Cancer drug taken away

Missy was my wife, a schoolteacher, a stepmom and a grandmother. And she was so much more.

Missy was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 36. With radiation and chemotherapy, the cancer went into remission. Seven years later the cancer returned. Missy's doctor tried a number of different chemotherapies but nothing would work. He tried Avastin, and it worked! Six months later an MRI revealed the large tumors had stopped growing and the small ones were shrinking.

About that time Obamacare had passed and panels were set up to evaluate medical procedures. These panels had the FDA remove Avastin from the list of breast cancer treatments. It did not matter that it was helping some cancer patients live longer, and in some cases go into remission. Missy's good friend took Avastin for her breast cancer and has enjoyed 10 years cancer free.

Missy's oncologist tried another chemotherapy but it did not work. Missy passed away 10 months after Avastin was taken away.

I have no doubt that Missy would have lived longer if Avastin had not been taken away from her. Long enough to see our fourth grandchild, born two weeks after Missy's death. She lived long enough to enjoy her favorite time of year, Christmas. Getting together with family, friends and exchanging gifts. But mainly watching the grandkids excitement about Santa Claus and opening their gifts.

We found out the hard way what Obamacare is about. It's not about health care. It's about government controlling what you receive and do not.

CHRIS MIER, Scott City