Squeezing Blood Out of a Turnip

We just got the bill for Averie's foot surgery AND Averie's appendectomy. Together, we're looking at $25,000. The charges are "pending" payment until we can prove to the insurance company that she is financially dependent upon us. Charlie and I laugh at that. She's lucky we love her as much as we do, or I'd just put her on the doorstep of the hospital with a note pinned to her backpack that says: Too Expensive. Just Keep Her.