This is what we're up against

[Neecy]

Yesterday, my 47 year old sister died in her sleep of heart failure. It was a shock to my family and her friends, and I personally have no words to express my loss except that it's also our loss, as she was a good Democrat and cared deeply about issues that are important to all of us.

She had a painful knee injury several years ago, and her doctor prescribed Vioxx, which she took for almost two years until it was taken off the market. I have no idea if the Vioxx caused her heart failure. I'll never know. I just know that someone her age doesn't just die.

I remember that not long ago an FDA panel recommended bringing Vioxx back to the market, and that the individuals who voted for this had ties to the drug industry.

Last night I couldn't sleep and had Headline News on. I happened to glance up and saw on the runner that Merck had requested a federal judge to overturn a previous Vioxx award given the recent recommendation to reinstate the drug. That's when it hit me in a personal way, that we're all disposable to the Corporate state, and they'll pay off anyone to continue their immoral practices. We live in an utterly ruthless state that will take away even the limited recourse of those who have been harmed by their immorality and so-called Christian leaders will congratulate themselves on things like tort reform and reintroducing dangerous drugs into the marketplace.

We're completely powerless, just pawns of a bought-and-paid-for system of governance. I'm done fighting them. I give up. Their greed will always win.

[goodboy]

1. I'm so sorry. (nt)

[gollygee]

2. I'm sorry for your loss

[fertilizeonarbusto]

3. My condolences for your loss n/t

[atommom]

4. I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. And I hope that the greed

can be checked (at least a little) within our lifetimes. It is sickening to see how little human life means to big business.

:hug:

[etherealtruth]

5. I, too, am so sorry n/t

[ClassWarrior]

6. No you don't. And no they won't.

:hug:

Never Give Up.

[dave29]

27. Never Give up.

We will win. I promise you.

[HamdenRice]

7. I'm so sorry -- I have no words -- for your loss nt

[BOSSHOG]

8. Please accept my condolences

And your post is right on. About 10 years ago Ephedra almost killed me. Now, there is a move to put it back on the shelves.

I hope your sister rests in peace.

[lancdem]

9. I'm very sorry for your loss

I have severe rheumatoid arthritis and have gone from Celebrex to Vioxx to Celebrex again. The drug companies are horrible. All they care about is profit - to hell with the public.

[seabeyond]

10. completely powerless,.......i dont believe

an i am sorry for your loss. and your and all of yours pain

[ewagner]

11. I'm so sorry for your loss

Your sister died at the same age as my Mother. My Mother had been taking the new diet "candy" called "Ayds" and she was overweight....Ayds were almost pure speed.....she died of a stroke....nobody is responsible.

[Ron Green]

12. I'm very sorry for your loss. Take a break from the fight, and others will

carry on for now. I pray for you and send you good energy and courage.

[radwriter0555]

13. There are a number of class action lawsuits being brought against these

greedy killers. You should become party to one near you, for the loss of your sister. In spite of your grief, take care of this business so that these people can be brought to justice. The only way to punish them is financially. They will not go to jail, but with victims like you and your sister, they can be made to at least financially compensate you for the horrible, egregious harm they've done.

I'm so sorry for your loss.... this is terribly, terribly tragic.

[wicket]

14. that's horrible

I am so sorry :( :hug:

[babylonsister]

15. Oh, Neecy, I'm so sorry for your loss.

That is so sad for you and your family. My condolences...:hug:



Edit to add: It IS all about the money, people be damned. Another example of this greed can be found in breast implants. The women who died from them are no longer able to express themselves.

[BlueEyedSon]

16. Yes, they exert their influence over legislators through money,

which the legislators need to conduct successful campaigns.

And we mere citizens cannot compete with the vast sums of cash that corporations and mega-rich individuals have at their disposal.

So sorry for your loss.

I took Vioxx for a knee injury too for 3 months.

[AuntiBush]

23. Isn't that sad... We really are just "MERE" citizens.

If more people were taught "early on" in school what REPUBLICAN & DEMOCRAT meant, these ba$tard$ wouldn't be stifling our freedoms and rights, and ripping apart our country and constitution.

