The FDA announced a Black Box Warnings for Opiates and Benzodiazepines medications taken together. BLACK BOX WARNINGS are the highest warning the FDA issues on medication.

I was surprised by the number of each I take daily. Call your doctor for updated prescribing information. Subscribe to the Weekly Digest for up to the minute information.

FDA MedWatch – Opioid Pain or Cough Medicines Combined With Benzodiazepines: Drug Safety Communication – FDA Requiring Boxed Warning About Serious Risks and Death

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm518710.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdeliver

Urgent Please Read, Chelsea Manning needs your help

Please read the critical information on Chelsea Manning, the Whistleblower who uncovered some of the Governments worst abuses. Chelsea is a Transgender woman being forced to serve out her sentence in an all-male prisonI have two additional post on Chelsea Manning including the Charge Sheet The Military Police Investigators. The additional charges are related to Chelsea trying to commit suicide on July 5, 2016.

The organizations Fight For The Future and ACLU are urgently working to inform the public.      Outraged,  Melinda 

URGENT: The U.S. government systematically abused whistleblower Chelsea Manning until she tried to take her own life. Now they’re trying to charge her for it. Sign the petition to stop this inhumane punishment.

After years of extreme mistreatment, having been held in conditions that the UN considers to be torture, Chelsea Manning, the Guardian columnist and whistleblower who has been in prison for years serving a 35 year sentence for exposing some of the U.S. government’s worst abuses, attempted to take her own life July 5th, 2016.

Now, Army officials have informed her that she is facing serious new charges directly related to her suicide attempt.

This is an outrage. Click here to sign the petition telling the government not to charge Chelsea Manning with a crime for her own suicide attempt.

Chelsea called supporters on the phone to inform us of the new charges. They include:

1) Resisting the force cell move team (Chelsea was unconscious when this team arrived, which makes this charge particularly absurd.)

2) Prohibited property (For the items she used to attempt to take her own life.)

3) Conduct which threatens (For somehow putting the prison at risk while attempting to take her own life, quietly, in her own cell.)

If convicted of these bizarre “administrative offenses,” that are effectively charging her for attempting to end her life, she is facing indefinite solitary confinement for the rest of her prison term (another 30 years), “maximum security” classification (in the same facility), and nearly a decade before she can ever be classified as a “minimum security” prisoner.

The government has threatened Chelsea with torture like this before, but we mobilized and kept her out of solitary confinement. Now we need to do it again. Click here to sign the petition demanding that the government drop these now charges and provide her with adequate medical care.

It is unnecessarily cruel to threaten Chelsea with additional punishment while in this very vulnerable state. The government is trying to silence her important voice––for good. Chelsea has been systematically mistreated by the U.S. government since she was first taken into custody in 2010, including long stretches of extreme solitary confinement even before she had ever been convicted.

Chelsea is a transgender woman being forced to serve out her sentence in an all-male prison, which is in itself dehumanizing and exhausting emotionally. She is currently being denied medical treatment for her gender dysphoria, which experts have stated is the only course of treatment through which she would no longer be suicidal.

This is not the first time the government has harassed Chelsea with outrageous charges while in prison. Last year, they threatened her with indefinite solitary confinement for minor “infractions” including possession of LGBTQ reading materials and an expired tube of toothpaste. We gathered more than 100,000 petition signatures in response, and the outcry we generated kept her out of solitary. Now we need to do it again.

Please, click here to sign the petition, and then share and spread the word. Chelsea is depending on us. We need everyone to speak out right now.

Thanks so much, we’ll keep you posted on how Chelsea is doing.

Best,

-Evan at Fight for the Future

Fight for the Future works to protect your rights in the digital age.

Xx  M

Growing up with four bothers, I was a fearless tomboy. At 12 years old I was crowned with braces. After a few pops in the mouth my football career was over. Good childhood memories.

Chronic Lyme Diseases affects everyone different, my parasites settled  into my brain. The first sign was the lack of balance. Think about the walk taken after getting pulling over for intoxication. I could take 2-3 steps at most with eyes closed. I have continued to have balance and common sense my husband would say.

The clouds mingled as a storm moved in.Vibrant orange, pinks and every shade of blue. While he walked the dogs, I stood on the hot tub taking photos.

