I haven't been on in ages. Posting from my phone. My laptop didn't survive the one drop in five years and I really can't afford a new one. To recap: I was unemployed for 19 months before I found a job that required 60hrs a week for less than a third of my previous earnings. I began to fall ill right at that time. Within three months, I had to resign from that job due to my illness. No job, no insurance and facing cancer. This for someone who had faced nothing more than the common cold in his then 43 years on earth. In fact, even up to a few days of my first signs of illness, I was running up and down the three flights to my apartment with ease. This story is directed towards everyone no matter your political leanings, for I AM YOU I'm your brother. I'm your father,husband,neighbor,cousin and best friend.
I worked since I was 15. Sometimes 2 and 3 jobs at a time. I went to school, made a good living and had a few bucks in the bank. While I didn't have any dancing horses, I was comfortable. Now, nearly two years into my battle, I can speak from my experiences as well as people I've met along the way.
I'm soon to be 46 so I fall into the group of "people below 55" that would be effected by a future "voucher" program. Just as many of you on here. Were it not for the care I've received, I'd have been dead two years ago. Some of you die hards may think so what. You should have died. Well guess what sunshine? Unless your name is Bush, Romney, Kennedy, etc, you WILL be me. Your home and savings will be wiped out. A $15,000 voucher will not get you far. Here's some examples from my two tears at this.
- Daily meds run $2000 a month.
- Six sessions of chemotherapy-just the drug/chemicals were over $1000 per session not including the actual infusion.
- CT Scans. I've had three. Two in 2011alone. $7000 each.
- Colonoscopy and Endoscopy-$6000
- Surgical procedures: Biopsy of lump on my neck, removal of a lymph gland from my neck for biopsy, surgical implant of a "Medi-Port" in my chest for chemo infusion directly into my heart.
- Lest we not forget the primary care, oncology and neurology visits- which have subsided from every three weeks to every three months.

As of this moment I am cancer free and back up to my usual 6ft 2 and 200 pounds from a low of 160 - which I haven't been since my freshman year of high school 31 years ago. My feet are done as a result. Permanent nerve damage. Peripheral neuropathy. They're a constant source of pain,discomfort and swelling. With blessings from all THREE doctors,I walk and exercise as much as I can. I'd rather not sit around,gain 100 pounds and add heart disease and diabetes to the fray. I'm already facing the future possibility of Lymphoma from the cancer and leukemia from the chemotherapy.

So my friends, in a nutshell; Unless you have a name like I listed above, you WILL be ME. Being a democrat,republican or independent will be of no matter. When you or someone you know/love winds up here, you will realize Adam and Steve getting married and moving in next door, the brown guy sneaking across the border or your right to carry a gun will pale in comparison.

Apologies for any typos as its taken me 45 min to type this on my phone. I will go back and edit as I see fit.

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Sharing my partner's 2012 Forte 5dr SX til I find my next 123 or 126..
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Do I miss being a service advisor ???