Blog # 13 - Recovering Addict

The first stage of recovery is admitting that you have a problem whether it is with alcohol or drugs. Otherwise, no progress can occur without your willingness to change. The ultimate weapon for recovery is the recovering addict (Narcotics Anonymous, 1988). According to Narcotics Anonymous, Addiction is a disease which without recovery, ends in jails, institutions, and death. Admitting to an addictions seen as strength rather than a weakness because being an addict takes over your mind, body and soul. Once it has gotten this bad you really need to seek professional help but it doesn’t have to go this far. Woman are just as strong as men to commit to change but some like others need a support system because being a emotional, moody, and overly sensitive person tends to increase the female sex to relapse sooner than males.

The following excerpt comes from the Narcotics Anonymous pamphlet Am I an Addict?

Recovery is what happens in our meetings. Our lives are at stake. We
found that by putting recovery first, the program works. We faced three disturbing realizations:

1. We are powerless over addiction and our lives are unmanageable;
2. Although we are not responsible for our disease, we are responsible for our recovery;
3. We can no longer blame people, places, and things for our addiction. We must face our
problems and our feelings(1988).

Reference

Narcotics Anonymous. (1988). Am I an addict? Retrieved April 30, 2010, from http://www.na.org/admin/include/spaw2/uploads/pdf/litfiles/us_english/IP/EN3107.pdf.

Blog #12 - Mental Illness (Schizophrenia)

Growing up there was always this one particular man that walked up and down the street in my neighborhood and he appeared to be always talking to himself. I could never figure out what was wrong with him but my mother would tell me not to stare or talk to him. I finally asked my parents what was wrong with him because I noticed people mistreating him. They told me that he was Schizophrenic, meaning that he had a split personality. This affected this man’s lives dramatically he was on permanent disability; he didn’t really have a social life because he was bothersome, and the medicine he was taking didn’t seem to help his condition. Just from knowing this man as I got older he appeared normal until you got to know him. Many people referred to him as being crazy because they weren’t knowledgeable about his condition. When he would talk to himself I understood the purpose because he was hallucinating. This man has being living with this condition for many years and I know that he has a difficult time throughout life but there has not been a person in his life to help him get the proper treatment needed. These people are often mistreated because this gentleman is married so I’m sure that his wife is only with him to draw his check. Unfortunately, he is a good person and has never harmed anyone but no one would ever get to know him because of his condition nor will he ever receive the proper treatment.

Blog #11 - Type II Diabetes

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov/.../ency/imagepages/19811.htm


The chronic illness that I am focusing on is diabetes. The reason I chose this topic is because my sister was recently diagnosed with Type II diabetes. She was concerened about her health because she began to urinate several times throughout the night and she was always dehydrated. One day she passed out at the grocery store and the paramedics took her to the hospital and this is how she was diagnosed with Type II diabetes.
My sister was immediately placed on insulin shots because her glucose levels were constantly high. This occurs because, “the body’s immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin, the hormone that regulates blood glucose (Alexander, LaRosa & Garfield, 2010).
The Interview:
I began to ask my sister how her day had been today. She stated that she had been battling with her body today because she had previously eaten a lot of sweeties yesterday evening after a dinner. I asked why was she battling or what did that mean? She stated that her “sugar” levels had been high all day and she was having a hard time regulating it. She also, stated that it was making her feel really bad all day and she regretted not eating in moderation because of her condition. I told her to get on her treadmill and do a little cardio maybe that would help. She stated that she would because normally that makes her feel better. I told my sister to remember that she cannot eat all of those sweeties because she has to remain healthy.
My sister has trouble with battling with this disease but she told me when she was first diagnosed that she was determined to get off of using the insulin shots. My sister began to exercise more regularly and began to change her diet. After six months of being diagnosed she didn’t have to use give her body those injections anymore. She had learned her body and regulated herself with the proper exercise, diet, and rest. I am so proud of my sister because she is a living witness for women who are having a battle with this chronic disease. It is possible set your mind to it and just do it.

Reference
Alexander, L.L., LaRosa, J.H., Bader, H. Garfield, S. (2010). Dimensions in women's health. (5th Ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

Blog #10 - GO RED LOVE YOUR HEART

Living on Texas Woman’s University campus my freshmen year. As I think back there was really no talk in the campus news or any programs being conducted discussing CVD among women. This is alarming to me because this is really a major problem for us as women. Now being that this is predominately all women campus you would think that someone would have conducted a study on the areas of prevention for CVD. Therefore, viewing how TWU was setup in 2004-2007 before I left campus. The student center where the food was prepared there was not a lot of healthy food choices. We only had one wellness floor and this only allowed for about 30 students to partake in the university 101 class. With all of the negative being said we did have many fitness centers available for students with state of the art equipment to encourage physical activity. To reiterate what has been discussed TWU in itself should be playing a more active role in disease prevention for women regarding CVD. It needs to begin with healthier food choices. This alone will decrease high blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity and diabetes. These are major preventive factors that are needed to decrease the risk of developing heart disease. For the institution to promote a decrease in smoking which is an environmental factor as well would be to designate center spots only for students to smoke. A big help would be to host seminars or awareness programs to make students aware. This needs to be greatly advocated and I have listed a few sites to view regarding heart disease.