Hours after the rain, I noticed a large earthworm on the storm door. My mission was to save the earthworm. If I bend below the knees, I’m going down.

I diligently dug a hole in the dirt with one knee holding me up.David came running outside just in time for a glorious Circus tryout.. I fell down two bricks stairs, grabbing a landscape light on the way down it stabs me in the stomach. Then a loud crack as my head hit a stone brick. I was stunned and wanted to cry. No time for crying, he is yelling to see if conscious while trying to maneuver me from under patio table. It was time for me to sit and find my legs and damage done by light. He is pulling me up, legs behind me which makes it difficult to stand and do less damage. My head swirled and standing up was the last thing on mind. David rushed me in like a RN working ICU to examine my head. You can see what you think.

A draft of the Lyme Update is almost complete. I will share a TSA shack down story and tips for maneuvering thru security.

Fly’s and Mosquitos also carry Lyme. Be safe this summer.

Xx  M

Share your thoughts with Senator John Cornyn at http://cornyn.senate.gov/. Contact him whether you live in Texas or not. He is a Senior lawmaker and serves the lead on several committees.

THE LONESTAR WEEKLY

This week we mourn the victims of the horrific terrorist attack in Orlando and their families and friends, and express our appreciation for the first responders who bravely responded to this tragedy. As a country, we now must come to terms with the reality we face: the attack in Orlando was not a random act of violence, but a calculated act of terror. And, the risks of future attacks on American soil are rising, not falling.

It’s not enough to just stop terrorists from buying guns; we must give law enforcement the tools they need to thwart an attack before it happens and take those suspects off the streets. Too often, the FBI and other law enforcement officers have to operate with one hand tied behind their backs because they can’t access key pieces of information in a timely manner.

The President and his national security team think the threat posed by ISIS is something they can merely contain. But ISIS must be destroyed, and it’s long past time the Obama Administration presented a credible, aggressive strategy to do so and prevent future terror attacks on American soil.

Dose of Reality on Monday morning

TED Talk presents Sebastian Junger. Do you agree or send the topic packing. Be sure to leave your comments on the post. Xx  M

A Heart A Fire nominated me for The Blogger Recognition Award. She nominated me months ago. Lyme Disease truly slows you physical and Cognitive ability. I encourage everyone to spend time at http://www.aheartafire.wordpress.com.  You will enjoy her Blog and fantastic writing. Thank you for nominating Looking For The Light Blog for The Blogger Recognition Award

The criteria for this award:

Post an image of award

Thank the person, mention name of the blog and link them to your post

Briefly explain how your blog got started

Give a piece of advice to fellow blogger.

Nominate 15 bloggers for the award and notify them you to accept award as recognition and appreciation of your contribution to a brighter world; the gift of beauty, inspiration, and enlightenment.

A bit of advice to a fellow blogger:

Write what you’re passionate about, show people your personality.  If you are can’t be truthful to yourself, people will know and you’ll burn out fast. Good luck.

I’m not able to include 15 fantastic Bloggers. I feel like a cheater. Those who know me understand the effects of Lyme Diease and how it robs your ability little by little. I’m grateful and wish my body allowed more energy,

Grateful  Xx  Melinda

May 19, 2016

TED Talks
Karen Eng

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen Eng is a contributing writer to TED.com, dedicated to covering the feats of the wondrous TED Fellows. Her launchpad located in Cambridge, UK.

My memory attacks me every week. I could not remember how to have the story start here. It’s long, informative and looks like a good resource.  Xx  M

http://www.theredtapeofrape/

When I was 14 years old, I was kidnapped for a marriage to a much older man, as depicted in the film Difret. On the day I was abducted, I was raped by my would be “husband.” I knew I had to fight back and escape the first chance I got.
I was taken to a hut and locked up. When I received another visit from my abductors I saw my chance. When he was suddenly called away, he left his gun leaning against the wall and the door unlocked. My father had taught me how to fire a gun, so I took it and ran. When he and his friends chased me, I shot him. It was the most terrifying, horrible ordeal of my entire life — and I’m one of the lucky ones.

