Posts by BeautifulGarbage

22

Calgary girl ... struggle for life (help!)

by Simon in

jw
friends

email received from lawrence hughes, the father of the girl who is desparately ill from lukemia and has been involved in the recent court case with the watchtower...

simon ,.

my daughters health has improved because of the last chemo treatments.

BeautifulGarbage

For what it's worth, this post will bring this thread back to the top.

Hi Mary and Untrusting,

I just wanted to state that blood is not used to "treat" Leukemia. Chemotherapy and radiation is what is used to, hopefully, destroy all malignant white blood cells. Unfortunately, the drugs that are most effective today destroy not only diseased cells, but also healthy cells. The same is true with radiation.

This is one of the reasons that the Dad wants to try the treatment in California. The claim has been made that it will destroy all the bad cells and leave the good. Unfortunately, these treatments have never proven effective. But, his baby's life is on the line. I would be doing no different in his shoes.

When blood fractions (whole blood is rarely transfused with Leukemia patients) are needed is when a patients blood "counts"(healthy cells) are dangerously low and the risk of infection is great. They need the infusion of healthy blood cells, whether they be RBC's or platelets, etc., to keep the patient alive while treatment is ongoing. AML (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia), the type of illness that Mia has, is extremely virulent. The patient needs to start treatment immediately. There is no time to ponder options, unfortunately. An induction must be started ASAP. I don't think that Mia was ever strong enough to be able to seriously consider BMT. However, this is purely conjecture on my part. I surmise this from the information that has been provided. Plus, my own experience going through this with my own child, talking to Pediatric Oncologists/Hemotologists, and being in contact with other parents that have had children with the same illness.

HawKaw is the one who knows the most about this particular case. What I know is what I have read here. Unfortunately, this has destroyed a family. Mia's Mom, a loyal JW is staunchly against transfusions. Mia's Dad, also a JW, but wanted his daughter to have a chance a survival, has been the one fighting for the transfusions. Mia is 17, a loyal JW, and has refused the transfusions. So far, the courts have overidden her refusal. One of the battles has been whether or not she is a mature minor and has the "right" to refuse the transfusions. The problem is where she got all of her information regarding blood. Of course, everything she knows came directly from the WTS and IMHO cannot give informed consent.

At this point, she is in very grave health. Yes, I'm sure the stress has not helped her during this time. But, without the treatment she HAS gotten, she would have never survived this long.

As far as the governement paying for it. I think someone posted that the Canadian government will not pay for a treatment that is not "proven".

If you want to understand better, there are many threads on this subject. Just type "Calgary" into the search option of this board.

Andee

62

I FEEL so bad!!!!

by SpiceItUp in

jw
friends

.

i just got my cat neutered..... i know its the responsible thing to do...but i still feel horrible about it!.

BeautifulGarbage

Syn,

First off, animals and humans are not equal. I had animals and I've have children. Believe me! Animals are MUCH EASIER to care for!

I'm strongly against domestication of any animal

Um.....I think that CAT has been let out of the bag on that one.

Andee

62

I FEEL so bad!!!!

by SpiceItUp in

jw
friends

.

i just got my cat neutered..... i know its the responsible thing to do...but i still feel horrible about it!.

BeautifulGarbage

I'm a very passionate advocate of spay/neutering. I'm allergic to cats, so I can't have one in the house with me. But I got my dogs neutered ASAP when I got them.

Actually, it makes for much more content animals. Much less fighting, more playful, friendly, and not going completely crazy when a female goes into heat that lives within a 5 mile radius.

Go to your local animal shelter and see all of the unwanted pets, and then tell me how it's bad to do.

I also grew up around horses. Unless they have something positive to contribute to the breed, it's better to geld the males. Much gentler disposition and easier to train. Most stallions are just too unpredictable and wild. I agree with RHW, animals just don't have the "male" hang ups like humans.

Though, right before I got my dogs fixed, a male co-worker said to me, "Oh, you have to let them have sex at least once!" Actually, the guy's own family/children situation made a good case for the spaying of humans.

You did the right thing, Spice. Good for you!

Andee

7

Squandering/Burying Talents JW Style

by Room 215 in

jw
friends

once morning while on a business trip to south africa, i turned on the television in my hotel room to catch up on the local news while i prepared for my day.

instead i hit upon one of the most mesmerising,thought-provoking sermons i've ever heard.

delivered by a young black preacher it focused on jesus' parable of the talents (matt: 25) and its lesson for us all.

BeautifulGarbage

My Uncle, who is now in his 70's was a superb violin player. He was offered a full music school scholarship after high school. His JW Mother, my grandmother, said NO WAY, you can't accept it. He had many struggles financially in his early adult years, eventually left the JWs, and became a very successful business man. He didn't play for many years after having to give up his dream of a music career. He is now retired and living in Hawaii. Still, when that period of his life is spoken of, the fierce resentment still remains.

