Posts by restlessorca35

mistyjackal842 said:I’ve tried just about everything. I spent a long time caring for a bedridden patient—it changes you. Regarding those lanolin creams, I actually dug through some medical articles online just to figure out what was what. One lady who was looking after her immobile mom had a GP suggest Cicratidin hyaluronic cream. It didn't really work for my dad, though—everything is so different from person to person. Sometimes I’d layer it with Mirobact ointment and gauze to keep things from getting infected. We were mostly dealing with surface wounds. They healed a bit easier on his legs since there wasn't constant pressure; he even grew a new toenail once the old one fell off. For that, I started with Mirobact and used gauze exactly how the doctor told me. I’ve used Byvacin ointment too, which is an antibiotic.

It is incredibly hard to find the right cream—you wouldn't believe how much it varies by person. We ended up sticking with propolis-based creams. Mistyjackal842, thank you so much for the advice; you've been a huge help.

My heart goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one, and sending strength to those still in the fight.

Need some help here. My 5-year-old has this swollen lymph node on his neck. The pediatrician ordered tests for mononucleosis, but the local lab is out of reagents. I even called a private clinic—no luck there either, they're sending samples over to Germany. The results we did get back (just the ones outside the normal range) show: WBC 23.7 (ref 5-13), Hemoglobin 368 (300-350), platelets 608 (150-450), Platelet count 6.4 (6.9-11.3), monocytes 4 (5-13), and CRP 12 (0.1-2.8). Could these numbers align with mono? And what kind of stuff causes a low Platelet count and high Hemoglobin? Thank you.

PS. We’re heading back to the doctor tomorrow afternoon, obviously.

Kimberly Wright said:So, we've exhausted the whole "caring for a family member" angle for now—I was actually thinking about playing the depression card later on, but why push it? 😬

Glad you figured things out.

Based on what's on the Medicare site, there's no legal way to get coverage for helping your own parents 😢
since they only allow:
sick leave for caring for an insured person—specifically a child up to age 3
sick leave for a family member—a child between ages 3 and 7
sick leave for a family member—a child older than 7
sick leave for a family member—a spouse (married or common-law)

Kimberly Wright said:thanks 🙂

So, I'm wondering—what's the best way to handle taking time off to care for a sick family member?

Last week my GP told me you can't actually get leave to care for anyone except a spouse or a kid—apparently, the official medical paperwork only even has spots for a partner or child. If you actually get along with your doctor, just talk to them about the situation. If not? Well, you're stuck. Just a heads up: a spinal issue gets you 14 days, while depression gets you 30 without needing a review board.

Grace Grant10 said:So, now everything is a drug. A drug is strictly a pharmaceutical product—nothing else—and it has to be chemical, not natural.

So, what, most antibiotics aren't drugs in your book?
Honestly, after saying something like that, nothing else you write carries any weight.

And this part has nothing to do with Grace Grant10's post.
I would never dream of belittling how anyone chooses to heal. Anyone helping is doing good work. I’ve dealt with illness in my own family—and still do—and if traditional medicine fails, you try everything else. My best friend once had tests come back saying she was basically at death's door, only to find out they'd mixed up her results; the woman who was supposedly on her deathbed ended up booking a summer vacation to celebrate being alive. Another friend outlived even the most pessimistic medical forecasts thanks to prayer and faith.
Fighting an incurable disease is hard enough without people constantly implying we're uninformed, brainwashed, primitive, or being conned. It doesn't matter if that pressure comes from a doctor, an alternative practitioner, or someone else entirely. You need strength, willpower, patience, acceptance, and above all, love. That's what I wish for all of you.🙂

If you’ve done the labs and your thyroid levels—TSH, T3, T4—are looking fine (you can always hit up a private lab like Quest Diagnostics for about $30 per hormone), maybe try keeping a food diary? Just watch what you’re actually eating and try to avoid mindless snacking. I’m just spitballing here, but if you usually end up grazing in front of the TV at night, maybe swap that out for a walk around the neighborhood instead. Honestly, it might even be worth chatting with a therapist. At 173 cm and 61 kg, calling yourself "a little overweight" is a stretch—by any standard, you're right in the sweet spot, and 50 kg sounds pretty terrifying to me.

