Talk Cancer

Question:

They first responded with a form letter.  Here’s part of it: That’s the same form letter that *I* got, and it made me spitting mad.

It was just a bitter reminder that corporations only care about numbers. They could care less about patients. Please fill out the questionnaire so we can gather more information from patients like yourself to help others." Yeah, right, so they can gather info to guard against malpractice suits.

I thought the same thing.  It was so obvious that the phone call was fishing around to see if I was going to sue the company. How are your nails, by the way? They seem to be better, but I could just be distracted.

May all your distractions now be good ones. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Aloha, Catharine Emotions exist to provide alibis for inexcusable behavior.                       — Sunny the Parakeet, "Frisco Pigeon Mambo"

Response:

Hi Catharine, I’ve been without my computer and just realized that you’ve been hospitalized again.  Sending my good thoughts your way too.  Thinking about you.. Barb

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Phew.  Back from the hospital.  I was in since Monday, when I presented with horrible hip pain, a fever of 103.5, tearfulness and shaking chills. After several different antibiotics, I am home with a new and fancy antibiotic (Tequin) and Dilaudid.  Yuck.  Won’t be e-ing or posting much over the next few days as it still hurts quite a bit to sit. — Aloha, Catharine Emotions exist to provide alibis for inexcusable behavior.                       — Sunny the Parakeet, "Frisco Pigeon Mambo"

Response:

They first responded with a form letter.  Here’s part of it:

That’s the same form letter that *I* got, and it made me spitting mad. Please fill out the questionnaire so we can gather more information from patients like yourself to help others."

Yeah, right, so they can gather info to guard against malpractice suits. How are your nails, by the way?

They seem to be better, but I could just be distracted. — Aloha, Catharine Emotions exist to provide alibis for inexcusable behavior.                       — Sunny the Parakeet, "Frisco Pigeon Mambo"

Response:

Catharine, Glad to know that you’re back and on the mend.  We’ve been thinking about  you. (Could you feel us?). Take care. …lisa

Response:

Hi Catharine, Welcome back and I’m sorry you had to go through more b.s. Aventis (makers of Taxotere) responded to my e-mail.  They first responded with a form letter.  Here’s part of it:     This letter is in follow-up to your request for information regarding Taxotere.  It is my understanding you experienced nail changes while receiving Taxotere.     The experience which you described may have evolved due to a number of factors.  Please understand that as a manufacturer, we cannot comment on the possible association between our product and this experience nor diagnose possible medical problems.  As such, we would suggest you discuss this experience with your physician.     …In an attempt to gather more information, please complete the enclosed Patient Questionnaire. The questionnaire is fairly standard – name, age, weight, etc.  They ask for a description of the problem and a list of all other past medical problems. I also received a phone call from the company.  "Hi, this is Dennis, a registered nurse at Aventis.  How may I help you?"  I gave a brief review of the nails and he responded with "Well, as the manufacturer of the drug, we can’t really help you with your side effects."  I said I understood that but surely they must have done studies and have some statistics on nail changes with patients.  He said "Again, I’m sorry, but there are so many things that can cause changes in the body that commenting on this drug wouldn’t help your situation.  Please fill out the questionnaire so we can gather more information from patients like yourself to help others."  Yada, yada, yada. Just thought you might like to hear the response, although it does us both no good at all. How are your nails, by the way?  My fingertips don’t hurt as much, but every time I see new nail growth, it seems to die within a couple of days.  The puss has subsided, thank goodness. Deborah – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Phew.  Back from the hospital.  I was in since Monday, when I presented with horrible hip pain, a fever of 103.5, tearfulness and shaking chills. After several different antibiotics, I am home with a new and fancy antibiotic (Tequin) and Dilaudid.  Yuck.  Won’t be e-ing or posting much over the next few days as it still hurts quite a bit to sit. — Aloha, Catharine Emotions exist to provide alibis for inexcusable behavior.                       — Sunny the Parakeet, "Frisco Pigeon Mambo"

Response:

catharine i had no idea that you were back yet again in the hospital. i am glad you are ok now hugs linda bliss

Response:

Hi Catherine, welcome back. Sorry you are still in great discomfort but being you, you won’t let that stop you! Hope you feel better soon love Rob

Response:

Linda, again something to put behind you!  Don’t put too much faith into the chamber pot. In my experience *goesunders* are very unstable! Hope your digestive system perks up soon love Rob

Response:

Catharine Glad to know you are home. Can’t wait till you are feeling better and up and going again. Linda Hope this finds you feeling better too. ~Pam~

Response:

Phew.  Back from the hospital.  I was in since Monday, when I presented with horrible hip pain, a fever of 103.5, tearfulness and shaking chills. After several different antibiotics, I am home with a new and fancy antibiotic (Tequin) and Dilaudid.  Yuck.  Won’t be e-ing or posting much over the next few days as it still hurts quite a bit to sit. — Aloha, Catharine Emotions exist to provide alibis for inexcusable behavior.                       — Sunny the Parakeet, "Frisco Pigeon Mambo"

Response:

Welcome back, Catharine. Hope this antibiotic does the trick. Also hope the pain reduces with the infection. I finally finished the last of the post-lung cancer antibiotics 3 days ago. Now, I’m waiting for my digestive system to get the message. If i have to run to the bathroom one more time, I’m going to get a chamber pot. Linda.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Phew.  Back from the hospital.  I was in since Monday, when I presented with horrible hip pain, a fever of 103.5, tearfulness and shaking chills. After several different antibiotics, I am home with a new and fancy antibiotic (Tequin) and Dilaudid.  Yuck.  Won’t be e-ing or posting much over the next few days as it still hurts quite a bit to sit. — Aloha, Catharine Emotions exist to provide alibis for inexcusable behavior.                       — Sunny the Parakeet, "Frisco Pigeon Mambo"

Response: