the original obama gyrl
It’s just a tad early, I know, to declare Barack Obama’s presidency a success. But I have to say, so far, 44 has been impressive. From attempting to right the wrongs at Guantanamo to breathing life into the floundering auto industry, President Obama has had to wade through one big mess after another. Last week, he took on health care. My man.
Now, I’ll be honest. Before cancer, I didn’t really understand or pay attention to the disastrous state of our country’s health care system. I had always gotten coverage through my jobs, and that pretty much settled the matter for me. One radical debulking surgery and nine rounds of chemo later, and I’m feeling a bit more vested.
During his weekly address, the prez discussed the goals set out in a recent meeting he had with insurance company execs, health care specialists, and representatives from pharmaceutical firms. By working in tandem, they hope to overhaul our nation’s health care system, which would include more than $600 billion in reserve funds that would set the stage for nationalized coverage.
Whatever your position on universal care, the hard reality is that people without insurance and those who are underinsured receive fewer preventive screenings. That places them at greater risk of being diagnosed in the later stages of any disease or serious medical condition. And our ailing economy is only exacerbating matters.
According to a recent health report, one in three Americans went without health care at some point during 2007 and 2008. And the number of U.S. adults forgoing doctor’s visits due to costs is increasing. At last count, some 70 million Americans were having problems paying off their medical debt. The president estimates that by the end of the year, 1.5 million Americans could lose their homes as a result.
I can tell you from my own experience that medical bills add up — quickly. My last round of chemo, for example, cost $80,000, an exorbitant fee that required approval from my insurance company. But at least I have insurance (that’s me knocking on wood in the background). I can’t imagine what it’s like for cancer patients who don’t. But with Obama at the helm, some major changes are likely coming our way.
Under his proposed health care reform, the president plans to double the amount of funding for cancer research over the next five years, with specific dollars set aside for diseases that are hard to detect and treat — like ovarian cancer. Senators Edward Kennedy and Kay Bailey Hutchinson have also drafted a comprehensive plan — likely to pass the House and the Senate — that would require insurance firms to cover routine costs for all cancer patients and those taking part in clinical trials. That’s more good news for ovarian cancer patients, because many of us have a series of treatments involving several drugs. This disease is stubborn.
No doubt President Obama gave Kennedy and Baily Hutchinson his blessing.
With just more than 100 days in office, President Obama is making substantial gains in critical areas that seemed to have stalled during the previous administration’s time — health care in particular. I already had a crush on the man from back in 2004. Now, I think I’m in love.
Just don’t tell the first lady.
23 Comments
May 19, 2009 at 11:48 pm
I swear this brother is flying around DC with a cape on.
Its about time the health care industry gets some government love.
-R
June 4, 2009 at 8:50 am
i too had ovarian tumors — i rarely ever got sick and always treat myself naturaly like a homeopath
but this time i didnt get better just kept getting worst– a few things i learned along the way—
the cancer forms from having stagnant dirty blood–i found out i had systemic blood poisoning for several months and this old blood tends to collect in the lower half of the body- i said how can this be– im a massage therapist yoga instructor para educator active with the kids — my body was detoxing the drugs drinking of my early adult years
also products in toothpaste and life in general can flux our hormones causing these ovarian tumors–
for me it took routine liver and kidney cleansing to remove and build up the blood and high doses of green food Dr. shultze super food is the best of what i have had– i have tried it all! female formula of diamania and chaste tree help after chemo
May 20, 2009 at 11:34 am
As always, great blog, Chana.
We may have to share the title of the original Obama gyrl, cuz I became a supporter back in 2004 when he gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. But then again, great minds think alike!
I love you, gyrl!
May 21, 2009 at 10:16 am
First, I’m telling Michelle. But if you don’t the President that I admire is taste in women I won’t tell the First Lady.
