Today has already been quite the day, and it's still morning. It was the first day back to school for students in our district. I said the first day for students because teachers had to report last Thursday.
My day started early; my kids like to get up at 6:00 am on school days, and I like to have some coffee in solitude, so I was up long before I woke them. The coffee in solitude lets me wake up gradually and not answer the inevitable “where's XYZ” questions as soon as I wake up. I'm much less snappish after coffee (notice I didn't say that I'm cheerful, or perky), and no one wants to start their day sharing space with a grump.
So, I woke up my twelve-year-old daughter for her first day of high school. High school!!
I could write an entire post about time flying, children growing up too fast for my liking, or being torn between wanting them to stay little yet wanting them to experience their own adventures. Those of you who have kids already know all of those things. Those of you who don't have kids probably aren't very interested. Anyway, that's a post for another day, maybe.
Next, I woke up my ten-year-old sixth-grade son.
I walked my daughter to the bus stop because in the city where we live, the high school students who attend public school take public transportation. As I watched her get on the bus, I started feeling the hot sting in my eyes, the knot in my stomach, and the lump in my throat. What was I doing sending my precious baby downtown on the metro bus?! By the time I got home, I was mostly recovered, except for the lump in my throat. Soon it was time to walk my son to the bus stop. He still rides the school bus, so the pangs from earlier weren't there. They won't be for a few years.
After having more coffee, I started making notes and doing (more) research. Why was I doing that? I'm glad you asked.
A few days ago a very good friend told me that a writer was searching for people to interview who are living with a chronic illness. The focus of the article is on the financial toll it takes when you live with a chronic illness. I contacted the writer, and, in my infinite wisdom, set up a phone call interview for this morning.
I was actually nervous about it. I couldn't believe I was nervous, but I was. Before today, I'd never been interviewed for a national publication. It was also my first time being interviewed about having MS, or anything to do with having MS.
The writer called exactly at the scheduled time, and we talked. She didn't ask as many questions as I thought she would; she just kind of let me tell my story. I gave her some information that she hadn't known before speaking with me, so I think there's a pretty good chance she will use parts of our conversation for her article. I suppose time will tell, but she told me she would send me a link to the finished article. I'll post it when I see it.
That's been my day so far, and it's barely after noon. I think I'm ready for a nap.
Oh, in case you're curious, here's a table from NPR.
Multiple Sclerosis Drugs Cost Much More Today Than When They Were First Introduced
| DRUG | DATE APPROVED | INITIAL COST(IN 2013 DOLLARS) | 2013 COST | INCREASE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interferon-β-1b (Betaseron) | 7/23/1993 | $18,591 | $61,529 | 231.0% |
| Interferon-β-1a IM (Avonex) | 5/17/1996 | $12,951 | $62,394 | 381.8% |
| Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) | 12/20/1996 | $12,312 | $59,158 | 380.5% |
| Interferon-β-1a SC (Rebif) | 3/7/2002 | $19,763 | $66,394 | 236.0% |
| Natalizumab (Tysabri) | 11/23/2004 | $31,879 | $64,233 | 101.5% |
| Interferon-β-1b (Extavia) | 8/14/2009 | $35,644 | $51,427 | 44.3% |
| Fingolimod (Gilenya) | 9/21/2010 | $54,245 | $63,806 | 17.6% |
| Teriflunomide (Aubagio) | 9/12/2012 | $48,349 | $57,553 | 19.0% |
| Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera) | 3/27/2013 | $57,816 | $63,315 | 9.5% |
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