Great news! Give your handsome boy a hug from me. Your situation is a good reminder that it's a good idea to sock a little away each paycheck...just in case! (writes note to self)
The suggestions about finding a vet clinic at a college is a good one- when my cat got a major blockage and had to have a section of his colon removed, there was no way I could afford it either. (I was laid off at the time) My vet directed me to the vet clinic at Ohio State, where students did the operation for about 25% of what the vet quoted. They did a fantastic job, too - my cat lived for another 12 years!