The Monday Crowd

Tomorrow, I will see my oncologist again. On a Monday. Most of my chemotherapy was on Mondays.

Several other patients also seemed to follow a Monday schedule. As we waited in the for our treatment, or when we were bored with sitting in a chemo chair and decided to walk around with an IV pole, we would chat. We became an informal support group. We talked about our families, and about our disease and treatment. Three of the people had known each other for a while. Two had recurrent cancer, one, a chronic anemia requiring frequent transfusions.

One of the patients with recurrent cancer seemed to be failing his salvage therapy, looking worse and worse each time he came. He had had a long battle, beginning a few years before I met him. During those years, he had quit working and closed his business, putting a few others out of work. But, he had no choice. He just didn't have the energy anymore. He knew that he was nearing the end. I would guess that he has died.

The other was a young woman, first diagnosed with an unusual cancer in her twenties. She had also recurred, but she seemed to be doing well. Her attitude was clearly to live life to the fullest. I haven't seen her for a while, but now only go in twice a year for follow-ups, and often not on a Monday.

The man with chronic anemia I also have not seen, but this could also be due to my schedule.

While I can clearly remember each of them, I doubt that I will learn their eventual fates. While we shared our souls, we did not share our addresses, whether physical or electronic. These people helped me get through chemotherapy. They helped me to survive. I hope that I can play forward what they have given me, and help others through their treatment.

We were "The Monday Crowd." I hope there is a new "Monday Crowd" helping each other get through. And, other groups on other days. 

Survivors

Recently, I looked around at my colleagues, at least 5 of them had had cancer in the past, but were working full time in demanding careers. Other colleagues have had cardiac events. Others had ongoing medical challenges such as rheumatologic diseases. Two of my medical school classmates had multiple sclerosis. One of my professors was quadriplegic. A good friend, my daughter and I were all premies, and all have negligible residual difficulties. Another good friend and another family member have suffered from depression, yet go on with life.
Fortunately, we are all survivors. Yet, we all have preexisting conditions. And, that may put our financial lives at risk (https://www.npr.org/2018/06/08/618263772/trump-administration-move-imperils-pre-existing-condition-protections), and thus, our real lives. We might be forced to pay much higher premiums, or accept a cutout for a potentially expensive disease. And, spend down our savings until we are eligible for Medicare.
No one gets out of this world alive. And, for most of us, death is preceded by illness or injury, which is also very costly. So, elimination of the protection for pre-existing disease will affect most of us. When I was going through active treatment, I became close to several other patients. One had a recurrence of a similar type of cancer to mine. He had lost his business and his house. He opted to not continue with treatment lest his wife be left bankrupt. Another was a young man, a single father. He, too, lost his house and his job. He started driving for Uber on days he felt well enough. A woman, barely 30, was also facing recurrence. She and her husband were struggling to prepare their children for the inevitable. I had costs that would bankrupt most. So far, I am afloat, but, may need to sell my house and downsize sooner than anticipated, before my children are out of high school. Some of this is due to my job forcing me, since my cancer, to continue to work part time, for half the pay I had before. This is also not uncommon, but adds to the financial stress faced by patients.
Facing death is part of the disease. Facing bankruptcy is not. It is a societal cost, which those in no other developed country must pay.