[GreenPartyVoter]

17. I am so sorry for your loss *hugs* Drop in at the bereavement group any

time you need to.

[Mandate My Ass]

18. I'm so sorry for your loss

FWIW, I truly believe their greed will be their undoing. They go way too far and they underestimate the American people's desire for justice.

Peace to you and your family.

[July]

19. I'm very sorry.

Sending hugs. It's so hard to lose a sibling. Let us know how you're doing.

[stellanoir]

20. sincerest condolences

for your loss.

"Their greed will always win." Redefine victory. Most of the big corporate slugs I've had the misfortune to meet are pretty damned miserable despite appearances otherwise.

Your sister I'm sure is at peace..They surely never will be.

[CrispyQ]

21. My deepest sympathies on the loss of your beloved sister. ~~eom

[AuntiBush]

22. Welcome to the United States of Corporate America

We need to take our country back.

My deepest, most sincere condolences. So, so sorry for your loss.

[Batgirl]

24. Sorry for the loss of your sister

It's sad and discouraging to realize just how disposable we are to the Corporate State. The Soulless Ones who are doing everything they can to exempt themselves from the consequences of knowingly -- coldbloodedly -- marketing products that damage and even kill.

It won't always be this way, but that doesn't help you and your family now. Take a break, turn off headline news.

Regardless of the ugliness/scariness of whatever particular era we live in, we owe it to ourselves to seek out small pleasures and comforts, love of our family and friends. Sights, smells and sounds that give us moments of enjoyment.

We have something the Soulless Ones wouldn't understand, we actually care about our fellow humans. It's the right side to be on, and I believe, in the long run it's the winning side.

[Dorian Gray]

25. You have my deepest sympathies.

I am very sorry for the loss of your sister.

[PleadTheFirst]

26. No words ...

My heart goes out to you and your family. Take care of yourself now and don't worry about the bigger problem.

Just please know that you're not alone; that there are people like you who see what is going on. And we'll be here, doing everything we can to make sure that the bastards who value money over human life don't get their way.

And when you have healed and cared for yourself and your family and can face the enemy, I hope you'll join us again.

[jojo54]

28. My condolences, Neecy

Corporate Amerika will always win because they have the money, power and influence. But you have the memories of your sister and that, they can NEVER take away from you!

[EFerrari]

29. Neecy, I'm so sorry.

Not today, but maybe in coming days, remember that in loving and in valuing your sister, you are fighting back. Thoughts and wishes for you and your family.

[TNOE]

30. I'm very sorry too BUT

I wish the people could somehow turn their greif into rage at these Pharmacetucal companies.

First of all - 30% of their budgets go to advertisements. That is outrageous. Drugs should never be allowed to be advertised. I really wish someone - or we could start a massive revolution against these companies. Petition the government to REMOVE ALL DRUG ADS FROM TV, PERIOD. Sorry once again, but my grief on this issue has turned into rage now.

I have heard studies that Vioxx had caused "pre-mature" heart attacks.

[PlanetBev]

32. Sorry for your loss, Neecy

Two month ago my brother-in-law died unexpectedly, one week after a routine angioplasty. It now appears that the doctor fucked up and tried to falsify the records, so we're going to sue his arrogant ass. Jack was also a good Democrat, fighting the corporate vermin at CBS/Viacom where he worked.

My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

[Neecy]

31. thank you

I just hope that even if it comes back on the market, people here will avoid this drug. Since we don't have legitimate regulation any longer, I guess we'll just have to educate ourselves and self-regulate. This is probably true in a wide range of things now that we live in the jungle.

[Fla Dem]

33. Much too young....I'm so sorry. n/t

[cry baby]

34. sorry for your loss

take a break from fighting till you feel better. We will have your back and fight twice as hard till you get back.

[sandnsea]

35. How devastating

I'm so sorry. But please, get a good autopsy. A month or 6 months from now, you might feel differently and want to fight back. We'll be here for you, either way. :hug:

[Neecy]

37. we just can't

The autopsy was yesterday, but no one in my family - including myself - has the spirit left to fight this. I spent the day yesterday at their house and all my brother-in-law could do was clutch their wedding photos and weep. He's just a regular guy, a union printer who wouldn't dream of taking on the system and I don't blame him at this point.

