Christine, Russell's wife, is leaving for the U.S. tomorrow but she will be staying with her family tonight so she said her goodbyes to us this afternoon around lunchtime. It was a sad, sad thing. She was quite tearful and even Mama cried a bit too. Her vacation home was just too short so I hope the next time she comes, it will be a lot longer...
.....
Tita Siony, Mama's younger sister was admitted to the hospital yesterday because she was having difficulty moving around. Tita Siony said yesterday (when we were at her place) that she was feeling weak and could not stand on her own and even fell once when she lost her balance. I was quite alarmed at this and suggested she have herself checked by her doctor. Even Mama agreed and so she is now undergoing tests on why she is losing motor control. When we visited Tita Siony at the hospital this afternoon, they still don't have a diagnosis but according to some of the initial lab tests, she has low sodium and potassium and she has high cholesterol. I really hope she gets well soon. It's just so difficult seeing relatives suffering.
Monday, October 08, 2007
DOMINOS
I just love the black and white of this photo, plus the shadows and the character of the wood on the tiles. Simple yet lovely.
Photo taken a few days ago.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
DESPEDIDA
Today the family lunched out at a family restaurant. Russell wanted us to have that luncheon together because his wife, Christine, is leaving for the US on Monday. It's actually quite sad because Russell and Christine have been married for only a year and yet, they have spent more months apart than together. I don't think I could handle that kind of situation. It's already hard being apart from Ruther as it is. The luncheon was kind of strained. On the part of Christine and Russell. I don't know if it's because Christine lacked sleep, if it's because of her upcoming departure or if they fought before we left home, but I was thinking, if it were Ruther and me, we would be holding hands and cuddling all throughout luncheon. I would just miss him a lot. Anyway, I just found it so strange that they would be so quiet, so reserved and somewhat cold when in 2 days' time, they would be miles and miles apart from each other...
.....
Tita Nicki has been sleeping in Ruther's and my room while she's here. She was telling me yesterday that Ruther and I have a lovely room because it's wonderfully located. The breeze always gets into the room and it's just perfectly cool in the evenings that she does not even have to turn on the fan. She also says that even during the day, she dozes all the time. When I told her the color of the room probably relaxes her a bit because green is a relaxing color, she said, "Well, you're probably right because all I've been doing in here is sleep!" She's so funny! But anyway, I would not want to fall asleep in our room all the time too so I thought of changing the color from a greenish-blue to an avocado one. At least then, it won't be too dark and relaxing. =D
.....
Tita Nicki has been sleeping in Ruther's and my room while she's here. She was telling me yesterday that Ruther and I have a lovely room because it's wonderfully located. The breeze always gets into the room and it's just perfectly cool in the evenings that she does not even have to turn on the fan. She also says that even during the day, she dozes all the time. When I told her the color of the room probably relaxes her a bit because green is a relaxing color, she said, "Well, you're probably right because all I've been doing in here is sleep!" She's so funny! But anyway, I would not want to fall asleep in our room all the time too so I thought of changing the color from a greenish-blue to an avocado one. At least then, it won't be too dark and relaxing. =D
Friday, October 05, 2007
BUSY DAY
Today I had to go to the post office to send some food stuff to Ruther. This will be the last parcel I will be sending him because in a month, he will finally be home! Can't wait! I'm so excited! Anyway, I had to wake up early because I decided to go to the post office while the boys were asleep. I just don't want to inconvenience anyone here at home to babysit so I try to do my errands while the boys are asleep. When I got to the post office, the lady there recognized me and we chatted for a bit. I already mentioned in a previous post about how nice it is to make friends in unusual places. =D Anyway, on the way home and before riding a jeepney, I spotted a vendor selling some atis. I love atis so I thought of buying a kilo. I found out that it was only P40 a kilo so I bought 2 kilos! Yummy!! I was also able to buy a kilo of lanzones so I'm having fruits today! Yipee!
.....
I had to have my third molar (upper right) extracted this afternoon. Not only was it unrestorable, but it could barely fit in my upper arch. So I was not too sad that it had to go. I just found out recently that it had a fracture when I touched it with my finger. If I didn't do that, I would not have realized that it was already badly damaged. Well, it's okay. That third molar was too troublesome for me. If it was impacted, I would have had it extracted ages ago... Oh well...
.....
I had to have my third molar (upper right) extracted this afternoon. Not only was it unrestorable, but it could barely fit in my upper arch. So I was not too sad that it had to go. I just found out recently that it had a fracture when I touched it with my finger. If I didn't do that, I would not have realized that it was already badly damaged. Well, it's okay. That third molar was too troublesome for me. If it was impacted, I would have had it extracted ages ago... Oh well...
