J&J Talc 4/6

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1. My Mom died of Ovarian cancer because she wanted to smell good

   Apr 5, 2016 | Chicago Now

   By Kathy Mathews
   
   
   ...Today I am asking myself a question. Is it possible that my mom died of Ovarian cancer because she wanted to smell good?

Client Attorney Privileged/Attorney Work Product/At Request of Counsel

US Coverage (coverage from US)

1. My Mom died of Ovarian cancer because she wanted to smell good

   Apr 5, 2016 | Chicago Now

   By Kathy Mathews

   My mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 57, suffered horribly and died at age 59 in 1983. Her death impacted our whole family in countless ways and we miss her to this day. We all wondered why, why did this normal, healthy woman die so young and so painfully?

   Today I am asking myself a question. Is it possible that my mom died of Ovarian cancer because she wanted to smell good? I have concluded "yes"and I will tell you why I think so.

   My father collected her medical records and gave a copy to me and my sisters. 

   I searched them for reasons and have long considered myself at risk for Ovarian cancer. I worried about this for my daughter and my granddaughter.

   But if there is a genetic link, we have to consider that my Mom's sister is still alive and well at 82. Her maiden aunts lived into their 80's as well. Her Mother died at 62, killed by a drunk driver. Neither I nor my sisters have been diagnosed with cancer.

   But I have assumed the other shoe was out there, waiting to drop. It was my main motivation for having a complete hysterectomy at age 40. My older sister did as well and had genetic screening and found she was at no risk.

   Then recently, a 62 year old woman who died of Ovarian cancer made the news. Her family sued because she had used talcum powder all her life.They won the lawsuit.

   I've been contacted about my mother's death but we are not eligible for any lawsuits and wouldn't want to be. I have just always wondered why.

   This link with talc has all been playing in my mind.  I talked to my sister to verify my own memories.

   We discussed and matched our memories. Yes, our Mom was a big talcum powder user. We always had baby powder around when there were no babies.

   My mom bought me Shower to Shower to use after I got my period. And if she was going someplace special, my Mother would use a scented powder. 

   We all did. Whenever I bought cologne I bought the set with the soap, which I put in my underwear drawer. I used the cologne on a daily basis and saved the powder for special occasions.

   At some point in my twenties, I stopped using it. It seemed to make a mess in the bathroom and my mom wasn't paying any more.

   When I was 28, my mother was diagnosed and when I was 30 she died. For 32 years I have felt the specter of Ovarian cancer as a background shadow in my life.

   And now, I do not. I am amazed how I feel a weight and a worry has been lifted from my shoulders. But I am also sad.

   I think about my Mom during those two years. She was able to meet my daughter, Emily and see all her daughters get married. In addition, she aged decades, lost weight, her hair and most of her friends.

   She screamed in pain, listened to religious music and begged to know why God was punishing her. She hoped against hope, wanting to live long enough to see Emily go to school.

   All of this is because my poor Mom just wanted to smell good, feel fresh and give herself a little indulgence.

   She did not live long enough to see Emily go to school but she did get to celebrate her last Thanksgiving with her. I made Emily's dress and my Mom was so proud of me and loved Emily with all her heart. That love lives on in all of us.

   You can look online and draw your own conclusions. I did. I have found studies and sites which believe in this connection, like this site. Some sites are not convinced that there is a link, like this one. 

   In the meantime, I am throwing out the talcum powder we have in our house. And I am remembering my dear Mother who not only smelled good, but was so very good.

   Hey Mom, I figured out why. And guess what, we are all safe.

   And we love you still.

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