Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

The Stigma of Addiction — Guest Blogger diary of a depressed graduate student

It was a hot summer in a small town on the Cape when, as I was holding my mother’s hand, I saw a homeless woman straight ahead who looked ill and was asking for money. To this day, I cannot remember much of my childhood, yet I still can picture that woman’s face.  I asked […]

The Stigma of Addiction — diary of a depressed graduate student
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Fun Facts

 

Thanks for stopping by today. I love hearing your comments each week after learning some interesting things.

There are parts of Africa in all four hemispheres

The cornea is one of only two parts of the human body without blood vessels

The world’s first animated feature film was made in Argentina

German chocolate cake was invented in Texas

Marla Gibbs continued to work as a flight attendant for two years after being cast on a hit TV show

 

Enjoy!

Melinda

Reference:

Readers Digest

 

Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health

Diffuser Blends Make Great Gifts

With Valentine’s around the corner, I wanted to share a gift idea. These recipes are easy to make and everyone will enjoy getting one.

Stampington

New Buds

1 drop spearmint

2 drops lemongrass

3 drops and lavender

April Showers

3 drops lemon grass

4 drops eucalyptus

5 drops lemon

Fresh Laundry

1 drop clary sage

2 drops mint

3 drops pine

Spring Cleaning

2 drops peppermint

3 drops wild orange

3 drops lemon

Ocean Breeze

1 drop spearmint

1 drop ylang ylang

2 drops wild orange

3 drops of tangerine

Goodbye Allergies

2 drops frankincense

2 drops lemon

3 peppermint

3 drops lavender

Herb Garden

3 drops rosemary

3 drops lavender

3 drops mint

Spring Bouquet

2 drops geranium

2 drops lavender

2 drops clary sage

2 drops chamomile

There weren’t any instructions for how to dispense. My suggestion is a guess, if you’re a regular crafter you may have a better idea. Let me know.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun

#Weekend Music Share-Maroon 5 – Moves Like Jagger ft. Christina Aguilera (Official Music Video)

I’m so glad you dropped by today, thank you. I hope you have a great weekend.

https://youtu.be/iEPTlhBmwRg

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing

Cervical Health Awareness Month

I believe Cervical Health Awareness Month is very important because I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer at 28 years old. They first tried a semi-non-invasive procedure to remove cancer but it failed. I was waiting for my surgery when the doctor came in and said I have a high risk for Ovarian Cancer since my mother and grandmother both had Ovarian Cancer and hysterectomies at a young age.

The doctor recommended I do a full hysterectomy to be safe. I had minutes to decide if I wanted to take the risk or not be able to have kids. A full hysterectomy is what I went with, no more cancer for me.

The diagnosis came as a huge surprise and I had no symptoms. This is what makes education so important. You have to start when your kids are in their teens. You’ve seen the commercials on TV but may not pay attention.

 

You can lower your risk for cervical cancer by getting screened regularly, starting at age 21.

Screening Tests

The HPV test and the Pap test are screening tests that can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early.

  • The human papillomavirus (HPV) test looks for the virus that can cause cell changes on the cervix.
  • The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers,which are cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.

Screening Options

You should start getting Pap tests at age 21. If your Pap test result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.

If you’re 30 to 65 years old, you have three options. Talk to your doctor about which testing option is right for you.

  • An HPV test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
  • An HPV test along with the Pap test. If both of your results are normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
  • A Pap test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.

If you’re older than 65, your doctor may tell you that you don’t need to be screened anymore if you have had normal screening test results for several years and you have not had a cervical precancer in the past, or you have had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions, like fibroids.

HPV Vaccine

The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical cancers. HPV can also cause other kinds of cancer in both men and women.

  • HPV vaccination is recommended for preteens aged 11 to 12 years, but can be given starting at age 9.
  • HPV vaccine also is recommended for everyone through age 26 years, if they are not vaccinated already.
  • HPV vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years. However, some adults age 27 through 45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their doctor about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination. HPV vaccination in this age range provides less benefit, as more people have already been exposed to HPV.

HPV vaccination prevents new HPV infections but does not treat existing infections or diseases. This is why the HPV vaccine works best when given before any exposure to HPV. You should get screened for cervical cancer regularly, even if you received an HPV vaccine.

Get checked, your life may depend on it. Mine did.
Melinda
Refernces:
Celebrate Life · DIY · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

5 Creative Projects To Help Focus Your Mind

A creative project is a great way to focus your mind and spend some downtime. Art, gardening, craft, and DIY are all very therapeutic. You’ll feel more relaxed and gain some perspective. Creativity is the perfect way to channel stress and anxiety. Put your overactive mind to good use and make something you’ll cherish forever. There are plenty of different kinds of ideas depending on your interests. Here are five creative projects to help focus your mind.

Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

Paint by numbers

Paint by Numbers is an example of a trendy craft gone viral during lockdown. It is incredibly therapeutic and relaxing, and not just for kids anymore. Even though you’re following instructions, it still requires a lot of patience and hard work. Paint by numbers is a good compromise if you like art but aren’t necessarily an experienced painter. You’ll be able to enjoy the results without being a natural artist. You can display your painting proudly for all your family and friends.

