The Watercooler for 11/01/09 5:00 PM

I just got off the phone with her brother, Jim.   Between a poor connection and his thick southern accent, I had some difficulty hearing his answers to my questions. And I sensed he didn't want to speak very long.

Anni died of lung cancer that had spread to the bone.  At the end, her brother and his family were at her house and they put her in the car to take her to the hospital in Gainesville becuz she was having difficulty breathing.  She already was using an oxygen tank. And then she just died in the car.

Jim said she was not in pain and that she didn't even know until maybe the last 2 weeks that she had cancer.  The first doctor she went to for her lung problems (which she mentioned here) suspected, but for some unknown reason didn't tell her.  Exactly when she found out, I don't know and I couldn't and didn't want to push Jim.  He did say that on Sept 20, she drove down (2 hours) to have lunch with him..that she suspected then (he figured) but didn't tell him.

Jim's granddaughter has internet access and I offered to send her all the responses from here but Jim said no..best to leave everything as it is.  I told him that we were all devastated and offered condolences.

She put her feral cat and old dog down before she died.

That's all I know and I can't write anymore anyway.

http://eatapyzch.blogspot.com/

That we are family
is a given
That this is a Thanksgiving Dinner
is a given

Also given
is that despite
surface arguments
we love each other

We each bring to the potluck dinner
ourselves, our histories, our talents
our kindnesses, our caring
And the circle rounds back again
against itself

I have loved you all
and know I'm loved
Never forget that
As we weep at the empty
place at the table

Today, we remember that
soul who was so alive
and so interested
So caring

Peace, Anni, as you go with God
And traveling mercies. . . .

and all the blog friends for sharing thoughts and feelings.  It helps.

I hope no one judges me as disrespectful by posting information on Health Care issues , I am just trying to be ever vigilant.

It appears that the lady was much beloved.

Where is the White House? In September, after weeks of criticism for failing to take the lead, Barack Obama addressed the nation on the case for reform. It was a masterly performance – and many supposed that the administration would follow it with guidance on the new law. In fact, no sooner had the applause died down than the White House again departed the scene, leaving Democrats to continue squabbling, and dashing any hope, however faint, of rapprochement with moderate Republicans.

Left to their own devices, Democrats on Capitol Hill are capable of scotching this effort altogether. That would be unforgivable because valuable elements, capable of commanding sufficient consensus both in Washington and the country, would be lost: no more denial of insurance to the sick, mandates and subsidies to achieve universal or near-universal access, and a new insurance exchange to cut costs for those without access to employer-provided group plans.

---cont---

 

Obama must lead on healthcare

Published: November 1 2009 17:34 | Last updated: November 1 2009

--cont--

www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f14ffd16-c703-11de-bb6f-00144feab49a.html?nclick_check=1

 Without further delay, the president needs to bang Democratic heads together, so that he and the party can finally start making a coherent case to the public. If their plan includes a public option, well and good – but let there be just one version, honestly explained to the electorate. And the White House must come clean about the cost of its proposals, and how these will be covered. If the country understands what the government is selling, it might be willing to pay. A radical thought, but worth a try even now.

-excerpted--

Bottom of the 8th, two outs, score: 4-4

top of the 9th, one out,  score: 4-4

www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/opinion/30krugman.html?_r=2&hpwww.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/opinion/30krugman.html?_r=2&hp

For conservatives, of course, it’s an easy decision: They don’t want Americans to have universal coverage, and they don’t want President Obama to succeed.

For progressives, it’s a slightly more difficult decision: They want universal care, and they want the president to succeed — but the proposed legislation falls far short of their ideal. There are still some reform advocates who won’t accept anything short of a full transition to Medicare for all as opposed to a hybrid, compromise system that relies heavily on private insurers. And even those who have reconciled themselves to the political realities are disappointed that the bill doesn’t include a “strong” public option, with payment rates linked to those set by Medicare.

But the bill does include a “medium-strength” public option, in which the public plan would negotiate payment rates — defying the predictions of pundits who have repeatedly declared any kind of public-option plan dead. It also includes more generous subsidies than expected, making it easier for lower-income families to afford coverage. And according to Congressional Budget Office estimates, almost everyone — 96 percent of legal residents too young to receive Medicare — would get health insurance.

-excerpted-