Posts by Jamie Clark74

In Australia, being a donor isn't considered a big deal.
All of us who are donors have it marked right on our driver's licenses.
The entire country uses a computer link between hospitals to speed up
the whole process.
There was once a famous 48-year-old cricketer who died after a head injury; his four organs were transplanted into four different people.

If everyone lived in fear that someone would kill them just because they're a donor, we’d never have any donors at all. People watch way too many dumb movies and listen to too many urban legends.

Just last week, we saw an example of a few people who would have been dead before hitting age 20 if it hadn't been for heart or lung transplants.

It’s common knowledge that you can go to some Asian countries and get a very cheap deal
for your money—like a new kidney sold by someone living in poverty.

On the flip side, someone in Australia placed an ad in the newspaper looking for a new kidney, and a matching donor stepped up and gave their kidney for nothing at all.

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electricdriver78 said:It’s all pretty sad, really.

The way people view mental health is still stuck in a dark age.

I honestly can't believe people still use terms like "crazy" to describe someone struggling with mental illness.😕 👎

It is depressing. Even worse, some supposedly "intelligent" people claim you don't need a doctor—whether it's a psychologist or a psychiatrist—or medication.

According to recent data, depression is becoming a massive issue, affecting maybe 4 or 5 out of every 100 Americans.

Maybe those people who insist you don't need help are actually the ones driving everyone else toward a breakdown?
Those cynical, aggressive types can make life incredibly difficult for people who are just hardworking, disciplined, and a bit more reserved.

Back in 1990, I was working an office job as a dispatcher. I had three computers in front of me, about twenty vehicles under my control via radio, and three phones—one of which was tied to seven different foremen (who rarely even answered after four rings). I found myself subconsciously counting the seconds until the next ring would go off, simply because their office was just a few feet away from mine.

While those jerks stood by the door smoking, I had people waiting on work orders, orders for parts, people calling from their cars... and the phone just kept ringing.

How much can one person take? Just look at any government office;
watch how they talk to people while you're sitting there waiting in line or dealing with bureaucracy elsewhere.

I tried letting them know the workload was too much, but it fell on deaf ears with my manager. It went on for a year until one morning, I simply couldn't get out of bed.

I took four months of leave, but I couldn't recover. At the time, nobody realized it wasn't just stress, panic attacks, and depression;
it was also the sheer fear of the workplace itself.

I haven't worked since then—that was 14 years ago. After my leave, I was relieved to see a Neurologist, who eventually referred me to a psychiatrist... whom I still see every six weeks.

To be honest, I wanted to be physically ill. It took three or six months of convincing before I accepted that I was mentally ill, dealing with a chemical imbalance, and needed medication that I’ll likely take for the rest of my life.

So, if you aren't feeling right, please don't wait until you're completely broken like I did. You might never be the same person again.

Around my 50th birthday, I was let go from my job because I was deemed unfit for the role.
I received a $100,000 settlement for damages, but that didn't mean I could access my pension immediately; I had to wait two years per the law.

P.S. My doctor is a primary care physician, a psychiatrist, and a licensed psychologist all in one. I feel very lucky to have found such an experienced professional (she actually immigrated from Holland as a child). She sees us privately, and our sessions with my wife last about an hour and a half. She doesn't charge extra beyond what the government covers, which is only about 70% of the actual cost.

Sorry for the long post.

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Well, lucky me—I just got the letter from the hospital confirming my surgery date.
It’s a Laminectomy, scheduled for March 24th, performed by senior Neurosurgeon Mr. McCulloch.

I still have to head into the clinic for a mandatory EKG (standard procedure for anyone over 50) and some tests regarding my Asbestosis to check my lung capacity. I’m pretty sure everything will be fine, though; I can't imagine I'm in worse shape than someone smoking 40 to 60 cigarettes a day. Luckily, I quit about 16 or 17 years ago.

I am a little worried that this won't actually fix my back pain, or worse, that the surgery might make it even more intense. Still, I'm hoping for that 50% improvement in my legs so I can walk longer distances. If I'm lucky, it might even stop the stiffness and tingling, though those burning pains could persist... there might not be a solution for everything because
I'm dealing with a second issue stemming from my first surgery: nerve sheath damage known as Arachnoiditis.