MY "NEW" BOOKS
These are the books that Natasha gave me since she could not bring them all to Australia. I was expecting at least 3, 4 the most but she gave me 7!! So I'm quite ecstatic about that. =D She also gave me a Mango blouse and a facial mask. Oh yes, and a very lovely letter as well. =D
Thursday, October 04, 2007
FOUNTAIN
This is the fountain at Malate. Isn't that beautiful? I just wish Baywalk still existed. It was such a lovely place for families. I'm hoping that some people would make a petition or something to bring Baywalk back. Anyway, do you see the moon? Lovely crescent on a cloudless night sky. =D
BYE TASHA
Tonight, at 8:40, Natasha (Ruther's cousin) will be leaving for Australia. I called her this afternoon to check on her but a few minutes ago, I called her while she was at the airport to say goodbye to her. She told me she is giving me some of her books because she could not bring them all to Australia. Yay!! "New" books for me!! She said that she could not resist the book sale at National Bookstore and kept on buying books. She also told me that books were expensive in Australia which is why she couldn't resist the prices here. Anyway, Natasha will be returning next year and will probably bring her sister Marissa along, not to mention some of her Australian friends. That will really be interesting. And I'm glad that when Natasha was here last weekend, she had the chance to talk to Ruther for a bit. At least they were able to say their goodbyes as well. I'm sure Nikki won't forget her. And it will be so nice to have her here again next year. =D
UPDATE ON 'DESPERATE' NEWS
'Housewives' medical joke draws ire
By LYNN ELBER,
AP Television Writer
LOS ANGELES - A scene in TV's "Desperate Housewives" that used Philippine medical education for a punchline prompted angry calls from viewers, an online petition demanding an apology and criticism from Philippine officials.
In the season premiere that aired Sunday on ABC, Teri Hatcher's character, Susan, goes in for a medical checkup and is shocked when the doctor suggests she may be going through menopause.
"Listen, Susan, I know for a lot of women the word `menopause'" has negative connotations. You hear `aging,' `brittle bones,' `loss of sexual desire,'" the gynecologist tells her.
"OK, before we go any further, can I check these diplomas? Just to make sure they aren't, like, from some med school in the Philippines?" Susan fires back.
Viewers called the network to complain but the number of callers wasn't available, an ABC spokesman said Wednesday. As of Wednesday evening, more than 30,000 names were attached to an online petition seeking a network apology.
"A statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the medical field," the petition read in part.
ABC, owned by The Walt Disney Co., responded with a statement Wednesday. ABC said it was considering editing the episode.
"The producers of `Desperate Housewives' and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere. There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines," the statement said.
"As leaders in broadcast diversity, we are committed to presenting sensitive and respectful images of all communities featured in our programs," it concluded.
The TV episode even became an international incident, with reports on it topping Philippine news shows and drawing newspaper headlines as officials there registered their displeasure. Filipinos could judge the scene for themselves when it was posted on YouTube.
In Manila, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he was writing the producers of the show to seek an apology and note the country's "vehement protest." Senior cabinet member Eduardo Ermita told reporters that an apology should be sought "on behalf of our Filipino professionals."
Kevin Nadal, 29, a Filipino-American college lecturer who lives in New York, posted the online petition calling ABC to task for the scene.
"I had to rewind it over and over again to make sure I heard it right," Nadal said in an interview Wednesday. He watched the episode online after hearing about it from a friend.
"I was immediately offended and, really, just hurt. These days, people are supposed to be more sensitive or more aware of what's considered appropriate," he said, adding that he was hearing from people worldwide who were distressed by the scene. He appreciated ABC's apology, he said, but said he also wanted to see the dialogue removed from future airings and DVDs.
Nadal also suggested that the show's producers and ABC executives could make a more substantial gesture than an apology, through scholarships or donations for Filipino and Filipino-Americans and community groups.
Filipinos and other minorities also should be depicted on TV as "prominent, positive role models," Nadal said.
By LYNN ELBER,
AP Television Writer
LOS ANGELES - A scene in TV's "Desperate Housewives" that used Philippine medical education for a punchline prompted angry calls from viewers, an online petition demanding an apology and criticism from Philippine officials.
In the season premiere that aired Sunday on ABC, Teri Hatcher's character, Susan, goes in for a medical checkup and is shocked when the doctor suggests she may be going through menopause.
