I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Feb. 2nd, 2009...2 days before turning 50. I had a mastectomy on March 3rd of the right breast and my life has changed forever. Not only did I face cancer, I came back to work and faced having my health insurance terminated and having 30 days to find coverage. I was denied by 13 companies and was told by one they would take me for $1200 a month. I have insurance now that will not cover any of my generic meds and I have had to change 3 times to find a med that is a cancer preventive. I have had to change medicines for hot flashes and depression due to medicines working against each other. I have had to stop medicines cause I cannot afford them. I have had to limit my doctors visits due to no coverage or I cannot afford them. I am facing insurance bills from my surgery where my insurance company is in litigations and no one wants to pay them. I have faced alot of things in my life, but beating cancer was easy compared to moving on. I struggle everyday just to leave my home and come to work. I have had people whisper about my only having one breast cause of swelling and cannot wear my bra. I never would believe that a person who loves life like I do and so afraid of death like I am feels things I feel.

Bekky Jones-Ludwick
Waynesboro, VA