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I never thought not having health insurance was a major issue until recently. In March of 2007 my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Linda ( affectionately known as Faye by friends, family and coworkers) works hard and has held the same job for over 15 years as a hair stylist. She makes great money but along with her profession she and many others in her field have no health insurance. I was always a firm believer in if you can afford to live without health insurance hopefully nothing medically bad or otherwise happens. If you did get into a major dilemma that was your own damn fault for NOT having health insurance ! No bad car accidents, no trips, no falls, no emergency hospital room visits, if so that was on you. BUT in my Mom's case this was a relatively quick thing. In mid February she started gaining a lot of fluid weight and had to go get it checked out. It amazes me how many people don't have health insurance. The last 3 months has been an eye opening experience for me to say the least. On how the US medical system works, or in my Mom's case doesn't work. Her first surgery went very well, after CT scans and two doctors diagnosing this cancer they performed a full hysterectomy and took out approximately 95% of the cancerous mass and a grapefruit sized cancerous tumor she had. She spent about a week in the hospital and recovered quickly from that surgery and was back home to receive her first bill from the hospital, $20,000 dollars NOT including the doctor and not including the anesthesiologist.Not too bad for the surgery and procedures involved. She was getting around well for the first few days but started having major complications after about 7 days, when she drove herself back to the doctor with a 102 degree temperature where she was admitted back into the intensive care unit at Lee Memorial Hospital here in Lee County, Florida. Needless to say that was 6 weeks ago today and 8 surgeries ago. Her primary surgeon , Dr. Boothby was mysteriously let go, retired, terminated or something on June 9th , 2007, I still haven't a clue, and I would honestly like to know. To be replaced by a fellow physician from the same practice, surgeon Dr. Orr. She placed her life in the hands of Dr. Boothby and am beginning to feel that all is not as it seems or appears. I've asked why he is not with this practice any longer and get vague responses. But my mother Faye is my primary issue right now. It seems she has gotten decent care , BUT as time has dragged on the

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