Saturday, March 27, 2010

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.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

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.


Wednesday, March 17, 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.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

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.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

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.