The system is rigged and I won't give them the satisfaction of winning a bogus victory. My only hope is that people learn enough about these drugs that they refuse to take them, even in light of the happy-days advertising campaigns and doctors who over-prescribe drugs that haven't had long term studies and get perks from the drug companies for doing so. All we have left is word of mouth so please, please, please - if this drug comes back, please avoid it. I have no way of proving anything but if there's even a shade of a chance that Vioxx caused her heart failure, I don't want anyone here to go through what my family has gone through in the last 24 hours.

[sandnsea]

50. I understand

I can't imagine you would be thinking of anything except how to make it through the next few days. My mother died about 5 years ago. She was on a ton of medication, I've recently wondered whether it was any of the ones in the news lately. We fought for so many years to get her needed medication while she was alive, we don't have the energy to do anymore either. But at least you have the autopsy, if you change your mind later. My sister was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago, I know how these things that come out of nowhere are just mind numbing. I can't even imagine waking up to such a tragedy as yours.

[mmonk]

36. My condolences

[rockymountaindem]

38. My condolences

[Shredr]

39. I am also so sorry for your loss. And I understand...

Your frustration and feelings of giving up. Hopefully, when a little time has passed, you will see that this is exactly why we must continue to fight. For your sister. And all of us out here who are pawns because They hide information from us. They expect us to ultimately give up and go home, take our meds and fall away so another generation of information-less (I don't want to say "ignorant") can pop up. In the name of your sister, and all those who have died needlessly so the Corporates could get rich, we need to fight.

But I do understand your grief. And I truly am sorry.

[Individualist]

40. Sympathy on the loss of your sister

So very sad that she died at such a young age. :hug:

[Ninga]

41. My most sincere and hearfelt condolence. Please know there

are many who care and share your grief.

All the Best.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

42. You have my sincere condolences and a bit of info as well

Brian Panish is a lawyer handling Vioxx lawsuits. He is the lawyer that got the award against GM in the billions...it was the largest product liability award in history...I know him personally if you would like a referral to his office...at a minimum, he can look at your sister's medical records and see if there is a case...it won't bring your sister back, but sometimes we serve ourselves by protecting others

[Hamlette]

43. I am so sorry...my best friend died last year at age 47 in her sleep

they never determined a cause of death but thanks to your post I'm going to poke around on this Vioxx issue. She had horrible painful athritis and I know she took a couple of drugs for it.

Thanks for your post. Somehow I'd rather know it was "something" and not just "nothing" that caused her death. less scary that way.

[ninkasi]

44. I am truly sorry for your loss

You were right to point out that it is our loss, too. I know you are grieving, and exhausted with pain. Give yourself some time to heal from the pain, shock, and anger that you feel now.

You will always mourn your loss; I hope that, in time, you will feel like fighting again some day. There would be no better tribute to the things your sister cherished than to carry on the fight for both of you.

Whatever you decide, though,we are here for you, Sometimes, it does seem that we are powerless. Right now, though, concentrate on yourself and your family, and we'll all just fight a bit harder, for you and your sister.

[Catherine Vincent]

45. Sorry for the loss of your sister.

May she rest in peace.

[KlatooBNikto]

46. I am very sorry to hear of your loss.You are right.This has all the signs

of a young woman losing her life because of the known cardiac problems with all this class of pain relievers. Even ordinary pain relievers like Motrin,Aleve, Advil now look like they can cause similar problems.This item appeared in the NYT about a week ago.

As far as fighting this, you will be facing Merck that has set aside almost a billion dollars to fight each and every case individually and tie the cases up in courts for years.

But it is still possible to fight them. In my own city there is a group of lawyers who have formed a consortium to provide low cost, contingency fee based advice to people like you.They have several experts on staff including a cardiologist, RNs, pharmaceutical research scientists and others who can research and add weight to the claims. IF you can PM me I will get you the names of these attorneys.Don't give up.