Andee

39

For the new ones to this site....

by Mimilly in

jw
friends

i've noticed many new ones to our lil community here and have been unable to welcome you all personally.

there is a great variety of people here and loads of information and support.

feel free to vent!

BeautifulGarbage

LOL Simon! And I thought that *I* was a thread killer. I nearly started a thread on the subject, but I was too afraid that nobody would respond.

Shutterbug,

My name comes from a song on a favorite CD of mine. Hole's Celebrity Skin. I just like the oxymoronish sound of it. I used to have Courtney Loves pic in my profile because I wanted to stop giving the impression that my Username (my third, BTW, Sorry Simon) was picked on the basis of what I look like. However, I must say, "Trashy" would be an apt description when I get up in the morning.

Also, I love art, especially sculptures, that are made out of discarded items. I am in awe of those that can take something that nobody wants, have a vision, and make it into something inspiring. Literally, Beautiful Garbage.

Plus, I used to manage a recycling plant. So, garbage literally paid my bills.

And last, but not, least. I am completely taken back by some of the people in this forum. Especially, those born and raised in the WTS. So many were given a life of Garbage, and upon leaving they were able to make it into a thing of beauty. These people touched my heart in ways that have changed me forever.

Andee

BTW: Thank you for the compliment. Nice to know the girl still had it at 39 (I'm 40 now).

39

For the new ones to this site....

by Mimilly in

jw
friends

i've noticed many new ones to our lil community here and have been unable to welcome you all personally.

there is a great variety of people here and loads of information and support.

feel free to vent!

BeautifulGarbage

I would also like to extend a very big WELCOME to new posters here.

Yes, this place can get quite rowdy sometimes, but it is also a very loving a supportive place to share experiences and just plain vent. Many people here a very angry about what the Borg has done to their families and their own lives. And because of the continued abuses and constant flip-flops by the society, it never quite goes away.

I've been here a year and lurked for a few months before hand. I gotten to know some really interesting and very caring people. We are our own little global community. Yes, we disagree with each other. Sometimes very heatedly. I've been involved in some of those types of threads. If you find yourself in the middle of one of those types of discussions, don't get chased off. Keep your head and stick to the topic. And if someone uses a cuss word, don't freak out.

The term "Dub" is "slang" for JW, you know, JAY DUBYA. Also, the term "Borg", instead of Org(Organization) is used to refer to the WTS. If one watches Star Trek, The Next Generation, they have heard of this and understand why it is such a fitting term.

Stick around. But, be warned! This place is addictive!

Andee

14

The meeting my wife and I had with her elder.

by FRUSR8TD in

jw
friends

hello all.... for those who don't know..my wife and i have been married for almost 7 years, she had left the wt before we met.

i have never been a jw.

after 9/11 my mother in law used fear to "scare" her back into the (b)org.. ok, now 10 months later our marriage is in serious trouble.

BeautifulGarbage

Hi Frustr8ted,

Re: Marriage counseling.

Please look carefully for a good one. This person is going to need to have some knowledge about JW/cult issues. Not just the "regular" marriage woes.

I wish you well. It must be very difficult to be on your position.

Andee

Edited by - BeautifulGarbage on 17 July 2002 10:45:49

22

Calgary girl ... struggle for life (help!)

by Simon in

jw
friends

email received from lawrence hughes, the father of the girl who is desparately ill from lukemia and has been involved in the recent court case with the watchtower...

simon ,.

my daughters health has improved because of the last chemo treatments.

BeautifulGarbage

why are we debating this child's situation

First off, untrusting, Welcome!

Second, many of us have been following Mia and her Fathers legal struggles against the WTS to get blood transfusions needed for her to even have a chance a survival. He is now in a desperate situation, financially, because of the enormous costs associated with fighting the deep pockets of the WTS.

When Running Man wrote that "It was obviously an attempt by the WBTS to imply that the transfusions were causing her illness, and if they had been stopped sooner, she would be OK. Damn ghouls." , I remembered the thread I read yesterday on a JW board regarding Mia and her blood transfusions. It's obvious that many loyal Dubs are touting the JW party line regarding blood. They do this purely out of ignorance and fear.

I am certainly no expert in US law, let alone Canadian law. Here in the US, like it or not, judges DO make law. I'm sure someone will correct me if I am mistaken, but it is probably very similar in Canada. A decision made by a judge regarding such matters like this can have ramifications for years to come. I think about future children, especially JW children, who might be diagnosed with Leukemia. What happens with Mia can directly affect them.

Sorry, I don't know that much about Lukemia; does it attack the red or white blood cells? Can't she get a bone marrow transplant? Would this help her body to produce the necessary blood? And what about those machines that they put your blood throught to purify it (is that dialasis?)......has this been tried?

