyone reading this had a great Thanksgiving Day. I know I did.