I was accused of murder and after 2 years in the courts, the judge ruled that it was, in fact, self-defense. My trial led to a re-examination of this tradition and the Ethiopian government is now working to end child marriage and female genital cutting by 2025. In addition, the African Union recently launched a campaign to end child marriage across the continent.
I am now dedicating my life to working on this issue and to give voice to the screams of unheard rural women and girls. I don’t want to see the same story happen to any more girls. And yet, it still is.

You can help. Please join me in Ending Child Marriage around the world by signing this petition, asking President Obama to sign the executive order that would help prevent an estimated 39,000 child marriages every day.

To see her inner strength, strength to move the process forward. A few World Leaders have signed bills to End Child Marriage. The  World Leaders are moving slow. All victories, women are being heard, conversations are taking place.

Please read her story. It’s painful, unimaginable and most courageous yet my soul feels progress for reading her story. 

The movie Difret@Difretfilm highlights real courage. The movie received an award Sundance and others at it traveled to new audiences.

https://www.change.org/p/barack-obama-john-kerry-michelle-obama-sign-the-executive-order-bring-an-end-to-child-marriage?recruiter=84245119&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink?recruiter=84245119&utm_source=petition_show&utm_medium=copylink

This petition is supported by Global Fund for Women, Ms Magazine, Equality Now and Truth Aid. The petition is supported by highly respected Advocates. Please sign and join advocates around the world.

The post is my opinion based on my own experience and talking to people with Lyme Disease. 

The symptoms of Lyme Disease are the same as many chronic illnesses. The parasites move quickly, if not caught early, the more difficult to treat. Lyme is a serious illness, it moves to major organs which bring on worst symptoms. I have Chronic Lyme and two co-infections. The parasites have moved to my brain, causing cognition, balance, eyesight and pain is severe. Most days I’m in bed due to pain and trying to reducing inflammation.

I’ve included an interview with  Lorraine Johnson, CEO of lymedisease.org. She discusses Lyme, CDC and how Lyme Diseases is a serious illness. The time to take precautions is now.

Xx  M

My Rock-n-Roll soul was empty, the music of choice this week filled my soul.  I enjoyed looking at old and new tunes. I start smiling once I pick the first video. Kick back, grab headphones and lets jam!  Xx  M

In a piece of irony, the CDC originated from a 1940s agency called the “Office of Malaria Control in War Areas”, and during the summit’s opening session, organizers showed a 70-year-old short movie about its work targeting Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that now spreads Zika. “We were the first ones because we were really proactive in getting the virus and really pursuing and working hard to get the structure”, said Richard Kuhn, head and professor of biological sciences as well as the director of the Purdue Institute for Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease.

Zika is a mosquito-borne illness now plaguing South America, with pregnant women and their babies being the most vulnerable to the virus. But officials warned the 300 people attending the summit – along with an estimated 2,000 more who took part online – to prepare for possible local clusters of Zika disease, once the warmer weather arrives and the mosquito season starts. DCHHS advises individuals with symptoms to see a healthcare provider if they visited an area where Zika virus is present or had sexual contact with a person who traveled to an area where Zika virus is present.

Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.

If you would like to read the entire article follow the link.

Tri-County Sun Times http://thevillagessuntimes.com/2016/04/02/pregnant-woman-among-new-florida-zika-cases/

I love Ted Talks, any subject, any time, presentations less than 20 minutes long. If you have an interest in the Autism Spectrum one or many presentations may answer your questions. You can search their mass library at http://www.ted.com. Sign up it’s free.

http://www.ted.com/playlists/153/the_autism_spectrum?utm_source=newsletter_weekly_2016-04-02&utm_campaign=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_content=playlist_button

Xx  M

Have a Blessed weekend Celebrating with family and friends.

ON THE THIRD DAY, JESUS AROSE FROM THE GRAVE

Church of the Spilled Blood St. Petersburg, Russia

Change.org  

Melinda

There’s a new petition taking off on Change.org, and we think you might be interested in signing it.

Many domestic violence victims report staying in abusive and dangerous relationships out of fear of leaving their beloved pets behind. Their abusers often threaten to harm, maim, or even kill their pets if they attempt to leave. Studies have shown this is the case for one out of every four women trying to escape domestic violence.