I agree with your analysis completely. He’s given me the boost in confidence that my original aspirations are possible. I’m not as polished as he and others are, but I believe he’s doing well. Many criticizes him for doing what they honestly know is right and fair. For once I can actually say I admire the President.
Perhaps I’ll get to shake his hand after my speech 01/20/2017.
As usual, good post.
PS: Cute Hat
May 24, 2009 at 6:57 pm
I’m so with you! I’m the first to admit that the state our healthcare system wasn’t exactly first on my list of things to crusade for before cancer. Cancer sucks, but I’ll always be thankful for how much it’s opened my eyes and hopefully the eyes of those I encounter along the way!
Keep em comin!
June 2, 2009 at 12:40 am
Keep your head up my sister you have a whole black nation behind you.
June 4, 2009 at 7:59 am
I really don;t know what kind of Deadly kool aid you ppl are drinking??!!! IF you had SOCIALIZED medicine now, you would NEVER be so STUPID as to want it!! We have had it for awhile here and you have NO idea of the MESS it makes of medicine!! The wait is MONTHS and MONTHS for LIFE threatening situations, that we have to go the US for, IF we want to LIVE!! The GOVERNMENT makes the decision FOR YOU, the decisions are taken OUT of YOUR hands and the DOCTORS and put in the hands of some POLITICIAN! PLEASE don;t fall for your new SOCIALIST leaders POWER GRAB CRAP, we will have no place to go SAVE OUT LIVES!!! WAKE UP before it is TOO LATE, for YOU AND US!!!!!
June 4, 2009 at 9:04 am
I agree with this statement. I presented with cancer here in the US without insurance and was immediately treated and my life was saved through the joint effort afforded us by the free system we have. My friend in the UK was put on a wait list which kept being extended because of his age… he was retired. His family forced him to use the private insurance he had through his US employer [he was still carried] and he saw a private British doctor. They are usually reserved for the rich and the politicians. My friend, a veteran of Korea, thought it was unpatriotic to use the private system. He passed away last year from the effects of the cancer… the wait had been too long. If you want that system you can have it but I prefer the one we have now.
June 4, 2009 at 8:47 am
Chana, sorry this is a boring comment, one from a breast cancer survivor. From my experience, you must follow the Budwig diet. No one profits from it. It makes sense biochemically. I am not a loonie, just someone who wants to spread the word of a cure that is being ignored. Big pharmas and all that stuff.
Just look it up, please. If you want any more info, just mail me.
Michele, UK
June 4, 2009 at 9:07 am
Chana,
Keep up the fight…..I can say I now know more people who ARE Survivors of cancer…..then not. Sadly, until we get all these chemicals off the farms/crops and away from the animals……cancers going to increase. It’s sad to see little girls growing breast at 7-10 years old and starting periods around 8-11 years old. In my opinion it’s due to all the hormone’s and antibiotics we use with the chickens, turkeys, cows, pigs, etc……SCARY
Also, “WE AS AMERICANS” need to refer to ourselves as “AMERICANS”. We are not African American unless we ourselves were born in Africa and became an American…..and even then.since we chose to become an “AMERICAN”. Why would we refer to ourselves as “African American?” WE ARE AMERICAN”S! The same goes for Mexican’s, Asian’s, Caucasians, Scandinavians or any other Nationality. These….would be our “HERITAGE”. If you are mixed, no matter if it Asian/white, Asian/Black, Mexican/White, Mexican/Black or Black/White, etc…. We then can’t choose to be one or the other…..we are a MIX of what our biological parents are. That’s reality like it or not. If ALL people would live by this….we wouldn’t have ALL the racism we have in the United States of AMERICA.
D.
