Jan. 10 - I just have to say ...

I just have to say thank God for insurance! With all of the tests, procedures, medicine and time involved with Garrett's care at Saint Marys, I've been wondering what the total charges would be. Well, the statement came this week ... coincidentally, on the same day Garrett's death certificate arrived. I had already been thankful for insurance covering most of the expenses related to Garrett's delivery and ER visits in Wabasha, as well as all of the $9,200 helicopter ride to Rochester, so I was just waiting to see what whopping figure would have us appreciate our insurance all the more.

What we'll be responsible for from Garrett's delivery and our initial hospital stay is already close to the "family maximum" out-of-pocket, so what we'll owe for his stay at Saint Marys should be just a teeny, insignificant portion of the over $300,000 in claims pending. Again, THANK GOD FOR INSURANCE! Simply seeing that figure, even though I knew it was almost entirely covered, nearly made me keel right over. I can understand how one health crisis is all it takes to financially destroy a family. I can't even fathom what we would do if we had to add that to our troubles.

I added the papers to the pile of statements we've received and thought about what it all encompassed. The thick stack kind of summarizes Garrett's short life in a way, representing all that was involved with his birth and treatments, all the effort nurses and doctors put forth, all the things that should have produced a healthy, happy little boy -- and unfortunately, we have no baby to show for it. But I guess it all gave him one month with us, if not a lifetime, and I'm still grateful for that time we had together.