Oh, the end is here! Blog #15!!!

Well, let's see.....I would have to say that my favorite topic we have covered has been pregnancy and breastfeeding. As I said in my midterm blog, this is something that I had NO knowledge of (to speak of) and now I do!! My husband and I were going to start trying to have a family this summer but recent developments, I will be teaching Dental Radiology in the fall and for obvious reasons I have decided to hold off until the Spring of '08 to get pregnant. If you read my previous blog, you probably are thinking that is a good thing! Hee hee!! I do have a lot on my plate and it would likely be in my best interest to NOT add another major thing to it if at all avoidable! I will be graduating in December and do not plan on starting grad school for a while so I think that waiting is the best thing for me and my husband (he is scared out of his mind anyway, this gives him some much needed reprieve too!)

I have truly enjoyed this class. At first, because of the quantity of work involved I was dreading it but now that it is coming to an end, I can easily say, it was my favorite class this semester and ranks in the top 5 (on a VERY long list) in my college career. I learned so many things! I also have to say that Mrs. Gould has been SO organized and that has been a saving grace this semester! These online courses are tough but they are beyond frustrating when the teacher is not organized. I will miss (well, maybe that is pushing it =) the weekly blogs. It was a nice way to vent some frustrations and also to share and gain knowledge with and from you all. I wish that we had been able to have a gathering so we could meet one another but I can honestly say that I feel closer to many of you, through your blogs than I do to many people I sit next to every week in a regular class.

Best of luck to you! If you are graduating in May, CONGRATS!!!

Signing off for the last time,

Erin McCormick, RDH

Blog 14 - Balance!

Wow, can I say a thing or two about this subject! I am currently completing my bachelors in Dental Hygiene, working as a hygienist (M-W at my "regular job" and then temping on Thursday and Friday which is really hard because you are learning a new office pretty much everytime!), being wife (to a full time working and student husband, who loves a home cooked meal), mother to the very special puppy dog you can see on my site and new homeowner (don't even get me started on this one!)! I am so overwhelmed and it shows because my mom frequently asks if I am ok and says, "you seem REALLY stressed!" She is right, I am. I wish I had a magic potion to make all of things that stress me out magically resolve themselves, but I don't! My strategies for dealing with all of this craziness in my life are:

1. I leave work at work. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my patient and love what I do but if I brought even some of the negative (because there is some) stuff home, I WOULD go crazy. I would be blogging about my own mental illness!

2. I rely on my WONDERFUL husband and Mom for support. They let me vent when necessary and don't hold my rantings or mood swings over my head. I think having supportive people around you is essential to a happy, healthy life.

3. I take some time for myself. I have lunch with girlfriends, go shopping for something fun, take a nap or just veg out watching a favorite show. Sometimes I just have to forget about all of the things on my mind, even if just for a sort while.

4. Invest in a great massage therapist! A massage every once in a while is a worth while investment! You feel so good afterward. I try to get a massage every month or so. If that doesn't cut it, see below...ha ha ha!

5. I have to say that one way I "take a load off" is by enjoying a nice cold beer! Now, no one get all excited, I am not out of control but I have to say that sometimes an ice cold Michelob Ultra is just what the doctor ordered! It is never more than 2 (unless it is a party which is VERY infrequent). This is my thing, for someone else it might be exercising (I wish that were my thing!). Everyone should find something that gives them that feeling of freedom or relaxation.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

I absolutely do not think a woman should be condemned for admitting she has a drug or alcohol problem. She should be applauded for having the courage to speak up and request help. Now, if she is just admitting there is a problem and not actively seeking help, which is a whole other situation. The first step in healing is admitting there is a problem. Those who do not want to acknowledge their disease cannot be helped. This kind of goes with the other topic about mandatory drug rehab or jail - I think it depends on the person. If they have no desire to quit, they should go to jail; rehab is a waist of money for the taxpayers. The commitment required for true rehabilitation is tremendous and I feel that those who are seeking that should be given the support to achieve that goal.

