Balance?

What are some possible strategies for women to use in finding balance in their professional, educational and personal lives?

There are all kinds of strategies that can be done. Using to do lists to prioritize activities, taking time to plan the coming week during the weekend (like planning menu's), making meals and freezing for quick cooking during the week. Other things can include allowing or even paying help for the less important things. Pay a housekeeper to do the heavy cleaning, have a service do the laundry. There are tons of ideas to help save time for work and personal requirements, many books have been written and people have great ideas of how to work tie better. I assume that many people are like me and the problem is not knowing what to do, but more about actually doing the things that will help with time management. It's kinda like weight loss in that respect, most know what to do or where to find the information but no one loses weight without doing those things. I make lists for everything, I plan out my days with what needs to be done for school and for work, I plan menus for the week and make a grocery list for those menus. I try to follow my plans, although sometimes I think that I am more stressed because I am not following my plan rather than because I am not able to get anything done. I also know that the things that worked for me years ago no longer do, whether because I am older or the demands of my family are so different now. Finding ways to balance all areas of life as well as de-stress when needed is an ongoing process.

Addicts

Is it better to put drug addicts in jail or to send them to mandatory drug treatment programs?

I don't believe that either one of these works in the long term for anyone who does not believe that they have a problem. Either one of these will detox a person but once released they will return to drugs with the belief that they can do it once and not have a problem. I think that if one of these has to be chosen then first should be the treatment program. Many who are required to go into these programs will see that they do have a problem. They may start to see signs and symptoms in themselves that they didn't before. Movies such as 28 days with Sandra Bullock show how this can happen. Even though it is just a story, some of it may be based on real events, most things are. For these people jail would have been detrimental to their recovery and probably would have set them on the path of no return. People who are released from drug treatment programs and continue to go back to drugs should probably do some jail time. It's possible that it will be the wake up call that they need. I think that the real problem for addicts is that although everyone says don't do it and just say no, very few are ready to tell the truth about drugs. They make you feel good, you get away from life for awhile. Many become addicts because the desire to get away from reality is so strong that they turn to the drugs instead of trying to better their reality. The key for many people is not just getting away from drugs but a whole lifestyle change, including scenery if needed. Drugs have less power over a person whose daily life is one of joy and happiness already.

Mental Illness

Mental illness has been in my family for generations. Depression has been the most common. My maternal grandmother, mother, sister and I all suffer from it. We have all tried many different treatments with the results being varied. My grandmother would go to the clinic and would have shock treatments. I mean full on, electrodes all over the head, something in the mouth for biting, shock treatments. She would do this approximately every 10 years or so. I never saw it but my mother talked about it. When she (my mother) was about 8 my grandfather left my grandmother, as a result she had a nervous breakdown. She was placed in a mental institution for many months. Because there was no family to take care of my mother and her siblings they were sent to a children's home where they lived until graduating from high school. My grandmother was released after months of treatment but as I said had to go back every so often to have follow up treatment. My mother suffered from depression for years when I was a child. She did not seek help for a long time, just lived with it. I can remember little things from that time that I know now were symptoms. At the time we really didn't know what was wrong with mom. She never became very close to her mother so I guess didn't really know all the symptoms that she went through. Also, my mom didn't have any traumatic experience which she thought was how the depression would start. She didn't really have a trigger, just everything together I guess. I went through something similar not really knowing that I had depression. I thought that it was just the blues or melancholy, and that it was just a part of my personality. It wasn't until I took welbutrin to stop smoking that I realized that it did much more for me than just help me quit smoking. Now I look at my family and that of my husbands and realize that my daughter has an extremely high chance of experiencing some type of mental illness and I have to really be on the lookout for any symptoms that she may have.

