Six years ago this week, my mom was diagnosed with Stage III Pancreatic Cancer (a type of cancer with a notoriously low survival rate). We happened to be visiting for the holidays at the time, but I sobbed leaving to go back across the country to work, because I didn’t know if I would ever get to see her again.
Over the course of the year she was undergoing treatment I was only able to see her once, and even then, my employer was being generous to allow me a few extra days of leave beyond my annual allotment. I spent the whole time she was sick across the country, worried and unable to help as my sixteen year old sister suffered through the day-to-day care and my dad continued to work so they’d still have health insurance.
The day before her surgery, I spent covering a weekend shift at work instead of on the phone visiting with her. A day that could have been my last chance to talk to her. I will never be able to get those moments back, but she is one of the few survivors still here 5 years later, and I do what I can to make up for the lost time.
I want Congress to pass paid leave for all those facing the diagnosis of a loved one. No one should have to choose between their family and a paycheck.