STEAM ROOM FOR ANGER

Lita57

HERE'S MY RANT FOR THE MONTH: I have contacted some of these questionable law firms regarding their lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and Shower to Shower because they feel that talc causes ovarian cancer.

I have spoken to their "receptionists," telling them I know their lawyers probably won't call me back, but that's okay…the call is being recorded, so I hope the boys and girls will at least LISTEN to the recordings.

I think these lawsuit procedures against Johnson & Johnson and Shower to Shower are a bunch of bull crap. First of all, ovarian cancer is NOT a common cancer, like breast cancer where ONE OUT OF 8 WOMEN will get breast cancer in her lifetime – 12.5%; and only ONE OUT OF 78 WOMEN will get ovarian cancer in her lifetime (LESS than 1% - actually it's only ONE TENTH – 1/10 – of 1% who will get it). So, you guys are suing the company for billions of dollars even though there are way more breast cancer patients than ovarian cancer patients out there? Does that seem fair? I have canisters of Gold Bond Powder and Monkey Butt Anti-Friction powder in my bathroom, and the FIRST ingredient on both of these is, you guessed it, TALC! Why aren't you guys suing them, too? Oh, no….we'd much rather sue the people who have the deepest pockets so we attorneys can get the MAXIMUM for our efforts (as you know, most attorneys will get AT LEAST 40% from the settlements, if not more). Yes, J & J has admitted that there is talc in some of their products, and they also use zea mays, or cornstarch, in some of their other products. Based on their prior knowledge, it's probably easier for the corporation to just "roll over" and pay out the settlements rather than fight it. The little blonde who does the talking in the commercials says that J & J "failed to tell the consumers." Oh, come on! All one has to do is read the powder canister to see what the ingredients are! Oops, I forgot…nobody reads anything anymore.

My first question when I call these firms is have any of these women had their DNA tested for genetic mutations? "A" does not always lead to "B." Some mutated genes will predispose a woman to ovarian cancer, and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with talc. Second question: Have any of these women had AUTOPSIES after they've passed to determine if there actually IS TALC in the tissues of their ovaries? No one has gotten back to me, and I seriously doubt that they ever will. I'm sure, as with other cancers, some of the women might have NEVER even used powder, and they STILL got ovarian cancer…it could have been caused by a douching product or something else.

As with lung cancer, some patients NEVER smoked in their lifetimes and weren't exposed to a lot of second-hand smoke and they still got lung cancer! Who do they get to sue? They can't sue R. J. Reynolds because they never smoked their products, and even if they did, these people knew the risks because each pack and carton of cigarettes has a warning on the side of the pack/carton. Incidentally, my father smoked for decades and lived to be 85 – never got cancer, and my oldest brother, who is almost 70, still smokes and he doesn't have cancer. So once again, "A" doesn't always lead to "B."

I always end on this point: So, who do my Stage IV terminal/metastatic breast cancer sisters and I get to sue, especially those of us whose cancers were Dx'd Stage IV De Novo, even after we had our mammograms every year religiously? Do we sue the mammogram machine manufacturers because they could not detect our cancers even after repeated scans year after year? European women drink more than we do, and they have higher breast cancer rates, so that lends credence to the statement that there is "a connection" between alcohol consumption and increased risk of breast cancer. Can we sue Robert Mondavi, Glen Ellen, Sebastiani, or Turley Vineyards? Or is it too late because we already know there is a link between the two?

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/countries-with-the-highest-incidence-of-breast-cancer-in-the-world.html (Here's the link to support this)

My third question: Did they bring any of these "afflicted" women in and question their application practices or their mutation status? It seems like a "far reach" to me as well because the powder itself has quite a ways to travel: Going up the vaginal canal, through the cervix, climbing up the uterine wall, splitting up between the fallopian tubes and finally entering the ovaries. In order to get that much powder up in there, these women would have to pour a big pile of powder on their palms, spread their legs, and SLAM it up there! Didn't their mothers show them how to apply it the correct way?

I'm getting sick and tired of seeing these commercials on TV day after day, especially when there's more than one law firm trying to reap a "big pay off." I also tell the receptionists that I'm over sixty years old, and I've been using J & J powder all my life. Even as a baby, my mother only used their products on thel five of us kids. After all those years, I didn't get ovarian cancer. Because of my Stage IV status, I have body scans EVERY three months, so if I did have ovarian cancer, don't you think it would have shown up on one of them by now?

As far as I'm concerned, if the prosecuting attorneys DID NOT perform supporting DNA mutation tests and autopsies, there is no direct connection between talc and ovarian cancer.

I always thank the receptionists for taking my call, and being very courteous and polite, letting me talk as long as I need to (and I try not to drag it out too long, just bringing up the concerns listed above).

