Take care of your skin during the summer! Spend a few minutes with Dr. Donna as she help us take care of our skin during the HOT summer months.

Here’s why:

Lycopene! Lycopene is found in tomatoes In addition to its cancer fighting properties, Lycopene is good for your skin because:

* It protects you from environment damage, including sun damage (and pre-mature aging or wrinkles!). * In reduces roughness of skin * [...]]]> Did you know Tomatoes are GREAT for your skin?

Here’s why:

Lycopene! Lycopene is found in tomatoes In addition to its cancer fighting properties, Lycopene is good for your skin because:

* It protects you from environment damage, including sun damage (and pre-mature aging or wrinkles!).
* In reduces roughness of skin
* It helps the skin to produce collagen by reducing the enzymes which destroy collagen.

More good news… if you like cooked tomatoes, you are in luck! Tomatoes actually contain higher amounts of Lycopene when cooked!

Here’s a few more tips on skin care… specially durning the summer!

To combat the growing challenge of removing potentially dangerous controlled substances from residents’ medicine cabinets, the Plano Police Department on Saturday will participate in the second National Drug Take Back initiative.

Almost 6,000 state and local law enforcement agencies will partner for the Drug Enforcement Agency’s second event — about [...]]]> By DONNIE WYAR
dwyar@neighborsgo.com

To combat the growing challenge of removing potentially dangerous controlled substances from residents’ medicine cabinets, the Plano Police Department on Saturday will participate in the second National Drug Take Back initiative.

Almost 6,000 state and local law enforcement agencies will partner for the Drug Enforcement Agency’s second event — about twice as many as September 2010, when Plano police collected 310 pounds of expired, unwanted or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications in one four-hour period at five sites across the city. READ MORE…

Texas Star Pharmacy Website

As the circle of life continues, in the winter of one’s life, the learning process for loved ones grows. The dying process usually begins well before death actually occurs. This personal journey is unique to each individual. Even though everyone reaches the same destination, there are different paths that can be taken. It [...]]]>

As the circle of life continues, in the winter of one’s life, the learning process for loved ones grows.
The dying process usually begins well before death actually occurs.
This personal journey is unique to each individual. Even though everyone reaches the same destination, there are different paths that can be taken. It always helps the caregiver and family to know what to look for in the path towards the otherworld.
There are milestones along this journey. Some may hit only a few milestones while others may stop at each one. As that process begins, a person starts on a mental path of discovery, comprehending that death will indeed occur and believing in their own mortality.

The Journey Begins: One to Three Months Prior to Death

As one begins to accept their mortality and realizes that death is approaching, they may begin to withdraw from their surroundings. They are beginning the process of separating from the world and those in it. They may decline visits from friends, neighbors, and even family members. When they do accept visitors, they may be difficult or angry. They may be evaluating how they lived their life and sorting through any regrets. They may also undertake the 5 tasks of dying (ask for forgiveness, offer forgiveness, offer heartfelt thanks, offer sentiments of love, saying goodbye).

The dying person may experience reduced appetite and weight loss as the body and G.I. tract begins to slow down. The body doesn’t need the energy from food that it once did. The dying person may be sleeping more and not engaging in activities they once enjoyed. They no longer need the nourishment from food they once did. The body does a wonderful thing during this time as altered body chemistry produces a mild sense of euphoria. They are neither hungry nor thirsty and are not suffering in any way by not eating.

One to Two Weeks Prior to Death

Mental Changes

This is the time during the journey that one begins to sleep most of the time. Disorientation is common and altered senses of perception can be expected. One may experience delusions, such as fear or feeling invincible.
The dying loved one may also experience hallucinations, sometimes seeing or speaking to people who are not there. Often times these are people that may have already died. Some may see this as the veil being lifted between this life and the next. The person may pick at their sheets and clothing in a state of agitation. Movements and actions may seem aimless and make no sense to others. They are moving further away from life on this earth.

Physical Changes

The body is having a more difficult time maintaining itself. There are signs that the body may show during this time:
• The body temperature lowers by a degree or more.
• The blood pressure lowers.
• The pulse becomes irregular and may slow down or speed up.
• There is increased perspiration.
• Skin color changes as circulation becomes diminished. This is often more noticeable in the lips and nail beds as they become pale and bluish.
• Breathing changes occur, often becoming more rapid and labored. Congestion may also occur causing a rattling sound and cough.
• Speaking decreases and eventually may become breathy and then stops altogether.
Journey’s End: A Couple of Days to Hours Prior to Death
The person is moving closer towards death. There may be a surge of energy as they get nearer. They may want to get out of bed and talk to loved ones, or ask for food after days of no appetite. This surge of energy may be quite a bit less noticeable but is usually used as a dying person’s final physical expression before moving on.
The surge of energy is usually short, and the previous signs become more pronounced as death approaches. Breathing becomes more irregular and often slower and more labored. Cheyne-Stokes breathing, rapid breathes followed by periods of no breathing at all, may occur. Congestion in the airway can increase causing loud, rattled breathing.

Hands and feet may become blotchy and purplish (mottled). This mottling may slowly work its way up the arms and legs. Lips and nail beds are bluish or purple. The person usually becomes unresponsive and may have their eyes open or semi-open but not seeing their surroundings. It is widely believed that hearing is the last sense to go so it is recommended that loved ones sit with and talk to the loved one during this time.
Eventually, the eyes start to dilate, there may be shallow panting and then breathing will cease altogether and the heart stops. Death has occurred.