June 4, 2009 at 9:29 am
First of all, I totally agree with you when you say you should listen to your body! I too was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, mine was in 1996. I had all the same symptoms you mentioned. They are so sutle that they can/are being misdiagnosed. My GYN thought mine were due to the fact that I was getting older and my body was preparing for menopause. Keep in mine, I was only 41 years old when I was diagnosed and had never had any children. I had had my yearly exam just 2 months prior to the diagnosis. If anything, I strongly recommend women to go with your gut feeling!!!! In 1 weeks time from the time they said I had a cyst (oh I wish that was all it was) on my ovary to exactly 1 week later where I was scheduled to go in and have the cyst removed, my tumor had grown from something barely detectable with a pelvic exam to a 6″ by 7″ mass! Now, I thank the Lord that I went with my ‘gut feeling’. It’s been 13 years and I’m still cancer free. My mother passed away from Breast Cancer recently, so my onocologist keeps a tight eye on my health, due to the fact that Ovarian and Breast cancer seem to be related. My prayers are with you and all the other Ovarian Cancer Survivors !!!
June 4, 2009 at 9:34 am
I’m a fellow ovarian cancer survivor! After reading your story on AOL news main page I was happy to see that I’m not alone with my feelings. Two years ago, at age 22, I went through many of the diagnoses missteps as you. In my gut I knew something was wrong, that my bloating and weight gain weren’t from the stress of being a college student. After being told to ‘wait a month to see what happens’ my tumor had grown to the size of a an infants head. They couldn’t tell through ultrasound what ovary it was even attached to. I was reassured over and over that the odds of cancer were very unlikely at my age. Sure enough, when I woke up from surgery my father was holding my hand, with that small gesture my fears were confirmed. Thank you so much for sharing your story it lets other survivors like myself who feel alone with their emotions know that they aren’t.
June 4, 2009 at 9:58 am
Courageous battle, I am so proud of you and your survivorship. My mom passed 2 years ago from Ovarian Cancer after battling breast cancer 22 yrs prior. I do not want to repeat history and have my children bury me when they are in their 30′s. Advocacy and awareness is the only way to stop this!
Be well, you are beautiful!
June 4, 2009 at 10:29 am
First, I want to congratulate you on your victory!
However your comment in your article
“I am a classic example of what happens when medical professionals engage in age- and race-based bias. It never occurred to my gyn, also a young black woman, that I had ovarian cancer. She had almost completely ruled it out.”
is TOTALLY off base. The practice of medicine is like being a detective. You start with clues to guide you to looking in a particular direction for what the problem is. Very important clues to begin with are age, sex, and ethnicity. Would I think of ovarian cancer in a MAN that presented to me? No, men DON’T have ovaries. Would I think of sickle cell anemia in a Caucasian…not right off, no, but it might be a consideration later on in the process. Blacks are particularly prone to sickle cell, but it can occur in anyone of Mediterranean descent (Greek, Italian, Northern African). Any GOOD doctor starts with the more common problems according to age, sex, ethnicity, family history, and a variety of other considerations. With the pressure to save time and MONEY for the patient one must be prudent in their approach to diagnosis of medical problems. Too many people want it both ways…don’t spend my money looking for the problem, but tell me what I have and don’t make ANY mistakes. Believe it or not, if YOU can make mistakes, your doctor can make mistakes…we are human!
June 4, 2009 at 10:46 am
I guess I am writing for alitte information. Was your tumor every referred to as a inmature ovarian terratoma tumor. I lost a beautiful 6 year old daughter to this tumor. It was a 4 1/2 tumor and had spread to the stomach lining. I was wondering if this is the same type of tumor. It started off the ovary. Thanks for your time. Linda Carole
June 4, 2009 at 10:46 am
Wanted to tell you I admire your story and your courage. My daughter recently received the Gardasil vaccine and I have come to find out that so many who got the vaccine have developed cervical cancer. There are many ways you can help yourself homeopathically to rid yourself of the toxins that cause this cancer. Please help us get this story out and find others who have been affected. The best thing anyone can do is detox – and I never believed in it before! Please check out cynthiajanak.com or lets_talk_about_Gardasil@yahoo.com for more information. Women need to stand together to help each other. Now it is even more critical than ever before! Thanks for your story. I wish you the best. God bless you!