ARACHNOIDITIS/IMAGE

Casey Palmer5 said:It’s possible people here won't recognize the term HRT since we usually just call it Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Thanks, Casey Palmer5,
Yeah, we mostly just say hormone replacement therapy!

That’s how it goes after living abroad for 37 years. Some things didn't even exist back then, and honestly, at home, we tend to use the English medical terminology anyway. To be truthful, there are plenty of body parts where I don't even know the proper American names.

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Casey Palmer5 said:It doesn't necessarily mean anything scary. Myomas can grow pretty fast, too. We had a similar situation in my family, and everything turned out fine—though it required a hysterectomy. It’s not the end of the world; things are all good now. The main thing is that it isn't malignant, and if it were, catching it early is what matters most.

Good luck, and please let us know how it goes!

My wife is 67 now, and she went through something very similar 24 years ago. She had a hysterectomy, but they were able to leave her ovaries intact.

According to CNN, there are so many different opinions on this right now. My wife has been using hormone patches for the last few years.
Her stomach just can't handle oral hormone therapy, and those patches can get pricey. She also takes Calcium for her bones and Vitamin D.

Taking hormone therapy and Calcium is vital for bone health. As for all the conflicting debates over treatment, I say ignore them. You'll always find new studies popping up that turn out to be wrong later anyway.

Best of luck!

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Pills aren't the answer to weight loss. When you finally decide to make a change, it’s about what you eat and incorporating exercise or
regular walking into your routine.

Weight loss requires a solid plan, not starvation or those "crash diets" everyone talks about—those just lead to gaining it all back.

There are plenty of options out there, but discipline is everything. You don't need expensive gym memberships; just walking for 30 to 60 minutes a day usually does the trick.
A healthy goal is losing about one to two pounds a week by watching your diet and staying active.

There is no such thing as a magic pill that's both healthy and guaranteed to work.

I know people have used Xenical, which is pretty popular and pricey, but it can actually make you sick. It works by forcing fat out of your system so fast that sometimes you can't even make it to the restroom in time.

Good luck. Your own willpower is the most powerful tool you have.

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Kenneth Hernandez67 said:Get a full blood panel and urinalysis. Right away!

That’s what vets do for dogs when medication isn't working, let alone for people. 🙄

Good grief... seriously, if you run into primary care doctors like that, just find new ones.

Gary Watson4, you know I'm constantly seeing doctors—different specialists, actually. We're living in the 21st century now... patients have a right to speak up, ask questions, and be part of their own treatment plan.
It just hit me that I'm finally heading in for surgery, though I'm only about 50% hopeful... the doctor left the final call to me, rather than dictating it himself. Even though, as you might know, I've canceled twice already, and my wife isn't thrilled—she thinks a Neurosurgeon should definitely know better.

Take my wife, for example; she's nearly 67 and shares that same mindset—that the doctor knows best. But I proved her wrong recently. I suspected she was low on B12, and when I mentioned it, the doctor just laughed and asked where I got such an idea. I told her I read it online... well, she ran the blood work and I was spot on. Now my wife needs B12 injections every three months for the rest of her life because her stomach can't absorb it from food.

As for you, you seem pretty worn out. After three weeks, a temperature of 99°F isn't dangerous, especially if it's taken under the tongue.

Kenneth Hernandez67 makes a good point about the tests, but personally, I think taking around 1500-2000 mg of Vitamin C daily helps too. I'm not even sure which ones you're taking, but they might give you a boost.
I don't rely on vitamins much here in the States, but you guys deal with a different climate and don't have access to the same fruit we get year-round.

Wishing you all the best.

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lonetinker9 said:I’ve heard that theory before too. Apparently, the body tries to pull more nicotine out of fewer cigarettes.
But I’m not entirely sold on it. Besides nicotine, there’s a massive amount of other nasty stuff in tobacco smoke. That makes the whole idea feel a bit shaky to me.
Can anyone explain how this works?

Nicotine additives

PROTECT OUR CHILDREN

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23/02/04
Adelaide
America

ABC News

The Premier of Tasmania, Mr. Jim Bacon, has officially stepped down following a sudden illness. In an emotional farewell, he spoke through tears, pleading with teenagers to never pick up a cigarette. He knows firsthand exactly what that habit costs.

