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Husband Enlists to Get Wife Back Into Chemotherapy

Unemployed Wis. man couldn't afford ballooning health costs, signs on with Army

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 19, 2009 8:41 PM CDT

(Newser) – Out of a job and unable to find work as the recession grinds on, a Wisconsin man desperate to find affordable chemotherapy for his cancer-stricken wife turned to Uncle Sam, but not for a handout—Bill Caudle, 39, enlisted in the Army. “Seventy percent of the reason is for the insurance,” his mother tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “He told me, ‘I’ve always wanted to do something for my country and I have to help Michelle.”

Bill Caudle departed Oct. 6 for basic training, leaving Michelle, 40, and their three kids, aged 21-15, for a 4-year stint in the service. Michelle Caudle missed a week of chemotherapy for her ovarian cancer before Bill’s Army coverage kicked in, and is scheduled for her next session tomorrow.

Blood cleansed of toxic chemotherapy drugs is pumped back into the body of a California patient.
Blood cleansed of toxic chemotherapy drugs is pumped back into the body of a California patient.   (AP Photo)
Surgeons prepare a special catheter for a chemotherapy patient.
Surgeons prepare a special catheter for a chemotherapy patient.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 29 comments
Doctor-Zaius
Oct 20, 2009 11:08 AM CDT
Funny, I have many retired military in my family and they love the VA. I guess it depends on where you live.
Doctor-Zaius
Oct 20, 2009 11:06 AM CDT
Not all the Health Insurance Execs have hearts of stone. Look up Wendell Potter. He was an insurance exec who went to West Virginia to observe a traveling free clinic administrating health care to the people who had no insurance. His job was to put the industry spin on it for Cigna. He was flying back on the corporate jet eating gourmet food off of gold plates when he decided what he was doing was wrong. He quit and became a corporate whistle blower. He has become a strong opponent of for profit health care. Google him and watch the interview he did with Bill Moyers.
WallyEFunk
Oct 20, 2009 8:15 AM CDT
I'm athist Candain, I feel it's my duty to care for my fellow man. Life is a right. To be paid for by all fellow brothers and sisters in the human race. Any one that lost a freind or family member, has to agree. Unless Ur un-christian. What would Jesus do?

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