Crazy Lady!

Woa, woa, woa! Every job is a job for Supernanny, crazy lady! Sounds like you just want a maid who will keep the kids out of your hair, with no real discipline....

A few things about Obama's acceptance speech

I had the opportunity to watch Obama's acceptance speech at the DNC in the company of a packed bar in Brooklyn last night. I was very excited about it, especially about being surrounded by so many supporters who were enthused about this turning point in our country's history. I thought this would be such a historic moment that would give me chills. I have to say though, I was a little let down. Although I still very much support Obama and what he stands for, there were a few things about his speech that got to me:

1. He made promises that he, nor anyone, can live up to. Okay, I'll give you that all politicans have somewhat grandiose ideas that never end up being accomplished when they get into office, but isn't this what Obama is telling us we don't need in Washington. Yes, I think that we should work toward renewable and domestic fuel sources, yes we should improve the education system, and yes we need better healthcare. Independence from foreign oil in 10 years, top notch education during his term, etc, etc, just what we want to hear! Realistic? Not so much. What's the problem with idealism, you ask? There's nothing wrong with striving toward these ends but making these unrealistic promises seems to make him a little less credible.


2. He attacked McCain a lot. Yes, elections are dirty and candidates boost up their own images by putting their opponents down. But, again, isn't this what Obama wants to change? On the one hand, it's nice to actually hear a Democrat take a stand on things for once and not dance around issues. And he's tapped into the common disappointment of the past 8 years. On the other hand though, I'm sick of candidates dogging each other. And he did it in kind of a sleazy, passive-aggressive way.


3. The common chant of "yes we can" sounds a little too militaristic for my taste. I cannot help it, I know it's a positive chant. But really, just listen when you hear it, it's a little scary.


4. His talk of being for the people and not fortune 500 companies when so many companies put millions of dollars into the convention and were listening, live, to this very same speech. (Including a certain pharmacaeutical co...) No doubt they had a significant presence at the DNC.

Of course, there were great things about his speech. The fact that he actually listens to the American people and is in touch with the issues (he spoke very well about the middle class, jobs and Katrina) is inspiring and propells him far past McCain in my book. Due to the past 8 years under the current administration, the prospect of change reaches to so many people. We're sick of not being seen or heard, of an administration that doesn't care about anybody but wealthy CEOs and industry. So, although he did get a little snippy toward Bush and McCain, I could appreciate the stance he took against what we've been experiencing the past 8 years.

I have high hopes for Obama. I am putting my support behind him as a candidate because his campaign of hope and inspiration is not lost on us. Call it what you want, but isn't it obvious that millions of people are inspired by his words and are through with the political callousness of the past. They're not shallow words. People are sick of heartless politics, we want someone who can lead with his heart. I liked the song that Sheryl Crow performed last night "Out of Our Heads"

If we could only get out of our heads, out of our heads And into our
hearts

She apparently adapted this from one of the Dalai Lama's speeches. No wonder why it's so Buddhist in nature.

BTW - I couldn't help but use the image with the shamrocks. Irish for Obama! He he.

Standing on the shoulders of...

I am standing on the shoulders of women around the world. There are many women who are pioneers in their country, region, world. Whether it's women fighting against poverty and excess in Southern Africa, black women who fought for civil rights and helped Obama get where he is today or a strong female presence at the Democratic National Convention (love or hate Hillary, she's gotten further than any other woman in the history of US politics), women have burst and currently are bursting through barriers and leading the way for the rest of us. Thanks ladies!

P.S. 13 wives! Really?

So tragic

RIP LeRoi Moore. The Dave Matthews Band will never be the same without you!

Quotes

Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways it can change someone else's life forever.
Margaret Cho

I think that when you get dressed in the morning, sometimes you're really making a decision about your behavior for the day. Like if you put on flipflops, you're saying: 'Hope I don't get chased today.' 'Be nice to people in sneakers.'
Demetri Martin

A love letter

Dear Mr. Gates,

Can I call you Bill? B?

Please allow me to speak candidly. You have swept in and you have captured my heart, B. Somehow you flew under my radar and you touched me deeper than any other billionaire philanthropist has before. What your foundation has done, for Malaria, for drug access around the world, makes me weak in the knees. Now you’ve retired from your post at Microsoft to dedicate your time to your foundation and you write a piece for Time that I swear is just for me. Creative capitalism would never sound as good from anyone else’s lips, B. But somehow, you pull me in. I get it, you’ve greatly benefited from capitalism and therefore want to nurture it and see it bloom. Or you at least believe that the system isn’t going to change anytime soon and therefore we should make the current system better. But, you’ve figured out how to make capitalism appealing even in times of financial hardship. How do hold such power over me?