"Listen, Susan, I know for a lot of women the word `menopause'" has negative connotations. You hear `aging,' `brittle bones,' `loss of sexual desire,'" the gynecologist tells her.
"OK, before we go any further, can I check these diplomas? Just to make sure they aren't, like, from some med school in the Philippines?" Susan fires back.
Viewers called the network to complain but the number of callers wasn't available, an ABC spokesman said Wednesday. As of Wednesday evening, more than 30,000 names were attached to an online petition seeking a network apology.
"A statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the medical field," the petition read in part.
ABC, owned by The Walt Disney Co., responded with a statement Wednesday. ABC said it was considering editing the episode.
"The producers of `Desperate Housewives' and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere. There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines," the statement said.
"As leaders in broadcast diversity, we are committed to presenting sensitive and respectful images of all communities featured in our programs," it concluded.
The TV episode even became an international incident, with reports on it topping Philippine news shows and drawing newspaper headlines as officials there registered their displeasure. Filipinos could judge the scene for themselves when it was posted on YouTube.
In Manila, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he was writing the producers of the show to seek an apology and note the country's "vehement protest." Senior cabinet member Eduardo Ermita told reporters that an apology should be sought "on behalf of our Filipino professionals."
Kevin Nadal, 29, a Filipino-American college lecturer who lives in New York, posted the online petition calling ABC to task for the scene.
"I had to rewind it over and over again to make sure I heard it right," Nadal said in an interview Wednesday. He watched the episode online after hearing about it from a friend.
"I was immediately offended and, really, just hurt. These days, people are supposed to be more sensitive or more aware of what's considered appropriate," he said, adding that he was hearing from people worldwide who were distressed by the scene. He appreciated ABC's apology, he said, but said he also wanted to see the dialogue removed from future airings and DVDs.
Nadal also suggested that the show's producers and ABC executives could make a more substantial gesture than an apology, through scholarships or donations for Filipino and Filipino-Americans and community groups.
Filipinos and other minorities also should be depicted on TV as "prominent, positive role models," Nadal said.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
UH-OH!
Oh no... And I so love watching Desperate Housewives... =(
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=94508
Malacañang to 'Desperate Housewives': Apologize for slur
The furor over a slur uttered against Philippine medical schools on the premier episode of the fourth season of the American TV show "Desperate Housewives" has prompted a response from Malacañang Palace.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the TV show belittled the abilities of Filipino doctors and sent a message that Philippine medical schools produced "substandard, inferior" medical practitioners.
The offending remark was made by one of the show's desperate housewives, Susan Mayer (played by American actress Teri Hatcher). In one scene Mayer asks for the credentials of the gynecologist who examined her and told her that she was approaching menopause.
Mayer said, "Can I check those diplomas 'coz I just want to make sure that they're not from some med school in the Philippines." The premiere episode, which has been posted on YouTube.com, drew criticisms from the Filipino community on the Internet.
Senator Rodolfo Biazon meanwhile has proposed a ban on the popular TV series. Biazon, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, said he doesn't watch the show himself but pointed out that a ban on the show or a boycott by Filipino viewers are possible responses.
Earlier, Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the slur will tarnish the good image of Filipino doctors in the international community. He added that the slur was both irresponsible and without basis.
The Philippine Consulate in New York has said it will send a letter of protest to ABC Network and ask for an apology for the slur. The move came after the consulate office received complaints from the Filipino community, particularly health workers, in the US about the show.
Angry doctors
"It's not good for us. They shouldn't have said those [insulting] words, because we all know that there are good doctors who graduated in the Philippines. That's uncalled for," PMA president Dr. Jose Sabili told ABS-CBN's morning show "Umagang Kay Ganda" on Monday.
Earlier, the president of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) said he will urge his counterpart in the US to demand an apology from the people behind the TV series.
Sabili, who was attending the World Medical Associations General Assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark, said he will seek an audience with the president of the American Medical Association to compel the TV producers to issue an apology for the insulting remark.
The doctor said the slur might even create a rift in the relationship of the two medical associations.
"I will meet with the president of the American Medical Association to air our feelings and ask them to tell [the producers of the TV show] that they should not insult doctors in the country," Sabili said.
Sabili said the PMA will study the possible cause of negative perceptions of medical schools in the Philippines. He said "diploma mills" and negative writeups of medical schools in local newspapers could have contributed to the negative perception.
"I have to verify this. We will definitely act on this because this will destroy the reputation of Filipino doctors," he said.
