ppp 01-22-07

Quote of the day: We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.

Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

A Priest, a Minister and a Rabbi were discussing "When life begins". The priest insisted that life begins at the moment of conception. The minister argued that it was at birth. The old rabbi just shook his head, "You are both wrong. Life begins when the dog dies and the kids move away."

As of noon on Sunday a new life begins. Our daughter lives in Dallas, the oldest son was married 2 weeks ago and has his own home (complete with plumbing emergencies), and our youngest left for spring semester in Texas at noon on Sunday. My bride of 32 years and I are now "empty nesters". I look forward to quiet afternoons with the Sunday paper and some good coffee. I will savor dinner on our schedule; not related to soccer, baseball, debate, boy scout or other activities. Fishing trips may be more plentiful. If we want to take off for the weekend we can (our dear dog of 17 years died about 2 years ago). Now, if there is noise in the house, one of the two of us is responsible.

I don't know exactly how I'll adjust to the quiet, time to devote to writing, and the freedom from having to stay up until all family members are safely home every night. Yes, I always stayed up to greet the kids when they returned from a party, ball game, date, or a visit to a friend's house. I found out more about my children at 1am than at any other time of day. They would come home after having fun were genuinely eager to share their thoughts and aspirations in the quiet of the early morning. Sometimes we would talk for a hour or more… other times we would all just say goodnight and crash (usual case when I had to work early the next morning.) I never smelled alcohol or smoke of any kind as I received my hug or kiss goodnight. Maybe they were just naturally good kids and maybe knowing I would be waiting for them helped them to make good decisions.

This, however, is just a trial run at the "empty nest" because the youngest will be home summers until graduation in 2010 (or beyond). Thankfully, there are cell phones, e-mails and text messages to keep us all connected. Just like drug addiction for a junkie, my addiction to my children isn't one to make cold turkey.

ps. Best answer this week to the question "How are you?" was "Superfantasmigorical" (I wish I had though of THAT!)

pps. Occasionally, some of the links require FREE registration.... I'm sure you can handle THAT slight inconvenience.

Employees with premium health plans will be taxed on the benefit value in order to pay for those who have none. People who buy their own insurance will be able to write a big part off on their tax returns. I'm sure SOMEONE will find SOMETHING wrong with the plan but it sounds like a good start to me.

Women who use cold remedies that contain phenylpropanolamine have double the incidence of bleeding into their brains (a hemmoragic stroke) as women who do not use the OTC remedies.

Oncologist must disclose ALL ties with outside companies: stock, bonds, consulting, research grants, etc. if they expect to be published in a prestigious cancer journal or speak at their meetings.

As you know, pancreatic cancer is a terrible and aggressive for of cancer. Longevity is usually measured in months, not years. This therapeutic vaccine is designed to enhance the immune response in people who already have the disease.

Vaccines help to the tune of $133 million given to three pharmaceutical firms to complete drug testing. This amount buys no vaccine but will, hopefully, speed the availability of an effective vaccine. Remember how much was spend on Y2K preparedness? The Avian Influenza pandemic is even more threatening.

Scientists have turned chickens into anti cancer drug factories through genetic engineering. The drugs are produced in the egg white, Let's hope our fine feathered friends don't come down with the bird flu.

Lovestatin plus the cancer drug cyclopramine killed 3 times more brain cancer cells than the drugs used alone. The tests were in the laboratory but could lead to clinical use.

Disclaimer: "Pepin's Pharmaceutical Prattle" (AKA "The Prattle") is the property of PHARMWORKS, LLC and Steven M. Pepin, Pharm. D, BCPS. The opinions expressed are those of the bald-headed author. To start or stop any drug without the advice and supervision of your physician would be stupid. So don't do anything based upon what you read here without professional advice. To be added to or removed from the distribution list please e-mail your request to spepin@pharmworks.com . All insightful comments from readers are thoughtfully considered (the rest are callously discarded). Copyright 1998-2007 PHARMWORKS, LLC all rights reserved.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------