Right now, there are very few domestic violence shelters that can accommodate pets, making the choice to leave even harder. But there is hope: the Pets and Women’s Safety Act, or PAWS Act, would supply funding to help shelters take in people and pets fleeing violence. This would alleviate abuse victims’ fears about their pets’ safety, and get them out of dangerous situations faster.

These funds are urgently needed by shelters across the country, and Congress should pass this legislation quickly. It would help save lives. By signing the petition, you will let Congress know that the time to pass the Paws is now.

To sign the petition or read more information on The Paws Act.

https://www.change.org/p/pass-the-paws-act?recruiter=84245119&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

Sharing Data in a Public Health Emergency

The case for sharing data, and the consequences of not doing so, have been brought into stark relief by the Ebola and Zika outbreaks. In response, the New England Journal of Medicine has become a journal signatory to the following statement.

“In the context of a public health emergency of international concern, it is imperative that all parties make available any information that might have value in combatting the crisis. As research funders and journals, we are committed to working in partnership to ensure that the global response to public health emergencies is informed by the best available research evidence and data.

Journal signatories will make all content concerning the Zika virus free access. Any data or preprint deposited for unrestricted dissemination ahead of submission of any paper will not preempt later publication in these journals.

Funder signatories will require researchers undertaking work relevant to public health emergencies to establish mechanisms to share quality-assured interim and final data as rapidly and widely as possible, including with public health and research communities and the World Health Organization.

We urge other journals and research funders to make the same commitments.”

The New England Journal of Medicine has substantial files available at the link below. 

http://www.nejm.org/page/zika-virus?emp=marcom&query=NEW

I have additional information to verify, once completed a new post will share new information. I urge you to visit The New England Journal of Medicine for extensive data on the Zika Virus.

Xx  M

03/14/2016

The FDA MedWatch-February 2016 Safety Labeling Changes includes 21 products with safety labeling changes to the following sections: CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS, or PATIENT PACKAGE INSERT/MEDICATION GUIDE.

The “Summary Page” table provides a listing of product names and safety labeling sections revised:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/ucm489329.htm

The following drugs had modifications to the CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, and PRECAUTIONS sections:

Atacand (candesartan cilexetil) Tablets
Atacand HCT (candesartan cilexetil/hydrochlorothiazide)
Atripla (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) Tablets
Avalide (irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide) Tablets
Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) Lyophilized Powder and Solution for Subcutaneous Use
Complera (emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) Tablets
Depacon (valproate sodium) Injection
Depakene (valproic acid) Capsules
Depakene (valproic acid) Oral Solution
Depakote (divalproex sodium) Delayed Release Tablets
Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) Extended Release Tablets
Depakote Sprinkle Capsules
Fluorescite (fluorescein injection)
Fosrenol (lanthanum carbonate) Chewable Tablets and Oral Powder
Gilenya (fingolimod) Capsules
Invirase (saquinavir mesylate) Capsules and Tablets
Stribild (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) Tablets
Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate)
Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) Tablets
Vistaril (hydroxyzine pamoate) Capsules and Oral Suspension

Complete and submit the report Online: http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.
Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form. Then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

I was born with healthy lungs and strong personality 

My parents chose Melinda Melody 1963. Melody was my fathers idea. To this day, my mother calls me Melody. I thought it was emotional abuse. In truth, She hated my father and used the name he chose.

Emotionally  broken down to unconditional love of my grandparents. God Blessed me with my grandparents, I can’t repay you with words. What I can do is support others. I became a Minister and started a charity. God give me the strength to mentor children.

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Living in a household with child abuse and domestic violence, the days without violence can disappear. The memories, faded memories can trigger deep pain if the door is open. My trigger thru me in the abysses from listening to a song listened to hundreds of times.

I felt like a bomb landed in my lap, the arrival created complete chaos.  The memories were part of the chaos in my life. Shortly after the divorce from my father, my mother married shortly and my father married later. My brother and I called him the Nazi. He was an alcoholic, possessive and we marched to his beat. The verbal abuse started and shortly escalated to domestic abuse. We walked on eggshells constantly.

A couple years into marriage my mother finds out he was married before with two children. We starting going to Houston regularly without knowing why. He was fighting the mother for custody of the kids. Sure!  My brother and I were told our step brother’s were moving in. It was a shock trying to figure out what would change? Would we like them?