I found an article that was published in winter of 2008 for TWU regarding their first annual Power of a Healthy Woman. Please feel free to click on the link to view the article.
http://www.twu.edu/downloads/iwh/Newsletter_Fall_2008.pdf
Check this website out viewing the risk factors of heart disease.
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4786
Another website sponsor by TWU
http://www.twu.edu/womens-health/default.asp

Blog #9 - Women take care of yourself and get your regular checkups.

Women take care of yourself and get your regular checkups.
This was a very interesting topic to me because the female gender is quite over look when it comes to cardiovascular disease. Women are over looked because it was once found to be more common in men but due to the lack of screenings performed on women this disease was going undetected. Therefore, once it started being detected it was too late and had already reached the latent stage. More than one in every four women will die from heart disease after they have reached menopause (Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2009). This is the leading cause of death in women that can be prevented. Many modifiable health factors relate to the increase risk of CVD are obesity and diabetes which can be greatly reduced with adequate exercise and proper diet. Other factors that affect women who begin having symptoms of CVD like stress and shortness of breath can be reversed by being aware and reducing influencing factors that promote these factors. Generally, heart disease is related to women who have used oral contraceptives and are facing menopause due to age. The women can control this disease if they can address their unhealthy habits by changing their lifestyle to following the primary essentials in staying healthy which are plenty of rest, adequate exercise, and a nutritious diet. Doctor visits for screened testing for diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure is highly encouraged. We as women must continue to be aware and research different disease. When symptoms arise and we notice changes don’t hesitate to go to the doctor and if resources are limited visit county clinics or hospitals.

Reference
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2009). Division for heart disease and stroke prevention: Women and heart disease fact sheet. Retrieved April 3, 2010, from http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/fs_women_heart.htm

Blog #8 - Hurting the ones who love and care about you the most!

The affects that anorexia has on your loved ones is devastating. This eating disorder primarily affects women. Many women experience body changes such as the development of breast and hips. These areas of a woman are features that normally enhance a woman’s body. When some women in their teenage years begin to develop many develop more rapidly than others and they begin to be teased or picked on. Peers are the worst critics and they never know if they are hurting someone’s feelings and quite frankly they really don’t care. These young woman begin to fell threaten or feel as if they are big, fat or overweight. When they have just began to hit puberty and they don’t know what they are experiencing or why they are developing as such. So they stop eating and begin to lose weight dramatically they feel as if now they are more likeable but they also begin to feel that they are still overweight. These young girls begin to develop more conditions such as depression, anemia, amenorrhea, and malnutrition. The lack of nutrients in the body starts to take a toll on the person who is dealing with the fact that they are obese and they are a size 2. If women start to notice that others are aware that they are not eating normally they start binge eating. So now they are eating to satisfy others and regurgitating to satisfy themselves. These women are now bulimic or binge eaters. They don’t realize how much pain they are placing on their real friends and family. They almost seem as if they are withering away. They are so thin and yet they feel they are so big. This takes time and counseling to get the loved one to change before it is too late. This topic is a very emotional topic to discuss because my older cousin followed this same pattern of anorexic to bulimic. Being that I was young I didn’t quite understand why she was doing this because she was a pretty, smart and popular young lady that was in high school. When my mother and I would go over to their house to visit, my aunt my mother’s sister would tell her to talk to her niece. My mother would go in her room and it would be filthy with clothes everywhere and it smelled like spoiled milk. My cousin would have regurgitated in the clothes and stored it in corners of the room or up under the bed that my mother would barely be able to stomach. It took much counseling and determination on my cousin behalf to rid her of this disorder. Eventually, she had gotten so small that she stop it took months for her to overcome this disorder but she understands now and is back to being a healthy woman. Another contributing to factor to this disorder for women is the media. Models, television ads, and Barbie are very thin and this is America’s “ideal” of how you should look. Don’t give up on your loved ones help them through this rough time and try your best when you notice changes to address it then before it gets too late and she begins to go down the wrong path. America’s “Ideal” size, that’s a joke right.

