Thread by @jencurran

It’s #WorldCancerDay which is something I never thought I’d care about. But then I was diagnosed w bone marrow cancer aka Multiple Myeloma this past summer. I was 38, had a 4 month old. Didn’t feel sick at all but I knew something was wrong. Here’s some stuff I want you to know:

The first doctor I went to told me nothing was wrong and that I needed to lose weight. My second opinion doctor is the reason we discovered that my bone marrow was full of cancer. Always be the expert in your body. Advocate for yourself. Because these doctors are just people.

Then, the first oncologist I saw was a mess and sexist and AGAIN, I had to get a second opinion to get to the bottom of what was going on, even though he was “an expert.” I finally got an appt with a sought-after specialist who barely squeezed me in, and that changed everything.

It is absolutely because of my privileges and resources as a rich white lady (I’m not rich but you know what I mean) that I have been able to get this level of care.

Almost everyone else I see at chemo is also rich and also white (and that isn’t the multiple myeloma demographic). It’s insanely expensive to have cancer treatment in America. And having treatment is often the only way to survive cancer. So basically you have to be rich to live.

The horror stories about the health care industry are true. We need radical change if it’s ever gonna get better. Some of the recent advancements in treating cancer are truly incredible but none of it matters if sick people can’t get the best available care.

The whole thing is rotten. I always knew that but I never knew the extent of it until now.

Please vote for a candidate with a solid, specific plan to overhaul health care in this country. We desperately need it.

I used to just tweet jokes.

Literally having chemo right now! Sometimes I take gorgeous selfies with the medicine and today there are chocolates Instagram.com/msjencurran