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PSAs and AIG

By Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy on March 18, 2009 at 9:35 AM in AIG, Barack Obama, Current Affairs, Tim Geithner

I have a couple of things to share with you. They are not fun topics, but they are important topics.

The first deal with Domestic Violence. This issues has been in the forefront recently because of Rihanna and Chris Brown. Disturbingly enough, HALF of young people surveyed in Boston think it is Rihanna’s fault that Chris Brown beat the crap out of her. HALF of them!!! That says a lot for what they are learning from their music, and from the culture. And it is disturbing beyond belief.

Below is a video from someone who knows about Domestic Violence, and speaks eloquently about it:

And now for the next PSA. I received this video from one of my cousins:

Now is when I tell you that the cousin who sent this to me, who said, “Please watch this video and forward to women you know. I had no idea this type of breast cancer was out there…” is in remission from Breast Cancer. Her mother, my aunt, died from it after it metastasized to her bones. I had never heard of IBC, either. And clearly, it is something about which women need to know.

Speaking of breast cancer, the Quilters of SC are doing a great project to raise Cancer Awareness (major h/t to my dear friend, Connie, for alerting me to this project). Please go take a look at their Artful Bras Project. You know I love sports, so here is the Artful Project version of a Sports Bra:

Finally, I am sure you have been hearing a lot about AIG right now, including Obama getting all puffed up and angry at them for their bonuses (please – like that had not been going on already with the OTHER gazillion dollars we’ve given them out of our own pockets). So, I thought I’d give you a little humor to help deal with the whole situation from the desk of Andy Borowitz:

In New Terror Video, AIG Demands Huge Ransom from U.S.: Shadowy Group Seeks Bonuses, Golf Retreats

American intelligence experts are analyzing a new terror video from the American International Group (AIG) in which the leader of the shadowy organization demands billions of dollars from the United States.

In the four-minute tape, which surfaced over the weekend and caused deep concern among U.S. officials, a man believed to be the chairman of AIG says that if his organization is not paid its ransom, “chaos and destruction will rain down on the American economy.”

“If we are not paid billions more in bonuses and corporate golf retreats, America will be made to suffer,” the man threatens.

Intelligence analysts said that the man, AIG chairman Edward M. Liddy, appears to be speaking at a luxury beach resort that offers few clues as to his exact location, although there is “good intelligence” pointing to the Ritz Carlton in the Cayman Islands.

“We have some reason to believe that he and other AIG executives are there, based on a series of intercepted room service orders from the all-day dining menu,” one analyst said.

Reacting to the video, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano raised the nation’s terror alert level to orange, meaning “taxpayers are about to get reamed again.”

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner also released a response to AIG’s latest demands, but intelligence experts said they would need several weeks to decipher Mr. Geithner’s response.

Oh, wait – I guess that’s not too far from the truth. Oh, well – I hope you enjoyed it anyway!

jbjd

A spokesperson from the Boston Public Health Commission appeared on PBS. He said this survey was taken before photographs of Rihanna’s bruised face were released and before Chris Brown was charged with 2 counts of felony assault. He said the Commission was considering whether to conduct a follow-up survey.
AngryWhitePerson

Thank you for the link to the IBC story. It pisses me off for many reasons. My first question is, why do WOMEN have to be aware and afraid of this very rare cancer, when it’s their DOCTORS who should be diagnosing them correctly in the first place? Apparently several went in for treatment and were told they have bugbites? WTF?

Women are constantly made to feel that there is something wrong with them, scared into annual exams and made to feel fearful of their own bodies. Yet, apparently these women did go in, then told to take an antibiotic and call me in the morning, six months from now. Um, that’s irresponsible. I GREATLY appreciate the Susan G.Komen Foundation and the cancer hotlines. But those in dire need of “awareness and education” are the doctors. If a woman woke up to find her breasts deformed, bruised, discolored or lumpy, she would be making an appointment that day. Someone who wakes up to find something that noticeably wrong with them, and not calling the doctor is not someone who would be helped by this newspiece in the first place. Just my opinion.
http://americanpumainitaly.blogspot.com/ American Girl in Italy

Those bras are so awesome! Too fun!!

I wanted to add that info I emailed you yesterday. My friend was diagnosed with IBC, and had a double mastectomy. She was diagnosed at 40. Because of the aggresiveness of this cancer, they had to remove both breasts, and skin, and almost all of her lymph nodes.

I crocheted some fake boobbies for her (based on knit patterns I saw – http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTbits.html) and now the pattern is part of some volunteer organizations to provide inserts for mastectomy patients:

http://theknittingexperience.com/knitted_knockers_program/

http://doubletreble.net/wooly-breasts-needed/

And if you don’t knit,but crochet, my pattern is here:
http://americaninitaly.blogspot.com/search?q=inflammatory+breast+cancer

Great post! Thanks for reminding women about this dangerous cancer!
http://thenewagenda.net/ Woman Voter

Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy,

You are a rocker for women’s health awareness. I will forward that video of IBC to every woman in my family. One photo almost looked as it was from irritation from a bra and the young teen age sixteen that died got me all choked up (I will personally show it to the teens in my family).

Thank you, thank you again.
http://americanpumainitaly.blogspot.com/ American Girl in Italy

I think the problem with IBC is that it was so rare, most doctors probably never learned about it in school, or early training. And if doctors don’t keep up on new information, and constantly read, and learn, they might never hear about it. (Not excusing, just sayin…)

The problem with IBC is that it can look just like an infection, or rash. It can seem like a rash from breast feeding.