Mony Mony by Billy Idol brings back memories of my step-brother Paul. Paul and his brother came to live with us because of neglect. Their mother was a drug addict and would leave them at home for weeks at a time. Paul the youngest, regressed to a baby, learning to talk again was difficult. My mother has called me Melody, my middle name all my life. He called me Mody. Paul died in a tragic accident to young. His older brother Keith was abandoned at age 14 yrs old.

My step brothers lived in fear, years later we find out step father had several wife and more kids.

Xx  M

International Womens Day celebrate Empowered women, mentors, great leaders. I chose women who are empowered in the tough music business. Great songs I like to dance to. When Lyme lets me go, no problems losing weight, dance off.

Enjoy this weeks tunes, be sure to leave your feedback in comments section. Thanks for dropping by! Let’s get our groove on.  Xx  M

NO MORE Excuses: The Male Survivors Series

We recognize that male survivors are met with persistent and harmful responses: That sexual abuse can’t happen to guys. That they just need to get over it. That guys wouldn’t “let” that happen to them.

In 2016, Joyful Heart partnered with Viacom and 1in6, a leading organization that provides support and information to adult male survivors of childhood sexual abuse, released a new series of video and print ads—adding to a suite of print ads released in 2014—specifically addressing the myths and excuses that male survivors hear. They invite men who have experienced unwanted or abusive sexual abuse in childhood, and those who care for them, to visit 1in6.org for help.

In case you missed it, I wanted to share our new series in Joyful Heart’s groundbreaking, celebrity-driven NO MORE PSA campaign developed in partnership with 1in6, a leading organization providing support and information to male survivors of childhood sexual abuse, produced by Viacom and created by Rachel Howald and Young & Rubicam. The PSAs are already airing across Viacom’s networks, and tomorrow, you’ll be able to see them during the eighth #NOMOREexcuses marathon of Law & Order: SVU on USA Network, starting at 1pm/12c.

WATCH THE NEW VIDEO

http://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/programs/education/no-more/psa-campaign/no-more-excuses-male-survivors-series#sthash.cIxU9PCn.dpuf

Today, I wrote on our blog about why we’ve been partnering with USA for these marathons since 2014. We already know that television and media have the power to shape and change attitudes. And SVU is one of the few far-reaching platforms that has, for so long, brought sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse into the light. Recent studies have confirmed that watching it promotes healthy ideas around sexual assault: less victim-blaming, an increased understanding that anyone can be a survivor, that there is no “perfect victim.” And the show’s platform to reach survivors is something we have long known. It’s why Joyful Heart is here today—because when our Founder & President, Mariska Hargitay, first started playing Olivia Benson, she heard from thousands and thousands of survivors, sharing their stories, many for the first time.

Through this partnership with USA, we’ve leveraged SVU ‘s 17 seasons of episodes to drive a conversation forward online and on social media—reducing isolation and stigma and connecting individuals to support, information and community. The video messages that air throughout each marathon share information with viewers on topics like consent, expressing healthy masculinity, assault and abuse in the military, campus sexual assault—connecting them with organizations like Joyful Heart, that have deep and clinically-sound content, that are service providers or first responders.

We are very proud to host tomorrow’s marathon in honor of NO MORE Week, following on the heels of the release of our new Male Survivors PSA series. So please join us tomorrow. Watch out for the videos during the day. Join us on Twitter to follow the conversation at #NOMOREexcuses. Share the new series in the PSA campaign on social media to help deliver a message to the 21 million men who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse—to all survivors of violence and abuse—you are not alone.

With gratitude,

Maile Zambuto
Chief Executive Officer
Joyful Heart Foundation

Throw Back Thursday started over two years ago. Thank you for following me and leaving comments. I enjoy the comments, it’s also an education as I look for tunes each week. The 24 hour request line is open. I’m dedicating  “Don’t Let Me Down” to Tangled Up In Music (by Ovidio Boar). We met today and his blog is awesome, most everything you want to know about music. Check him out.

Time to get down and loud!  Xx  M

The honest lyrics describe me, no others words needed. God had his hand on me. Tomorrow I’ll believe. Having a bad ME day.

Sending love to you this weekend.  Xx  M