so much for saving
Yesterday DS2 says “Hey Mom, look at this lump on Libby’s (the dog’s) neck.”
Now Libby was bit by a bee on Saturday, but not on the neck. I thought it was going to be one of her wisker bumps she sometimes has after a grooming.
No. This is like a flat little disk under the skin. By this morning it’s about the size of a dried apricot both in diameter and thickness. It moves freely with the skin and doesn’t seem to be attached to the muscle underneath.
So of course I call the vet and ask the tech to call back.
By the time I get home around noon to take the boys to the orthodontist, the thing has doubled in size.
Put the dog in the car with the boys.
Stop at the vet, explain to the receptionist. She is great and says of course they can take her and have someone examine her while I have to get the boys to the orthodontist by 1:00.
Orthodontist: DS2 has blah blah blah overbite blah blah crowding blah blah a couple of years blah blah may be able to take a break between this a full braces blah blah best to start now blah blah. DS1 has same things blah blah has more permanent teeth in blah blah may need oral surgery to attach chain to pull lower-right cainine into position blah blah, maybe 2 1/2 to 3 years.
Not that the blah blah blah was boring or I wasn’t interested. Just detailed and he’s going to send a letter. The bottom line: they both need braces starting sooner rather than later. The bottom bottom line: $5600 per kid. The bottom bottom bottom line: insurance maxes out at $1500 per person for orthodontia. That leaves $4100 per kid out of pocket. Orthodontist will finance over 25 months. That’s $320 month. $160 each if split evenly.
Called XH who said he could increase his pre-tax medical spending account. That’s great. Does that mean he’s going to pay all $320 a month? Because I don’t know where the hell I’m going to squeeze another $160 out of this budget. I guess we could turn out the lights at 9:00 and use candles..of course they’re not cheap either.
Meanwhile, back at the vet. Seems the precious pooch has a blocked salivary gland in her throat. Office exam, needle aspiration, lab (to make sure it’s not cancer or infection), antibiotic and 3 months of Frontline (what the hell, I was there) came to $210.
And you wonder how people get into debt so far they never get out.
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
-
Abandoning Ship 2008
Monkey Bear Falls 2007
Anywhere that you go 2007
amazing answer 2006
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
-
Abandoning Ship 2008
Monkey Bear Falls 2007
Anywhere that you go 2007
amazing answer 2006
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
-
Abandoning Ship 2008
Monkey Bear Falls 2007
Anywhere that you go 2007
amazing answer 2006