Online petition
Filipino Americans have expressed their outrage over the remark and have launched an online petition demanding an apology from ABC Network.The petition also demands that the episode be edited to remove the "ignorant and racist" remark. As of 4:16 pm (Manila time) some 15,533 people have signed the petition.
The petition also points out the major contribution that Filipinos and Filipino Americans make in healthcare in the United States:
"[A] statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the medical field. Filipinos are the second largest immigrant population in the United States, with many entering the U.S. (and successfully passing their U.S. licensing boards!) as doctors, nurses, and medical technicians.
"In fact, the Philippines produces more U.S. nurses than any other country in the world. So, to belittle the education, experience, or value of Filipino Americans in health care is extremely disrespectful and plain and simply ignorant. Many of the hospitals in major metropolitan areas of the U.S. (and the world) would not be able to operate without its Filipino and Filipino American staff members."
Jay Ngo, a Filipino health professional from Riverside, California in the United States ABS-CBN News that the episode was an outrage, saying, "the healthcare industry, including the best hospitals, is full of Filipino medical professionals."
Forum reactions
The message board of the "Desperate Housewives" website is being peppered with threads regarding the issue.One poster, using the alias "hunnybee07" wrote:
"America has been very fortunate to have been served by many [Filipino] nurses and physicians. It is quite ungrateful of Americans to make such remarks. Even if it were meant to be a joke, it apparently hurt an entire nation. The Filipinos deserve an apology. One day, when you are old, it could just be a Flipino nurse by your bedside and then you would know why you should have taken back any insults against Filipinos, especially Filipino medical practicioners."
Another poster, "MommyDO12", who claims to be a doctor in the US said:
"As a Filipino-American who is both a doctor and trained here, I get that your comment is quite ignorant. True, many Americans go overseas for medical school because they could not get in to schools here. However, there are a GREAT number of Americans and Europeans who go to so called "third world" countries because the education there is cutting edge AND affordable. I'm up to my eyeballs in student loans.
"Why do you think Americans are now rushing to the Philippines and India for surgeries unavailabe here in America? There are hip surgery techniques that have been developed there that result in less recovery time and have less mortality.
"Please, get educated before jumping onto the obvious bandwagon of "get over it" because you can't possibly understand being berated. Even my husband, who is caucasian, took great offense to the comment and is the one urging me to stop watching the show in protest."
One poster, who used the alias "berikyut", was long on passion but fell short on English skills."What the hell...Talking but about the philippines in your premier... "Let me see your degree making sure is now from somewhere in the philippines"? For you information if you go to hospitals most nurses/doctors there is from philippines & is hard worker & very good...So I suggest you think about your comment before you say it or if it's a joke It should be funny ( that is why it's a joke) DUH!!! I usually like you in the show specially watching you in superman before...NOW forget it....that's why you never win an emmy!!"
This prompted a reply from "Dr.Java02" asking, "Do the nurses/doctors learn grammar and spelling over there?"
With that development, do Filipinos now need to prove that they can master English grammar as well as Western medicine?
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=94508
Malacañang to 'Desperate Housewives': Apologize for slur
The furor over a slur uttered against Philippine medical schools on the premier episode of the fourth season of the American TV show "Desperate Housewives" has prompted a response from Malacañang Palace.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the TV show belittled the abilities of Filipino doctors and sent a message that Philippine medical schools produced "substandard, inferior" medical practitioners.
The offending remark was made by one of the show's desperate housewives, Susan Mayer (played by American actress Teri Hatcher). In one scene Mayer asks for the credentials of the gynecologist who examined her and told her that she was approaching menopause.
Mayer said, "Can I check those diplomas 'coz I just want to make sure that they're not from some med school in the Philippines." The premiere episode, which has been posted on YouTube.com, drew criticisms from the Filipino community on the Internet.
Senator Rodolfo Biazon meanwhile has proposed a ban on the popular TV series. Biazon, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, said he doesn't watch the show himself but pointed out that a ban on the show or a boycott by Filipino viewers are possible responses.
Earlier, Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the slur will tarnish the good image of Filipino doctors in the international community. He added that the slur was both irresponsible and without basis.
The Philippine Consulate in New York has said it will send a letter of protest to ABC Network and ask for an apology for the slur. The move came after the consulate office received complaints from the Filipino community, particularly health workers, in the US about the show.
Angry doctors
"It's not good for us. They shouldn't have said those [insulting] words, because we all know that there are good doctors who graduated in the Philippines. That's uncalled for," PMA president Dr. Jose Sabili told ABS-CBN's morning show "Umagang Kay Ganda" on Monday.