Module 12 - The Stigma of Mental Illness

Mental Illness does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender or socio-economic status. Many mental illnesses begin during childhood or the teenage years, the most impressionable years. As many as one in five Americans will experience a mental disorder during their lifetime! Along with mental illness has come fear and stigma. Stigma towards people with a mental illness has a detrimental effect on their recovery, the type of treatment and support they receive, and their acceptance in the community.
This "mark" is all too common. It is caused by a lack of understanding. The stigma surrounding mental illness is so strong and can only be weakened with knowledge. Withthe statistics of 1 in 5, it is likely that everyone will know someone with a mental disorder. It is a difficult subject to talk about but the more talking and learning that happens, the better off society will be. There are many illnesses that are treatable or manageable and with support from the community instead of rejection many more people could be living happy, productive lives.

Module 11 - What Am I Doing to Live a Healthy Life?

Not enough! I am at high risk for heart disease and cancer yet I have not made a commitment to live more healthfully! I have posted about this before. I am not sure what is going to take for me to "get it" but I know I will pay the price for it at some point if I don't. I have a lovely gym membership and plenty of exercise DVDs but I do not use them regularly. I do try to eat halfway decent but that goes in spurts - I will eat REALLY god for a week and then REALLY bad for a while...Not such a good strategy. According to my Dr.’s (family physician, cardiologist, OB/Gyn and chiropractor) I should lose around 20 pounds. You would think with all of those doctors encouraging weight loss that I might do it. I have lost about 3 pounds! I hope that once school is done (December) that I will have more time to focus on ME! I know I need to be more diligent.

Module 10 - Heart Disease and Cancer

Wow, both of these diseases sure hit home for me. On both sides of my family there is a significant prevelance of both diseases. On my fathers side, both he and his mother died of heart attacks, my dad was only 48. On my mothers side, her father died at 51 of a heart attack and my grandmother (who is almost 90...go Grandma!) has faught and won 3 bouts with cancer. Ueterine, lymphoma (non-hodgkins) and most recently breast. He sisters and her daughter (my moms sister) have also had breast cancer - some survived, others did not. The "option 1" assignment for this module that involved the health quiz was a good assignment for me. The feedback I received from a student was very kind and supportive and I think I needed that. I beat myself up a little over bad habits that I cannot kick, that I need to kick. After reading her feedback and realizing that I am not alone in making excuses, makes me want to change and stop making excuses. Not just for me, but also for her and others like us.

Eating Disorders

I am all too familiar with this issue. A very close friend, someone I
think of as a little sister has struggled with an eating disorder since
she was 15. It was the strangest thing to watch happen. I have known
her since she was 2 and she was always a very active child and was
always very small, height and weight. At about 11 or so (junior high)
she began putting on weight and by 13-14 was overweight (not obese but
"chubby" for her height). No one knows exactly what happened but there
was an incident (outside of the home) that broke her spirit and she
became a whole new person. Eating was limited at best and the food
choices were not a healthy variety. Rice cakes, water, celery, etc.
Sugar was out of the question. Exercise was the other new obsession.
There would be times when she would go for so long and so hard that she
fell off the treadmill. We all noticed these behaviors and tried to
talk to her but it only got worse. She reached a point where she was a
size 0 and it was an extremely proud time for her. It was an
excruciating time for her family. We could see her breast bones and
shoulders through her skin and her cheeks looked like they had been
scooped out. Several years have passed and there has been marked
improvement. She finally accepted a little bit of professional help and
also married a nice young man who loves her for what is on the inside.
There were many other issues involved such as promiscuity so it is my
thought that this was not only about control but also about "feeling"
loved or accepted (self esteem). This is the strangest part of the
whole thing because she has a very loving family who always told her
she was special and beautiful, no matter what. Through this experience
I have learned to understand thestrength and power of this disease. I
am glad that we all worked together to get her on a healthier track. I
am happy to report that in the beginning of this month she delivered
triplet boys who are all perfectly healthy! She has already begun to
talk about her exercise plans to "take off baby weight" but she intends
to do it in moderation. We will all be watching closely =)

Blog 8 - Midterm Review

At this point in the semester, I think that the module on Pregnancy, Childbirth and Breastfeeding has been the most interesting and insightful. My husband and I are at the beginning of the "having kids" process and we are both scared. The chapter in the text had a lot of information, many things that I did not know. This module was quite timely with my yearly female exam and the topics in the text helped me formulate questions to ask my ob/gyn. The information and assignment on breastfeeding was especially helpful. I have not had much exposure to breastfeeding. The idea of it always made me feel weird but after reading more about it, it is something I want to consider (where before it was not even a consideration.) My husband and I are excited about being parents but we are definately nervous. I was glad to have this module as part of the class, I feel a little more prepared for when we are blessed with a pregnancy.

