[Joy]

Hey Vanessa, I'm glad the emotional pain is pretty much behind you and that your husband is willing to do some helping given your situation. I was divorced between my diagnoses (stage I in 2000 and stage IV in 2002). Things were pretty ugly between us then. It was rough with 2 little girls factored in. He had agreed to a basic child support payment and a tiny bit of alimony. I chose not to push the issue because of the girls. I just couldn't drag them through the BS of arguing over money-they are priceless after all.

For me this turned out to be an okay thing. As time has gone on we have become friends and really good co-parents. But the good thing financially has been that when I need money I can ask him and he gives it fairly easily. Sometimes he expects to be paid back and sometimes he doesn't. Honestly if I litigated I could get twice what he pays now. He makes great money for our area with Hewlett-Packard and we get only about 10%. I have the kids every day on his weeks and he only has them for overnights. On my weeks I have them 24/7. Regardless, the kids, Steve and I did not go through an ugly legal, financial battle.

Insurance - wise, I got 36 months of COBRA with HP's carrier, United. That was great and my premium did not sky rocket as many had warned. Just prior to that ending I started the paper work for CoverColorado (our state 'high-risk pool' formerly called Colorado Uninsurables). Almost every state has a high-risk pool the carrier for ours is Pacificare and my premium is $266/month for me. They also offer a discount if you have an income below $36,000, which I do.

It is not lesser insurance at all. I'm quite pleased with how things have gone with them.

Anyway, that was a lot about me and not much about you, sorry. I just wanted you to know that you have a divorced stage IV sister out here in Colorado. Let us know how it all shakes out or e-mail if you'd like to chat and ENJOY the babies!