Earlier, the president of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) said he will urge his counterpart in the US to demand an apology from the people behind the TV series.
Sabili, who was attending the World Medical Associations General Assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark, said he will seek an audience with the president of the American Medical Association to compel the TV producers to issue an apology for the insulting remark.
The doctor said the slur might even create a rift in the relationship of the two medical associations.
"I will meet with the president of the American Medical Association to air our feelings and ask them to tell [the producers of the TV show] that they should not insult doctors in the country," Sabili said.
Sabili said the PMA will study the possible cause of negative perceptions of medical schools in the Philippines. He said "diploma mills" and negative writeups of medical schools in local newspapers could have contributed to the negative perception.
"I have to verify this. We will definitely act on this because this will destroy the reputation of Filipino doctors," he said.
Online petition
Filipino Americans have expressed their outrage over the remark and have launched an online petition demanding an apology from ABC Network.The petition also demands that the episode be edited to remove the "ignorant and racist" remark. As of 4:16 pm (Manila time) some 15,533 people have signed the petition.
The petition also points out the major contribution that Filipinos and Filipino Americans make in healthcare in the United States:
"[A] statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the medical field. Filipinos are the second largest immigrant population in the United States, with many entering the U.S. (and successfully passing their U.S. licensing boards!) as doctors, nurses, and medical technicians.
"In fact, the Philippines produces more U.S. nurses than any other country in the world. So, to belittle the education, experience, or value of Filipino Americans in health care is extremely disrespectful and plain and simply ignorant. Many of the hospitals in major metropolitan areas of the U.S. (and the world) would not be able to operate without its Filipino and Filipino American staff members."
Jay Ngo, a Filipino health professional from Riverside, California in the United States ABS-CBN News that the episode was an outrage, saying, "the healthcare industry, including the best hospitals, is full of Filipino medical professionals."
Forum reactions
The message board of the "Desperate Housewives" website is being peppered with threads regarding the issue.One poster, using the alias "hunnybee07" wrote:
"America has been very fortunate to have been served by many [Filipino] nurses and physicians. It is quite ungrateful of Americans to make such remarks. Even if it were meant to be a joke, it apparently hurt an entire nation. The Filipinos deserve an apology. One day, when you are old, it could just be a Flipino nurse by your bedside and then you would know why you should have taken back any insults against Filipinos, especially Filipino medical practicioners."
Another poster, "MommyDO12", who claims to be a doctor in the US said:
"As a Filipino-American who is both a doctor and trained here, I get that your comment is quite ignorant. True, many Americans go overseas for medical school because they could not get in to schools here. However, there are a GREAT number of Americans and Europeans who go to so called "third world" countries because the education there is cutting edge AND affordable. I'm up to my eyeballs in student loans.
"Why do you think Americans are now rushing to the Philippines and India for surgeries unavailabe here in America? There are hip surgery techniques that have been developed there that result in less recovery time and have less mortality.
"Please, get educated before jumping onto the obvious bandwagon of "get over it" because you can't possibly understand being berated. Even my husband, who is caucasian, took great offense to the comment and is the one urging me to stop watching the show in protest."
One poster, who used the alias "berikyut", was long on passion but fell short on English skills."What the hell...Talking but about the philippines in your premier... "Let me see your degree making sure is now from somewhere in the philippines"? For you information if you go to hospitals most nurses/doctors there is from philippines & is hard worker & very good...So I suggest you think about your comment before you say it or if it's a joke It should be funny ( that is why it's a joke) DUH!!! I usually like you in the show specially watching you in superman before...NOW forget it....that's why you never win an emmy!!"
This prompted a reply from "Dr.Java02" asking, "Do the nurses/doctors learn grammar and spelling over there?"
With that development, do Filipinos now need to prove that they can master English grammar as well as Western medicine?
GUESS
Which Star Wars character is Ethan? Hahaha!! Isn't he cute?
Those are my earmuffs. Got them in Japan. Which were very handy by the way or my ears would have turned to ice last October. There was a time when it was only early autumn but I was already in a thick jacket with earmuffs. And once, Ruther told me to take my earmuffs off when we were in the supermarket because I forgot all about them. Hey, can you blame me? I was cold! It was my first autumn/winter experience and it was COLD but it was also a lot of fun! =D
DECORATING
Mama told me that by November, the house will be done and I am so excited because we can start decorating the house for Christmas then!! I already have ideas for Noche Buena (midnight dinner) and I just want everything to be perfect. I really really hope that the house WILL be done then because Mama wants to have the house blessed too and that will be another reason for celebrating. Hopefully, the blessing will happen when Ruther is home. Well I hope.
