On June 30, 2004, after a biopsy at Parkview Hospital, I was diagnosed with an invasive carcinoma. Thus begins my more-than-eight-year journey to this point.

I have utilized many different facilities for various aspects of my treatment, and ultimately have found my treasured home to be at Parkview.

For me, the care I receive at Parkview is in all ways as good and — in most cases, better — than I have ever had at Mid Coast.

I must strongly disagree with the proposal by Mid Coast Hospital to take over Parkview as a viable option. As a longtime patient at Parkview, with experience with Mid Coast and other hospitals, this merger would not be a benefit to the patients of the Brunswick area.

No matter your political or economic beliefs, I feel we can all agree that studies show that one area of certain economic growth going forward is health care.

The Baby Boom generation is just turning 65, and as we continue to achieve advances in treatment and care for urgent and chronic diseases, the need is for more facilities and more beds.

I agree wellness is paramount, however that does not diminish the vast numbers of people who will be needing health care for illness or improvement of quality of life through joint replacement. We may not need all the beds today, but what about tomorrow and the next few years as the boomers really swell the ranks? I say this as a Boomer at the other end who has needed health care since I was 42.

I disagree with those who say that choice in health care will not be an option in the future. Choice is the basis for our economy — Mac or PC, Ford or Chevrolet, Shaw’s or Hannaford.

Mid Coast claims it can save $24 million through the elimination of duplicate services and consolidation of Parkview. However, these “duplicate services” form an economy that yields more to the community than the proposed savings. The elimination of 213 jobs at the very nominal average of $50,000 yields a loss of $11 million in direct salaries. Add in the economy of the businesses that externally service the hospital — such as food services — and the income to Brunswick businesses that these employed persons patronize, and I think you will find the numbers exceed these so-called savings.

The elimination of duplicate services would cut many jobs, adding to the unemployment numbers, not to mention the loss to all the other Brunswick businesses. In this economy, is that a price we are willing to pay?

Some have voiced concern that Parkview has strayed from its mission.

As a cancer patient with experience at both hospitals, I say that Parkview and its positive, loving environment is one of the reasons I am doing so well. I feel I am always treated with compassion, respect and consideration. I have not always had this same experience at Mid Coast. The environment is positive, the employees caring, happy and concerned, from doctors to custodians.

At Parkview, I feel respected and empowered as a human being, that my time and my questions have value. At Mid Coast, I have often felt that my time is of minimal value, that I am useful only in service of the procedure. Chaplain service is available, and I have found that a talk with the chaplain is a profound service and gift from the church. It seems the mission of the hospital is service and teaching, which for me it succeeds at brilliantly.

Central Maine Healthcare assures there will be no change in the day-to-day administration of the hospital. Its track record with the Rumford and Bridgton Hospitals has left the mission of those hospitals intact. It will remain a faith-based hospital. The advantages begin with access to higher-volume prices for supplies and continue through access to more options and ideas for care.

With no change in the hospital, patients retain needed and wanted services, and all employed at Parkview keep their jobs to serve patients.

My life and care is not a “duplicate service,” and I feel I can speak for all the patients in the oncology group, not to mention all the employees of the hospital who feel their jobs are more than a duplicate service.

For me, in all ways Parkview is better choice for my life. And for me, my life is on the line.

HEIDI WOLFE is a resident of Freeport.