[kitkatrose]

47. I'm so sorry.

My aunt died this January of heart failure. She was only 48. :(

If you ever need to chat or something, I'm here. We all are. :grouphug:

[Spike from MN]

48. So sorry for your loss

and for the others here that have posted about their losses.

I took Vioxx for 3 years and was switched to Celebrex last fall when Vioxx was taken off the market. I have had a history of chest pains going back to when I was 18 or 19 so chest pains were nothing new to me. Then they started getting worse and becoming more frequent so I quite Celebrex in January and, lo and behold, the chest pains were gone the next day. I had a doc appt yesterday and while I was there I let him know I had quit taking Celebrex a few months back, just for the record. We're out of options as there's nothing else that will work for me at the moment and I told him that even if something were to come on the market, I certainly don't trust the FDA to certify it as being safe. I trust my doc, but I don't trust the FDA.

I can't tell you what to do in your situation as I'm sure you're still dealing with the shock and grief of the whole situation. But I can say what I would want my sister to do if that had happened to me. I would want her to go after Merck and take them for everything she could get. Hold them accountable for my senseless death and let them know that their actions will not be tolerated. There are some things I'm willing to die for but corporate greed isn't one of them.

[maveric]

49. My condolensces Neecy.

I think it will come to true patriots taking to the streets to make changes in this country.
I'm so very sorry about your sister.

[mopaul]

51. my sympathies

you may feel like it, but you can't actually give up. we will win

[RandomKoolzip]

52. I am so sorry. That is rough....

You know what I'd like right now? I'd just LOVE to hear a republican try and defend Merck or Vioxx or any pharmaceutical corporation in the harsh light of this post.

Freepers, you wanna give it a try? I'd love to hear YOUR fucking side of this.

[nashville_brook]

66. i've had the face to face experience of this

with some BMW "beakster" riders (naked bikes) who were complete knuckle-dragging savages. we had no idea going into the ride. then found out we would be spending the weekend with nazis on german bikes. nice.

we had a big conflagration over medical lawsuits the first morning at breakfast. they were talking tough like they'll never get sick and i deserved it, whatever happened to me. total denial of responsibillity. it made no sense. and it was completely offensive. like we can sit at the same table and pass the sugar, but they can't affirm my human-ness vis a vis escaping a hospital without contracting a life changing illness. i couldn't help but feel a little joy when one of them ate shit going up the FIRST curve of the ride. he was a medical salesman from jacksonville florida with a touring harley he brought up on a trailer. it had 447 miles on it. we were doing 18 miles of 311 curves in the mountains of NC and he eats shit on the first curve. the best part, he ripped up his chin on his dorky, chromed-out rear-view because he was wearing one of those nazi skull helmets. fucking idiot.

btw -- nice to see a Titan fan!

[Solly Mack]

53. My deepest sympathies

(((((((((((())))))))))))))

[Karenina]

54. Condolences to you and your family, Neecy.

[H2O Man]

55. I'm sorry that your sister died.

The death of someone close is always very hard. It is harder when someone dies young. You have good reason to be angry about the drug corporations.

[BamaBecky]

56. This is so sad, Neecy........What a painful loss! We're so sorry for your

family.....:grouphug: :cry: :grouphug:

[BlueStateGirl]

57. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[faithnotgreed]

58. sending prayers for all. sadly i can relate to this. my 39 yo sister died

unexpectedly a couple yrs ago in the hospital admitted with pneumonia
i took lots of notes and talked with all her doctors and nurses

one nurse in particular was very friendly and was there the morning my sister was admitted. i wont go into details but basically this nurse shared with me that she urged a specialist immediately and spoke directly with him to tell him to get in now. but because the admitting emergency dr wouldnt back her up, this specialist wouldnt come out that night.

the next day when he did come in (approx 36 hrs after her admission) he was shocked to find her condition worse than he expected from the night before
he didnt let on too much but clearly he knew there was a crucial mistake made along the way

i had all the information i needed (theres more to the story than what ive included) but could not bear to put our family and esp our mother through another devastating situation even incl looking into this further
my faith in God got me through and nothing was going to bring her back. i thank God for her life and i kneel before God in her death and i let it go....
for ME that was the best way to cope and i dont think i could have done it on my own

i do agree that we dont know very much about what is really going on. and its designed that way its no wonder we are the most medicated society in the world.