Blog #7 - Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

When I was living on Texas Woman’s University campus as a Resident Assistant some of my residents became so comfortable with me and trusted me with personal information. Therefore, a couple of my really close residents would come to me when they have engaged in some accidental or unprotected sex. Unfortunately, when you engage in these activities you place yourself at risk for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) or pregnancy. This would be how the conversation would start off. Furthermore, they would began to tell me that they smell fishy, or spotting when urinating, or pain in the abdomen. These are the various symptoms that they would tell me I would immediately go to the internet to begin to narrow down the STI they would have and tell them that if you want to get better go to the on campus doctor for an antibiotic. Normally I would be correct as to which STI they had. I was glad that I was there to support them because STI can be very dangerous if left untreated and could result in death.

This is my favorite topic because one out of every 4 girls has an STI. Meaning there is a lack of advocating and mentoring to these young adults about the risk and how to protect themselves. Horrible I know! Hopefully one day I can open up my own clinic that just doesn’t give test and provides more than just pamphlets. I want to have counselors there to give classes about prevention, if you are pregnant what to do and if you have an STI what to do, and discuss the many resources that are available. The main class would discuss abstinence. This clinic would allow for young adults to learn and not be scared to talk to someone about their body because sometimes it’s hard to discuss this topic with the parents.

Blog #6 - YES

Yes, Prenatal Testing should be routine for all women. This allows for preparation in the event of a possibility if there is a birth defect. Unfortunately, this testing is done early and women still have the option to have an abortion or give the baby up for adoption; if they do not feel they can take care of the child. Contrary to this belief some women go through with the risk that there is a possibility. Sometimes if the woman doesn’t go through with the diagnostic testing they still go through with the pregnancy. For Example, my friend had a prenatal test and my god child had a possibility of being born with Down syndrome, but that wasn’t the outcome (grateful) and the mother didn’t go through with further testing. On the other hand, I feel that women that are more at risk of birth defects should definitely go through with the diagnostic testing. To be certain or to know for sure so that they can weigh their option and have counseling if need be.

Blog #5

Being the tender age of 24 years old, I think that that I am adult. My idea of an adult is someone who is responsible, wise, and able to care for themselves with no help from others. This is when you can attempt to plan to have children. Once again I stated plan because one thing that I left out that some so called adults forget about is the financial aspect of adult hood. Baby or babies are very expensive and require a great deal of money in order to be able to cover expensive. Those expenses vary from doctor visits, food, and clothes. Therefore, just like babies shouldn’t have babies that rule needs to apply to those who are adults need to be financially stable in order to support the child. I don’t feel that a child should be brought into this world if there is a lack of support. The baby didn’t ask to be born so make sure the environment he/she is born into is conducive to all of he/she’s needs to be successful.

Congratulations to my friend she just had her first born Gavin Isaiah weighing 8lbs 10oz @ 3:28pm on 3/15/2010.

Blog #4

The Talk about Sex with Mom...


It’s Spring Break and all of the children are home. I think it’s time! Time for what the children ask? It’s time for “The Talk”! The children and I relocated from the bedrooms to the living room. I reminded Stacy to get the laptop because we were going to need it for “The Talk”! The children gathered around the living room table. I began to ask all of the children, what is that you know about “SEX”. One by one they began to explain what they already knew about “SEX”. Stacy said he knew about condoms. Jennifer said she knew where babies came from. Immediately I was alarmed but I was glad that there was a basic understanding. I began to start the conversation, with what the consequences were of having unprotected sex. This is where the laptop came into play. I allowed the children to search different websites but some of the websites I provided them were as follows:

1. www. Cdc.gov/STD
2. www.nlm.nih.gov/.../sexuallytransmitteddiseases.html
3. www.avert.org/std.htm

These sites provided them with a lot of information pertaining to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). I’m not sure if this was the correct route to go but this was the best way when ever so often the children were telling me about other children who were pregnant. These children were no older or different from them. Afterward, I was ready to ask more questions. These questions are as follows:

1. Are you sexually active?
a. Stacy replied, No.
b. Jennifer replied, No.
2. What are the various forms of protection against pregnancy?
a. Stacy replied, birth control
b. Jennifer replied, condoms
c. Mom replied, abstinence meaning don’t have “Sex”
3. Should you have sex before marriage?
a. Stacy replied, No.
b. Jennifer replied, No.
c. Mom replied, I want you all to stick to this promise.
4. At your age is it okay to be sexually active?
a. Stacy replied, No.
b. Jennifer replied, No.
c. Mom replied, I’m glad because you are babies yourself and that’s what’s wrong with the world today babies having babies.
This was a start but I know that this was just the beginning. I wanted to bring this to their attention but I know more question would arise during this week. I’m so glad that I was the first to talk to them and explain different things to them before peer pressure does. Thanks to my niece and nephew for sharing this experience with you all this was actually a true story.