GREEN
I have been browsing through the color swatches for the perfect paint color for our bedroom. As you very well know, I'm going to have the painting redone (because it was hideously done) and I thought of making the room lighter. I would actually like something really light but Ruther wants the bedroom to be restful. So I'm trying to find something that would suit us both. Of course, it will have to be a greenish hue (because Ruther's favorite color is green). I'm already leaning towards avocado (the color), but I'm thinking, maybe lighter. We'll see. Everything looks a lot different once it's on the wall.
.....
No rains today! Yup, sunny weather and yet, I still feel a bit lethargic. Maybe I'm just feeling lazy. Haha!
.....
No rains today! Yup, sunny weather and yet, I still feel a bit lethargic. Maybe I'm just feeling lazy. Haha!
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
PLAYING IN THE SAND
After the workers went home one sunny day, the boys discovered a newly delivered pile of sand outside the house and decided to play there. I agreed and brought out their beach toys. Of course they had a lot of fun, but it was straight to the bathroom for a warm shower once they were done. =D
HMMM... INTERESTING
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/09/28/cough.medicines.ap/index.html
FDA: Stop giving cold, cough meds to toddlers
updated 6:19 p.m. EDT, Fri September 28, 2007
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Very young children simply should not take some commonly used cold and cough medicines, federal health officials say in recommending that the "consult your physician" advice to parents on the labels be dropped.
The preliminary recommendation, from Food and Drug Administration safety officials, would apply to decongestant use in children under 2, and antihistamines in those younger than 6, according to agency documents released Friday.
The more than 350 pages of documents are part of a broad and ongoing FDA examination of whether the roughly 800 medicines, many popular and widely used, are safe and effective in treating children's colds and coughs.
FDA advisers are to take up the issue during an October 18-19 meeting. The FDA has not made a final decision on any label changes. Action is likely, pending a recommendation from outside experts.
The review came in response to a recently filed petition by Baltimore, Maryland, city officials, who charged that many over-the-counter cough and cold remedies can harm toddlers and preschoolers. Those officials, joined by the American Academy of Pediatrics, cite evidence that suggests the drugs are not only risky but also don't work in the very young.
"The basic question is, why should a product be so relentlessly marketed when it's not safe or effective?" said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Baltimore health commissioner. "It does not make sense, in the absence of information, to say 'consult a physician,' because they do not have superhuman powers. They cannot make a product safe or effective."
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association, which represents makers of over-the-counter medicines, backs the recommendation that the cold and cough treatments not be used in children younger than 2. Separately, for antihistamines, the group recommends adding a warning that the drugs not be used to sedate young children, president Linda Suydam said.
An FDA review of side-effect records filed with the agency between 1969 and September 2006, found 54 reports of deaths in children associated with decongestant medicines made with pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine or ephedrine. It also found 69 reports of deaths associated with antihistamine medicines containing diphenhydramine, brompheniramine or chlorpheniramine.
Most of the deaths were children younger than 2.
The Baltimore petition came on the heels of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that found more than 1,500 toddlers and babies wound up in emergency rooms over a two-year period because of the drugs.
Also on Friday, the FDA gave drug companies until October 31 to stop making and selling any unapproved prescription medicines labeled for use by children younger than 6 that contain the painkiller and cough suppressant hydrocodone.
The move is part of a broader effort to remove from sale an estimated 200 unapproved prescription cough medicines made with the narcotic.
Manufacturers of any other unapproved hydrocodone medicines, beyond those intended for young children, must stop making them by December 31 and cease shipping them by March 31, 2008, the FDA said. It said the order applies to most of the hydrocodone formulations sold as cough medicines.
The order does not apply to other hydrocodone formulations, including the seven cough suppressants made with the narcotic that do have FDA approval. Nor does it apply to pain-relief drugs like Vicodin, which combine hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
FDA: Stop giving cold, cough meds to toddlers
updated 6:19 p.m. EDT, Fri September 28, 2007
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Very young children simply should not take some commonly used cold and cough medicines, federal health officials say in recommending that the "consult your physician" advice to parents on the labels be dropped.
The preliminary recommendation, from Food and Drug Administration safety officials, would apply to decongestant use in children under 2, and antihistamines in those younger than 6, according to agency documents released Friday.
The more than 350 pages of documents are part of a broad and ongoing FDA examination of whether the roughly 800 medicines, many popular and widely used, are safe and effective in treating children's colds and coughs.