Dear ladies, if you'd like to join me in bombarding these firms with your concerns and complaints regarding these lawsuits too, please PM me. I don't want to include their names and numbers here in this post out of respect for their privacy.

L

Lula73

Love it, Lita! Here’s the lowdown on these firms and their commercials. They really just want your contact information so when they decide they have a big enough group of people that they think likely did suffer an injury of some sort due to whatever product it is they’re targeting they know who to call immediately. The first lawyer group that gets to the court usually gets the most $$$. Most of the ads you see have absolutely 0 evidence of cause and effect. If a scary sounding potential side effect is listed in the prescribing information of a medication that’s what they target. The scarier sounding the better to get your attention. Unfortunately for them most of these do not ever come to fruition. Unfortunately for the thousands and thousands of patients whose need/benefit for the medication outweighs the tiny tiny risk, many will stop taking it without ever letting their dr know putting themselves at risk for a much worse situation. It’s high time someone sues the lawyers for fear mongering that results in causing injury/death to people who bought into their false, unproven propaganda and stopped taking their meds.

MelissaDallas

You tell ‘em Lita!!! I HAD ovarian cancer (albeit a weird rare one), live in a torridly hot area and slathered myself n baby powder after baths during the summer for years. I don’t believe the powder had a damn thing to do with it. I just can’t believe they are getting those verdicts with pretty much no scientific correlation. Goes all over me..

AliceBastable

Some of the talc cases are being overturned because they were filed and tried in states that had nothing to do with J & J or other manufacturers, the plaintiffs, or the stores where the products were purchased. Those law firms just try to find venues without payout limits, and then use the "victims" to line their own pockets. I've noticed more and more ads aimed at taking advantage of people who are sick and scared and ripe for plucking by unethical law firms.

Snickersmom

Right on, Lita!! Your description of getting powder up to the ovaries had me in stitches but you are absolutely right.

WC3

I really don't get the disproportionality and inconsistencies of the law world or the psyche of many of those in it.

marijen

Not sure where to post this but watch this amazing video and see if it makes you steamed!

Surviving terminal cancer

https://vimeo.com/119006145

candy-678

Just walked 30 minutes--1/2 mile--on treadmill.  When does the happiness start??!!!  I said to myself during walk, "Come on, get happy".  Didn't work.  Must be defective treadmill!!!   LOL. 

jaycee49

Micmel

lol that does happen ya know! Candy!

And Jaycee. That’s TOTALLY true geeze

jaycee49

Candy, you obviously need a new treadmill, one with a happy button on the display.

candy-678

Yeah Jaycee. Probably so. But those with a happy button are too expensive for me.  I have a BASIC treadmill.  Lol.  

By the way, Jaycee good quote you posted!!!

bcincolorado

Love that saying too. As I broke down and cried during testing this week and was told by nurse---if it was easy, you wouldn't be here.

VLH

Ohmigosh, Jaycee, so much truth regarding chronic illness! I was recently reading yet another article about tests proving that Fibromyalgia is only "all in our heads" to the extent that our brains happen to be located in our heads. Thirty years after my diagnosis, it's amazing that we still are having to prove the legitimacy of an ailment that, in my case, destroyed my career and dreams of escaping a lower middle class existence despite making many sacrifices. I may seem perky and upbeat during the few hours I work each week, but it takes me 2-4 days to recover from 4 hours of work. Although it does little good to speculate, I sometimes wonder if I would have had so many complications and challenges during cancer treatment if I hadn't been battling a physically and mentally daunting health problem for so many years prior to my diagnosis.

Dealing with peripheral neuropathy is yet another fun invisible challenge. People don't realize how tiring it can be to walk when you have to be mindful of each step. Luckily, I don't always feel extremely tentative when walking, but I will go out of my way when tired so I can use a ramped area instead of stepping down a curb. Don't even get me started on the fear associated with stairs that lack a handrail. EEEK!

Candy, sounds like you need to go for the dee-luxe model! 😁

Lyn

Jumpship

Saw the opthmalogist today. What a jerk! Said ‘so you have metastatic breast cancer.’ Really? You are an MD and can’t read my chart. She didn’t know what tamoxifen or AIs were and blamed my fuzzy vision on dry eyes. Eye drops will fix it. I said why can’t I drive at night when I’m on AIs? Not enough eye drops. BS. I came in with research I wanted to discuss. She made me cry and feel like a weak woman. I’m just a mom fighting to live like every other mom and not have my kids notice I’m dragging. Not keeping her on my team

Meow13

jumpship, are you on exemestane by any chance? I suffered severe dry eye in right eye. My eye doctor was worried we tried everything. I was afraid I might lose my eye sight, my oncologist pulled me off the medicine and it improved drastically in 2 weeks. All better now I stopped hormone therapy after that, I only finished 4 years. I didn't have dry with anastrozole but really bad joint pain.

silphium

Jumpship, I was given a referral to an opthamologist today by my mo - I asked for the referral because of developing cataracts (tamoxifen related?) plus other things with my eyes that don’t feel normal. I have questions relating to zometa, tamoxifen and ai’s, also rosacea. I never thought I’d have to 2nd guess whether an ophthalmologist could explain the pluses and minuses of those treatments/conditions.

