Gulp

Bolstered by the return of my energy and by yesterday's modest triumph, I once again donned my green eyeshade and tackled my ever-growing stack of medical bills and insurance statements (not to mention the ever-growing spreadsheet that I use to keep track of the ever-growing stack).

So, from today's edition of Forensic Accounting for Dummies, a few scary figures:

• Retail cost of my first round of chemo: $40,245.50.


• Total amount reimbursed by my insurance company: $11,194.87. (Don't worry—I didn't have to pay the difference.)


• Retail cost of my second round of chemo: $37,138.50.


• Total amount reimbursed by my insurance company: $27,853.88.

Can I explain why there is a $3,107.00 difference between Rounds 1 and 2?

No.

The only thing I can think of is that my dosage of Benadryl was halved after Round 1. But I can't imagine that trimming the dosage of something that's available over the counter could account for that kind of discrepancy.

Then again, I am attempting to apply logic to the situation, and, well, that's just a pointless exercise where these things are concerned.

I also can't explain why my insurance company reimbursed so much less of the cost of Round 1 (especially since the cancer center charged more than for Round 2).

Is it possible that we hapless cancer patients aren't the only ones who have to deal with maddening deductibles?

Nah.

Who ever heard of a $29,050.63 deductible, even for a big institution like a hospital? (And yes, I am doing the math in my head. I told you I was feeling like my old self again.)

OK, last scary figure (for now):

• Our total out-of-pocket costs to date (including IVF): $16,474.09.