Drug Recall: Excedrin, NoDoz, Bufferin, Gas-X

Due to concerns about broken or incorrect tablets winding up in pill bottles, Novartis is voluntarily recalling some bottles of Excedrin, NoDoz, Gas-X Prevention, and Bufferin.

According to the Novartis website:

Novartis Consumer Health (NCH) is voluntarily recalling all lots of select bottle sizes of Excedrin® and NoDoz® products with expiry dates of December 20, 2014 or earlier as well as Bufferin® and Gas-X® Prevention® products with expiry dates of December 20, 2013 or earlier, in the United States.

More information about the recall (including the full list of recalled products) and how you can obtain a refund for any of these products that you may have already purchased, you can visit the Novartis OTC Consumer Product Update Website.

A Year in Review (2011)

Well, 2011 is officially over, and I've already been having a rough start to the new year. But, I'd like to take a look back at what last year held. My memory stinks, so I'm relying a lot on previous blog posts... but this will also help me, when I'm trying to do my scrapbook (yay).

I know that last year was filled with plenty of pain, guilt, and frustration... but, I'm trying to remember it in a more positive light. Last year was a year of... CHANGE, and change isn't always bad. I know that change is always occurring, but last year just seemed to be filled with a lot of big changes for us.

• Recovered from neurostimulator implant surgery.
• Dad's 1955 Chevy in Dallas car show (a dream we've shared since I was little).
• Attended 4-week church class (Reinventing Your Life).
• Surprise birthday party for my Mom.
• Participated in WEGO Health's Health Activist Writer's Month Challenge (HAWMC) in April - 30 posts in 30 days.
• Brother-in-law ordained.
• Jeremy started new job (in Texas).
• Moved back to Texas.
• A dear friend's son died within minutes of birth.
• Participated in Invisible Illness Week in September.
• Attended National Headache Foundation (NHF) Conference.
• Participated in WEGO Health's National Health Blog Posting Month (NHBPM) in November - 30 posts in 30 days.
• Helped plan sister's wedding (will continue to do until wedding in June 2012).
• Able to participate in Christmas get-togethers with family and friends (even if cut short or a bit blurry from my migraine meds, I enjoyed myself).

I did more awareness actions this year, which I plan to continue. I've made it a point to participate in health activist writing challenges, spread the word about initiatives of some different groups (including AHDA, NHF, MRF), attend a NHF conference, and to participate in national awareness initiatives (including National Pain Awareness Month, Invisible Illness Week, Migraine Awareness Week).

So, farewell to 2011!

Holiday Wrap-Up

I really love this book-tree!

Our Christmas "marathon" is officially over. And, it's now time to start the holiday recovery.

Last week, we were able to have some friends over for dinner one evening. It was nice to be able to sit and catch up with them, over a delicious (and easy to prepare) meal.

We divided Christmas Eve day into more bite-size pieces... see, I'm trying to work on pacing. The morning was spent with Jeremy and my sister preparing a dish for the family lunch. Then, we spent a few hours with my extended family. We left early because the gift opening part of the get together was just too much for me... there are a lot of kids, which translated into a lot of noise and chaos. We spent a few hours taking it easy at home, and then we went to church with both sets of parents. It had been a full day, so we went home and crashed.

Christmas Day brought a different story... I woke up feeling miserable. I took my migraine/pain medicine before we even left the apartment. We spent the first part of the day with my immediate family (including siblings and my brother's twin girls), and the latter part of the day was spent with Jeremy's parents. Despite feeling drugged, I enjoyed myself. We each received some great gifts. But, we really enjoyed watching everyone open the gifts we got them, and simply spending time with our families.

The day after Christmas was another day of celebration. We went and spent time with my grandparents (on my mom's side). We had a good time - visiting, eating, and exchanging gifts. Jeremy and I left early, so that we could spend some time with his entire family (including his brother, sister-in-law, and nephew). It's so much fun watching kids open gifts and play with new toys. I was starting to have more trouble with my head, and the extra noise (from an excited almost 4 year old) and harsh lights made things worse. Again, we ended up going home and crashing, after a long day.

The following day, one of my best friends came over for a visit. We had a great time catching up, and re-living past adventures that we've had. It was so great to see her... to visit and laugh with her.

Overall, it was a SUCCESSFUL holiday week. Jeremy was (as usual) my biggest cheerleader, which really helped me to feel better about how I was doing with all of the added activity. I think we both enjoyed ourselves, but we're glad it's behind us for a little while.

I have some holiday photos that I want to get uploaded, but I haven't gotten to it yet. I'll see what I can do about getting them together and posting some here...

Journey to Christmas: Knowing Our Christ

This is Part V of "Journey to Christmas"

"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them." (Isaiah 11:1-6)

"And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them." (Luke 2:1-20)

Nothing was ready on the first Christmas - Mary and Joseph were a young, unprepared couple; the Christ-child was born in a dirty barn; the lowly shepards were there to witness the birth. Nothing was prepared or ready... and, we don't have to be completely "ready" before doing what God is calling us to do. He wants to dwell in the midst of the muck of our lives. So, even though we might feel like we must have everything in order and "just right" before we do God's calling, we don't. He'll take us from wherever we are, however we are.

On that first Christmas, nothing was ready and that night didn't change a single thing in the reality of the world that night... except for the people. The people were changed that night. And, we're meant to allow Christ to change us.

Lord, there is so much darkness in this world - pain, grief, broken relationships, and so forth. Please let the light of Christ shine on the darkness in me and the world.

Migraine Research Foundation: Matching Donations

http://migraineresearchfoundation.org/

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, all new donations made (to the Migraine Research Foundation, MRF) this last week of the year, December 26-31st,will be matched dollar-for-dollar! That means your gift of any amount will double its value to MRF!

Your donation strengthens our mission to invest in critical new research -- the only way to prevent migraine, develop effective treatments, and cure it! With your help, we can continue our fight to end the debilitating pain of migraine and help the 1 in 4 American families affected by this disease.

Since all of our costs are underwritten, 100% of your donation goes to fund research and support sufferers!

Please consider making a donation... every dollar helps. 

Journey to Christmas: The Sounding Joy

This is Part IV of "Journey to Christmas"

The Sounding Joy (12/18/11)

Okay, so this day's sermon wasn't online... I think it was mostly (or all?) a music-filled service. So, I'd like to share a song that I love for the holidays. This song is simply AMAZING! I'll just let it speak for itself... I hope that everyone has a safe and merry Christmas!

http://youtu.be/OExXItDyWEY

Where's the Line to See Jesus by Becky Kelley

Christmas time was approaching; the snow was starting to fall,
Shoppers choosing their presents, people filling the mall,
Children waiting for Santa with excitement and glee,
A little boy tugged my sweater, looked up and asked me,

Where's the line to see Jesus?
Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday,
Why don't we see Him more?

As I stood in amazement at this message profound,
I looked down to thank him, he was nowhere around.
The little boy at the mall might as well have had wings
As the tears filled my eyes, I thought I heard him say,

Chorus:
Where's the line to see Jesus?
Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday,
Why don't we see Him more?
Where's the line to see Jesus?
He was born for me.
Santa Claus brought me presents,
But Christ gave His life for me.

In the blink of an eye, at the sound of His trump,
We'll all stand in line at His throne.
Every knee shall bow down, every tongue will confess,
That Jesus Christ is Lord.

[Chorus]

Stay tuned for Part V (Knowing Our Christ) of "Journey to Christmas"