STD Stigma

The stigma attached to those with STD's is courtesy of a judgemental society. I have been guilty of thinking someone is "dirty" or promiscuous when I learn that they have an STD. However, with education I have come to understand many of the common STD's and am now able to be less judgemental. Many people who get STD's are in serious relationships but their partner is either not aware or has not been honest about their health status so an "innocent" person becomes infected. HPV is an excellent example of an STD that exibits no symptoms (or hardly visible) in males so it is passed on without knowledge. It was only recently that this has become a hot topic and it is because over 80% of the 35 and under population have HPV. I do have to say that there are many people who do have an STD due to their risky behavior so the stigma is not entirely without merit. However, regardless of someones behavior, they should not be judged but rather, educated.

Prenatal Testing - Blog 6

I could go either way on this issue. I personally do not think that I would have the strength or courage to raise a special needs child. I have an extended family member who is severely mentally and physically handicaped and has major medical problems. I know that my aunt and uncle have a constant up hill battle with this everyday of their lives. I admire their ability to take care of him (with help from nurses and other family) but I do not think I could do what they are doing! I am very happy that prenatal testing is available and I feel that I will utilize a lot of what technology has to offer me when I decide to have a child. However, I can see where too much infomation could lead to the need to make unpleasant decisions. As far as making it mandatory (or routine), I don't think that is possible. Many people do not even have regular prenatal visits when they are pregnant let alone testing. I would hope that every doctor would encourage regular visits and general testing to insure that there is nothing life threatening for mom or baby going on, but beyond that I feel like it is a personal choice to go farther with more advanced tests.

Contraception and Child Bearing

This is a big subject for me right now...My husband and I are at a point where having a baby is a realistic thing. When I was in my teens and early twenties, I remember saying, "I want four kids!" That was when I was in fantasy land! Now as I am approaching the point in my life where we will actually stop preventing and start trying to have a baby I am darn scared! I have been on the pill, which is by far my method of choice, for many years. It has helped me emotionally and physically and has been great for preventing pregnancy. I started taking the pill to help lighten my periods and reduce cramps which was a blessing! I have tried the Depo shot, that was the WORST 3 months of my life! I had a spotty period the whole time and was a crazy psycho chick (and I gained 10 pounds!!!!)!

I feel that people need to be more responsible with their bodies. Teen pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy for those in a bad financial, emotional or physical situation is really inexcusable. There are so many methods of contraception (especially abstinence when we are talking about teens!) that there should not be an issue. Unfortunately, I think that many women are uneducated or misinformed about all of the means of prevention out there. I also feel that many women do not want to "insult" there guy buy telling him he needs to were a condom (especially young teen girls). I know when I was a teen I surely was not ready to have a child so I did what was necessary to prevent that and for me that was abstinence. I also know that until I KNOW I can provide for another human being in every way necessary, I will continue to take the appropriate precautions.

I do want to touch on the religious/cultural aspect of contraceptives. Having gone to Catholic school my entire life, I am very aware of their position on the use of contraceptives. HOWEVER, I certainly do not agree with their ideology. I find it so hard to understand how a religion can impose on a people in this manner. They certainly aren't paying for diapers and formula so they should not be telling me to use the "natural family planning" method of prevention that has a fail rate of up to 25%! That is a one in four chance! This figure is also with good monitoring - which most people do not keep up with.

Sex Education

I feel that a comprehensive sex ed course should be included in high school. I went to a Catholic high school and they felt it necessary to include contraception in our Morality course....Taught by a NUN! In the Catholic religion, contraception is not condoned however, the Diocese sees the need for pregnancy and disease prevention due to the increases in statistics of both issues. I remember the teacher of my course and one of the stories she told....A young man and woman came to her with an unplanned pregnancy and were confused as to how it could have happened. The method of prevention they used was a rubber band tightly wrapped around the base of his penis. They actually believed that this would work. This type of ignorance is why we need to provide information. By teaching abstinence only education, students like them continue to be uninformed about the appropriate use of contraceptives.

