I am on what is known as a "maintenance drug," something I have to take every day to stay healthy. This past summer, my insurance company contacted my doctor and told them that I needed to be switched to the generic version. I had been taking the brand name with no problems and more than satisfactory control of my health for more three years, but the generic would save me more than $50 each month, so I agreed.
Two months after starting the generic, my health started to spiral out of control. By four months, I was in such bad shape, I nearly ended up in the hospital. Fortunately, I called my insurance company and they allowed me to switch back to the brand name with no argument. I do have to pay the extra $50+ a month, though.
This experience made me think back to an article I read in Self magazine about the dangers of generic drugs. I encourage you to read it here. I was shocked to learn how unregulated generic drug manufacturers are. The article is nothing short of alarming. As I look back through it while writing this post, I've just realized that company mentioned as undergoing a criminal investigation is the company that made the generic drug I was taking!
So before you say OK to the next generic drug you are prescribed, ask questions and then make sure it's working. If it's not, speak up right away! Your health is precious.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Christmas Traditions
I grew up in a household rich in holiday traditions. Christmas was extra-special in my family.
The season would begin after Thanksgiving when my mom and I would start pestering my dad to put up the tree. He'd put us off until one day when we'd come home from shopping, the tree would be up. We'd put on Christmas carols and make hot chocolate and decorate. No themes for us; our tree was always a hodgepodge of ornaments collected over the years, topped by an angel with a gold tinsel halo.
Every picture in the house came down, to be replaced by a Christmas picture or wall-hanging. I would meticulously set up the nativity scene, rearranging the figures until I got them just right.
The styrofoam Santa head was hung on the front door to be surrounded by the Christmas cards we received.
Speaking of Christmas cards, that was a tradition in itself. We'd gather around the dining room table. Before I could write well, my dad would read a name out of the address book and I'd pick out the card. My mom would sign our names and my dad would address the envelope. I'd stamp it with return address and put the stamp on it. When I got older, we switched jobs. My mom would pick out the card, and I would sign our names, always asking if I should use "love or sincerely."
My dad was the official gift wrapper. I would pick out the paper for each gift and cut the pieces of tape. He did the rest.
I always looked forward to the boxes of presents that came from my aunt and uncle in Michigan, and from my great aunt and uncle in California. I was allowed to open one present from each box on the day that they arrived; the rest had to wait for Christmas morning.
On Christmas Eve, we'd get dressed in our best and go to my Aunt Betty and Uncle John's or to my Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner. We'd start with "oplatki," a thin Communion-like wafer stamped with a Christmas scene and eaten with honey. Then we'd have pierogi for sure, and lots of other yummy foods. After that, it was off to church for my favorite service of the year, the Candelight Service. Everyone in the congregation received a candle and near the end of the service, all the candles were lit, the lights were turned down and we sang "Silent Night" together. This is still my favorite service of the year.
Then it was time to go home and wait for Santa! I never could sleep very late on Christmas morning, so I'd be up at 4 or 5 am, never knowing until I was older that my parents had only been in bed for a few hours after staying up to put my presents together!
After that, we'd get dressed and head off to another family meal.
Christmas had changed a lot since I was a child. With the passage of time, fewer and fewer family members were left to sit at the table. Due to illnesses, we can no longer gather with extended family for the holidays. My parents and I have Christmas Eve dinner and go to church together, then on Christmas day we go to my grandparents' house. Christmas is much quieter now, but the real reason we celebrate is as strong as ever - the birth of our Savior!
New traditions have emerged too. My best friend Chris and I brave the crowds to shop on Black Friday every year, dressed in Christmas t-shirts. The next day, we make cashew and peanut brittle. Chris, her husband, her sister-in-law and our two nephews all celebrate Christmas on New Year's Eve together. We wear Christmas pajamas and open our gifts, then toast the New Year.
I miss the old traditions, but I've learned to love the new ones just as much. In the end, Christmas isn't about gifts or decorations or cookies or Santa or any of that. It's about faith, family and friends. As long as you have those in your heart, Christmas is Christmas no matter where or when or with who you celebrate.
What are your favorite Christmas traditions?
The season would begin after Thanksgiving when my mom and I would start pestering my dad to put up the tree. He'd put us off until one day when we'd come home from shopping, the tree would be up. We'd put on Christmas carols and make hot chocolate and decorate. No themes for us; our tree was always a hodgepodge of ornaments collected over the years, topped by an angel with a gold tinsel halo.
Every picture in the house came down, to be replaced by a Christmas picture or wall-hanging. I would meticulously set up the nativity scene, rearranging the figures until I got them just right.
The styrofoam Santa head was hung on the front door to be surrounded by the Christmas cards we received.
Speaking of Christmas cards, that was a tradition in itself. We'd gather around the dining room table. Before I could write well, my dad would read a name out of the address book and I'd pick out the card. My mom would sign our names and my dad would address the envelope. I'd stamp it with return address and put the stamp on it. When I got older, we switched jobs. My mom would pick out the card, and I would sign our names, always asking if I should use "love or sincerely."
My dad was the official gift wrapper. I would pick out the paper for each gift and cut the pieces of tape. He did the rest.
I always looked forward to the boxes of presents that came from my aunt and uncle in Michigan, and from my great aunt and uncle in California. I was allowed to open one present from each box on the day that they arrived; the rest had to wait for Christmas morning.
On Christmas Eve, we'd get dressed in our best and go to my Aunt Betty and Uncle John's or to my Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner. We'd start with "oplatki," a thin Communion-like wafer stamped with a Christmas scene and eaten with honey. Then we'd have pierogi for sure, and lots of other yummy foods. After that, it was off to church for my favorite service of the year, the Candelight Service. Everyone in the congregation received a candle and near the end of the service, all the candles were lit, the lights were turned down and we sang "Silent Night" together. This is still my favorite service of the year.
Then it was time to go home and wait for Santa! I never could sleep very late on Christmas morning, so I'd be up at 4 or 5 am, never knowing until I was older that my parents had only been in bed for a few hours after staying up to put my presents together!
I'd check the living room to make sure there were presents under the tree, then I'd go to wake up my dad. He'd get up and make me have a glass of juice before I could wake up my mom. And then it was on! We gathered in the living room and my dad would read the Christmas gospel from Luke. Then, PRESENTS! I loved watching my parents open theirs as much as I loved opening my own. One of my favorite gifts to receive was the ornament my grandparents gave me each year.
The ornament I received the year I was born
The ornament I received the year I was bornAfter that, we'd get dressed and head off to another family meal.
Christmas had changed a lot since I was a child. With the passage of time, fewer and fewer family members were left to sit at the table. Due to illnesses, we can no longer gather with extended family for the holidays. My parents and I have Christmas Eve dinner and go to church together, then on Christmas day we go to my grandparents' house. Christmas is much quieter now, but the real reason we celebrate is as strong as ever - the birth of our Savior!
New traditions have emerged too. My best friend Chris and I brave the crowds to shop on Black Friday every year, dressed in Christmas t-shirts. The next day, we make cashew and peanut brittle. Chris, her husband, her sister-in-law and our two nephews all celebrate Christmas on New Year's Eve together. We wear Christmas pajamas and open our gifts, then toast the New Year.
I miss the old traditions, but I've learned to love the new ones just as much. In the end, Christmas isn't about gifts or decorations or cookies or Santa or any of that. It's about faith, family and friends. As long as you have those in your heart, Christmas is Christmas no matter where or when or with who you celebrate.
What are your favorite Christmas traditions?
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