my husband's treatment was covered quite well but there was a scare for the second surgery. They were not going to pay all of the first surgery (thankfully the hospital care took care of the extra 4,500 and we were able to make a change with our insurance so the next surgery was completely covered and everything after. Our biggest expense was gas driving 3 hours each way for all appointments, treatments, and now follow-up every 3 months. Thankfully we have always been able to stay at the Hope Lodge through the American Cancer Society since all visits usually require an overnight stay.

Now, with life after cancer we are actually saving money on groceries and eating out. We eat lots of fruit and vegetables, it surprising how much you can get into a veggie and fruit smoothie. We eat less meat, mostly chicken and turkey and seldom pork and beef (except for burgers on the grill that we buy the meat from a local friend who raises cows). I can often discourage picking up food or eating out when not at home because it is not a "healthy choice". No more pop on hand and I can get by with putting the salty snacks back before checking out at the grocery store when my husband isn't looking. (He actually thanked me recently for doing it.)

To sum it up, life is great!!! I often say it was one of the hardest years of our life but one of the best since we were able to spend so much quality time together other than the 7-8 weeks when things were rough. Can't wait for retirement, hopefully soon!!!