Angela Wright said:people used to call me "colleague" all the time😂—I basically got everything I needed just by playing that part.👍
Basically, you just have to constantly stroke their egos and act sympathetic toward their "difficult and unfortunate circumstances," and then they’ll be eating out of your hand.

Honestly, that’s just depressing. It always reminds me of this one colleague who told me—right when I was finishing my PhD—that I should get some business cards made. When I gave her a weird look, she just deadpanned that they’d serve me well with both doctors and butchers😁. That was ages ago, back when there were meat shortages everywhere. Look, I get it—their jobs are tough, they deal with all kinds of people, and modern doctors who think they’re experts because of a Google search can be infuriating—but I just can't justify being rude or arrogant toward anyone perceived as "lower" than you
.

steelhound74 said:My question is this: Is a medical professional at a local clinic actually obligated to carry a patient this heavy up to the 4th floor—or is that supposed to be left to family and neighbors?

(I sent this over to the Department of Health and Human Services, but I'd love to hear what you all think about it)

Not sure what their official job description is, but I know my brother and I ended up lugging mom ourselves—mostly because the ambulance showed up with a driver carrying a 20-kilo bed and a nurse who wouldn't even follow basic protocol. Mom’s been disabled since she was a kid, so moving her was already a nightmare long before the brain tumor. When I asked why they weren't helping, they basically told me they used to call the fire department, but apparently, those guys don't do that anymore—so we should just move to a building with an elevator.
Don't even get me started on some of the doctors... the sheer ignorance and arrogance was unreal. I've never once tried to act superior to nurses or MDs, but there were times I practically had to recite my PhD thesis just to get them to listen to a single word I said. It's pathetic.

Karen Fox36 said:Hey there.
Might give them a shot—can't really say no when they're plant-based, right?🙂

Don't get me wrong—I’m saying this with nothing but good intentions here. Just to play devil's advocate: cocaine and heroin are plant-based, and botulin is a natural compound too. Even water can be toxic if you overdo it—osmosis, right? Whatever the case, you've gotta stay cautious and talk to a pro who actually knows the patient's situation.

Elizabeth Diaz60 said:Hey everyone! Has anyone dealt with post-radiation necrosis before? I was reading up on Hyperbaric oxygen therapy—basically breathing oxygen under pressure for set intervals. Just wondering if there are any clinics doing this here in the States or somewhere nearby...

There are hyperbaric chambers in Miami, San Francisco, and San Diego (maybe a few other spots too). Not sure if they treat anything besides diving issues, though. If you can't get a straight answer locally about centers in neighboring states, check out www.ddrc.org (Divers Alert Network) over in Plymouth; they might have a directory of similar facilities.

Rebecca Lee6 said:Hey everyone. Reading through these threads, I notice a lot of people chest-thumping about how much of an American they are. Personally, I see it differently. There’s really no need to constantly shout about your heritage at every single turn. To me, it’s enough to just love your country and take care of your culture, traditions, and language. If you find yourself abroad, just be a great ambassador for our people... act in a way that leaves everyone with a fantastic impression of America. And honestly, one of the most important things is not to push your identity so hard that it makes others feel less valued. That’s what being a good American means to me.👍

P.S. I feel this way about other nations too!

Honestly? To me, being a decent American just boils down to being a decent human being—period. It’s about looking for the humanity in everyone else, too.

Honestly, let them vent—insults, swearing, whatever. If people need to blow off steam, they might as well do it here. Anyone can call someone stupid, ugly, or just plain frustrated... doesn't really move the needle for me. It just helps filter out who’s worth reading when things get serious, versus the folks I check in on just for a good laugh.