I just got mine back and it was around $1800 too.
I HATED to pay that but it had every picture, every layout, every kit and everything I had designed. I struggled with paying that, but my husband had lost all his childhood pics in a fire so he was insistant that we get the pics because we couldn't stand losing all the pics of our boys childhoods. I went through Best Buy and they sent it to some place in Minnesota that did it. They had to completely rebuild it in a "clean room" environment- then transfer it to a new EHD (included in the price). I'm sick over the price, but I am thrilled to say they got over 95% of my stuff back!
I'm in the process of reorganizing my files again and then I'm getting Mozy plus putting it all on a second EHD and putting it in a safe deposit box. I'll never trust computers again, that is for sure.
I'm SO SO sorry for the loss, Laura.
I know the struggle you are going through and tears are in my eyes thinking about it because I know how I cried when mine died. ((hugs))