Merrilee Logue, Executive Director for the National Labor Office of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her battle with breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She shared what she learned from her battle in hopes it will help others navigate their care post-diagnosis.
In early 2023, Logue began her new position with the National Labor Office and was helping care for relatives when she got a follow-up call after undergoing an annual mammogram. She said the imaging center insisted she visit them the following day, which ultimately changed her life. Logue described the moment she received her diagnosis and recalled how she went numb. She then described the next steps that led to her Feb. 3, 2023, diagnosis of early-stage ductal carcinoma in situ.
Fortunately for Logue, her diagnosis was good, as far as cancer diagnoses are concerned. Logue discussed how she navigated the next steps of her cancer journey and how her friends and family made her fight easier. Logue explained why union advocates and nurses are crucial in helping members navigate their care. For her, the advocate assisted her in finding a doctor Logue trusted and took notes during her doctor visits.
Following much research using resources provided by the non-profit Crossroads4Hope, Logue selected her medical treatment. She chose to undergo a double mastectomy, which Logue called the recovery was relatively easy. The procedure helped prevent a repeat cancer diagnosis, as her doctor discovered cancer in her other breast, as well.
Logue discussed the lessons she learned during her cancer battle, such as knowing and utilizing all of the resources available through her insurance. She added that a diagnosis does not mean it is the end; thanks to the advancements in cancer care, it is just the beginning of a journey. Finally, she recommends everyone receive regular cancer screenings since they are covered by health insurance.
Please listen to the show above to hear more from Logue on her cancer journey. If someone would like more information, Logue recommends visiting www.cancer.gov or www.crossroads4hope.org.
DISCLAIMER: The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, its affiliates or employees.
America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues.
America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers.
