The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act

From the "If you aren't outraged, you aren't paying attention files" comes the material I'm posting about today.

As the niece of two lovely women who died prematurely from breast cancer, and the cousin of another lady who - thank God - is a survivor of breast cancer, I have to weigh in on this issue and share a couple of links with you.

From a nurse:

"I'll never forget the look in my patients eyes when I had to tell them they hadto go home with the drains, new exercises and no breast. I remember begging the Doctors to keep these women in the hospital longer, onlyto hear that they would, but their hands were tied by the insurance companies. So there I sat with my patients, giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn't grasp half of what I was saying, because the glazed, hopeless, frightened look spoke louder than the quiet 'Thank You' they muttered. A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is removed in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a Mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery."

It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times. For the love of women everywhere, please take the 30 seconds to vote on this issue and send it on to others you know who will do the same.

There's a bill called the Breast CancerPatient Protection Act which will require Insurance Companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy.

It's about eliminating the 'drive-through mastectomy' where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctors, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached. Lifetime Television has put this bill on their Web page with a petition drive to show your support. Last year over half the House signed on.

PLEASE!! Sign the petition by clicking on the Web site below.

http://www.lifetimetv.com/breastcancer/petition/signpetition.php

PLEASE PASS THIS ON to your friends and family, and on behalf of all women, THANKS.

Further Reading: Letter from the AMA

I Can't Resist!!

Oh gosh, this is rich.

Our favorite fraudulent internet diet guru, Kimmer, has posted the goofiest thing on her blog today.

People who are "interested" in losing weight:

1. Stick with it until something better comes along Yeah, like Atkins. Or Protein Power! In fact there are many *better* choices and the sooner people find them, the less damage they will do to themselves.

2. Take action only if they "feel like" doing it Right. I feel like not starving myself on eggwhites today, so I won't. Call me stubborn that way.

3. Need to see results in order to stay motivated uh....duh!! Isn't this why we wanted to lose a lb a day on KK?

4. Blame people or circumstances for their struggles Yeah, like a 300 lb internet diet guru who has defrauded thousands. Noooo...let's not blame Kimmer.

5. Easily give up when they face challenges Sheesh....those pesky heart palpitations and gallstones again. Hunger? Dizzy spells? Nausea? Geez...what wimps.

People who are "committed" to losing weight:

1. Stick with their plans not matter what Ignore that hair in the drain!! Those heart palpitations mean nothing I tell you! NOTHING!!

2. Take action whether they feel like doing it or not No matter what anyone says or how I may feel by GOD I will NOT eat more than 500 calories today and you cannot make me!!!!

3. Assume that if they stay motivated, result will follow Motivated. By a Lying Liar Who Lies? **snicker** You never did and CANNOT NOW follow your own diet. Who isn't motivated, Hidey?

4. Take responsibility for their own actions. Instead of blaming a 300 lb internet diet guru for defrauding them, perhaps?

5. Keep going in spite of challenges and setbacks ...or even a hospital visit or two. What the heck.

I have no idea what's been going on out there in California, but I have a sneaking suspicion that our dear Kimmer is feeling some heat. Her last few posts at the Kimkins forum have been sugary enough to send my blood sugar into orbit. Gack!!!! Call the dentist - my teeth hurt.

She's marshalling her forces by playing the "Poor Dumb Me I Can't Lose Weight" card. Pulling out all the stops in garnering sympathy from her members.

Something's up, I have a feeling.

Helping Out a Friend!

"Got Video? Do you have photos that you would like to make into a picture slideshow for your Valentine? Did your family film an old birthday party that needs some continuity?
I need your help!

I’m holding a fire sale. I can edit your video, photo, or both into a DVD. We can add titles, and make your home movie something everyone will enjoy.
I can load your video onto youtube as well if you wish."

Please click here to get the rest of the story :-)

Are You A Kimkins Survivor? Ready to Tell the World?

We finally have National Media Attention!

"Please, if you have or had any medical issues related to following the Kimkins diet, contact KimkinsonABC@gmail.com within the next 48 hours.

No travel will be required, an ABC crew will come to you to discuss your experience.

If you know of anyone who fits the above-mentioned medical criteria, please share this contact information with them for this important opportunity."

I know there are survivors out there. Read more here and please, if you can help - DO!

How Do You Say Goodbye?

How do you say goodbye to a friend who never gave you one moment's
heartache or trouble for 14 years?

How do you say goodbye to that special one who always greeted you at the door with some "gift", no matter how small, whether it be a slip of paper that she found on the floor, a sock, a squeaky toy...always something in greeting.

Always a unique "Woo Woo Woo!!" and her little "welcome home"
rocking-back-and-forth funny dance.