That’s why it is important that people be aware, and listen to their own bodies. If a doctor gives you an antibiotic, but you think it is something more serious, seek out a second opinion.
AngryWhitePerson

That is my point: the women in this story were aware that something was wrong, and then misdiagnosed. The onus shouldn’t be on the patient to figure out what is wrong with them. The awareness should start with the trained medical professionals.
http://americanpumainitaly.blogspot.com/ American Girl in Italy

I agree with you. BUT, I am a believer that it is your body, and you should be as pushy and persistent as you can, if you think something is not right.

In a perfect world, a Doctor would know all, and cure you. But this ain’t a perfect world. ;O)

My point is just that you need to be an active player in your body and your health.

My brother in law was losing equilibrium, experiencing loss of feeling on his left side, and walking became difficult, slurred speech, and a few other symptoms. The doctor wanted to test him for GURD. (I kid you not)

He had a brain tumor the size of an orange. And the only reason it was discovered so quickly (once he actually WENT to the doctor) was because his dad (after my insistance that it sounded like an aneurism or something) marched him into the hospital, and asked for a CAT. Had they left well enough alone, he would have been given some Tums.
AngryWhitePerson

I hear ya. But let me say that a few years ago, I did have a painful rash on my upper torso, including both breasts. The rash coincided with a low carb diet I started but instead of guessing, I immediately went to a doctor. No one had an answer. And I went to FIVE different doctors, including an emergency room because I felt like I was on fire, each refused to believe it might be diet related. Instead, I was diagnosed with shingles and a host of other unrelated ailments, even given prescription drugs that epiletipcs would take. When some layman said, hey why don’t you try Vitamin E on the skin, I did. I also went back to a normal balanced diet, and the problem cleared up.

A Cat scan is not going to find IBC. It’s up to the trained doctor, and if all five doctors you seek opinions from have similar training, you’re not going to get a correct opinion. Fran Drescher, the actress, had to see seven or eight different gynecologists before ONE suggested she might have ovarian cancer.

I agree that we should all be vigilant about our own health, but when we seek medical advice, we shouldn’t have to find a dozen doctors to get the right evaluation.
http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

My pleasure – I hope it will help.

It is hard for women in terms of medical care. Far too often, we are treated as “hysterical” or over-reacting to things going on with our bodies. We are treated as inaccurate reporters on issues dealing with our own bodies.

I would bet that several of the women who went to their doctors concerned with whatever was going on with their breasts were condescended to, and treated like they were making a mountain out a molehill.

I have certainly experienced my doctors blowing me off when I expressed concerns abt my own health. My major in undergrad and grad schools was Medical Ethics, so I was a strong advocate on my behalf. But STILL, they treated me like I was exaggerating and blowing things out of proportion.

AGII – again, I do hope your friend is doing well!

And I do hope this will help someone – that’s the point!
Cahil

As to your domestic violence report which I don’t find hard to believe, it would be helpful if we had a president who didn’t promote rap and its crap.

When a presidential website allows Bro’s before Ho’s t-shirts to be advertised, presidential followers make Palin is a C— t-shirts, the candidate himself flips a rival candidate the bird and brushes her off his shoulder with the rap version of complete disrespect, what do you expect?
http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

Still, it is problematic that the assumption was equal blame for them both, don’t you think? Regardless if they had seen photos or not…
http://americanpumainitaly.blogspot.com/ American Girl in Italy

WOW! five doctors!! amazing…

doesn’t it sometimes seem like they do what is most cost effective, for them?

And you’re right, we shouldn’t have to seek out a dozen doctors! that is really, really bad.

It also seems like, sometimes, there is a huge arrogance factor. They don’t listen to the patient, because they are the *expert*. Big mistake.
bayareavoter

Thanks for the important info. Will forward to friends and family.

And thanks for the laughs at the end–Napolitano can label it one of her “man-caused disasters”
candymarl

As someone who survived a cancer scare I salute you. I did have breast tumors. Fortunately they were benign.

Thank you for the IBC info and I will check it out.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Three-Basic-Parenting-Styles&id=744499 Northwest rain

Thanks Rev!

I know someone who died from IBC — she was concerned about a hot inflamed spot on her breast. The local doc took a sample and the report came back cancer. We were shocked because we had never heard of this form of cancer.

She went to England had radiology & chemo — but died 3 years after she first noticed the “bug bites”.

Until I watched the report you posted I didn’t realize that this was a rare form of cancer — or that it had a name.

I’m sending this link to her circle of friends.

THANK YOU!!
http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

Amen to THAT – it is mind-boggling, isn’t it?? That he is so into rap? The woman who cut my hair the other day was saying she thinks music influences the mind and soul, and that rap is making young people nutty. She also said she thinks it is responsible for them committing more crime because they hear it in the songs and act it out. She was African American, btw.

And those t-shirts – any woman who voted for Obama when he was pushing that &@*&$ crap whould be ASHAMED of herself!
http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

NW Rain, I am so sorry to hear abt your friend. My heart goes out to you and her family…

I hope this helps!
Ellen D

My shingles was diagnosed as kidney stones.
http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

Thank HEAVENS they were benign, Candymarl! What a relief.

I hope for your continued good health…

And everyone else here, too, of course!
I’m a Linda too

Thank you for the IBC video.

I believe this is the one men contract more also.
CG

A little off topic, I volunteer with the Puget Sound Komen mentioned in the IBC video above. For the past year in a half Mona Locke has been the executive director, and she introduced her husband at the Commerce Secretary confirmation hearing (former WA state governor Gary Locke, who replaces Bill Richardson in nomination for that post). Gary Locke was a Hillary Clinton supporter during the democratic primaries.