The Breast Cancer Protection Act is a much-needed legislative action to ensure that women have adequate recovery time in hosptials after mastectomies. It's easy to sign the petition--just click on the link below and fill in your contact info. The bit below reminds me of when I was discharged from the hospital about 22 hours after giving birth to Luke--under a new set of rules put forth by, who else?, the insurance companies, who were insistent that women be sent home within 24 hours of labor and delivery, regardless of how they were feeling, faring, what their doctors felt, or what--or who--was waiting for them at home. A guinea pig of sorts, I was one of the first at this particular hospital, and it did indeed feel strange to be "kicked out" after such a short time of "recovery"--though one could hardly call being shifted from room to room after spending the last 36 hours in labor "recovery." Of course, in those days, giving birth for me was a big heroic feat, and I had prepared myself for being superhuman about it--my birthing plan firmly proclaiming my intentions for a drug-free l & d--and so even when my plan failed to hold up under the weight of the usual unforseen, unavoidable circumstances, I was still very much interested in trying to recapture my superhero status, and so gladly, even proudly, went home, utterly exhausted, sore and deliriously happy, to get the rest--and care (our dog Zephyr just about bathed me with his tongue as soon as I entered our apartment)--I needed.
It's a shame, though, that insurance companies are still allowed to make these kind of decisions--in spite of doctors--and patients--knowing best.
From a nurse:
I'll never forget the look in my patients eyes when I had to tell them they had to go home with the drains, new exercises and no breast. I remember begging the Doctors to keep these women in the hospital longer, only to hear that they would, but their hands were tied by the insurance companies. So there I sat with my patients, giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn't grasp half of what I was saying, because the glazed, hopeless, frightened look spoke louder than the quiet 'Thank You they muttered.
A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is removed in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. 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.It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important .. Please take the time and do it really quick!
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 y ear 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/breastcancer/petition/signpetition.php This takes about 2 seconds. PLEASE PASS THIS ON to your friends and family, and on behalf of all women, THANKS.
Thanks to Cynthia for sending this my way.
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