The George Tiller I Knew

[cal04]

by loree920
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/5/31/737320/-The-George-Tiller-I-Knew


Like many in this community, my heart is heavy today. There have been many great diaries that talk about Dr. Tiller's years of service to women, and the threats he has endured throughout the last years of his life. My story is a bit more personal and I want to share it with all of you to give you more insight into the man.

In 1975 my Mom noticed an indention in her left breast. She called and made an appointment with her OB/GYN, Dr. George Tiller. After his initial examination, he ordered a biopsy. While performing the biopsy he immediately knew that the lump was cancerous. Instead of just closing and scheduling surgery, he "grabbed a handful", his words not mine. Her cancer Dr. credited this quick thinking by Dr. Tiller with saving her life, and due to this she didn’t even have to undergo chemotherapy.

Several years later my Mother and I were driving by his clinic in Wichita. Mom started complaining of chest pains, so I drove into his parking lot and ran in to get help. Dr. Tiller was by Mom’s side immediately, and stabilized her, before the heart attack could cause severe damage.

In 1980 I was pregnant with my first child. I had no insurance and couldn't afford a doctors appointment until I was approved for a medical card.. Mom told Dr. Tiller and he brought me into his office where he examined me, free of charge. I can credit him with the very first picture taken of my son.

The last story I have to share is about my friends who could not have children. Dr. Tiller’s office worked with several attorneys in the Wichita area to provide adoption services for his patients who wanted this option. My friends have a 10 yr. old boy now, who is loved and adored.

I’m not a great writer, so I apologize that this isn’t nearly as eloquent as some of the diaries on Daily Kos. I just wanted to get this story out to you, so you could hear how this man wasn’t just a tremendous fighter for women's rights. he was a brilliant physician, and a kind and compassionate human being. RIP Dr. Tiller and thank you for all you did for my friends and my family.

[FLAprogressive]

1. K&R

[patrice]

2. He worked for adoptions. Enough said.

[havocmom]

6. One might wonder how many posters at OR do the same

He sounds like he was a very caring man who really was a healer.

[patrice]

12. A caring man who took a courageous stance in support of real Freedom.

That which denies the Oppressive that which to oppress IS an act of Conscience.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Thanks for posting this

interesting that Dr. Tiller would arrange adoptions. Wonder what the "lifers" think of that.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

4. Everyone lost today -

Dr. Tiller, his family, his patients, the women he'll never take care of, the people who respected him, the pro-choice movement, the country, the world.

We were robbed by a thug who decided he was God......................

[Canuckistanian]

5. Off to the Greatest

I'm sure we'll be hearing more stories than this about Dr. Tiller.

[spanone]

7. k&r...

[MadMaddie]

8. We need to make it clear that the Reich Wing

DOES NOT want women to make decisions about their own bodies.

The Reich Wing are liars when they claim they want small gov and want gov to stay out of their personal lives. The Reich Wing uses the gov when it is convenient to them lets say to make the gov tell women what they can do with their bodies.

They took the life of a man that was working with his patients and providing health care to women.

[howmad1]

32. The Reich wing wants these kids to be born.......

......so their priests can have lots more kids to abuse. Imagine these frustrated men of God having to jerk off to satisfy their hidden desires cause there are no kids avaialble to them.

[Wednesdays]

9. K&R

:kick:

[nolabear]

10. Eloquent enough!

Many thanks.

[spin]

11. K&R (n/t)

[uppityperson]

13. k&r. "abortion doctor" my ass

[dorktv]

14. Sincerity does not need eloquence to touch the heart.

Thank you for sharing.

[roody]

15. In what other country would this have happened? The US is

uncivilized.

[LuckyLib]

16. Dr. Tiller got what being a physician is all about. There should be national march of doctors

in their communities to signal solidarity with health care workers such as Tiller.

[surfinshell]

17. Thanks for sharing

we adopted our son too, unable to have our own so far. This is such a tragedy I just don't understand.

[happygoluckytoyou]

18. OPERATION WRECK-U's..... showing women why they dont own their bodies for 20 years

check out the YOUTUBE on their "reply".... flag as inappropriate

[Kitty Herder]

19. What a fine man and doctor!

:cry:

[defendandprotect]

20. Amazing story -- no wonder Dr. Tiller was so loved by his patients --

[mzmolly]

21. Such a shame.

Thanks for sharing this loree920. Your story was plenty eloquent.

[Hekate]

22. Back from my travels to see this terrible news, but so glad to KnR this touching post...

... which brought tears to my eyes.

Rest in peace, Dr. Tiller, and may your assassins be brought to justice. :cry:

Hekate

[Jankyn]

23. My Dr. Tiller story...

...I was living in Iowa, and a close friend and her husband were expecting their first child. Then, well along into the pregnancy, an ultrasound showed something wrong. The fetus' organs were developing outside it's body.

It was too late for a termination in the clinics nearby. Allowing the fetus to come to term and be born would not only be exceptionally difficult for my friend (physically, mentally and emotionally) and her husband, but would result in a catastrophically deformed infant that died soon after birth in excruciating pain.

They went to Dr. Tiller, who terminated the pregnancy in a two-day process. It was still heart-wrenching, but according to her, he and his staff were incredibly helpful and supportive. She's never had anything but kind words for Dr. Tiller (I should call and see how she's doing in light of this news).

They now have a healthy, happy daughter. Bless Dr. Tiller, and damn all terrorists.

[Flying Dream Blues]

24. Kicking this...

[Cha]

25. I think she's a very good writer..

I'm crying my eyes out..it's so sad.

Dr Tiller was Demonized by hate radio(o'reilly, etc, etc) but those kind don't take into consideration all the good this man did..only focusing on their own hypocricy.

[hlthe2b]

26. Not eloquent? Your post has me in tears...

Thank you for sharing. We lost a very good and brave man.

[MasonJar]

27. Thank you for posting this wonderful story about a very special man

and physician. It has brought me to tears.

[Caoimhe]

28. Kick... people need to read this and realize

that just because he was willing to do a necessary but somewhat gruesome procedure that the nutjobs obsess over, that wasn't all there was to Dr. Tiller. It sounds like he was a good doctor and had compassion for his patients.

[libnnc]

29. kick

:kick:

[Samantha]

30. Thank you for sharing your experiences with Dr. Tiller

I am so sorry for the loss you, the community, Dr. Tiller's family and friends and the people of this Country have suffered in the unthinkable assassination of this fine man.

Sam

[petchen]

31. ;-/

Thanks for sharing that...

;-)

[libnnc]

33. kick

:kick: