She is 55 years old. Debbie is a mother of 4 grown children. She is unemployed and uninsured.
What a way to sum up a (great) persons life. God, it makes me mad.
She has had a lesion (about 3 inches) on her nose for over 10 months. Being uninsured, she kept using OTC medications and praying for it to go away and staying home a lot, because she was embarrassed.
We live in TN. When she finally went to the "Health Dept.", they told her of their suspicions and performed a biopsy. She got the results a few days ago. Basal cell (it could be worse) carcinoma and it is pretty advanced. The Dr. at the Health dept. is (IMO) a hero. I knew him when he had a very successful practice and made lots of money. Even then, he donated a few days a week to people who could not afford a Dr. and had no insurance. He is now a full-time "peoples doctor." He said the roots of this cancer are very deep. Debbie will need an oncologist ad a plastic surgeon to reconstruct her nose. If there are any Oncologists or Plastic Surgeons who would donate their skills or reduce their fee, please "PM" me.
Anyway, because Debbie does not have either Breast or Cervical Cancer, she does not qualify for TennCare. I applaud the fact that, at least, women with those cancers can get treatment. It is better than having no care for any cancer victims.
My sister is a special person. She is nice (a little withdrawn), ironically, she was always the "good girl." She would never smoke, drink, do drugs with us while we were young. She still doesn't. She is always there for someone when they need help or just someone to sit quietly with. She has done this for me and I appreciate it beyond words.
Through all of my "dumbass years" she has been there. She would "bail me out" and never mention it again. When I started having heart attacks and complications. Debbie was always mothering me and telling me to "move home." I have had a "wandering gene" along with many others..., and she wanted me to come home and be near, so she could help. I love her very much.
While she has always been a very pretty girl, she never took advantage of it. I always thought that was cool. She loved deeply, never for personal gain and she has had a few "comfortable" guys try to "hook up" with her. Not her style. Freud would have a field day with me. I have married twice. Who knows, maybe the third time....lol. Both of my wives were named Debbie. If they were as tolerant as my sister, maybe they could have put up with me?
I am asking anyone who can and who wants to; to Donate whatever you can afford. In these times, every little bit will help. Debbie does not know about this. She called me last night to thank me for contacting St. Thomas Hospital on her behalf. They sent her paperwork to see if they can reduce their FEE.
I think we all agree, we all deserve (as do our future generations), Universal Health Care, as a RIGHT. I have railed, posted, contacted politicians (whose health care we provide) and been so thankful that I belong to a Union that has kept me alive by providing health insurance even after I was unable to work.
I am not going to rant right now. I might cry though (I am) and I don't want my damned heart monitor to go off... Ilsa will call and give me hell...
Please donate if you can.
Thank You. I love you All.
dotymed
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