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Aaronwas 32 when they found it.
Nora with her late husband, Aaron, and their son, Ralph. Courtesy of Kelly Gritzmacher
Google glioblastoma at your own riskitll just make you sad.
Aaron’s tumor may have been growing in his brain for years.
For most of us, that works out just fine.
It even did for Aaron, too.
I was ready to fight like hell for him to get the care he needed.
Aarons plan was good.
His insurers covered nauseadrugsthat were $600 a pop.
They covered much of the cost of each brain surgery.
Aaron’s second brain surgery was scheduled for the morning after Christmas (happy holidays!).
“Yes,” I said, although I didn’t know for sure.
I hadn’t thought of it.
Id assumed it would be, because the first one was.
But I suddenly wasnt so sure, and knowing the cost of the first one, I was nervous.
Was I supposed to have checked?
Was it my job to ensure it was covered before he showed up on Monday?
Would we be opening a six-figure bill in a few days?
There was always a deductible, so even when things were covered, there was still a bill.
Even though I was working on autopilot, I was always worried aboutmoney.
When someone you love is going through a medical crisis, you are never at ease.
Yeah, the one in the hospital bed has it worse.
It is a job.
Layered right over the other job you have.
That sense of unease is always there.
The entire conversation happening now around health care is bonkers.
Health is not a meritocracy.
If it were, Aaron wouldn’t have gottencancerand died when our son was still a toddler.
If you are a person with a human body, you will get sick.
You will need help from a medical professional.
And you should get it without going bankrupt.
Without making Insurance Wrangler your unofficial job title.
Without losing your coverage or your mind while you go through a completely human experience.
Its hard enough to be sick and give a shot to get well.
No one should have to add worries abouthealth insuranceto that mix.
My heart broke a little bit when I heard about Senator McCains diagnosis.
I know what his family is facing, and how hard it will be.
Still, the state of things makes me worry a little extra for all the Aarons of America.