Chronic Illness

I did not have to do a formal interview with someone who has a chronic disease. My mother has MS and has been in good condition for about 10 years. When she was diagnosed she was unable to feel anything from about her breastbone down to her toes. She was confined to a wheelchair that I had to borrow from the nursing home that I worked in. As the take charge daughter, I had to take off work and take care of her for a couple weeks. Once we were able to see the doctor she was placed on large amounts of steroids IV and some other medications. She regained the strength back in her legs and after several months of exercise and work she was able to get back to where she was before the episode. In order to keep herself healthy she has to makes sure that she gets plenty of rest. She eats lots of fruit to keep hydrated and keep her system working well. She has to make sure that she does not get overheated because that could bring on a exacerbation of her symptoms. For years she took a medication called Copaxone to prevent further degradation of the nerves. It was a daily shot that she had to give herself. She took it for about 8 years. It made hard knots in her body where she gave the shots. She has since lost her health insurance and can no longer afford the cost of the medication so she has not been taking it for about 2 years. She has not had any problems as of yet but she has to be extra careful not to do anything that would cause her to become symptomatic. As I mentioned, I work in a nursing home where I treat people with chronic disease every day. Now, I understand that being in a nursing home does not offer all the freedoms that the average person has, but people don't do a complete 180 when they get there. I see people everyday who expect a doctor to be able to give them a pill to get rid of symptoms and they don't have to do anything themselves. It's sad that people are not willing to work to make their bodies healthier so that they don't have these problems later. They eat poorly, smoke, drink, don't exercise and have no interest in trying to find natural ways to help alleviate their symptoms. I don't mean they smoke a little or drink a little, I mean heavily. As a former smoker I know how hard it is to quit, but it is not impossible. If someone has a real desire to be healthier they can. I know that what I have seen is a limited portion of people who have multiple problems but given the current population age it is obvious that people need to treat their bodies better. This does include me.

Disease prevention

How can academic institutions take a more active role in disease prevention for women?

I think that offering services is the only way for institutions to be active in disease prevention. The offering of classes regarding various diseases, testing services, and possibly some counseling regarding these diseases would be great. As it has been pointed out TWU offers some of this with their HIV testing and counseling and the like. I think that it is wonderful that this is available for students on campus. As a non-traditional student, both as online and with the fact that this is my second go round in school, I have to ask the question: Is this the academic institutions responsibility? I think that it's great when these services are offered but ultimately the responsibility for prevention of disease, of any kind, is in the hands of the person. These services only give information to the person, they cannot make the person do anything about it. Having the information available, without judgement towards the person is just about all the institution is able to do. Also there are other facilities where these services are offered. If someone does not have insurance, they can go to clinics in their area, I have never lived in any town that did not have a free/prorated clinic within 20 miles of the town. I assume that there are some but if one is that concerned they will go where they are able to get the information. Many doctors offices also give discounts to private pay patients, one just has to tell them that they are private pay, and ask for the discount.

Why aren't I healthier?

What are the biggest challenges to regular exercise and a healthy diet that you face? How are these challenges going to change for you over the next five years?

This is a question that I ask myself practically on a daily basis. The fact that I am overweight makes me think about these and other questions often. The biggest challenges that I have to exercise is that I just don't make the time to do it. I won't say that there isn't enough time because there is, I just have other priorities. I have a full time job, do PRN work, and have a 4 yr old child and husband to take care of. With the extra activities that I have with my daughter along with now being a full time student, it is difficult for me to take time to care for my house let alone exercise. I guess I could give up some of my sleep time to do it, but again priorities. Having a healthy diet is a challenge due to the same factors. Also included is the fact that my husband does help with the cooking but wouldn't know a healthy meal if it came up and kicked him in the butt. I really don't complain about what he cooks because it saves me from the work. He knows that I am unhappy with the way that I look but he is also busy and doesn't take the time to learn how to be healthier. Even though he really needs it also. I don't see these challenges changing for me over the next five years. I feel like I will probably have even more challenges as my daughter gets older and hopefully I will have more children. I do hope that as my husband advances in his career I will be able to work less and will have more time to devote to being healthier, for my whole family. I know that my daughter is learning from what she see me doing and I hope to be able to set a better example for her, but the reality is that for the time being I don't see a change happening.