June 4, 2009 at 11:07 am
I’m a 44 year old caucasian female, and I had a very similar experience to yours; fortunately my ovarian cancer was caught at stage 1c. I went to numerous doctors for 6 months and not one even questioned ovarian cancer despite my symptoms. I finally collapsed and was taken to the ER which resulted in a CT scan that found the tumors. I am all for advanced research of “uncommon” but deadly diseases like this. Congrats on your survival. You are not alone.
June 4, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Hi Bridget!!! I am also excited to hear you are doing well and continuing to beat this thing called cancer!!!! I am thanking GOD!!!!! Would you mind letting me know what your systems were that led to your diagnosis, please!
June 4, 2009 at 11:26 am
Chana,
You are a awesome young woman and thanks for sharing your story. I am sure that many young women will benefit from it. Your amazing spirit has allowed you not to enveloped yourself in self pity but to reach out to help others. God is working through You just as he is working through President Obama to bring positive change to the World.
Sharing of Knowledge is a a part of GOD”S LOVE. May God Continue to Shower you with his Love.
June 4, 2009 at 11:27 am
Hi, I am thanking god that you’ve beaten this cancer you beautiful black woman and at the same time im saying a little prayer for myself…Im out of work, uninsured and very afraid of what could be wrong with me. Ive had this relentless pain on my right side for a year now and when i had insurance i went in for this pain on my right side and they found a cyst on my left though. The doctor put me on birth control pills and stated the cyst should go away. Well, here it is months later, im uninsured now and my pain is worst than ever! My hospital bills are racking up but i have no other choice but to go when im in pain and feeling faint. I have to wait 2 more months to sign up for H.A.P full coverage insurance here in michigan but in the meantime im doctoring myself because i dont know what else to do and the doctors continue to tell me the same thing they were telling you abt the statistics. Would you mind giving me all of your systems so that i may better identify whats wrong with me PLEEEEEEEEESE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 4, 2009 at 11:29 am
Congrats on everything! Mostly, for being such an inspiration to so many other women. I am a professional photographer & I’m working on a project featuring living women, who are experiencing celebrations that didn’t come easily. I’ve met extradionary women along the way, each with their own story of strength. Every time I photograph a wedding and hear someone say, “It’s your happiest day!” I think, it’s a happy day… but this is a party that came easy. No one gets photographers for that 5th year anniversary of being in remission.
I’m looking for strong, beautiful, inspiring women, that I can feature in my ‘Survivors Gallery’. No cost–this is a project for the soul not the wallet. If you know of anyone, or interested yourself, please contact me. I’m reaching out where-ever and whenever. NJ, PA, NJ and DE areas.
Best wishes!
June 8, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I just seen your article on your ovarian cancer on AOL welcome page and want to thank you so much for the added information as the practitioners I get need tons of proof of anything I say before they might agree and do not do preventive care for me do to “my insurance”. I had ovarian cancer found at 39 years old and was step 1A, grade 3 which was found very early but I didn’t feel right and persisted until they found out why. I had to have a totally radical hysterectomy and couldn’t take hormones so became post menopausal shortly after and at 54 years old, doctors say my health mimics a 73 year old but I am still alive. The sites listed below your article will be a blessing for me and mainly wish to thank you so very much for both information and sharing your story. Thanks
June 8, 2009 at 12:56 pm
addition to my previous comment is that I first thought I had a very bad kidney infection as both sides around to my back felt very tender but it was a large cyst on my right ovary and a pelvic sonnagram pick it right up. I needed chemo after to be sure they said as because of being grade 3 and could spread faster but opted out as my neighbor lost her daughter to complications so I sorta chickened out but so far so good and has been 15 years now a survivor. It certainly is a wake up call to get our priorities straight. We need each other and each other’s stories as I believe emotional support is crucial to survival. Thanks again