A Final Chapter Ends And Another Casualty Is Blamed On Vioxx
Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009
by Laura Trahan
My mom passed away in October 2003. Over the years in dealing with losing one of my best friends, I came to the realization that her death was solely a timing issue. It was her time to go, so to speak.
After her death, my dad has fought endlessly claiming her death was part of a wrongful action. As he talked with lawyer after lawyer, I have to admit I just humored his tales. I felt like he had difficulties accepting her death and was looking to blame someone.
My dad always felt like she was killed often referring to the pharmaceutical companies as money hungry. I often felt torn because medicines save people's lives every day.
Over the years, news stories of people dying from vioxx continued to mount. Lawyers have commercials on every station. My dad visited with several lawyers.
My mom's issue was not cut so dry for the lawyers who read her medical records. The doctor who performed her autopsy noted that she died of cardiovascular disease instead of a heart attack. To the lawyers, they saw her heart as unhealthy and the reason for her death, not the medicine she took.
After five years of my dad never giving up, the truth was discovered by a lawyer several states away. A lawyer who never gave up alongside my dad, willing to put up with my dad's drive to see justice.
My mom's doctor who also came to her funeral to show his support, sat down and wrote a letter. All it took was this doctor to take ten minutes and share what happened for my dad to get the justice he needed and the end to my mom's life story.
The letter the doctor wrote told how he had given my mom samples of Vioxx and how the person who wrote her death certificate was "no longer practicing medicine in the United States."
Merck settled. My dad has not received any compensation yet for what happened. However, by the end of the year, he may finally have the money to purchase her a headstone that she so deserves as well pay off the rest of her expenses.
I have to admit I have been thrown for a loop with this news. I had come to terms with my mom's death. Now I find myself angry because she was taken so soon. She has missed two more grandkids being born and the first three growing so fast.
I have missed out on her advice over the last five years. I have missed out on her comfort, love, compassion, etc. I feel like I had something stolen from me.
Since the news I have done some research on the whole Vioxx/Merck fiasco and I have to admit there is plenty of blame to go around. Both Merck and the FDA knew of the heart attack and stroke side effects, yet neither of them did anything about it.
In fact the FDA knew of a study linking Vioxx to 27,000 cardiac deaths due to heart attacks between 1999 and 2003, but did everything to keep the findings from being released including threats.
Merck knew of the complications of the drug Vioxx in March of 2000. The drug was not withdrawn from the market until Sept. 2004, almost a year after my mom's death.
I can not fathom how many individuals lost loved ones or were effected by this drug. I am finding myself more like my dad in that Merck needs to be held accountable for their actions and the misleading of those who needed help.
As the book finally gets to close on my mom's life, her life will live on through her kids and grandkids. Lives can be taken, but memories can live on forever.
For an interesting look on the timing of the Vioxx fiasco, here is a USA Today article on the issue at http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-10-12-vioxx-cover_x.htm
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Hi Laura, I can't imagine your family's pain, but I do praise God for your dad's tenacity in not relenting and moving forward until the truth was revealed. A big thanks to the doctor as well for stepping up. I suppose with all things, there is good and evil. I too believe any one who knowingly holds back vital information of any sort should be held accountable. Thank you for sharing your heart so that others might benefit. Big hugs, TThanks T for your kind words!
Hi Laura.Losing someone you love is such a painful part of life. I felt the pain you are feeling for I have lost my parents and my husband. You are right, Merck and the FDA should be held accountable. I pray that your dad is fine and well.Thanks for sharing this.Blessings and best regards to you and yours,NenitaThanks! I can't imagine losing that many family members! I am sure that is hard to go through! Thanks so much for the kind words!
hi laura,losing a mom is horriffic, it was a changing point in my life at 34, she was 59!but to find out it was chemically induced would really throw me for a loop as well. your father needs to be commeded for his persistence. i believe he got his strength from your mom. and he obviously loved her very much. i hope your family can make peace with the fact that you at least finally have the truth.my best regards to you,sueThanks Sue for the kind words! congratulations on getting the jeep!! Well deserved!thanks laura...did patience win out? i believe so.have a good day,my best,sue
First of Laura, Let me start by saying I send my condolences as you know I lost my mom as well, but it's wasn't due to any drug, she had heart complications, and chose not to have a stint but in, and eventually died from it, with of course diabetic complications. I miss her so. I can relate to the trama you and our family have suffered, and even though she passed in 2003, I seems like yesterday I'm sure. I agree that these drug companies that practice the ole' "Day late, and a dollar short" methods, should be held accountable, but I am glad that justice has prevailed, and God bless your dad for his determination. It's not about the money, I know, its about ethics, and principles...Great article, and thanks for the link, which by the way I read, very interesting indeed. Your pal, and friend and fan......Gary
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