Winter Flowers

There are several reasons why gardening is so therapeutic. It’s a great way to get back in touch with nature and gain some perspective. Sun and fresh air also go a long way. Even when the seasons start to change, this doesn’t mean you have to be a fair-weather garden. There are plenty of winter flowers you can plant such as pansies and jasmine that grow all year round. If you want to keep it inside you could even build your own mini zen garden, or decorate the house with plants.

Customize your car

If you’re the type that likes to get your hands dirty then why not sink yourself into a project in the garage? Customize your car to your liking this fall. Automotive Stuff is an example of a site where you can find your own parts. You can even trade car parts online with other car owners. If you prefer, start small with the interior, or even work under the hood. If you’re passionate about cars you could invest in a used vehicle to revamp.

Make your own bath products

You’d be surprised how many simple products you can make at home. All you need is some essential oils and a couple of household ingredients, and you can make a variety of bath products. This is a more eco-friendly option as well, not to mention thrifty. If you want to use your creativity to make something you’re going to use, then bath products are ideal. You can even give them as gifts to your family and friends.

Upcycle your furniture

Whether you decide to flip the furniture or keep it, it’s easy to see why upcycling has become such a popular pastime. You could invest in some second-hand furniture at your local thrift store and turn it into a creative project. For example, you could find an old photo frame, print your Domonique Rodgers NC State print, and hang it on the wall. Creating Upcycling is a fun way to revamp furniture or repurpose other items. Perhaps you can find a new use for some old things around the house. It’s very therapeutic and satisfying. 

This a collaborative post. 

Melinda

Repost

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

The DEA Is Coming After Your Medication Next

I had an Orville moment while talking to my pharmacist last week. One of the medications I take is on long-term backorder, WTF? No surprise, the DEA is now going after Mental Illness patients. They failed at curbing deaths from street drugs, let’s see how they can mismanage this focus project.

My pharmacist said the DEA went to manufacturers last year and ask them to cut or curb the production of my much-needed and addictive medication. Pharmacies don’t have a product their clients need and have a legal prescription for, but the DEA which has no medical background is coming in and cherry-picking drugs, then overriding the doctors and leaving patients without medication.

I’m scrambling now for an alternative. I’ve taken this drug for at least 20 years and need it to get out of bed. The DEA has hit the stimulant group first, it’s bad enough I can’t get the drug but think about parents who can’t get the medication for their kids. There’s a huge group who take stimulant drugs for ADD/ADHD. 

I don’t know if the Truepill case is where it started from, no clue. Because of their unlawful practices, many will be left high and dry. I wholeheartedly believe unethical doctors like this will need to get the harsher sentence possible for the harm they’ve done. 

Photo by Cameron Gawn on Pexels.com

 

DEA Serves Order to Show Cause on Truepill Pharmacy for its Involvement in the Unlawful Dispensing of Prescription Stimulants 

WASHINGTON — Today, DEA served an Order to Show Cause on Truepill, a retail pharmacy that is alleged to have wrongfully filled thousands of prescriptions for stimulants used in the treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Truepill was the pharmacy for telehealth companies, including Cerebral, that marketed ADHD treatments, including Adderall ® and its generic forms, directly to consumers using Internet advertisements and social media. Cerebral arranged for patients to receive prescriptions for ADHD treatments through a telehealth visit, and for Truepill to fill those prescriptions.

 “DEA will relentlessly pursue companies and pharmacies that seek to profit from unlawfully dispensing powerful and addictive controlled substances at the expense of the safety and health of the American people,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The men and women of the DEA remain committed to ensuring that every American can access essential medicines when they are lawfully prescribed and dispensed.”

According to the Order to Show Cause, between September 2020 and September 2022, Truepill filled more than 72,000 controlled substance prescriptions, 60 percent of which were for stimulants, including generic forms of Adderall®. In numerous instances, Truepill dispensed controlled substances pursuant to prescriptions that were not issued for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice. An investigation into Truepill’s operations revealed that the pharmacy filled prescriptions that were: unlawful by exceeding the 90-day supply limits; and/or written by prescribers who did not possess the proper state licensing.

An Order to Show Cause is an administrative action to determine whether a DEA Certificate of Registration should be revoked. Until a determination is made, this action does not affect a registrant’s ability to handle or distribute a controlled substance.

If you take a medication that is addictive or has to stay in safe at the pharmacy, your drug may be next. I see them going after stimulant drugs, sleep drugs, and Xanax. I’m pulling this out of thin air, I don’t have any data from the DEA other than this article. This is my best guess. I hope I’m wrong because I take all of those types of drugs too. 

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Deep Thoughts

In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!

Continue reading “Deep Thoughts”
Celebrate Life · Fun · Travel

Wordless Wednesday *Church of the Spilled Blood St. Petersburg, Russia

I’m so happy you dropped by today, I appreciate you and love your comments each week.

Church of the Spilled Blood St. Petersburg, Russia

Melinda