Cancer and the Caste System

Fake lashes n' brows. Putting paint
where it AIN'T!

I don't know if I like the direction of where this is going, but it's going nonetheless.

Fact: There comes a certain perspective that I have gained from being in a room full of the sick, full of the dying, and full of those fighting to survive.

Fact: None of the other gals look like me, in more ways than one.

Fact: People are inherently stupid.

So when you get the big C the patience level becomes...well it doesn't exist. I no longer have patience for people who haven't "been there." I can't tolerate people with little to know (yes I meant know not no) life experience.

I always knew the importance of having good health insurance. Call me Canadian, but going to the doctor and getting the works is just a way of life in the great white north. I really don't get the big deal about the ACA. If you like yours keep it, if you don't you have options, if you had a preexisting situation (like I have now) your insurance company can't fuck you over and say uh um neva mind bitch you are on your own! Case in point: Boob Chica worked for an employer that doesn't value our healthcare. Boob Chica had the best plan for chingos a month, but still was bad. Boob Chica got married and said f' you haterz, I'm getting under my husbands insurance. We call it "the good good." Not only was it less to insure both of us than it was for me under my own crappy plan but, given the whole Breast Cancer thang, it worked out for the best.

"Thank God you don't have our insurance."

What HR told me when I went in to request FMLA paperwork. Really? That's what you think of me? My hard work? My dedication? Breast Cancer sucks but BC and a shit insurance company sucks more. My chemo costs 11k a session. That's 66k total and that's just for the medicine going in my arm during the six rounds. I need 12 more rounds after my surgery! Cancer is not a poor gals disease...clearly. My insurance coverage of it: 100%. My copay: 20 bucks. Shouldn't everyone be entitled to this? My biggest worry: the puking, the pooping, what kind of concealer covers my bruise the best, what eyebrow pencil is the most natural. I think I'll get my lashes did tomorrow, and nails, and buy my 100% organic food. I don't have to worry about, shit I can't have chemo this week, I can't afford it. I don't need to worry about affording my pain meds, or scans, or paying my electric bill because I spent all my money on meds.

Cancer has rendered me home. I can't work. I'm not getting 100% of my paycheck, not even close. But we have been able to make it and still keep our family of two, plus two furchildren afloat.

I am the lucky one. I am the fortunate one. I am the blessed one. I am a rarity. Most people are not like me. I am one of the youngest, I am one of the only people of color. Like seriously I can count the minorities that I've seen on one hand that go through chemo. I've only ever seen another barely 30 something while there. Most people that look like me don't get the cadillac of treatment. Most people that are my age don't have the dream team of doctors and surgeons like I do.

Cancer greatly divides the haves with the have nots. The have nots struggle to survive, struggle to put food on the table, struggle to receive quality care, can't afford reconstruction. The haves well, we struggle. The struggle isn't as great.

I had new coverage as of January 1st. See the hubby's company got bought out, and they had a different insurance provider. So we made the switch, as if we had a choice. They had to cover me. THIS IS A HUGE DEAL. Because of ACA, they had to cover me. This is a big deal. Before the law, I would have fallen through the cracks, 33k worth of chemo remaining and people wouldn't have given a shit.

So when you complain, be fortunate. You never had to sit in a room full of the sick, we have a much better grasp of the  value of coverage than you.