Article 43
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Fear and Loathing of a Temp
There’s something uniquely special about childhood friends and the eternal spots they own in our hearts like family. We hold them dear, and remember them fondly all through our lives, and even if we don’t see them in years - when we do - it’s like the last time was yesterday.
One of those friends I grew up with (who still has a good telecom job,) went to the doctor the other day with a stomach ache - and found out it’s cancer. He’s in the hospital now getting his first chemotherapy shot.
Chemotherapy kills everything - bad cells, good cells, and all the cells in between - likely impacting the person’s life dramatically and permanently for the worse - even if it gets all the cancer. This guy used to jog three miles a day, now he expects to barely walk three blocks as a result of the destructive treatment. His company paid medical insurance is picking up the hospital bill, and his company paid log-term disability insurance will be sending him weekly paychecks while home recovering for at least six months.
Anyone with any feeling would feel sorry for anybody they know enduring chemotherapy. Instead, this selfish, scared individual’s first thoughts were for himself - if/when a similar situation occurs - and the financial impact of the medical bills, total loss of income from being too sick for too long to work or seek employment, and paying back hospitals and doctors for the rest of my life, with NO RETIREMENT TO LOOK FORWARD TO.
Not having a DECENT JOB, medical insurance, or sick pay is BAD ENOUGH for a working-class person - but having a HEART TURN TO STONE by giving into fear, anger and pressures of stress - then loosing love and compassion for others as a result - is far worse.
I hate what I’ve become.
Section Telecom Underclass • Section Personal •
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