Unfortunately, my father passed through this journey a couple of years ago and after two years of care from my mother and the rest of our family, he was laid to rest. It was a personal act of love that was grueling but also rewarding to know that we all did everything we could to make him comfortable. Afterwards, I could not contain the words that flowed from my pen. My hope is that my personal journey with my father can help another escort a loved one through the journey that we all must take.
Here is my therapy that helped me recover from my loss.

Putting Dad to Rest
By Donna Stuart Barsky

It’s hard to wrap my mind around the struggle that we’ve seen,
Through Phenergan, Lorazepam, Vicodin and Morphine.
To see someone you love be reduced to skin and bone,
Breaks your heart each agonizing moment when you are alone.
It’s hard to keep your brave-faced smile when they’re fighting for their life,
This torture affects the whole family and can solidify or create strife.
I see my mom take vigilance in tending the needs of Dad,
Her loving, tender focus is an inspiration, though sad.
The hardest part approaches when Dad cannot move or speak,
We know he’s still there with a wink of his eye, but things are getting bleak.
Now unable to swallow, we fear he cannot hydrate,
We watch constantly the oximeter to ensure that he can oxygenate.
Ever y two hours we ensure that he is moved and turned,
To prevent any skin breakdown on heels, elbows, buttocks, we’re concerned.
It seems like forever as his suffering marches voracious,
But we know time’s flying by and Dad is incredibly courageous.
I was horrified to think that I might not be there at the end,
He isn’t the only one who needs us; all who are called are Mom’s godsend.
The last two nights together, we tried to keep him from pain,
And although he could not speak to us, his chin could not refrain.
Early morning came and his demise was undeniably eminent,
So hard to let go, a life end, that we could not circumvent.
He did his best the last two hours to say goodbye to all,
We held his hand and stroked his head, knowing he would not make nightfall.
He shook his head free of our tender touch as though to break loose of this world,
His eyes began to dilate, chin quivering goodbye as he left us for God’s otherworld.
Grief overwhelms us, tears flow freely, and we know he is no longer in torment,
We hold each other close, clinging to each other’s support as Dad has begun his ascent.
Time to turn off oxygen and remove the numerous pads, canullas, and catheters,
The color has left his body where his wonderful soul no longer stirs.
He always was a morning man, his day began at 5 AM most of his life,
He left us, as always, a morning man, and now he faces no more strife.

We will love you, Dad, all the days of our lives!

Compounding combines an ageless art with the latest medical knowledge and state-of-the-art technology, allowing specially trained professionals to prepare customized medications to meet each patient’s specific needs. Compounding is fundamental to the profession of pharmacy and was a standard means of providing prescription medications before drugs began to be produced in mass quantities [...]]]>

Compounding combines an ageless art with the latest medical knowledge and state-of-the-art technology, allowing specially trained professionals to prepare customized medications to meet each patient’s specific needs. Compounding is fundamental to the profession of pharmacy and was a standard means of providing prescription medications before drugs began to be produced in mass quantities by pharmaceutical manufacturers.

The demand for professional compounding has increased as healthcare professionals and patients realize that the limited number of strengths and dosage forms that are commercially available do not meet the needs of many patients, and that these patients often have a better response to a customized dosage form that is “just what the doctor ordered”.

An example:

A young patient’s family contacted us and needed a product to stop nausea and vomiting and the doctor had prescribed a suppository for the child. Unfortunately, the child also had severe diarrhea and could not hold the suppository long enough to stop the vomiting. With the physician approval, we formulated a topical transdermal cream that could be applied to the inner wrist and absorbed through the skin to stop the nausea and vomiting so that oral medication could be administered to the child for the diarrhea. This allowed the patient to be treated without a trip to the hospital. With everything contained, the child recovered well in about a week and is currently a very active little boy.

Most compounding professionals can prepare the following:

• Unique dosage forms containing the best dose of medication for each individual. • Medications in dosage forms that are not commercially available, such as transdermal gels, troches, “chewies”, and lollipops.
• Medications free of problem-causing excipients such as dyes, sugar, lactose, or alcohol.
• Combinations of various compatible medications into a single dosage form for easier administration and improved compliance.
• Medications that are not commercially available
• Commercial product unavailable to meet patient’s needs
• Products that have never been manufactured or that are on long-term back order
• Customized dosage forms
• Customized medication strength
• Eliminate allergens, preservatives, sugar, etc.
• Flavored medications
• Popular flavors include: orange, peppermint, and spearmint. Other flavors are available, but they may contain trace amounts of gluten and/or casein.
• Products that provide Gluten-Free/Casein-Free Medication Modes/Forms:
• Capsules
• Injectables and Pre-filled syringes also available
• Preservative free injections and sublingual drops available
• Oral powders
• Oral suspensions and solutions
• Rectal suppositories
• Sterile preparations (Injections, IV, eye drops, etc)
• Sublingual drops
• Sublingual troches
• Transdermal creams, gels, lotions, and ointments

Compounded medications are individually formulated to meet the specific health care issues of each patient. We use the latest and safest technology for quality control, precision compounding, and meet state and government requirements. All compounded medications are individually formulated to meet the specific health care needs for individuals and doctors offices. To determine these needs, a close relationship between the patient, physician, and the pharmacist is crucial. We work closely with physicians to find solutions to patient’s individual health care challenges; especially when it involves locating hard to find products, chemicals, dosage forms and formulas.

Texas Star Pharmacy is a member of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacies (IACP) and the Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA).