Pennies From Heaven

Pennies From Heaven

I found a penny today

Just laying on the ground

But it’s not just a penny

This little coin I’ve found

Found pennies come from heaven

That’s what my Grandpa told me

He said angels toss them down

Oh, how I loved that story

He said when an angel misses you

They toss a penny down

Sometimes just to cheer you up

Make a smile out of your frown

So don’t pass by that penny

When you’re feeling blue

It may be a penny from heaven

That an angel’s tossed to you
Copyright © 1998 C. Mashburn

Methadone for pain relief can be permanent!

I am a little late with this update from our coroner's office - but I thought this an interesting read - ~~~

Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Methadone for pain relief can be permanent
I was reading an article entitled “The Methadone Poisoning Epidemic” in The Forensic Examiner magazine (sorry no link, it was paper) and I wanted to share a few points with you.

Using information from a National Center for Health Statistics report the author relates that in 2003 methadone-related deaths rose 29%, while drug related deaths as a whole only increased 6%. In addition, methadone was responsible for more deaths than any single prescription painkiller listed (that doesn’t reflect our experience while we see these sorts of methadone overdose deaths, those with hydrocodone and oxycodone are in higher numbers here). The number of unique patient prescriptions for methadone increased 80% through 2005 and 2006 (in most cases prescribed for pain management).

The real key and the point the author really stresses is that methadone overdoses occur by in large in folks using methadone as a pain medicine, not in folks on methadone as maintenance therapy for opiate addiction. This is primarily because while the drug half life in the body is 24 to 36 hours, the pain relief effect lasts 4-6 hours. While the intent is to reach steady state for pain modulation, folks start chasing their pain with additional doses. Those additional doses build over time because of the long “real” half life with lethal consequences.

This lethality is compounded by concomitant use of other medications and certain underlying medical conditions, like sleep apnea and prolonged QT interval heart conduction problems.

Methadone is a dangerous drug for pain management and many don’t realize that (patients and doctors alike). It should be used with caution and only with a physician very familiar with the drug and with highly motivated and conscientious patients.

Never to young for a lullaby ~

Life has becomes an unexpected pleasure for me, this may sound a tad like I
just fell off my rocker, grief can be what I call "Good Grief" ~ just like Charlie Brown ~
I have learned from this tragedy is that you are never to old for a lullaby!
I sang these when he was born, and I sang these songs to him six months ago~

Hush, little baby, don't say a word.
Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird

And if that mockingbird won't sing,
Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring

And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass

And if that looking glass gets broke,
Mama's gonna buy you a billy goat

And if that billy goat won't pull,
Mama's gonna buy you a cart and bull

And if that cart and bull turn over,
Mama's going to buy you a dog named Rover.

And if that dog named Rover won't bark,
Mama's going to buy you a horse and cart.

And if that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.

Are you sleeping, are you sleeping?
My son Jon, My Son Jon?
Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing
Ding dang dong, ding dang dong.

"What is lovely never dies, put passes into other loveliness"
Thomas Bailey Aldrich

I love you a bushel and a Peck and a Hug around the Neck!
xoxo ma