Tuesday, February 13, 2007

No news yet, but...

I don't have any news yet but I got this email this morning from one of my hockey teammates, Amanda. It is regarding legislation to make mastectomies be done on an outpatient basis. While that was something we briefly discussed with the surgeon yesterday, she was pretty clear that she preferred patients remain in the hospital at least overnight to manage their pain. If you are so inclined, take a look at this:

Mastectomy Hospital Bill in Congress
If you know anyone who has had a mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery. Mastectomy Bill in CongressIt takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important...please take the time and do it really quick!

Breast Cancer Hospitalization Bill - Important legislation for all women. Please send this to everyone in your address book. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times. If you're receiving this, it's because I think you will take the 30 seconds to go to vote on this issue and send it on to others you know who will do the same. There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the "drive-through mastectomy" where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached. Lifetime Television has put this bill on their web page with a petition drive to show your support. Last year over half the House signed on.PLEASE!! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name and zip code number.

http://www.lifetimetv.com/health/breast_mastectomy_pledge.html

2 comments:

blonde hoyden said...

m,

my buddy, my friend, my m! i know things happen at very ironic times in our lives, but what you and mary are dealing with now puts my life into perspective quickly. i miss you and wish we could be sitting in arizona, sipping wine and chatting again. you've been an inspiration to me for quite a while, and your grace through chaos is one of those inspiring characteristics.

all my love and big hugs to you and the girls :)

carrie

ace said...

Mare,
Thinking and praying for you and Mary every day. The kids are praying too. Evan was sad to hear that you had to stop playing hockey and after a shutout too!!
I miss you and send all my love to you both in this hellish time.
Let me know what/if I can do anything.
My love to you both. . .
Kerry Ace