My sixth grade teacher recently came to the restaurant that I work at to give me a copy of this letter and inform me that he too was diagnosed with a brain tumor, we still laugh that his neurosurgeon gave him a better looking mohawk than mine did. Anyways, he believes in Obama's health care act, just as I do, because without it, my family would have lost everything when I got sick. I spent 3 straight months in Hasbro Hospital; without health insurance we would have lost our home three times over. Thankfully I am now triple covered through both my parents and the government because of Obamacare and truthfully I support it 100%.
Dear President Obama,
My
name is Richard Jon Saborio. I am 49
years old and I am a 5th grade teacher at Eldredge Elementary School
in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. I have
been teaching in East Greenwich for the last fourteen years and I have an
incredible story of survival and healthcare to share with you. I know you are a very busy man, but I hope my
story will give you strength to help carry you through this election season.
My
wife’s parents, Leo and Cecile Nadeau, are two regular blue collar working
class folks who saved their money for many years to take their entire family on
a cruise to the western Caribbean. Leo
and Cecille generously paid for all three of their daughters and their
husbands, and all of their grandchildren to go on this cruise. Leo and Cecile wanted to create a family
memory by taking all eleven of us on this cruise to celebrate their 50th
wedding anniversary (I’ve enclosed a photo of my family and a photo of all
eleven of us on the cruise at the captain’s dinner). We set sail on the ship, The Carnival Legend,
on July 1, 2012.
I
have always been very athletic and a healthy guy, so what happened next on the
cruise was a complete shock to everyone.
Around 3:40 a.m., on the morning of July 2, I awoke to the smell of
burning plastic in our room (it seemed like it was coming through the air
conditioning unit), so I woke up my wife.
She couldn’t smell anything, but for me the smell was growing stronger
and stronger. I was feeling so nauseous
that I had to leave our room to get some fresh air.
I
stepped out into the hallway and the smell was even stronger, so I knew
something must be wrong with the ship. I
took the stairs down to Guest Services (1st floor) and there were
three employees behind the counter and a few guests milling about. No one I asked could smell the burning
plastic and here’s where things started to get really crazy. I became just like the character William
Shatner played on an old episode of the television series, The Twilight
Zone. It was the episode when Shatner
was flying on a plane and he went crazy because he was the only person on the
plane who could see a gremlin ripping apart the plane’s wing as they were
flying. Just like Shatner’s character, I
became a crazed man and I started rushing back and forth, in front of the Guest
Services counter, ranting and raving about the smell only I could sense. I must have frightened quite a few
passengers.
I
couldn’t take the smell anymore, so I ran to the elevator, got on, and took it
to the 11th floor so I could go outside on the deck and get some
fresh air. The elevator doors closed,
sealing me inside the compartment and suddenly the smell filled the
compartment; I couldn’t escape the smell and the feeling of panic rising within
me. The ride up the belly of the ship
was surreal because my senses were extremely heightened and out of control. As I rose into the air I gazed out the glass
wall of the elevator at a giant, 13 story painting of The Colossus of Rhodes
(the ancient God Helios; God of the sun).
What an incredible sight!
I
reached the 11th floor, the doors opened, and I burst out of the
elevator like a racehorse out of the starting gate. I ran right smack into the burning plastic
smell and started to get really scared.
Despite my crazed state, I could still think clearly because I knew to
stay away from the ship’s railing; the ship was traveling at a speed of 12 knots
and I didn’t want to fall overboard.
There were quite a few people still up, strolling on the deck and
enjoying the beautiful starlit night. I
stayed close to the inner walls of the ship until I eventually collapsed onto
my knees and called out for help. The
ship’s medical team quickly sprung into action and was at my side in no
time. I never lost consciousness, I knew
who I was, where I was, and my room number.
The crew called my room and had my wife, Gail, come up on deck. Gail witnessed all that happened next and
this is her description of what she saw when she found me on the deck. For me, I only felt like I was shivering a
little and a bit nauseous.
I was
on my knees, my right arm was shaking violently and the right side of my face
looked like my skin was boiling.
