I am a woman with cancer and I am fighting for my life.
Last edited Fri Feb 3, 2012, 04:45 AM - Edit history (4)
I am the face of women who are in a life and death battle with a horrific disease that doesn't give a damn what your political bent is. The radiological treatments, chemo drugs and surgical procedures I have been the recipient of doesn't have an efficacy that is dependent on whether I am progressive, conservative or any other political stripe. The nurses, doctors, therapists that worked to save my life didn't do so because I was a member of their political party. When I read the the posting regarding Susan G Komen, I was horrified. You see, I am lucky enough to have a husband who HAS A JOB in this economy and gets paid WELL. We also have GREAT insurance that allowed us to go out of network to get the cutting edge treatments and this is something I understand is a blessing not many Americans have.
Although it's been an uphill battle, I know I will make it. But, I have sisters all over this country whose families aren't in the position that mine is, who may not even have a family. They are of color, they are white, they are elderly, they are single mothers,They are students, they are unemployed, They are gay, they are straight, they are formerly middle class who find themselves unable to afford anything other than the basics of life, they are our sisters,they are our aunts, they are our mothers, they are our daughters, they are you, they are me.
They are people who turn to Planned Parenthood to get screenings for a disease that kills 40000 women, (AND 500 men!), each year in this country. Although I don't have breast cancer, I have experienced the same uncertainty, pain, fear, worry, side-effects and COMPLETE hair loss that they have undergone.
Somehow, I don't think Susan Komen would have wanted her tragic journey to have been turned into a political plan to KILL,( and yes I said kill because that is exactly will happen if women aren't able to be screened for breast cancer in a timely manner) women in the name of "conservative values". No woman who has fought cancer would see what Brinker and her ilk have done to defund Planned Parenthood as the right thing to do. Women like me are mad as hell!
The Women who go the Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screenings do so because they don't have any other options. The screenings that Planned Parenthood gives SAVE LIVES! The Right wing claims to be "pro-"life" yet think nothing of taking the funds away from an organisation that is performing tests that that maintain the very meaning of the Life they claim to care so much about. A VERY small percentage of Planner Parenthood's procedures are abortions, (3%), yet Nancy Brinker and Karen Handel are willing to let countless women die unnecessarily to further a political agenda. I wouldn't wish cancer on my worst enemy but I cannot help but think that if either one of these women had to fight cancer personally, they might had made different decisions.
I am a woman with cancer and trust me, Karen and Nancy, cancer doesn't give a rusty damn if you are democratic, right-wing, center, communist or worship cabbages! I may not have much because I'm not working but damn it, I'll find money in our budget to donate to Planned Parenthood. One less night out won't hurt me. I wouldn't give Susan G Komen a cup of used spit or walk 2 inches for the Race For a cure. I consider myself to be TRULY pro-life because I believe that every human being has a right to healthcare, (including access to safe abortion and cancer screenings), clean safe water and food, freedom from unnecessary wars and employment that pays wages above the poverty level, regardless of their political leanings. These rightwingers who claim to be pro-life are full of it. How can you claim that and then turn around and take money away from people who are performing medical screenings that are, in fact, the very nature of pro-life?
I support Planned Parenthood and will work even more to support them because I AM A WOMAN with cancer, I am fighting for my life and at the very least,I will look for options to clear the the Susan G Komen for the Cure, organisation of political operatives so that they will never again be able to turn the life saving efforts of everyday Americans into something ugly and onerous.
So watch out, Karen and Nancy, because I am one of countless MILLIONS who are determined to fight you and what you stand for! I have millions of Sisters and Brothers who are on the same difficult journey I am and are beyond disgusted by what you've done. And, when we catch up to you and demonstrate to you that YOU CANNOT politicise life-saving procedures, remember me as the woman with Cancer, who is fighting for my life, I mad as hell and I'm not going to take it ANYMORE!
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I wish you well and look forward to your future posts.
This must be especially hard for you and others who personally know what it takes to face this disease.
Thank you, Ecumenist! 
for saying this, and for fighting.
wishing you strength, healing and peace
I really encourage you to send your post out as a letter to the editor to every major newspaper.
You really get to the core issues and express yourself beautifully. I think your views would be welcomed and appreciated by a broad audience.
I think you should share this far and wide.
k&r
this most eloquent and emotional truth!
And I am wishing you well - completely, soon, and permenantly.
go places... it is too good just to be on DU..
Can I FB? Can we sent it on to the SGK organization?
This post needs to be SHOUTED.
If you feel it need it, go ahead. Thanks BTW 
I am so sorry to hear you are having this struggle
All of my best healing wishes to you. 
I am absolutely thrilled that you have good insurance and that you will make it.
This is beautifully written.
I am also very, very impressed by this sentence: "I wouldn't wish cancer on my worst enemy but I cannot help but think that if either one of these women had to fight cancer personally, they might had made different decisions." What a compassionate, admirable, and elegant way to respond to people who would casually condemn hundreds (if not more) of low-income women to death from breast cancer to further their personal agenda. I think that sentence speaks absolute truth in a very gentle way.
If not for your husband's situation your story would be so different! I am glad for all our sisters (and brothers for that matter!) out there that have what you have. I am grateful so many of you want and are working for the same for the rest of us!
We are the 99% and together we can make things change. 
Julie
I behave more "pro-life" than all repukes and most Christians I know!!! Wishing you well my sweet. 
And Godspeed.
