Kathy B. Williamson: Real-life illustration

When I saw the Aug. 31 editorial cartoon, I saw the perfect illustration of my life. A giant ogre labeled “Big Pharma” stood over a rumpled, terrorized and shaken figure. Big Pharma held a small pill bottle between a forefinger and thumb and thundered menacingly, “Your money or your life.”

The black and white cartoon depicted the truth of life for far too many Americans including me. Once I paid $125-$200 for a three-month supply of an insulin product that helps me maintain a normal blood sugar. I was told that now the same prescription would cost over $700! I was shocked when asked for the newer and much greater amount for the same product. I stated, “You must have made an error; my insulin has never cost that much money.” The pharmacy technician looked at her computer screen and asked the pharmacist to come and talk with me.

I have decreased the amount of insulin that I use daily to less than half of the prescribed amount; my morning fasting blood sugar numbers have steadily climbed.

There is a monster that has demanded of me, “Kathy, your money or your life!”

This story was originally published September 10, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Kathy B. Williamson: Real-life illustration."