FDA advisers are to take up the issue during an October 18-19 meeting. The FDA has not made a final decision on any label changes. Action is likely, pending a recommendation from outside experts.
The review came in response to a recently filed petition by Baltimore, Maryland, city officials, who charged that many over-the-counter cough and cold remedies can harm toddlers and preschoolers. Those officials, joined by the American Academy of Pediatrics, cite evidence that suggests the drugs are not only risky but also don't work in the very young.
"The basic question is, why should a product be so relentlessly marketed when it's not safe or effective?" said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Baltimore health commissioner. "It does not make sense, in the absence of information, to say 'consult a physician,' because they do not have superhuman powers. They cannot make a product safe or effective."
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association, which represents makers of over-the-counter medicines, backs the recommendation that the cold and cough treatments not be used in children younger than 2. Separately, for antihistamines, the group recommends adding a warning that the drugs not be used to sedate young children, president Linda Suydam said.
An FDA review of side-effect records filed with the agency between 1969 and September 2006, found 54 reports of deaths in children associated with decongestant medicines made with pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine or ephedrine. It also found 69 reports of deaths associated with antihistamine medicines containing diphenhydramine, brompheniramine or chlorpheniramine.
Most of the deaths were children younger than 2.
The Baltimore petition came on the heels of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that found more than 1,500 toddlers and babies wound up in emergency rooms over a two-year period because of the drugs.
Also on Friday, the FDA gave drug companies until October 31 to stop making and selling any unapproved prescription medicines labeled for use by children younger than 6 that contain the painkiller and cough suppressant hydrocodone.
The move is part of a broader effort to remove from sale an estimated 200 unapproved prescription cough medicines made with the narcotic.
Manufacturers of any other unapproved hydrocodone medicines, beyond those intended for young children, must stop making them by December 31 and cease shipping them by March 31, 2008, the FDA said. It said the order applies to most of the hydrocodone formulations sold as cough medicines.
The order does not apply to other hydrocodone formulations, including the seven cough suppressants made with the narcotic that do have FDA approval. Nor does it apply to pain-relief drugs like Vicodin, which combine hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
LOTS AND LOTS
After putting more of Ruther's and my stuff in the attic today, I just realized that we DO have a lot of stuff! The attic (although I haven't really fixed the stuff in their proper order yet) or the area above our bedroom is almost full and I still have more things to put in there! I figure, I should buy those plastic organizers just to tidy up the attic and make things more organized. I think I will need at least three of those which is not really a big deal because it costs only P115 (approx. US$2.56) per set (which contains 5 racks). My stuffed toy collection will surely use up a LOT of space so I have to know exactly where those are going. Not to mention my crafts stuff, Ruther's toys, our collectibles, souvenirs, knick-knacks and who knows what else. So yeah, a little organization is all we need. That and maybe give away some of our stuff to the less fortunate. That might require 2-3 days of sorting. Ever little thing has a lot of meaning for me. Might take some time for me to let go. =P
.....
Still rainy today. I'm supposed to go to the dentist this afternoon because I discovered a fracture (yes, I know! Another one!) on one of the cusps of my upper right third molar. Really bothersome. I have a lot of fixing up to do today plus it's raining hard so I think I'll be going tomorrow. I'm trying to eat on my left side for now just to keep the affected tooth clear of food debris. Wouldn't want to discover that the tooth is beyond "repair" because of deep cavities. That would be really disappointing.
.....
Ruther had to do some overtime last night and went home at around 12 midnight. My poor baby... We just chatted a bit then said our good nights because I wanted him to get enough rest. Unfortunately, when I woke him up this morning, he told me that he had some difficulty nodding off last night despite his exhaustion. So I'm hoping that he'll be able to have more zzz's tonight to make up for his lost sleep (I read and know that there's no such thing as "making up for lost sleep" but still...). =D
.....
Still rainy today. I'm supposed to go to the dentist this afternoon because I discovered a fracture (yes, I know! Another one!) on one of the cusps of my upper right third molar. Really bothersome. I have a lot of fixing up to do today plus it's raining hard so I think I'll be going tomorrow. I'm trying to eat on my left side for now just to keep the affected tooth clear of food debris. Wouldn't want to discover that the tooth is beyond "repair" because of deep cavities. That would be really disappointing.
.....
