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November 3, 2004

Pat's Story, Part One

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The election is over, Senator Kerry has conceded the election, President Bush has given his victory speech, and the Republican gains in the Congress are going to result in the administration being in a position to have more influence on our nation than that of any previous administration in nearly three-quarters of a century.

Our nation has some wounds to heal, but we also have a great opportunity to now come together as almost never before and truly take our country in a new direction. One of the issues that we need to address is health care, everyone knows this but life keeps going on and the same problems continue to remain unaddressed.

Pat's story is about one of these problems. It's too late for Pat now, but her story needs to be told. The purpose in telling her story has nothing to do with any political agenda, rather it has to do with the way that many cancer patients live and die in America, and the tragic costs involved in the treatment of their disease. Sadly the tragedy of their deaths doesn't end with their lives, the tragedy continues in the form of the unnecesary financial destruction saddled upon their loved ones who had sacrificed everything they had of financial value in order to have more time to be together. Pat's story belongs to all of us, and all of us have had a role in her story. How this is the case will soon become clear.

Pat's story begins with a letter I received today from a dear friend that happens to be the most loving and compassionate human being I have every known. His words reach deep into all of our hearts:

"Hello Richard,

Thank you for asking about Pat. I miss her very much and find it hard to believe that she is dead. My life has a big gap in it, and I push myself to get through the day. Coming home every night to an empty house, and especially weekends, is just difficult for me. This time of year, Pat would have decorated the house with pumpkins, turkeys and other decorations related to Thanksgiving. A Christmas is not going to be enjoyable without her. Last weekend would have been our wedding anniversary, and I was pretty sad all weekend.

We know that death is inevitable, a part of life. Still, I feel so empty without Pat. Sometimes, I just force myself to eat although I have little appetite. In fact, I have lost 12 pounds since Pat died. I don't sleep so well, either. It is very hard for me to go through Pat's clothes, her dresser, and try to sort out her belongings. Pat and I had hoped to retire in Florida. We both loved living ther and I don't really know where I go from here. Because of the trauma in my life and the great suffering Pat had endured that I can never forget, I don't want to move right away, although I often feel like doing so.

I hope you are fine and that we can get together soon.

Best wishes,

J.........

Pat died of cancer in J's arms earlier this year, stoicly suffering greatly until the very end. But this is only part of Pat's story. You and I together helped Pat, but we didn't help her enough.

More ..............

Posted by Hyscience at November 3, 2004 8:39 PM

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