Comments on: What $20 Gets You

By: christyjones

christyjones — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:40:53 +0000

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!

By: Julie Kleszczewski

Julie Kleszczewski — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:49:41 +0000

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.

By: Nicole McLean

Nicole McLean — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:19:46 +0000

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.

By: christyjones

christyjones — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:55:12 +0000

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.

By: Danine Spencer

Danine Spencer — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:39:26 +0000

This is powerful and I’m really sorry it happened. Thank you for sharing, Christy.

By: Sandy Kirkpatrick

Sandy Kirkpatrick — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:11:05 +0000

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!

By: Donna Lucas

Donna Lucas — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:07:33 +0000

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.