I'm sorry that both of you guys fell ill like that, and I'm sorry about the financial consequences. I'm still trying to figure out the money situation surrounding me being admitted to the hospital exactly a month ago for pancreatitis.

More and more bills arrive every day, and sure some of them are covered completely and some of them are covered partially and some of them I only owe co-payments on, but who the hell even knows?

I know I'm not recovering very fast, and my primary doctor referred me to a rheumatologist, whose office asked for a $700 upfront payment before they'd see me.

No rheumatologist for me!

Our health care assistant is so ridiculously broken. Maybe it works for people with a lot of money. It sure doesn't work for me and so many other people I know.

I'm not old enough for Medicare yet. I think I'd be doing better if I were on Medicare. But I don't even know for sure.

I know that out in the rural area where I live, it's a long drive to any provider, and it's not like anybody can tell you in advance what you're going to have to pay.

Kafka himself could not have dreamed up this ridiculous nightmare.

All that said, I wish you both well on your paths to recovery!