Menopause

I think that the first way for societies view of menopause to change is for women to become educated. This means not only learning what the symptoms are, but also in finding ways to lessen those symptoms. I also think we need to control our reactions to what is happening to the body. The old saying forwarned is forarmed has good application here. By listening to the body and recognizing symptoms early it will be easier for women to help decrease the effects of those symptoms. Also, I think that the concept of "female problems" as an excuse to get out of things is used too much, although not as much as the media portrays. Yes, it is really a pain when a women has cramps and other symptoms related to their period or menopause symptoms, but whether you take something or not, move on. Do not perseverate on the way that you feel or the symptoms you are experiencing. Gone are the days when this would really get you out of any type of work. With the medical advancements and the medications that are available it is just ridiculous anyone would try this. That is not to say that if you have symptoms not to discuss them with your doctor and try to get relief that way. I work in a predominately female environment and I do encounter this almost on a daily basis. Because it is a medical field maybe my coworkers feel more comfortable talking about these topics, but I feel that it would be the case whether where I am or elsewhere with the same women.

being tested

What would I tell a friend in order to persuade them to be tested for a STD.

I would talk to them about why they thought that they had something. Had they "been with" someone who later told them that they had a disease. If so then the likelyhood of having the disease was very great. I would then tell them about the effects that diseases have. In general the two most important factors for me would be imminent death or infertility. In very general terms, there are some diseases that if left untreated would cause sterilization. If this friend was concerned about having children later I would emphasize this point as the consequences to decreased fertility are very great, not only physically, and financially but also emotionally. The emotional turmoil that results from infertility, whether preventable or not, is probably the hardest part to deal with. The other factor, death is probably the most feared. Instead of generalizing it I would be very specific regarding what death looks like. With HIV/AIDS the cause of death can be so different for each but if you just took pneumonia/respiratory problems associated with it, one can be very graphic regarding the consequences. The feeling of "drowning" in ones own bodily fluid should be enough to spur anyone into action. Also, I would try to point out that many diseases can be treated effectively so that none of these consequences have to be endured. The most important factor for successful treatment of disease is time. The earlier tested the easier the treatment can be. I would ask if the problem was embarrassment. If so then there are options, such as going to a different doctor, a health clinic designed for testing, and I would try to relieve the fear of judgement by medical staff. The people who work in these places are already aware of the stress that can be caused by just the thought of having a STD and they are very good at causing more undue stress. Lastly, I would offer to go with my friend and be there with them. I would also offer to be tested along with them if that would help them to go. It can be very comforting to know that someone else if going through the same process for testing and results. I would hope that if this were a real case I would do everything I could to help that person understand the importance and urgency of being tested. Not only to themselves but also to future partners.

Surrogate mothers

The video regarding surrogate mothers was very interesting. I have actually considered being a surrogate mother, but unlike the woman in the video I would choose not to have a child that was even half genetically mine. I just don't believe that I could give up my own child, but as the mother in the segment said, if one knows before hand that the child will be given up, I think that I could do it. It is really something to be able to carry a child for another couple. I believe that it would be rewarding in so many ways other than financially.

I really thought that commenting on this video would be easy but it has brought up many questions and emotions for me. My husband and I are currently researching alternate means of family enlargement so this really is close to my life at this time. I also have friends that are at different levels of the fertility process and this is probably one of the last resorts for couples and is left for those that are more financially well off as it is probably the most expensive.

I know this blog is a little all over the place and I apologize for that.

