By “Kwickick”
DailyKos.com

…I have pancreatic cancer. It is untreatable…I am not telling you this for pity, or for whining..I am telling you this to urge you on in your fight for universal health care…

My doctor says it probably would not have made a difference, but I have delayed seeing a physician for two years, even though I have had a series of symptoms. I have been unable to qualify for health insurance that I could afford — and even if I could, my cancer would have been deemed a preexisting condition unless I had the insurance before two years ago.

I cut back on everything — movies, clothes, restaurants, hot water, air conditioning (in Texas), cost of each meal — and saved up my money so that I could see a doctor. I…delayed everything until the symptoms became too serious (I was taken to an emergency room — and was booted to a county hospital when they found out I had no insurance, but made too much to qualify for Medicaid)…What was so frightening to me…was…the number of people I met in the waiting rooms who had done the exact same thing…

The fight against universal healthcare will be vicious. The medical industry will get out all guns, and the Repubs will lap it up…The stakes are too high. It literally means life and death, for all those people who will be in the waiting rooms in the future…who all will probably be dead when the program is finally introduced. Remember me and remember my plea…Please, don’t take our eye off the ball…

More

Kwickick died  January 31.