09.09.08
What cost?
I just got back from San Francisco and LA late last night. I got to see my parents – my father turned 83, and I got to see my best friend Julie in LA.
My father and everyone were wonderfully surprised – no one knew I was coming. I walked up to the table carrying a bottle of champagne, a champagne bucket and glasses and had on an apron from the restaurant. I had spoken to them about this and arrived early. It was a wonderful surprise.
At the same time, I saw my father and for some reason, I thought back to 20 years ago when he was so vibrant and strong. Now, I watch as my parents – my best friends – get older. For now, I will enjoy the memories and photos of that day and all of us, my father included, sipping champagne and laughing at the silliness of my sister and I. Oh, and it was funny – even though it was my father’s bday, my sister and I both brought presents to each other – both having something to do with cats. I guess we are truly sisters. 
I flew to LA for my cancer treatments and at the same time to see Julie, whom I love dearly. She has a terminal form of lymphoma and has been in the hospital for a few weeks. She is in and out usually, but these past few weeks she is not doing well. We laughed so hard, well, I had soda coming out my nose. (no smart remarks now!) We both make each other laugh. We smile. We just enjoy each others’ company. She is an angel.
I went to my treatments after, then went back to visit with her family. Hopefully Julie will be home again soon, according to doctors, in a few more days. Until then – I know I will send all my energy to her.
The cost of this thing we call life – I wonder if people realize what life is all about? As I watch this election progress, I listen to lies and more coming from the GOP. They have nothing to help those who need medical assistance.. As far as they are concerned if you can’t afford insurance, tough. The hospitals/doctors/insurance companies need to stay rich and given all the tax breaks they have because they support the GOP.
I pay almost $1200 a month that is not covered by insurance, and yet it is all worth it – because I continue to live. Julie’s family pays for extra bills that are not covered and since she is no longer working, she uses COBRA which is not the best coverage. She will be moved to her parents insurance soon – and I hope they can keep it going. I wrote them a check for $1000 just to do what I could. They are not poor, but sometimes, well, a little help is all it takes. They tried to give it back. Her mother lost. She knows me and knows I do this each month. She knows she will lose every month, but the longer Julie is around, the longer there is an angel among us.
If McCain and Palin get into office, I know it will become harder for so many to take care of themselves and yet the Insurance Companies will continue to get tax breaks as will the drug companies and more. People like Julie’s family will continue to spend their life savings to keep their daughter alive. Yes, it is worth any cost, but it should not have to be that way. This country was built on the middle class – not the elite and that is what the GOP is about – helping the elite get richer. Everytime I hear FOX noise or some other biased media say that Obama is “elitest” I cringe and want to scream. I hate them – honestly – people that are behind FOX noise and other biased conservative media will lie about anything to stay in power and sadly, a large portion of the population believes everything they hear on TV and Radio. They believe people like O’Reilly and Limbaugh and Coulture – all of whom are bold faced liars.
I will see Julie again in another month. I will write another check for her family. I will probably squirt soda from my nose again as we laugh about all we see around us (we talk a lot about lesbian drama). I will hope and pray that all the voices yelling for change will realize that the true cost of putting McCain in office will be the loss of even more wonderful people who simply can’t afford their medical bills. And don’t even get me started on Palin and her lies and hypocrisy. Her church is currently “Praying against Gay” with Focus on the Family – saying that we can cure you. Where is the media when they should be yelling (and of course reporting) about this, the same way the put Rev Wright in the spotlight when it was the Dems. Oh wait, they have to bury that story so their candidate gets into office. I forgot.
Peace
a very tired Kat…