Blog # 3 - Preventative Behaviors

In rating my preventative practices overall I think that I am quite well. Answers to the following questions regarding the preventive practices are below:
1. No, not quite healthful diet because I love to eat so it’s overly balanced and I try to avoid fast food restaurants as much as possible. I am also, on a diet that provides me with all the nutrients that I may miss in certain servings.
2. No, I am not able to participate in physical activity I was before I had to get a job. Now since I have a job I am not able to do as much because I get off late.
3. Yes, I work a mid to night shift so I am able to get adequate rest.
4. Yes, I don’t use any drugs because they are really bad on your health. I’ve seen what they can do to a person and I’d rather not.
5. Yes, I consume alcohol and it’s only socially and it’s definitely in moderation.
6. Yes, I’ve never contracted an STI and I use all preventative measures so that I won’t contract.
7. Yes, it’s quite hard but I do find time to devote to others but nowadays I get a lot of “Me” time.
8. Yes, definitely especially since I have had to take two defensive driving classes and this is just March!
9. Yes, no one believes me when I tell them that I am 24 years old and I have never ever been in a fight. I don’t like conflict and I steer far from them and try my best if they arise to not use violence.
10. Yes, I do receive routine and annual checkups from our family practice doctor.
In viewing the above answers I only had two No’s. The areas that I am lacking in health are eating properly and physical activity. I am really trying and have been trying to focus on these areas for many years. Currently, I am doing right size smoothies to help with portion sizes. “It really works.” Also, I am going to try and dedicate at least 30mins to an hour of walking around the park. If I was living on campus these answers would have been answered yes, because I was always enrolled in a workout class and I ate healthier. This assessment allowed me to evaluate my health even though I had an idea of where I stood before I rated myself. Majority of these practices are implemented because it’s an everyday ordeal and I am too old for peer pressure.

Blog #2- Healthcare

I have bitter feelings about the health care system in the United States especially in regards to the care for seniors or the elderly population. This is because I have been able to see a holistic view of this system. A person who is on the inside and doesn’t have anything to do with finances i.e. doctor, nurses, and those who have direct relation with the patient never know how the patient is able to receive care. The make sure that the patient is healthy or in the process of getting healthier. Unfortunately, they have no idea about how insurance works for patients. Those who focus on this aspect is Social Services and they on the other hand have no idea about the quality of life this person is exhibiting. All that they are worried about is Medicare days or secondary insurance plans (private) the patient can need major surgery well they are going to do everything they can to get them release either to a Rehab facility, Nursing home, or long term care facility. Now these other option are ok except for the Long term care facility continues to bill Medicare. Health care is not about health any more it’s about receiving a monetary value. If we were able to get the Health Care Reform passed it would help those who are in needed of care. They would be able to receive treatment when needed and wouldn’t have to wait or possible pay out-of-pocket first to receive the care. Insurances would be universal and no one would be denied for previous health conditions. Shockingly enough no one would go without or have to expire because of money.

Blog #1

Health Issues

The health issue that I am most concerned with right now is obesity. The reason is because a lot of my friends are at risk for various diseases due to the fact that they fit in the new class of obesity called morbid obesity. This concerns me because I am trying to diet and it’s difficult to maintain a healthy weight but I don’t want to increase my risk for heart disease and or breast cancer so I know this is important.

Aalexia is a 12 year old African American female who is my niece. The health issue she says that is most concerning to her is teenage pregnancy. She is concerned with this issue because there have been 3 teenage pregnancy occurrences this school year. Just yesterday one of the young women that was pregnant water had broke while she was participating in a activity called fun Friday in the gym. Aalexia was very concerned about the young lady and it caused her to pose many questions when she got home. I think this was most alarming to her because the girl was just in the 7th grade and was the tender age of 13 years old, just one grade and one year older than her.

Le’Triche is a 23 year old Hawaiian female who is my best friend. The health issue she says is most concerning is the H1 N1. This health problem has been alarming for her because she has a 7 month old daughter who is at the age to receive the series of vaccines for the disease. She is terrified to get the baby her second dosage because after receiving the first dose the baby developed a slight cold. I think that the baby will be okay and should receive the second dosage because it would be similar to like an antibiotic so once you start you should complete the dosage.

Antoniette is a 34 year old Indian female who is my friend. The health issue she says is most concerning to her is Cancer. The reason this is most important to her is the fact that many women are being diagnosis with this particular disease. Another reason is because it’s a hereditary trait and both of her grandparents have passed away from thyroid and colon cancer. She strives to eat healthy and practice good healthy ways. I know this is really important to her because I was able to recently attend her grandfather’s funeral.

Reaching out to these three women has produced great insight to the global issues that are all current in the world today. All of the women presented various health issues. I was able to interview a variety of women on various spectrums of ages and ethnicities. The issues were great and interesting to hear from the women. I noticed that these women focused on issues that dealt with family or something that they had recently experienced that affected their life.