July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Take time for annual check-up

Letter to the Editor

To the editor:
As I sit here writing this letter, my sister is ending her two-year battle with cervical cancer and breast cancer. My sister, Lisa (Hendrix) George is a 49-year-old, married with 3 sons and 2 grandsons (ages 3 & 1).  She will not live to see her grandchildren grow up or see the accomplishments of her sons.  There will not be anymore sister trips, no family dinners, activities in her church, time spent with her husband, children, grandchildren or sisters, etc.
I am not a medical expert although with all the conversation, appointments, research, etc I know I have more information than before.
At first, I was going to direct this letter just to women but after some thought I decided to include the men.
There are few things that women dread more than their “yearly” doctor appointment.  However, the 10 minutes or so that a pap smear take or the 10 minutes or so that a mammogram take is nothing to what my sister has endured. 
Surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, medicines, nausea, hair loss, weight loss, the excruciating pain: the list goes on and on.
Please check with your health insurance policy! Most insurance plans covers both of these procedures 100 percent under preventative care or there are places that offer these services at a reduced rate. 
Please don’t think these tests will be too expensive, you don’t have the time, you are too embarrassed or the doctor might tell you bad news. 
I can assure you the medical bills that my sister has incurred and now funeral costs far out weigh the tests.
There is nothing the doctor can tell you that is worse than “I am sorry, we have done all we can for your sister” or “We will do our best to keep your sister comfortable.”
One of my sisters does her appointments on her birthday every year.  We have teased her that she needs to buy herself a better gift but we know that she is buying herself the gift of her health, which is the most priceless thing she can buy.
Men, don’t let your wife, girlfriend, daughter, partner, sister or whatever female is in your life give you excuses about these procedures. 
Their life really can depend on it. By the time you read this letter, my sister will have passed away. A needless death and a loss that my family will never get over.
Julie Miller
Bryant[[In-content Ad]]
PORTLAND WEATHER

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