A Silver Lining

One thing I don’t think I fully understood before going through all of this is just how financially devastating a medical condition can become.

It isn’t only the medical bills. It’s the appointments, procedures, medications, travel, missed work, and changes you have to make to your life just to keep functioning. In my case, it has even meant changing careers and taking a significant reduction in my yearly income because I needed a job that my jaw could physically withstand, especially when it comes to how much talking is required.

And then, this week, I got a little bit of good news.

I received a letter from Mayo Clinic letting me know that I was approved for financial assistance.

I instantly teared up.

There are credit cards from this journey that I will be paying on for years. I have monthly payment plans with providers. I even have providers who have been incredibly understanding of my financial situation and aren’t requiring payments from me right now.

So when I opened that letter from Mayo, it meant more than just a bill being reduced.

Right now, this assistance means $242 less every month that I have to worry about.

I don’t know yet what it will mean for future surgeries or treatment, but today, it is relief. And I am incredibly grateful for it.

I’ve learned throughout this journey that every win matters. The big ones. The little ones. Sometimes even just having one less bill to worry about can feel enormous.

But moments like this also remind me why The Forgotten Joint matters so much to me.

There are people every single day making decisions between getting the medical care they need and simply surviving financially.

Do I go to the specialist?
Can I afford the imaging?
Can I afford another procedure?
Can I miss another day of work?
Can I put another medical bill on a credit card?
Can I afford to keep trying to get better?

No one should have to make those choices.

My situation has been incredibly difficult, but I also know there are people facing circumstances far worse than mine. That hurts to think about.

Today, though, I’m allowing myself to celebrate this win.

$242 a month might just look like a number on paper.

To me, right now, it feels like a little room to breathe.

Every win matters.

Not Broken. Just Rebuilt.