According to Gail, my skin seemed to have lots of little bubble/bumps
pulsating (like electric impulses) outwards. The ship’s medical crew was very professional
and attentive (I was aware, awake and alert throughout this whole experience.). They checked my eyes, but my pupils wouldn’t
dilate and they noticed my face was not symmetrical. I’ve always had an asymmetrical face (like
Sylvester Stallone) but my wife loves it; she says it adds character to my
face. The crew determined, based on my
lopsided face, that I was most likely having a stroke. The medical crew whisked me down to the
ship’s infirmary where they continued to run tests and check on me. At this point, I lost control of my bodily
functions and I urinated all over myself.
The Carnival Cruise representative told Gail that we had to get off the
ship at the next stop because they would not be able to provide adequate care
for me anymore. Holy shiitake
mushrooms! Fortunately for me, we were
almost ready to dock at our first port of call, Cozumel, Mexico. My wife, my
rock, my friend, my soul mate kept her cool at the news, but we both were
freaking out inside. What were we going
to do about our daughter? What will
happen next?
When
we docked in Cozumel, an ambulance took us to the local hospital, Medica San
Migel Clinica Hospital. This is when I
truly realized how lucky I am to be married to the most amazing woman in the
world: I’m married to Super Gail. It was also the moment when my wife’s amazing
race against all odds and the clock began.
She set out on a wild journey that saved my life.
Prior
to leaving the ship, Gail had briefly informed her parents and our daughter,
Bella (a.k.a. the goose), that I was a tad bit sick (possibly from food
poisoning) and we were going to have to get off the ship. Gail told The Goose and her parents that we
would definitely be re-boarding the ship later that day, before it leaves for
the next port of call. At this point the
realization that Carnival was not going to allow us back onboard had settled in
and Gail had a gazillion Herculean tasks to complete before the ship sails away
at 3:00 p.m. Super Gail was able to go
to the United States Consulate, return to the ship and pack all of our
belongings, comfort our frightened, yet brave child (who was told to remain on
the ship, with our extended family, for the rest of the journey), rally a small
army of strangers to help us, and make countless calls to our insurance
provider and credit card companies in order to get a plane to fly me back to
the United States for proper medical care.
It is a testament to her determination and good-hearted disposition that
so many strangers went completely out of their way to make things happen for
us. There really are a lot of good
people in this world and that night, we met many of them.
All I
can say is, “Thank God we have good health insurance coverage. Our family is covered under my wife’s
plan. She is the AP art teacher at South
Kingstown High School, in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Our health plan is with Blue Shield Blue
Cross of Rhode Island. Even with an
excellent plan, both cash and credit card payments were demanded in Mexico
before services would be rendered. Blue
Cross charged us about $20,000 for the private plane they booked to fly us to
the United States. Also, before they
would let us leave the hospital in Cozumel, they told Gail she would have to
pay an additional $43,000. At this news,
fountains of tears spurt from Super Gail’s eyes (we’re not wealthy people and
that was a ton of money for us to come up with), until the man
said….pesos! A tide of relief washed
over Gail when she realized it really cost us ”only” $4,300
in American currency (still a lot of cake). Because we had good credit, cash,
and were able to stretch our credit card limit, the plane was ordered to come
and get us. Yaaaay…we were freaked out
by what we now owed, but relieved to know we’d be going back to our country.
An
Air Ambulance, operated by American Jets (love the name), came to our rescue. It was totally awesome! The jet flew at an altitude of 45,000 feet
(higher than commercial airlines so they can fly super-fast). Our American Jets rescue team consisted of
two really cool top-gun pilots; Manuel Fuentes and Zek Mensburger (spelling?). There were also two emergency medical techs
in very fashionable jumpsuits; Di Bell and Andy Lewis. The plane was long, thin, and shaped like a
bullet. It had enough room for the
America Jets’ rescue team, a gurney for me and a seat for Super G. As I stated earlier, this flight cost about
$20,000 (payable immediately; before services rendered). Thank goodness and our fiscal prudence that
we have fabulous credit and a high enough limit to put the entire $20,000 on
our credit card. I couldn’t help but think
about people who don’t have good credit or access to such a high limit. What would they do? What would happen to them? Gail and I were blessed to have so many good
people go totally out of their way to help us.