Please, B, be gentle with my fragile heart.

With much affection and unwavering support,
The Road Less Traveled

P.S. Can I have a job?

Sketchy pharmacy practices

I’ve about had enough with my local large chain pharmacy. Although I was introduced to pharmacies at my local town store growing up in Michigan (where I worked for 3 years as a teenager), I’ve preferred the big chain stores since I moved to NYC. Sure, there have been problems with this chain in the past, be it getting the Rx transferred to another store or consistently not having my Rx in stock (the same one I take monthly and come to you for every time), but the smaller pharmacies here scare me. This is especially so after counseling Medicare beneficiaries on Part D; some small pharmacies were running scams and totally screwing people over. At least with a chain store there seems to be mostly legal operations.

Recently though, I have been questioning my choice in pharmacies. This relates to the one prescription I do take on a regular basis, birth control. I’ve been on BC for about 10 years now. I started taking it because my periods were out of control; sometimes up to 3 months long and very painful. When I first got on the pill, I had to play around a bit to find the one that fit me well. The particular pill that was the winner was Estrostep FE. I’ve been using this pill steadily for about 7 years now.

About 5-6 months ago I went to pick up my prescription at the aforementioned chain store, and discovered that the pack they sold me was not my estrostep. It was the generic, which the pharmacy took the liberty of switching me to without my approval or even my knowledge. I spoke with my gynecologist at my next appointment. She seemed quite satisfied that I was taking the generic, as it was the same and less expensive (she was well aware that I did not have health insurance). I didn’t make anything of it because the generic didn’t really seem to make a difference (I was experiencing abdominal pain but we attributed that to my IC) and I was saving $10 each month (I cannot believe the generic still costs $55!).

Now, fast forward to last month. I went in to get my Rx refilled only to hear that they were out of my pills (again!). When I went back in, I picked up my Rx only to discover when I got home that it was, again, a different brand. I took them instead of going back, because a) I didn’t want to deal with it and b) I had already pushed back taking the pills a week (not to worry, no chances of getting pregnant currently). Whether it was due to the week I missed or this new brand, I had a horrible month of spotting and cramping. So, this month when I went in to refill the prescription, I specifically asked for the past rx. Here is a run-down of that conversation:

Insensitive Chain Store Pharmacist (ICSP): How can I help you?

Me: I would like to get my prescription refilled. They gave me brand x instead of brand y last time and I’m not sure why, but I would like brand y this time.

ICSP: So you want brand y?

Me: Yes, I did not like brand x. Is brand x also a generic for Estrostep?

ICSP: Yes it is. (types on computer). Okay, you do not have any refills on brand y…

Me: Why is that?

ICSP: (completing ignoring my question) …and we don’t carry it anymore.

Me: Can you order it?

ICSP: Yes, but not today I already put in the order today. You will have to call tomorrow and have them order it.

Me: So I can have them order brand y?

ICSP: Yes, but you don’t have anymore refills. You can have your doctor call in a new Rx.

Me: Wait, I’m confused here. The prescription was written in April, for 12 refills. It’s August.

ICSP: (looks into computer) You had it switched to this brand x, you have refills on that. Would you like me to fill that for you?

Me: No. I would like brand y. Why was the Rx switched?

ICSP: You didn’t request the switch?

Me: No, it was done without my knowledge.

ICSP: Well, you can call here tomorrow and explain the situation then.

Me: If they put in the order for brand y tomorrow, when will it get in?

ICSP: Friday

I left annoyed but contemplating my next step. Would I call the next day? I was leaving for Michigan right after work on Friday so would not be able to pick up the Rx before I left (and was to start the pills on Saturday – I did not want to miss another week). Also the price of brand x was pretty much the same as brand y. So, I didn’t call the next day. I didn’t want to deal with another pharmacist who talked in circles and didn’t want to do anything for me. I went back the next day, got brand x filled and am giving it another try. Who knows if the problems were caused by the new brand or by the pause in taking the pill?

