Awwrighty then, so we learned early yesterday that my surgery was moved forward a day.

And I learned in mid-December that I had an aneurysm on my aorta. Last Friday (a week ago), I learned it is not “an” aneurysm, but multiple trouble spots.

And I’ve talked with or seen multiple people in multiple offices and discussed various aspects of this surgical visit multiple times.

So, last night around 7:30, p.m. …. Friday, the last business day before a 3-day weekend, and my surgery is Tuesday morning of the first business day after the long weekend … so Friday evening the hospital calls to finalize my registration. And to announce…….

“And your co-pay will be $500.00, you can pay that when you come in on Tuesday.”

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?

You wait until the last possible minute to spring this on me? How many seniors just happen to have that much money lying around and ready to pay a medical bill on short notice?

If they had told me, at the start of this process, that i would have a large co-pay, I would have asked, “What will happen if I choose not to treat this?”

As it happens, through a surprise benefactor last week who made contact through an intermediary to preserve their anonymity, I will be able to cover this co-pay, so y’all don’t need to open a GoFundMe. At least not just yet. I have no other what other surprises may be coming.

But it just galls me how the American medical system works. And how many people would be forced to skip necessary treatment because they don’t personally have the funds to pay for it?