BUT we have to keep fighting whatever good fight we can. that means different things for different people and sometimes that means retreating so that we can keep things together at all. but were thinking of you and your entire family

i know that truth and goodness will win out in the end. there are always cycles of great injustice followed by uprisings
i thank God for this board and all of you here.... i dont know when but i have no doubt that true justice prevail

sincere best wishes

eta: i only include my story here in case this helps anyone at all. you never know so i hope its ok

[nashville_brook]

67. there needs to be a group like CASA that takes on the job of fighting

medical suits so the family doesn't have to -- because they won't. it's too painful.

there has got to be money out there for this kind of intervention.

[faithnotgreed]

68. any support for basic rights is wonderful. in our situation

i decided it best not to speak of this to anyone in my family. so even if there had been support for us from some agency i wouldnt have pursued it
hearing my mom i knew that i couldnt give her any reason to think the hospital played any part of negligence or put her through anymore emotional trauma
and it sounds like neecy is voicing this as well

but i do hear what youre saying and i do agree that to whatever degree we *can* i think we do need to speak out and fight for not only our own selves and families but for all others as well who will benefit from our fight

[Q]

59. Don't give up...fight back...

When you're over the pain and shock from your sister's death...contact a 'good' lawyer and have an independent autopsy or exam performed.

You are so right when you say we're nothing but pawns. But sometimes pawns fight back and win.

Take care.

[shadowknows69]

60. I can't add anything to what others have said

except positive energy to you and my sincerist condolences.

[Az_lefty]

61. Sorry for your loss, this is terrible...

:grouphug:

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

62. Please accept my condolences.

Please re-think your statement. If anything, your railing against the system will resonate better with people because of this incident with your sister........

[Jo March]

63. Oh, Neecy! I am so sorry for your loss

I am so sorry for the loss of your sister. To lose someone is painful but so young and so unexpectedly is almost too much to bear.

Your DU family is here for you if you need us.

Blessings and peace to you and your family.

:hug:

[nashville_brook]

64. voting this up -- people deserve rights, not corporations

the toll is taken in human life in totally common place ways. it's not a shooting war. it's a quiet offensive against humans coming from corporations.

my grandmother used to tell me horror stories about new things that we didn't know would hurt us when they first came out. she was probably worried about me smoking, but she had loads of other stories. paper dress that went up in flames. sun tanning machines in the 50s that fried ovaries. we always ended up talking about stuff now that could be doing the same thing.

cell phones, CRTs, medicines.

the thing that galls me most about the vioxx thing -- i've been prescibed vioxx, bextra and all the anti-inflammatories -- is that they are avoiding really treating pain with safe, known pain killers that can be abused by fat hate radio hosts. we deserve better. corporations exist at OUR favor. they are human constructions and when they threaten human life WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO REEL THEM IN. period.

take a break from fighting the fight -- know there are others who are picking up the slack until you get your breath. i am so sorry for your loss. it steels my resolve. we have to take our country back.

[faithnotgreed]

69. right on nashville brook...

one more reason i am a complete believer in alternative medicine (emergencies of course are a whole other matter as well as selective illnesses)

the whole corporate entity of the american medical association pharmaceuticals politicians insurance companies etc etc is one big machine of greed and corruption and intentional ignorance
period

eta: even my mom who is a bush voter (cough) very readily agrees

[bunkerbuster1]

65. So sorry. But you won't give up.

You will live to fight another day.

Until then, peace be with you.

[rman]

70. Don't give up. They don't always win.

Just look at history: the pendulum does swing.
The force that makes it swing is us versus them; sometimes they win, sometimes we win.
Millions of individuals, millions of immeasurable effects, make for a measurable effect.

Here's hoping you can re-find your courage when your time of grieving is over.

[Turn CO Blue]

71. I am very sorry for your loss nt

[roguevalley]

72. Don't despair, honey. I am so very sorry. Right now, you feel

nothing but anger and hurt and sadness. Give yourself time and your family too. In the end, they will lose. It is always so. Just know you are loved. God bless you, your sister and your family.