COEE, I'll keep your puppy in my prayers!
It sounds like you handled this really well. Vets have an obligation to tell you everything that they *could* do for your pet, in case you want to go the extra mile. But they are often able to help you prioritize which things they *need* to do, and which you can at least wait and see.
Having had lots of pets and lots of emergency vet visits, though mine have mostly had illnesses rather than injuries, thought it might be helpful to suggest a few things where savings might be possible, depending exactly what the medical issues are.
First, emergency vets are pricey. I'm not judging, they have to be there when we need them and have all the equipment for everything they could encounter. They also often serve as a place you can be referred to see specialists. Cost saving possibility: Have them do what they can to stabilize your dog short term, and then transfer to your regular vet.
Second, when to discharge. There are lots of things the vet can do in clinic/hospital that you can't quite do at home. But there can sometimes be substitutions. In hospital, they can have your dog on an IV. At home, you may be able to supplement fluid intake with sub-Q fluids, and/or syringe feeding canned food with extra water. On that note, if they're worried about the dog not eating, that's one thing you can do at home, once she's past the critically ill stage. In hospital, they can give pain meds through IV or injection. At home, oral meds may not be quite as good, but may be able to manage the pain sufficiently and cheaper. Or, you may be able to get them to send you home with injectable meds. On the topic of medication, when taking home pain meds, tell them that cost is a factor. Ask if there are cheaper meds that will do the same job, or if you can get the meds dispensed from your regular vet or at a human pharmacy any cheaper. In the emergency clinic, they have staff to watch your dog around the clock. At home, you can take shifts with your wife, or take turns getting up every hour to check on her. (I never let a very ill animal stay in a regular vet clinic overnight - they are usually alone for most of the night anyway, and I can watch my pets more closely at home.)
I really feel for you. I'm a wreck when my pets aren't well. Please keep us posted...