How do you say goodbye to your first Golden, the puppy who came into your empty arms, feeling like a gift from heaven, when the doctor told you you'd never have another child?

How do you say goodbye to one of the few in your life that truly personified the meaning of unconditional LOVE?

This past Saturday night, while grooming my dogs, I made a horrifying discovery on my oldest Golden, Missy Sue.

Friday, Missy turned 14. She'd been slowing down recently and it seemed to us that it was accelerating. Still, we chalked it up to increasing stiffness in her hindquarters due to advancing arthritis.

Nothing in my imagination had prepared me for what I saw when I rolled my dog over.

A huge red, inflamed mammary tumor. And it was bleeding. How could this thing have appeared seemingly overnight? Her last bath was after Thanksgiving. There was nothing there then. In fact, she got a lot of belly rubbing attention on Christmas too, from other members of the family. Nothing was seen or felt then.

My poor Missy Sue. I broke down in tears. My 6 years as a veterinary clinic assistant/mgr. and Golden Retriever breeder told me this was the worst possible finding.

I cleaned her up as best I could and gave her an extra Rimadyl. And then I cried and cried....
How could this day be here so soon?

It seemed just a few short years ago, she was that rambunctious puppy who could uproot a miniature rosebush without breaking stride and run all the way across the yard with it, us chasing her and laughing the whole way.

Wasn't it just a few days ago that she adopted an orphaned 3 day old border collie mix puppy and nursed her, raising her like her own?

Was it really 5 years ago that she climbed into the whelping box with our other female Golden's litter and calmly began wet-nursing that brood of 9 puppies while their dam, Ginger Mae suffered with post-caesarian mastitis and then severe eclampsia?

Wasn't it just yesterday we showed her our new grandbaby and she took that first gentle warm lick and lost her big old heart to Aubrey Elizabeth Davis?

Oh, the memories that came flooding in....

All day Sunday we thought about it, talked about it. Missy could hardly get up! She went outside, and laid down in the wet grass, in the rain. She needed help getting back up. She refused dinner that night. Whatever it was, was ravaging her quickly. We decided that surgery and treatment were probably not an option, although we'd get the vet's best opinion on Monday.

Monday afternoon, my fears were confirmed. Not the best circumstances to meet a new veterinarian. It was a huge and obviously aggressive tumor. The prognosis, she told us, even with immediate surgery, was very dim. But if we wanted, she could run some tests and possibly suggest surgery.

It was tempting to take ahold of the tiny straw of hope she held out.

But I looked deeply into Missy's eyes. There I saw in the liquid brown
depths a plea:
"And, my friend, when I am very old, and no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having fun. Please see that my trusting life is
taken gently.

I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands."

It was so tempting to give in to my understandable (but ultimately selfish) desire to keep my "Old Girlfriend" with us another year or even months longer.

But I'd made a vow long ago to myself, while holding countless other pet owner's hands, handing out fresh tissues in those countless heart-rending moments at other clinics where I had worked:
"Dear Lord, when my time comes to make this decision, please give me the strength and the wisdom to know and to let go and do the right thing. The loving thing."

I used to tell Dr. Beall, "You know I'm going to be a basket case when my turn to do this comes." He used to nod knowingly. He'd walked this road with his treasured Golden friend, "Harvest".

Perhaps he'll read this blog and he'll understand, though. Dr. Beall, I now know how it feels.

Missy Sue breathed her last in my arms, with my husband stroking her soft ears in just the way she loved, hearing us whisper how very much we loved her and always would.

Go to God, Mrs. Woo.

They say memories are golden
Well, maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.

In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
No one could ever fill.

Comprehensive Listing Of Kimkins Information Sites

Thanks to HoneyBee who has been compiling this list of sites, blogs and forums for months now!
And thanks to the tireless bloggers and article writers who are doing all they can to chip away at the Evil Kimpire.