Ruther had to do some overtime last night and went home at around 12 midnight. My poor baby... We just chatted a bit then said our good nights because I wanted him to get enough rest. Unfortunately, when I woke him up this morning, he told me that he had some difficulty nodding off last night despite his exhaustion. So I'm hoping that he'll be able to have more zzz's tonight to make up for his lost sleep (I read and know that there's no such thing as "making up for lost sleep" but still...). =D
Monday, October 01, 2007
ART TIME
Here's Nikki and Ethan doing what they love to do: making a mess, I mean, making art. =D
This is really Ethan's thing because he has an artistic and creative eye but it's nice that Nikki is encouraged to do artworks because of his brother. We try to do some painting activities once a week but if Ethan asks for his painting materials, I always give in. =D
OCTOBER 1 EVENTS
959 - Edgar the Peaceable becomes king of all England
1788 - Nguyen Hue declares himself emperor of Vietnam.
1795 - Belgium is conquered by France.
1811 - The first steamboat to sail the Mississippi River arrives in New Orléans, Louisiana.
1869 - Austria issues the world's first postcards.
1880 - First electric lamp factory opened by Thomas Edison.
1885 - United States begins special-delivery mail service.
1890 - The Yosemite National Park is established by the U.S. Congress.
1910 - Los Angeles Times bombing: A large bomb destroys the Los Angeles Times building in downtown Los Angeles, California, killing 21.
1918 - World War I: Arab forces under T. E. Lawrence (a/k/a "Lawrence of Arabia") capture Damascus.
1940 - The Pennsylvania Turnpike, often considered the first superhighway in the United States, opens to traffic.
1949 - The People's Republic of China is declared by Mao Zedong.
1957 - First appearance of "In God We Trust" on U.S. paper currency.
1964 - Japanese Shinkansen ("bullet trains") begin high-speed rail service from Tokyo to Osaka.
1969 - The Concorde supersonic transport plane breaks the sound barrier for the first time.
1971 - Walt Disney World opens near Orlando, Florida, United States.
1975 - Thrilla in Manila: Muhammad Ali defeats Joe Frazier in a boxing match in Manila, Philippines.
1989 - Denmark: World's first legal modern same-sex civil union called "registered partnership"
2005 - Bombing kills 23 people in Bali.
source: Wikipedia
1788 - Nguyen Hue declares himself emperor of Vietnam.
1795 - Belgium is conquered by France.
1811 - The first steamboat to sail the Mississippi River arrives in New Orléans, Louisiana.
1869 - Austria issues the world's first postcards.
1880 - First electric lamp factory opened by Thomas Edison.
1885 - United States begins special-delivery mail service.
1890 - The Yosemite National Park is established by the U.S. Congress.
1910 - Los Angeles Times bombing: A large bomb destroys the Los Angeles Times building in downtown Los Angeles, California, killing 21.
1918 - World War I: Arab forces under T. E. Lawrence (a/k/a "Lawrence of Arabia") capture Damascus.
1940 - The Pennsylvania Turnpike, often considered the first superhighway in the United States, opens to traffic.
1949 - The People's Republic of China is declared by Mao Zedong.
1957 - First appearance of "In God We Trust" on U.S. paper currency.
1964 - Japanese Shinkansen ("bullet trains") begin high-speed rail service from Tokyo to Osaka.
1969 - The Concorde supersonic transport plane breaks the sound barrier for the first time.
1971 - Walt Disney World opens near Orlando, Florida, United States.
1975 - Thrilla in Manila: Muhammad Ali defeats Joe Frazier in a boxing match in Manila, Philippines.
1989 - Denmark: World's first legal modern same-sex civil union called "registered partnership"
2005 - Bombing kills 23 people in Bali.
source: Wikipedia
IN THE ATTIC
The 8-ft ladder I ordered the other day was finally delivered last night. So for the first time since the renovation, I was able to go up into the attic that is over Ruther's and my bedroom. It was okay. A bit high up but definitely enough space to store the rest of Ruther's and my stuff. No need to clutter the bedroom now. I managed to put some of the things in the attic today but not all yet. I still have a lot of sorting to do. I will definitely NOT put my books up there. I want them nearby so Ruther will have to be okay with the idea of my books alongside his DVDs. =D Ethan was trying to climb the ladder as well, which freaked my mother-in-law because he looked so agile. Of course, I only allowed him to climb the first few steps. By the time I was done putting the stuff into the attic, I was exhausted and hot and had some rashes on my face (I'm allergic to dust). I'm also feeling a bit sleepy so I might have a power nap later on.
.....
Still rainy today. Not as blustery as past typhoons but it still left the day pretty wet. No worries though. We stayed at home the whole day.
.....
Still rainy today. Not as blustery as past typhoons but it still left the day pretty wet. No worries though. We stayed at home the whole day.
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