If the bra fits . . .

The word 'breast' is powerful in our culture. It conjures up images of all sorts -- from the maternal to the sensuous, the artistry of the great masters to the distorted visions of pornographers, and fashion trends ranging from the demure necklines to the most revealing styles.

Used in a tweet on twitter regarding the impact of the health care reform debate on women like me who have breast cancer, it becomes strangely impotent.

Such tweets do not get 'retweeted'. They do not elicit direct replies. Fellow progressives and right wing nut jobs alike are loathe to discuss it. Decorum reigns supreme.

When I try to engage conservatives in a discussion about the direct consequences for me if health care reform is not passed, they rant and rave about socialism and government control and then they disappear. My fellow liberals either delicately avoid the subject entirely or offer private, and I'm sure sincere, best wishes and then go back to bashing Glenn Beck and others of his ilk.

The best wishes are appreciated but they are not the responses I am looking for. I want to hear conservatives tell me directly how they can oppose reforms which will save my life and the lives of countless other women. And I want progressives to get more specific also. I want them to address breast cancer and the many other diseases and conditions that kill and debillitate millions under the current health care system and to shed virtual tears. I want them to scream their outrage in capital letters and to tell me they are fighting both with me and for me.

Other stand alone tweets using the phrase 'breast cancer' can be found. Those posted by conservatives make unsubstantiated claims that more women with breast cancer will die if a health care bill with a public option is passed. Those posted by liberals make equally unsubstantiated claims to the contrary. The truth is that unless and until all women have equal access to early detection and prompt treatment, women will continue to die of this disease. And the bigger truth, the elephant in the room, is that without a public option, the women who die will continue to be disproportionately poor and non-caucasian. Another truth rarely discussed on twitter is the fact that even women like me, who have insurance and who have had the benefit of early detection and prompt treatment may die if pre-existing condition clauses and caps on coverage are allowed to continue.

But after making the painful decision to 'go public' and tweet about my breast cancer as an object lesson in why we need health care reform I have been surprised and disappointed by the muted response.

The only noticeable impact my tweets have had have been on my list of followers. A couple of legitimate cancer support group type sites, a plethora of cancer cure peddlers, and my personal favorite, an online purveyor of bras guaranteed to fit.

Guaranteed to fit? Really? Even after my upcoming bilateral mastectomy and during the year long reconstruction process? Really? Maybe I should put their promise to the test and then when they fail to deliver I can rant and rave about that. Maybe that will get more of a response.

In the meanwhile, as a consequence of the weight loss that accompanies battling cancer, I have very little need of a new bra.

And soon, I won't need one at all.

For awhile.

But when I do, I guess I know where to go find one that fits.