Kelly Gregory entered adulthood as an Airman First Class in the Air Force.
She left the military and began a career in real estate sales and development.
As a business owner, she provided her own health insurance.
Credit: Billy Kingsley
This meant Gregory had to scramble for to findhealth insuranceshe could afford.
She found a new plan, but its coverage was poor.
She looked into TennCareTennessees Medicaid programwhich at the time had relatively lenient coverage requirements.
Courtesy of Kelly Gregory
She was required to drop her insurance so you can apply.
She lost health insurance in 2006; then in 2008, with the recession, she lost her business.
I tried to tell myself it was something else.
Credit: Heather Malaika Hicks
Finally I went to Planned Parenthood, in June of 2011.
The screening did not go well.
Everyone knew it was bad, Gregory says.
The tech who screened me appeared visibly upset.
The radiologist gave me his home phone number.
And this was before any biopsy.
Cancer had traveled from her breast to her spine, putting her at stage 4.
But I didnt, and it wasnt.
When I was diagnosed, I could suddenly get Medicaid, she explains.
I expected to die soon after I was diagnosed, Gregory reveals.
And though shes pushing through, her journey has been an exhausting one.
She has had nine surgeries since her diagnosisand multiple complications.
I have not gone a year since my diagnosis without ending up in the E.R., she says.
Her views on affordable health care are personal, of course, but pragmatic as well.
She thinks about how expensive all her treatment has been and will continue to be.
From a purely economic view, she concludes, I should not have had to have a delayed diagnosis.
And so Gregory took up activism.
Were an intentionally diverse group: interfaith, interracial, inclusive of any sexuality or gender identity.
We advocate for our state to accept the Medicaid expansion, among other causes.
A few of the demonstrators were arrested, including Gregory.
Today, Gregory speaks of the future with a frankness that can be painful to hear.
My parents turned 70 this year, she says.
Who will help guide my daughter in lifeand who will help her with childcare if she has kids?
After Im gone, who is going to take my place?
But in the end, Gregory sees meaningand a messagein what shes experiencing.
I don’t agree.
Many in our country get cancer, and some die.
Then my death would be a shame, it would be a waste.
you might read more about Kelly Gregory at her blog,One Sharp Dame.
