The day my sister came home from the hospital after her first breast cancer surgery, I went to the local drugstore to pick up her initial dose of medicine. I had her insurance information and a $20 bill in my pocket. The pharmacist told me the total was “seventeen fifty.” Great, I thought, I can (guiltily) get a Snickers bar, too. I pulled out the $20, and the pharmacist said quietly, “That’s $1,750.” I gulped and said, “But she has insurance.” He responded, “That’s after insurance.” I pulled out my credit card and silently handed it over.
That began the first of many battles with insurance companies throughout my sister’s eight long years of struggling with this heartbreaking disease. It ended up being the first of many times I would hand over my credit card to cover expenses “not covered” by her insurance, a limited plan her very small company could afford for its four employees. She had a young daughter and no income since she was unable to work during the first months of her treatment. I also learned that state and federal systems made a person prove months, if not longer, of unemployment before they would allow someone like my sister to receive Medicare. If she hadn’t had the support of my family, she would have joined the large group of women who are unable to get treatment because they lack the funds to pay for it themselves.
My sister worked her entire life, paid taxes, and gave back to her community. Sometimes, as we tried to figure out all the bills long past midnight, we’d shake our heads at having worked at nonprofits and feel penalized because we didn’t work for large corporations or the government, which would have provided better insurance coverage. Fortunately, when the time came for hospice care, she had been working in Vermont and the care system there was much better than any we experienced previously. Now, with health care so prominently in the news, I can’t figure out why the need for health care equality is a fight, not a given.
Thank you all again for sharing your stories & giving support. My sister kept a positive attitude throughout most of these difficult times and I learned how this type of approach helps diminish daily struggles. Lots of laughter, wonderful friends and loving family are key ingredients – now if we could just remove the real fear caused by financial burdens, lack of appropriate insurance coverage and concentrate on finding better treatments, and even a cure!
Dear Christie:
I wish I could hold you in my arms to comfort you in your sorrow and unbelievable challenges. How your sister and you have suffered. I, too, had breast cancer and I was one of the lucky ones to survive so far. I am grateful.
However, it has changed my life in ways that women don’t speak of much. One’s life is never the same after this kind illness. My thoughts and prayers are wiith you.
Thank you for sharing your sister’s story. I hate to say this but her story is my nightmare. I’m fighting breast cancer right now and while I have good insurance, I am afraid — very very afraid — of how I will deal with this illness if I should ever lose my insurance. I am fortunate that I work for a huge global company and have extensive insurance. But with all of the time that it takes to get healthy — time away from work — I worry and wonder how long until I don’t have this coverage? And as a single woman I worry…what will I do then? My parents are retirement age and there is no husband or boyfriend who could help. What happens to all these millions of women who are fighting this disease? Are we just doomed to fall through the cracks?
I am afraid…very afraid.
Thank you all for your stories and support. I often wonder how those “on the Hill” don’t realize the impact that is felt due to the US’s lack of adequate insurance coverage for all. When it is something that causes people to die, well, you think they would listen and act on behalf of their nation.
This is powerful and I’m really sorry it happened. Thank you for sharing, Christy.
How heart-breaking, Christy! Thanks for sharing your sister’s story. Despite the terrible difficulties she faced, she was fortunate to have you to support her through it all. Here’s hoping we get real health care reform…. and soon!
Ditto Christy – I don’t understand how this conversation and the need for a Health insurance safety net has become so skewed. Despite health insurance and resources my husband’s disability costs over and above coverage just about bankrupted us. We maxed out our credit cards just before he officially received disability coverage. When SS kicked in after 18 mos of struggling. So we were lucky – still in debt but in better shape.I often wondered what do families that don’t have our outcome do – I know what they do. Worry, cry, negotiate … We need health care reform for all of us but especially for those who have no option.