Jim Bacon is 53 years old. He’s been a heavy smoker for 35 years and has been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer.
The specialists gave him at most two years to live.

He’s been on a bender lately, but despite his best efforts, we all know he isn't going to make it through this one.

Even when someone is dying, they can't just flip a switch and stop. There's no way out of it.

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Maria Bennett2 said:I only started smoking six months ago at age 26, and I already can't quit.
😁

I was clearly the smart one since I started at 14!

Check my post from 10/02/04 with the links showing what this poison does to your lungs... imagine how hard it is to quit after 32 years of smoking.

We had no idea what we were doing back then. In 2004, everyone understands the consequences now.

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mistymarlin7 said:Folks, I’m on day three without a cigarette.
I have a whole pack sitting right here on my desk, unopened.
I'm off work at the moment, which makes things a little easier.
I wonder if I can actually pull this off.
But I really want to.

Does anyone know how to make this easier?

Any useful advice?

Just leave that unopened pack somewhere you can give it to someone who clearly lacks the willpower to quit... that's what I did about 16 or 17 years ago... he still smokes today... struggling to breathe... coughing constantly... always catching a cold...

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Arthur Barnes says:

An hour later, I got the news that it’s likely asthma... what a mess.

I was given some Albuterol and I’m heading in tomorrow for lung tests (by the way, are they uncomfortable?). I have to do a throat swab, spirometry, and all that... hopefully it isn't too bad, because I really hate having foreign objects in my body.

Honestly, I'm at a loss. If it really is asthma, I feel like half my life is over... well, it's not even that, it's just the thought that I could suffocate at any moment..

Wake up... millions of people live with asthma. Life adjusts as you go. You aren't the first person to deal with this, nor will you be the last. Be grateful that they actually found the cause; just follow the doctor's orders. It's not the end of the world.

All those tests you're facing are just part of the diagnostic process that everyone goes through... I have unknown... and I have to do these checkups twice a year... they're nothing.

So, tell us—I'm just glad they figured out what's wrong with me so I can finally get medical help.

Good luck with the treatment!

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Kenneth Hernandez67 said:I can't make heads or tails of you anymore... my mom already HAD THE CONVERSATION with the pediatrician.

If you actually know how to type online, you're probably older than five. Get a grip and go see a doctor.

By the way, cough syrups are just going to wear you out, and suppressants might mask what's really happening if there’s an actual infection, since the mucus will just stay stuck where it is.

Since I know you won't be able to get them without a prescription, I'll just mention that in these situations—assuming there isn't an infection—a combination of Benadryl, Albuterol, and Mucinex usually works best.

You're right, Kenneth Hernandez67. My wife has dealt with something similar for about 30 years. It's not asthma, just a type of allergy. She doesn't smoke, she takes care of herself... but she still coughs and clears phlegm all day long. It’s honestly tough to listen to, and it’s hard watching her struggle to clear her throat.

She relies on Ventolin inhalers, Pulmicort, and Claritin regularly. She’s gone through
every test imaginable, and this is the only thing that helps.
She stays hydrated and rinses her mouth and throat with antiseptic constantly.
It isn't easy... but it's what she has to do.

One rule for everyone: seeing a doctor promptly is vital. It's more important than almost anything else.

Take care, Kenneth Hernandez67, and good luck. Best, Spike Lee.

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Just wanted to check in. I saw Neurosurgeon Mr. McCulloch, and he’s scheduled to leave the hospital on 6/4/04.

He put me on the waiting list, but with priority status. I’m hoping he’ll perform my surgery; if not, I’ll have to head to another hospital and restart the whole process—which means a six-month wait just for a consultation and a year before they even consider operating.

The thing is, he’s a top-tier specialist with massive experience. He’s the only leading neurosurgeon working within the public hospital system here, while most others operate almost exclusively in private practice. Since I don't have private insurance, he's really my best shot.

We'll see how things play out. Having seen him privately over the last four years, maybe he'll pull some strings and get the surgery scheduled, though even then, the odds aren't great—maybe only a 50% chance of full recovery.

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Monday 02/16/04,
It's 1:00 AM here in Australia... the best time for me to write since I don't head to bed until late.