Kimkins Exposed
Anti-Kimkins
Becky: Winning Weight
Christin: The Journey
Deni: Open Bench
Free Kimkins Free
Jimmy Moore’s Apology
Kimkins @ Slamboard
Kimkins Controversy
Kimkins Dangers
Kimkins Sucks!
Kimkins Survivors
Kimorexia
Kkatastrophediet’s Weblog
TRUTH Starts Here
3 Fat Chicks: Anatomy of a Diet Scam
About.com Inside Kimkins
A Pinch Of…
How Jeanessa Got Scammed
How Much Body Fat Can You Really Lose In A Week?
Jersey Girl: Thoughts on Kimkins
Kimkins Circus
Kimkins Controversy Continues to Boil
Kimkins Debacle; Super Smart Diet Tips
Kimkins Experience Part 1
Kimkins Experience Part 2
Kimkins Saga Revisited
Kimkins Survivors
Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Anorexic
Tami’s Change in Game Plan
The Problem with Kimkins
Thin at Any Cost
A Running Jewel
Kimkins Circus
The Quack of Doom: Entering the circus for the first time?
Once Upon A Diet
Someone in Southern California may need an attorney soon
The Final Escape
melting mama: Kimkins Scam.
Have you ever screamed so loud that the room echoed? « Incredible Shrinking Ladies
Inside the Kimkins Controversy
A Dumbbell In A Home Gym: Kimkins: Caveat Freakin’ Emptor.
Heard of the Kimkins Diet? Steer Clear it’s a total scam!
Vickie’s Voice: …more of my story…
The Road to Clarity and Transformation: The Kimmer (Kimkins) Controversy and a Parallel Universe
Banished…oh Fo’ Shame. not.
a mother’s heart » the kimkins debacle
Vilma’s World » Kimkins on Dateline & other complaints
Because I Said So: KimKims Survivors
Hundred Day Head Start Kimkins a fraud
Healthy Low-Carb Living Blog: Kimkins - How I Feel About It Now
Back Across The Line: Kimkins Cult Mentality
Good Carbma: Words for Heidi Diaz
Living Low Carb & Lovin’ It!: What an Amazing Day This Has Been!
Borat Does Kimkins: Hello From Borat!
Medusa
Kimkins Nightmares
stepping up to the plate « 2big4mysize’s Weblog
mariasol
Kimkins Scam
Willa’s Notebook
Doggy Girl’s Weblog
All About Kimkins & More
Itscloudyinhere’s Weblog
Psychic Rations: The Slimmer Kimmer That Wasn’t
Beware: Kimkins Diet is Dangerous!!: Just Say NO
Kimkins Lies
Sparkly and (soon to be) Skinny!: A new safe haven
Stop Kimkins Now!: Stop Kimkins Now!
Kimkins Soap Opera Story - AnthaBeth’s blog
Kristine’s Low Carb Corner

Time for a Recap!

Oh my...what a strange and eventful year it has been!

I've taken some time off from reporting on the Kimkins fiasco/scam/fraud. I've been concentrating on doing some undercover work and following things very closely, but I've not blogged or been particularly vocal anywhere in recent weeks.

Now, to make up for my silence (heh) I'm going to share a long list of links to some Anti-Kimkins blogs who have done a rather remarkable job this winter of keeping up with the almost constant developments from the Battle to Take Out Kimkins.com.

But first, with the New Year rapidly approaching, I think it's important to add my voice to the growing number of bloggers who are genuinely concerned about those Oh-So-Familiar New Year's Resolutions.

Yeah, you know the one I mean.


The one we all make, "I'm gonna lose a few (or a lot) of pounds finally this year if it kills me."




Let me share something. I just got back from a visit to a new doctor who specializes in hormone rebalancing. You know what she said to me when I told her about my little Kimkins diet experience? "Oh no!! Diets DO NOT work and neither does cutting fat!"

Folks, I could have cried. Or kissed her. It's a very rare doctor indeed who has moved on beyond the Great American Low Fat Mantra. What an answer to prayer!

Please. Remember her words (this is an MD!): Diets DO NOT work! Neither does cutting out fat!

If you've read any of the rest of my blog, or even the title, you know what's coming next.

It's not FAT that makes us fat. It's insulin. What drives up insulin? Carbs.
It's really very simple. Cut carbs, lose the insulin spikes....lose the fat.

Some good ones to consider:
Protein Power, South Beach, Atkins, Dr. Groves (Natural Health and Weight Loss)....just a few of the lower carb eating plans out there. Do the research, try a low carb eating plan (not a diet....it's not a temporary fix, you need to change your entire way of eating!) and see what a difference low carb eating can make in your waistline, your general mood, your overall health.

And here it comes...the one to AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE is Kimkins. Folks, there is simply no more dangerous, nutritionally-bankrupt diet out there than Kimkins. Seriously!

You can expect to see Heidi Diaz aka "Kimmer" spamming the internet over the next couple months because she needs the business. Most of her previous members have fled. It's a ghost-town in the Kimkins forum. But yanno, it's all about the money for Ms Diaz and you can bet she is ready to PREY on those desperate people who have decided that 2008 is their year to lose the weight and get in shape. JUST SAY NO TO KIMKINS!! I can't say it enough.

Please, I did the diet! I know how bad this one is! As if the fact that the founder herself still weighs somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 morbidly-obese pounds and cannot lose the weight herself, following her own diet, then believe the words of her early admins who fled the site one by one (or were banned for questioning the Mighty Kimmer).

In closing, I want to remind you to check all the new links over on the side menu. And here's to a wonderful, prosperous and healthy New Year to you all in 2008!

ETA: JOIN THE LAWSUIT!