When Natoma Canfield wrote an email letter to President Obama last December about the need for health care reform, she had no idea how quickly her own crisis would arrive. The cancer patient had to be rushed to the hospital last Sunday.

Wearing a blue hospital gown, Natoma Canfield had just finished most of her dinner at Medina General. Her slender arms were bruised from repeated attempts to take blood samples. Her smile was warm but tired after a long day.

“It’s frightening having no insurance and being in the hospital since Sunday night,” said Canfield.

As a hospital staff member cleared her trays, Canfield said, “I worked hard my whole life to take care of myself.”

She added, “Now I’ve fallen behind. I have no health care and now I’m going to have a humongous hospital bill.”

The 50-year-old, self-employed cleaning woman gained national attention last week. President Barack Obama read Canfield’s letter at a White House briefing urging health care reform.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said, “This is a letter the President will likely take with him to meetings today and throughout this period to remind everyone what’s at stake with the final push for health care reform and what happens if we walk away.”

Canfield wrote the letter to the President on Dec. 29 after she struggled to pay for health insurance. But last weekend, Canfield’s cancer symptoms flared up and she was rushed to Medina General Hospital.

“I am getting great care,” said Canfield, “but without insurance, I have no way to pay for it.”

She said she was notified by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield that her premium had been increased over 40 percent to $8,496.

Canfield dropped her health insurance Jan. 1.

She told Channel 3′s Mike O’Mara, “I can’t tell you that since I’ve been in the hospital, in this room, how many people have come in to tell me that they have a story just like mine.”

Canfield added, “Some of them even have stories worse than mine. I feel so humbled to be able to share my story with the President of the United States and to have him listen and understand.”

At home, President Obama’s thank you letter is already framed. Now Canfield hopes that she will be strong enough to join the President on the stage at the Walter F. Ehrnfelt Recreation and Senior Center in Strongsville on Monday.

“I told my sister that she may have to fill in for me, but I am really, really hoping to be there!” said Canfield, with a grin.