Having Children

The question of the ways that culture, beliefs and practices influence the decision to have children is easy, in every way. Culture often dictates an acceptable time in which to have children along with the place in life, jobs and such. Beliefs can include the use of contraception to prevent pregnancy or at least help control it. Practices are probably the most influencing factor since no matter what your culture or beliefs if one engages in sexual activity without taking the appropriate actions to prevent pregnancy then they have left the choice up to another power. In my own home growing up birth control/contraception was available. My mother believed that if she could not prevent me from becoming sexually active, and she couldn't have, that she could at least help me be safe from disease and pregnancy. She discussed contraception with me and was willing to assist me in going to the doctor for birth control pills. She knew that she would be better off to allow me the choice and be safe rather than try to prevent what she couldn't. As a parent, I hope that when the time comes for my daughter to be making these decisions that I will be able to be as open minded as my mother.

Reality Sex

Should sex education be provided in the school system - emphatically yes. There is no doubt in my mind that it should be. And what type should it be - reality sex. I believe that sex education should be taught without any regard to cultural, religious, or any other background out there. It should be matter of fact, focusing on the physical consequences rather than any of the other issues out there. Leave the cultural and religious belief systems for students to be taught at home by their parents. If those aspects of sex education are so important for the parents then they will want to handle that at home. As for school, I think that sex education should start earlier than it does now, and I think that it should focus more on what students fear rather than what are the worst consequences. We all know that AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases can be the worst results of promiscuity but most teens have the "it won't happen to me" syndrome and it is hard to fake/role play the results of contracting a disease. For many teens the idea of pregnancy is the consequence, although many still don't believe that it will happen to them. Students who participate in role playing education such as wearing pregnant bellies or having life like dolls that they are required to take care of have a much healthier "fear" of the consequences and are more likely to protect themselves or abstain. I also think that if we required more as a society of parents when it comes to teen pregnancy we would have less instance of it. This is slightly off subject but I happen to believe that if we required that parents be responsible for all actions of their children financially until they were 18 then many would be more proactive in the sex education of their children. If welfare was not available until the age of 18 and the grandparents had to support their child along with the grandchild, they might be more willing to have "the talk" and be more involved with their child and their activities.

Self Assessment

I chose to complete the self assessment for preventive practices. According to the assessment I am fair in my practices, and I agree with that. I could be much healthier than I am, but I try. I take supplements and drink a wonderful fruit supplement that gives me 13 servings per day. Some of the questions in the assessment might not apply to everyone either. The question about condom is not relevant to me. Yes, I know that just because I am married does not mean that my husband won't cheat on me, but I trust him and am confident that STI's are not a risk for me at this time in my life. I was surprised that there was no question regarding weight on the assessment. The best thing that I could do for my health would be to lose weight. I am considered to be morbidly obese with a high BMI. I understand that the health risks of being over-weight are many including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, joint problems, and the list goes on. Understanding that you are unhealthy is easy, changing habits and lifestyles to become healthier is not. I am also a former smoker, and stopping was not easy. I was not able to stop without the use of medications, even though I really wanted to for the health of my child. I also try to avoid the over use of medications, especially antibiotics. Working in the health care field I have found that if one just practices universal precautions, good hand washing techniques along with common sense while working with people who are sick, you can stay pretty healthy. In the 12 years that I have been working in nursing homes I cannot remember a time that I got sick with something that my patients had. I believe that we should be careful and try to stay as healthy as possible as we can, but at the same time I know that healthy living is not easy and does not come naturally for most people.

Health Concerns

What are health concerns of women.

I guess the range of health concerns that anyone may have is all dependent on the environment and family of the person being asked. My concerns tend to be geared toward those that my patients face, including alzeheimers and diabetes. Alzeheimers is becoming rampant in the US but there is little that the average person does for those with the disease and their families. It is difficult to understand the depth of pain that dimentia diseases can cause unless you have been apart of a family that has gone through it. As for the women that I talked with, they voiced similar concerns but also included others that are directly related to them. Infertility, heart health and general wellbeing were among the top discussed. For all of the women that I spoke with and for me the major health concern right now is not that of the diseases but for the care that we and all others will be receiving, no matter what the problem is. More discussion was placed on the current state of healthcare reform than any other. I agree that whatever comes along medically, the ability to afford and receive healthcare is a high priority in many minds.