Last Sunday, 60 Minutes did a piece on how the economy has changed the livelihood of Las Vegas and in turn, medical care of its people. Doubling the unemployment rate in less than a year, their main source of income - tourism, has started a tumble down a hill that is slashing a path of destruction that is out of control. Financial losses in access of 70M has forced the hospital to close medical avenues to the newly unemployed. Cancer patients were given names of private doctors but without insurance, there was no value in sharing this information. one woman had been diagnosed with a treatable cancer but with no care available, that treatable may go to untreatable. I was close to tears as story after story of families who have always paid their way but working, have nowhere to turn. For those on the very bottom, there is help and for the those at the top, they can take care of themselves but for those caught in the middle, what are they to do.
DH came home Sunday and was sharing about a woman we have both known for years - her cancer has reoccurred and she is now in a nursing home and must have chemotherapy to live. Stop the chemo and she will die. Don't know if she is still legally employed and has insurance and if not, what her medical prognosis will be. My heart hurts for her and her family. DH and I have longs said, you can't understand until it happens to you.
Stellan's Story goes on and after two week in the hospital, he has a new doctor and is looking at changing hospitals. Surgery may be in his future. I can only imagine what his family has been going through. So far, they seem to be getting all the help they need and those of us praying his Story, are with Mck Mama - God is in control, no matter what.
I would imagine that at least 51% of all prayers are health-related. Whether for a child, grandma/grandpa or our next door neighbor - we pray for everything from complete healing to a quick and painless end. We love and hate those who give us medical care. Nothing about medical care is fair, absolutely nothing and that is what makes if so tough. If anything ever happened to my gkids, their other grandma has an in to St Jude's and she is ready to call in every favor she has. If you have been in this situation, you know all you have is prayer. If you haven't, you will Someday. It's not just in Las Vegas and it just doesn't happen to other people. If you find yourself praying for those who are weak and weary in body, pray for peace in the middle of their Storm because they probably can't for themselves and would if they could. We may not be able to stop suffering but we can most certainly can settle for peace which brings it's own kind of healing...
