Hospital registration

I woke up today ultra-excited that I wouldn't have to see a doctor today, nor would I have to take time of work for the 3rd time this week (unpaid or I make it up on Sunday. Fun).

This excitement was short lived, as my phone rang with a mysterious 954 number at around 10am. It was the check-in nurse from the hospital (Northwest Medical Center in Margate).
I had been expecting a phone call, and had a couple questions about meds, etc. She asked family history, allergies, yada yada.

Then she informs me I need to come into the hospital to sign pre-op paperwork and give blood, for a blood type test and pregnancy test.

"What if I know my blood type and I know I'm not pregnant," I asked.
"It doesn't matter," she replid. "We're here until 4pm today."

............

Sorry boss. Time to take off yet another 2 hours from work, and drive to friggen Margate (20-30 min away) without any warning on my lunch.

Well, I arrived and pre-registered for Tuesday. Signed some paperwork about a living will (to take me off life support if it comes down to it). Initialed some more papers. And then she told me the hospital deductible on my insurance plan is $550...which I need by Tuesday.

I knew I'd have to pay something. I know I have a hospital visit deductible. But I didn't expect to have to pay it within the next 5 days...for EJ's procedures, he is always billed after, which gives us more time to figure it out.

So the new stress is coming up with this money. I've been putting into savings every chance I get so we can move to NC...and it just keeps getting slowly depleted. $700 for a new computer after the robbery, and $300 for a new Wii. Another $600 when my car broke down. $500 for the surgeon program fee, and $500+ for my 6 month car insurance policy...and now this...I'm going to be left with ~600 to move instead of the original 2.5K I had at its highest...

Blech. I know I should be happy because I am SOOO lucky insurance approved me; this surgery would be $14,000-20,000 out of pocket. But the $550 is still painful.

The nurse then took blood for my blood type test and pregnancy test (/giggle). Kind of sick of getting poked with needles every 5 minutes, but what can I do. It's actually fascinating for me to watch until they can't find the vein and have to start poking the needle around inside me and sliding it around. Then I want to strangle whoever is doing it.

This post sounds negative. I'm sorry if it does. I am also really hungry and miss chewing food. These shakes are killer.