Guaranteed Healthcare

I graduated in 1983 as a RN and have pampered, spoiled, loved and lovingly cared for all my patients. I was their advocate. I haven't been able to work for a year and a half due to Fibromyalgia and Polymyalgia Rheumatica. My back is "gone" from standing up all those years and doing all that lifting. Now I can't find work that I can do and, therefore, have no health coverage. I can't even afford a mammogram or the bloodwork I need (I'm also Type II Diabetic) - i.e. HGB A1C every 3 months. My insulin is $88 - $100 per month, not counting the Quinapril, Atenolol, Prednisone, Zoloft and Actos. The Actos alone is $200 and I either do without it or get samples from my doctor (his nurse is terrific).

I am going back to school to learn medical transcription in the hopes I can get a job doing that and that they will offer health insurance. I lived in England for 4 years and National Health is just what we need!

I miss my patients so very much - it's almost like I've had a death in my family. Nursing is what I am and what I did - it defined me and now I feel absolutely worthless. I saw your report on Dateline last night and I want to help. Thank you, thank you, for trying to change our very ill system. It just doesn't seem fair. God bless all you nurses out there. You make me proud.