The focus of that song is on how all of us, though seeming to be distinct individuals, are actually all part of a single body. In those few words is housed a deep metaphor for the truths that support our very being. It is also a true metaphor for our individual bodies. Over the centuries we have poked and prodded, cut and changed what we came to believe were individual "parts" of the body. The liver is over there and the thyroid is a "butterfly shaped mass" right there in the neck. That just isn't true.

Question: My doctor believes I need to be on a medicine to prevent colon cancer, it's called Lialda. However, our insurance coverage doesn't have a prescription card and I have to pay out of pocket up to our deductible, which is $2500. Consequently, the $380/month that it would cost me each month until I reach that deductible is not in our family's budget. Are there any alternatives.

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis back in '06, and although I only had that initial episode and one this past summer, I have been relatively healthy.

A few weeks ago, one of our customers called. At a recent appointment her doctor expressed shocked concern that her Bone Mineral Density (BMD) value was -3.0. This suggested to the doctor that the customer was "suffering" from severe osteoporosis. The doctor immediately wanted to prescribe some drugs to halt or reverse the progression of this "disease."

Before downing dose after dose of a potent drug there are some important things to take into consideration. First, BMD is NOT the only risk factor associated with fractures. There are other factors and some of them are more important than BMD. One study actually suggests that BMD is the least of 6 risk factors.

Question: My niece is 15 years old. She has been showing signs of mild-moderate depression. My sister took her to a psychiatrist who after one visit prescribed Prozac. Aren't these drugs dangerous for kids? Shouldn't they try diet, exercise and counseling first?

Larry's Response: I am behind you 100% on your evaluation and concerns.