Hope you find an ophthalmologist that can help you out

JJOntario

I met with a new breast reconstruction Dr who basically refused to touch me as she is building a reputation and felt that with radiated skin the success rate is only 70%..I understand but if doctors only want to work with perfect than what’s the point?. I’m back to looking. My biggest rant today though is about my face. I was diagnosed with basal skin cancer in the corner of my eye. MOHS surgery and reconstruction to fix the hole last week and I’m just so angry at how awful this looks and feels. The Dr was supposed to use a flap from behind my ear but used skin from under my eye instead. I can’t get anyone I’m close to to really understand that although I’m thankful that I have a functioning eye I’m not okay with it and the fact that my body proved again that it holds cancer. My DH has been great but even he doesn’t fully get that this is my face...no padded bra or clothing to disguise this ...we have a big family dinner on Saturday and I’m dreading it.

bcincolorado

Oh JJ sorry about that. Did they tell you if it will get better at all as you heal from the surgery? It looks like you are still pretty young and that is harder as well I know as well since you have a long way to go this cancer journey in your life. I don't know what you have shared with your family but mine doesn't know everything I've been through or feeling. We try to keep it from them. You might be forced to answer questions you do not want to talk about wit the family either and risk telling them so.

AliceBastable

JJOntario, I know the feeling, I had my first (of several) basal cell cancers while recovering from a hysterectomy for endometrial cancer. It was like adding insult to injury. I had MOHS surgery a few years ago for a large basal cell on my cheek, next to my nose, that I'd let go untreated for too long, and wound up with a long incision from the bridge of my nose to the corner of my mouth, and a pressure bandage that covered almost half my face. I thought I'd be disfigured forever, but just a few weeks later I could barely see it. It didn't take much make-up to cover, and after awhile, I didn't need any as it faded completely.

ShetlandPony

JJ, be sure to protect the wound from the sun for a long time so it will heal better without darkening. I suggest mineral sunscreen. When I had a mole removed from my face this is what the dermatologist told me. I'm sorry you have to bear this, and I hope it looks better as it heals.

molliefish

and so time marches on, I am not a religious person as I've posted previously. Today marks one year since the passing of our friend. My husband and hers who were friends before are closer now. We keep in touch, check back and do our best to support. But we can't turn back time as much as we wish we could. Is she here with us? Are Rosevalley, Patty, Blondie DianaRose and Kandie? I think so. As long as we remember them, they live through us.

runor

Molliefish, your words struck a chord with me. I believe too that people exist when we remember them and hold them in our hearts and minds. These anniversaries of loss are hard. Sorry for this.

Meow13

I have had it with my neighbor. My son is recovering from surgery, not able to walk so my husband and I have been up all night. My neighbor comes over unannounced again. I have told her to her face repeatedly as nicely as I can NOT to do that. This has been going on for years. She sees our cars in the driveway and rings the bell.

I am so pissed off. I won't answer the door but my husband does. I can't get her to stop so I refuse to come to the door.

sweetp6217

This happened a while back but I still won't forget it. I was at work wearing my chemo cap (no hair) and a customer asked why I was wearing it (what it was for). I didn't mind sharing to educate the ignorant so I told him it was from chemo for BC. He was taken aback and blurted out, "your contagious!". Luckily, my boss heard it and straightened him out good. I had a right to not help him, so I didn't.

AliceBastable

Sweetp6217, I hope you laughed VERY loudly in that idiot's face, then repeated what he said, also loudly, to everyone there, like "Did you HEAR what he just SAID?? Have you ever heard such a RIDICULOUS thing?". Then looked at him pityingly and said, "Bless your heart."

SuefromSydney

I taught my kids that average intelligence means half the people are BELOW that.

sweetp6217

Gals, I can't believe I misspelled you're (your). Bless everyone for not saying. As for what I said, wish I had thought of that.

jaycee49

That was him talking. He would have misspelled it.

mysticalcity

JJOntario--did your doc advise you to use something like Mederma Scar Treatment to fade the scar? I'm not quite sure how soon after surgery you can use it, but I do know the estheticians and dermatologists recommend it for fading scars--both new and even old scars. And when I had my salon many clients felt they had great success with it.

Thanks marijen for your video post!!! It was very timely for me as I am trying to pursue a non-standard treatment at this time that is still in clinical trials and hitting nothing but roadblocks from my care team here at home from my primary care to cancer team in terms of being able to access this treatment. Although watching the video just made me more committed to continuing to fight this battle I am in right now! THANK YOU!!