Now I am not brand loyal in any respect (this is coming from someone who works for a pharmaceutical company). I have been under the impression that generics are really the same as name brands (with the exception of inactive ingredients). While this seems to be true, after researching this it seems that it’s not necessarily the case when it comes to oral contraceptives. Furthermore, it alarms me that pharmacists are just changing to/between generics without the knowledge of the consumer. I know that, in most states, the pharmacist is supposed to fill a Rx with the generic if the MD doesn’t write DAW. But if you’re used to taking one thing and get home with another, it’s confusing. This doesn’t seem to be illegal, but I think it’s definitely unethical. Sure, generics are cheaper and in most cases people (and insurance co’s) probably would prefer them, but it’s seems so underhanded to make a switch without the patient’s knowledge. Apparently, this has been a problem with young women on BC in Canada.

Mostly, I think I am just annoyed with the cold, unfriendly customer service of these large chain pharmacies. Okay, I give you that it is in NYC, which is busy and wouldn't know what customer service is if it hit the whole city over the head. But, what are people to do in these situations? The pharmacist gave me some answers eventually but seemed unwilling to actually do anything other than the simplest thing he could do. This is the problem with US Healthcare being a market-driven commodity. If you rely on customer service to deliver much needed care, you're going to inevitably lose quality of care. No doubt the pharmacies are thinking about profits over helping people in any real sort of way.

Quote

How can you have charisma? Be more concerned about making others feel good about themselves than you are making them feel good about you.
Dan Reiland

In the News

Lots of health care issues in the news this week. These things keep us health advocates in tune and on our toes.

The Controversial
A court in the Indian city of Bombay (now Mumbai) rejects a couple's plea to abort their 25-week fetus in a key test case. The couple decided they wanted to abort the fetus after receiving test results indicating a chance of the baby being born with a defect. Ethical? Maybe that's subjective, but who can say not being in the situation. The couple says they do not have the resources to care for the sick child.

Immigrants Facing Deportation by U.S. Hospitals (Yikes!) This is a serious problem! People are being sent back to their native country, oftentimes to areas where proper care is lacking.

The Bad
Medication Increasingly Replaces Psychotherapy It's cheaper to cover medication than consistent therapy.So, even at the detriment of lots of people, therapy falls by the wayside.

The Hopeful
Honduras Promises To Invest In Its Farmers Hunger is a huge problem all over the world. Things like conflict and climate change are damaging to local food supplies. Genetic engineering of food is a bit controversial. But in this instance, it's helping to feed people in desperate need of food. I'm interested to see how this plays out and what kind of impact it has on both Honduras and genetic engineering.

FDA Oversight of tobacco. Stricter labeling requirements, prohibiting marketing to kids/teens sign me up! The argument made by the tobacco companies (with the exception of Phillip Morris, who would actually benefit from the new oversight) is that the FDA has too much to deal with already and they will get lost in the fold. To me it makes perfect sense that the FDA oversees a toxic substance we commonly put in our bodies.

The Unusual
Fish-icures: Flesh-Eating Fish Perform Pedicures. I'm not quite sure what to think of this. Maybe I'll have to try it. It's probably expensive though. I get a little bit of a shiver when thinking about sticking my feet into a tank of fish that I know will touch me. Ehhhh.

Climate Change

Last week, scientists found that a large chunk of the artic ice shelf recently broke off near the Canadian coast.

The current warming being experienced in the Arctic means the conditions needed to rebuild the shelves simply does not exist...

...Further loss of Arctic ice will see radiation absorbed by darker seawater and snow free land, potentially warming the Earth's climate at an even faster rate than current observational data indicates.

Yikes! There still seems to be a delusion to the effects of global warming, by many nay-sayers. As if the large, unseasonal, and deterious effects of extreme weather events in recent years hasn't clued them in, we can take a look at daily news from around the world to see the obvious effects of global warming/climate change.

Some examples of detrimental effects of climate change worldwide:

* The effects of climate change can be easily seen across the continent of Africa.

* Lake Victoria suffering from pollution, over-fishing and climate change.

* Food and water shortages in Nairobi.

* Severe and constant flooding in Bangladesh. (Although the UN contends that it's not so bad because sediment deposits are creating more land. Yeah, that totally makes up for the illness, homelessness and poverty caused by the increased levels of water?)

* Desertification in Burkina Faso.

* Coral Reef destruction in Central America.

* Flooding in Ukraine and Romania.