So, I went to see the Neurologist on January 19th, but everything is a mess. He stopped seeing private patients, so now I have to catch him at the hospital. On his first day back from vacation, he was in top form—super talkative. But today? I didn't even get through the door before he started rushing me. He basically told me, "I'm definitely not operating on you,"
"Especially since I'm leaving the hospital around March or April. But I have to refer you for an MRI; it's my responsibility to track how your condition progresses."

Anyway, I ended up getting an MRI at a different hospital at 7:30 PM on 02/12/04,
and I finally get to see the results today... we'll see what happens.

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February 15, 2004

Adelaide, Australia
Sunday Mail
Reporter: Craig Clarke

Translated by: William Kovacic

Letter to the Editor!

To the Editor,
My family lived in Whyalla until 18 years ago. My father worked as a plumber at the Whyalla Shipbuilder. I still remember those days when we kids would run to meet him coming home from work, just hugging him and racing back into the house together.

Dad always wore his work overalls, which he’d take off in the laundry room. The whole place would be covered in white dust—asbestos. My mother would see it, try to shake out his clothes, and the dust would just fly everywhere. It got into everything.

Two weeks ago, I read your investigation regarding the Shipbuilder and asbestos diseases.

I can tell you that my mother passed away 20 years ago from lung cancer. Because I have connections within the hospital administration, I called them the very next day. Through a contact, I was told she actually died from mesothelioma. They never told us that; they just said it was lung cancer.

Then, two years ago, our father passed away from asbestosis. It was agonizing, watching him struggle to breathe. Now that we've read your report, we are going to try working through the
union to seek at least some compensation for my father.

What worries us now is... will this catch up to us too, years down the line?

Because my mother died from the most severe form, mesothelioma,
and all she ever did was shake out and wash his work clothes.

Meanwhile, my father spent years suffering from the effects of asbestosis.
Even today, whenever I run into anyone from Whyalla, everyone is worried about what their future holds.

Best regards,
Silvia P. of Adelaide
Adelaide

Jamie Clark74 said:Urethritis—basically an inflammation of the urinary tract caused when common skin bacteria suddenly go rogue. I have to take antibiotics to prevent it from spreading to my bladder or kidneys.

Guys, if you feel any stinging while peeing or during sex, don't overthink it—just head to the doctor. They aren't going to give you shots, getting a swab is straightforward, and amputation is extremely rare. 🙂

That’s exactly what I was getting at... though I was wondering about the discharge part.

In my 62 years, I've dealt with UTIs quite a few times. My partner and I are perfectly healthy,
but after the third time, my doctor prescribed antibiotics. Now, I just take two pills over a month and it clears up. It's my issue to deal with, but I'd still suggest seeing a doctor, because as Jamie Clark74 mentioned, the whole system can get inflamed.

I'm attaching an article that applies to both men and women. I've mentioned this before... and Ladies', when you wipe after using the restroom, make sure you're doing it right.
Wipe from front to back. A lot of parents don't teach kids the proper way, so if you wipe from back to front, it's very easy to pick up
bacteria. Please, no arguments here.

URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

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The images below show lungs in various conditions. If you have a weak stomach or are easily nauseated, I wouldn't recommend looking—these are from an Autopsy!

HEALTHY LUNGS

LUNG CANCER

EMPHYSEMA


Ultimately, the choice is yours regarding which lungs you'll be breathing with until the end!

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stormynomad602 said:This is exactly how my husband acts whenever he tries to quit. He always says, "I'll just try for a few months,"🙄 then he fails and uses that as his excuse: "Well, I did say a few months."🙄

Remind him about that neighbor who used to drink everything except burnt oil!

Way too many young and middle-aged people are dying from lung cancer.
A friend of mine passed away from lung cancer at just 38 years old
because of smoking, leaving behind two kids and a heartbroken husband.

I smoked heavily for 32 years before finally quitting to set an example for my teenage son. It’s been 16 years now, and while the temptation might pop up occasionally... I gave my word. Never again.!!!!!!!

Lungs are much healthier without it!

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stormylynx14 said:Well, you guys officially killed me. I’m heading to my doctor this afternoon.

Mark Lee65, thanks for the reassurance. I was honestly starting to think things were going to get REALLY awkward.🙂

If it’s an STI, then the partner needs treatment too!

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