Leukemia is basically Cancer of the White blood cells. Those cells are directly responsible in fighting infection and illness. There are several different types of white blood cells and their is a type of Leukemia for each one of them. Leukemia doesn't attack anything. For reasons the scientists do not understand, the bonemarrow goes haywire by releasing immature white blood cells into the bloodsteam. Because they haven't fully matured, they are unable to perform their function of fighting infection. So these immature cells called Myeloblasts, start multiplying very rapidly. They crowd the blood and make it very difficult for any other type of cell (red blood cells, platets, healthy white blood cells) to multiply and perform their functions, such as carrying oxygen through out the body and the bloods ability to clot. Symptoms are usually bruising, fatigue, and achiness. AML generally affects older teenagers and young adults.

As for Bone Marrow Transplants. Yes, it is an option. However, there has to be a "match" found first. That in itself is a very high mountain to climb. Then, ironically, the receiver has to be "healthy," or strong enough to receive one. BMTs are extremely risky. Literally, every cell in the receivers blood has to be destroyed. The risk of infection is so great that someone in Mia's condition would never survive. And even if one is performed, then there is the risk of the receiver's body rejecting the marrow. Just like in an organ transplant, there is a chance that "Host vs Graft Disease" may develop. This generally proves to be fatal. And again, there is the whole issue with the JW blood doctrine with Mia.

As far as a dialysis type treatment. I have heard some things about that. Maybe in the future that will be an option. See, the trick with Leukemia is that the problem is in the bone marrow, itself. So, that is what needs to work properly. If there was a way found that while the "bad stuff" was being filtered out, the good stuff would be allowed to remain, this type of procedure might be promising. Filtering out everything would be very much like preparing someone for a BMT. And I described the risks associated with that. Being exposed to something like The Flu unintentionally could be fatal. The area that something of this nature being performed would have to be highly controlled. The rooms that BMTs are done are completely sterile, and only certain people are allowed in. The fewer the better. It is very different than a kidney patient receiving dialysis.

Anyway, I hope that helps. This whole thing has affected me very deeply.

Andee

Edited by - BeautifulGarbage on 16 July 2002 23:43:49

65

Left Behind

by gravedancer in

jw
friends

no that is not a description of a piece of rear-anatomy (i don't want to get booted again <g>).

rather it is the rage now.... please check out http://www.leftbehind.com/ and take a look.

the reason i bring this up is because 3 different people i know (not xjws) are all into this "stuff" now.

BeautifulGarbage

I must live under a rock. Actually, lots of them, rocks that is, where I live.

Never heard of the authors, or the books.

Andee

22

Calgary girl ... struggle for life (help!)

by Simon in

jw
friends

email received from lawrence hughes, the father of the girl who is desparately ill from lukemia and has been involved in the recent court case with the watchtower...

simon ,.

my daughters health has improved because of the last chemo treatments.

BeautifulGarbage

Thanks for posting that, Simon.

I'm sorry to hear that Mia's condition is worsening. I'm not very confident in the treatment he is seeking for her, but if I were in his position, I most likely would be doing the same thing. Who knows? Stranger things have happened.

The ignorance abounds in the JW community when it comes to blood transfusions. Especially, in relation to the treatment of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. The following quotes I gleaned from JWZone.org and the thread they have regarding this matter.

They practically kill her with 38 blood transfusions

WHAT is killing her is her bone marrow and it's inability to produce healthy white blood cells. Similar to AIDS, because her immune system is so compromised, opportunistic infections and diseases are what usually what prove to be fatal.

38 forced BTs and she's almost dead, so, the way I understand it, those 38 BTs didn't help her too much, huh? Now that she's off them, her health is improving, so why not keep it going?

It is true some children do not survive even with chemotherapy and blood transfusions. However, Mia most likely would have only had a few weeks, instead of months, to live had she not been treated that way that she had.

I kept thinking that with all those blood transfusions that poor sister has had to endure already, it's a wonder they haven't killed her before. As much as I hate to say it, the BEST thing that could happen to her is a quick death at her home with her loved ones. She would go to sleep being surrounded by those she loves and who love her, and it would add more evidence to the fact that the transfusions did NOT help her, though the pro-blooders will probably figure her condition was just too bad and they just waited too long to be helpful

Again, not understanding the how, and why, blood transfusions are necessary for treatment. They miss the point.

I'm sure that if any of our opposers out there reading this had their freedom to choose taken away, they would fight too.

The irony of a loyal JW talking about freedom of choice. Problem is, all the information she had was provided by the WTS. Outside information can be considered, just as long it falls in line with WTS publications and doctrines. There is no freedom AND there is ONLY one choice.

And last, but not LEAST, THIS Dub has made a new medical discovery! Skin cancer can be caught via blood transfusions! Gee, I wonder if it was the platelets, or the RBCs. This musing is PURE genious, I'm tellin ya!

let's see...the facts are...38+ - blood transfusions = turn for the worse and rare form of skin cancer (naah, couldn't have been the blood!)
no blood transfusions = improvement?
amazing that there are people who still refuse to make the connection...

What more can be said?

Andee