Like I said earlier, there are a lot of good people in this world.
We
were flown to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then taken by ambulance to Broward
Health North Broward Medical Center.
Once again, we felt blessed because we were surrounded by angels. I have the most incredible respect for the
nurses at Broward Medical Center. They
showered us with love, compassion, and expertise as they took care of us for
the longest week of our lives. Those
nurses work so hard and are so giving of their time and energy to help others. I was invigorated by their dedication. We certainly have excellent medical care in
the United States. I feel very fortunate
to be a citizen of the Unite States of America.
I’m proud to be an American.
On
July 7, I was given the go ahead by my doctors to fly home to Rhode Island and
continue to seek treatment for my illness.
My dad, a retired anesthesiologist was able to get me an appointment
with a neurosurgeon that specializes in brain tumors. On July 9, I met with Dr. David Goldman. I was diagnosed with a slow growing brain
tumor on my right temporal lobe. Dr. Goldman
performed surgery to remove and biopsy my tumor on July 18 (exactly one month since
my last day of school). He successfully
removed 50% of the tumor. He told me he
didn’t take it all because the tumor is like a branch that is spread out
through my brain and that he wanted to leave enough of my brain so I could
still function. I have an appointment
with him on July 26 to get the pathology results of my biopsy and determine the
next steps. I already know what is going
to happen. I’m going to be treated with
chemotherapy and radiation to destroy the rest of my tumor. I know I will get very sick and weak from the
treatments, but I’m not worried. I truly
believe I will get better.
This
may sound a bit odd, but I look at my illness as if it’s a gift. I’ve been given the gift of a second
chance. Not many people can say
that. I can’t help but compare my
situation to those unfortunate people who were killed in the movie theatre
during the Batman premiere. They never
got a second chance, but I did. I feel
like I’ve been given this gift for a reason.
I was always a good person (but, I didn’t always make the best choices),
friend, husband, father, and teacher. I
feel like I’m a much better person now and I look at life through fresh
eyes. My wife and I have a new saying we
share daily; “Everything old is new again.”
The
reason I wanted to write to you, President Obama, is because I believe in you
and all you do for others. You too, are
a good man. You have the gift. I am neither democrat nor republican. I always vote for the individual, not the
party. My wife and I voted for you in
2008 and we will definitely vote for you in 2012. I know you are going to win this election.
My
family’s experience during this medical crisis has helped me focus on all
you’re doing to help all citizens of the United States receive proper health
care coverage. I am recovering well and
a lot of it has to do with the fact that we’re not worried about losing our
jobs or our house due to crushing medical expenses. We feel lucky. Your health care plan, which I proudly call
Obamacare, is a beautiful piece of legislation.
It highlights your attention to detail; how you leave no stone unturned
in your quest to give all Americans what they need and deserve.
People
say you lost focus by not quickly fixing the economy. I believe the opposite to be true. Obamacare is desperately needed by many
people; it will be good for everyone.
Lately, I’ve been reading lots of articles about your health care plan
and I’m very excited about it. I want
everyone to have the same health care opportunities as me. Why should I be different from anyone
else? You have done a great job focusing
on getting your health care plan passed.
We
recently moved to the town in which I teach.
I live in the land of staunch, die-hard republicans. I am a highly respected member of this
community and I plan on planting your campaign sign on my front lawn for all to
see. I am willing to speak out publicly
to support you and Obamacare, and I believe I can have an influence on the
voters in this town. I know you will get
reelected and continue to do great things for our country. I am certain you will, one day, be remembered
as one of our greatest presidents of all time.
It is an honor and I feel privileged to be able to bear witness to your
actions and deeds. I am proud to serve
you. You truly are a good man and a great
president. Keep the hope alive….I
believe in you.
Respectfully
yours,
Richard Jon
Saborio
This is such an amazing story... I am so glad you shared it!
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