Cervical ADR surgery in 3 weeks!

[spinches]

I am scheduled for surgery with Nick Boeree on August 24th. When I first scheduled the surgery I felt good about my decision and began to prepare myself for the practical and emotional challenges involved. I took care to start making all the important arrangements well in advance, so that I could spend the last few weeks before the surgery in a calm and settled state. I thought things were falling into place nicely. Then two weeks ago a series of unexpected problems began cropping up, each one of which has been significant enough to prevent me from having the surgery. Quite frankly, these problems and all the stress they caused me were due to other people not doing their jobs in a helpful manner. I am quite anxious now about what other plans will fall apart because of someone else's incompetence.

The most recent of the series of difficulties involve money. I took out a loan to cover all the cost of the surgery, travel, etc., and was told by my loan officer that the money would be available on July 7th. Several days ago the loan officer emailed me to say that she had not completed the paperwork and the loan was not even approved yet. She rushed me some documents which I signed, but I still don't know whether the loan is actually funded. Fortunately, the hospital has not yet requested that I pay for the surgery! The loan officer's apology consisted of, "Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused."

Meanwhile, because the members of the U.S. Congress seem incapable of focusing on the needs of the American people, the international exchange rate is getting progressively worse for those of us who are buying services in the U.K. It seems unlikely to me that the confidence in the U.S. dollar will be fully restored in the near future, even if the debt ceiling is raised by Congress next week. I find myself regretting that I didn't buy the U.K. pounds a couple of weeks ago when the exchange rate was lower, but then I remember I didn't have the money anyway. The surgery will now cost significantly more in U.S. dollars than it did when I first scheduled it, and the cost could yet rise further.

I feel quite insecure now about the trip going in a smooth manner. I am fearful not only about what is already happening, but about what additional unforeseen obstacles may suddenly be thrown in my path. From a spiritual perspective, I wonder if this means I shouldn't go ahead with the surgery. From a more ordinary perspective, I can predict how I will feel If I have this surgery in three weeks, then the exchange rate shifts significantly in favor of the U.S. dollar a few months later.

One thing I do know is that people who are headed for major surgery shouldn't have to worry about these things. I wish I lived in another country, one with a sane medical system.

Sandra

[Katie]

Well, first congratulations on having a date! This is wonderful news. And secondly, I will just send out positive thoughts that everything will fall into place in time. I tend to do that a lot....just expect things to go right and they often do.

It really hurts to have the exchange rate affect our health so badly. I experienced the same thing. Mine would have been several thousand less if I had waited six months to a year, as mine was based on the US dollar, even though it was done in Brazil. Our dollar is now the highest it has ever been in decades against yours, but when we were paying, it was the reverse. I just try to flush that from my head, and think of it like the depreciation when you buy a car...the value drops as soon as you drive it off the lot, so it it money just thrown away, but everyone does it.

This is much more important and valuable, so worth the extra, even if it makes it very difficult at the time. After it is done and you are feeling like you have your life back, it won't matter as much (I hope!) Try to focus on the wonderful news. We usually tend to get pre-surgery jitters and every stress is amplified, it seems.

I had more obstacles thrown in front of me than you can imagine just months before my surgery, and had the same feelings as you at times.

I'd let the bank employee know just how much this does affect you (in as nice a way as you can manage), so it doesn't happen again to some other poor soul. A mistake like this could make the difference between affording it or not to some people.

[spinches]

Thank you, Katie, for all your supportive words!

I did feel excited at first about the surgery. Now I just want it to go smoothly once I get to the UK. It is true that, no matter how upsetting the current problems have been, what really matters is that the surgery is successful.

I didn't know about the cost of your surgery being linked to the value of the US dollar. I don't understand why they would do that.

I agree with you that events that happen right before a surgery, and that might interfere with it going forward, can feel more like crises than they would under other circumstances. It takes all my emotional skills to prepare myself for the surgery itself, and it is a daily effort to sustain my courage and resolve. There isn't much strength left to tolerate other frustrations, especially those that rock the boat I am trying so hard to keep on an even keel.

The car purchase analogy is one I have also been using up to this point, but I hadn't thought of the depreciation part! I have been thinking that a lot of people spend $40K on a car, even if I don't. I had gotten my mind around the $36K I was paying for the surgery, and even around the fact that the exchange rate goes up and down from week to week. The part that freaks me out is that the U.S. government may not resolve its so-called debt crisis within the next couple weeks, and the exchange rate could escalate without limit. We could say that I have learned a powerful lesson about how we are all globally connected and interdependent!

It helps just to hear about how you and others have handled similar challenges. It's amazing how reassuring it can be to know that others have been in the same place and gotten through it.

Sandra

[Katie]

I didn't know about the cost of your surgery being linked to the value of the US dollar. I don't understand why they would do that.

I assume because Dr. P works in the US as well, out of a San Diego office. I don't know if he actually does surgery there, but know that I sent my MRIs there as well as to Brazil.

It helps just to hear about how you and others have handled similar challenges. It's amazing how reassuring it can be to know that others have been in the same place and gotten through it.

This forum is a God-send, for these very reasons. Without learning of the experiences of others, including the pitfalls, my surgery never would have happened. It was also a very critical sounding board afterwards, when I wasn't able to connect with others, at least those that would understand.

Start counting the days to a new life Is it possible to borrow over the interim some other way (CCs?) and avoid the probable increase in rates over the next couple of weeks? That way you can pay it off as soon as the $$$ comes through, without interest charges. Even part or half would be better than nothing, and save you a bunch; just a thought.

[KanRunMo]

Don't worry about things you can't control, like the value of the U.S. dollar. It will float up and down like the investment market and there's nothing you can do about it. Your loan most likely will go through. Just think how great you'll feel in a few months when your surgery is over and you're feeling better. Best of luck on your trip and surgery. You deserve and will have a good outcome.

P.S. Quit listening or watching any news. They always make things sound worse than they are. Watch the old "I Love Ludy", old "Bill Cosby Show" or something that makes you laugh.