I also believe that a mock child rearing exercise should be included in this course. There are lifelike simulators that act and require care like real babies. This experience shows young people just how difficult being a parent can be and hopefully encourages them to practice abstinence (or at least safer sex practices.)

Health Promotion for Adolecents - Blog #3

As a dental healthcare provider I am afforded the opportunity to educate my patients on good health practices. The role of a hygienist in overall health is tremendous. We are extensively educated in nutrition, systemic disease and disease prevention. I think there are so many avenues to take where education can be incorporated into care as well as outside the care/treatment arena.

In my private practice experience with adolescents, I discuss things such as good eating habits and smoking in addition to oral hygiene. This is the easy part! Outside of practice is where it is tough! I participate in a school program where I present information to Junior High and High school students and provide them with handouts and information to take home to share with parents/family. But how many people do I reach? Not enough! Here are a few suggestions for others to get involved:

Medical community - So often, doctors will prescribe a medication or complicated treatments to alleviate a problem when a simple old fashion remedy may do just as well or better. Recommend good eating habits, exercise, good sleep habits, non-smoking, no drugs, safe sex practices. Use your authority and the "respect" factor to capture their attention!

Media - I have noticed the PSA's from the cigarette companies, why is McDonalds (etc.) not required to do the same? When heart disease is one of the number one killers in America and we KNOW that it is linked to obesity (usually caused by excessive fat intake) why are they allowed to advertise on TV, billboards, buses, mail, etc.? Those rights were taken away from the cigarette companies, lets see our government collaborate with the media and get some good information that could educate people out there!

Blog#2 Economics of Healthcare

Is healthcare a right or a privilege? In my opinion, it is both. I think that everyone should have access to healthcare however, I do not feel that it should be handed out without a cost. I feel that people who are in our country illegally should not be given free care until all US citizens have the same care available. I feel that this especially applies to the baby-boomer generation who are in between retirement age and the age where Medicare becomes available. There are too many people who are paying taxes and legitimately contributing to this country that are not able to go to the doctor for routine check-ups or seek care when they are ill. For a healthy 60-65 year old female with no preexisting conditions, the cost for private health insurance runs $500-$700 per month. For "catastrophic care" insurance which covers major services (no doctor visits, prescriptions, etc.) the cost is $250-$400 per month. This is ridiculous! It is also frustrating that young women who get pregnant and do not have the means to pay for the prenatal care or care for themselves or the child after it is born is given Medicaid to cover the costs. Why are we essentially rewarding irresponsible behavior when women are dying of breast cancer and many other diseases because they have no means to pay for care and do not fit into the criteria for Medicaid? I have a friend who lost her mother because of this terrible situation. She died at the age of 42 from breast cancer.

Today, I participated in an event called Give Kids a Smile. At this event, local dentists and hygienists volunteer their time to provide free dental care to the underprivileged children in the community. I spent my entire day providing free dental care to children with decay more severe than you can imagine, gum disease at the age of 6, and fear that could bring you to tears. I am an active participant in many events such as these but I have to say, sometimes it is a trying experience. On my way out, I was behind two of the families with children who received care and I was taken back when I saw them hop into a Chrysler Pacifica and a Ford Expedition, respectively. These were nice, newer vehicles that are in the $30,000-$45,000 range! Frankly, I was disgusted. If you can afford to spend money in this way, you should be able to pay for your child’s dental needs. I find this behavior exploitive and selfish. While I do not know these families or their circumstances and should not judge them, I cannot help but to feel like my fellow volunteers and I were taken advantage of. Many of the families were tremendously grateful and truly valued the services they were receiving, for that, I was glad to be of service and for them I will continue to use the talents that the Lord blessed me with to help those in need.

Interviews

Kathie - 51 year old, caucasian

Primary concern - cancer. A 2 year survivor of breast cancer, she is concerned that it will come back. Early detection was what allowed for recovery. A good thing came of the chemo portion of treatment, skin cancer was detected and sucessfully treated on her scalp, but only after her hair fell out. The doctor told her that the skin cancer could have been more deadly that the breast cancer.

Stephanie - 26 year old, Hispanic

Primary concern - HPV and cervical cancer.
**As a dental health care provider this is a topic I feel warrants more of my attention. There have been several reports that link the HPV virus to some oral cancers.**

The issue of cancer surely hits home with me. The issue of HPV was not something I thought of but I know that it is a HUGE concern for women. I was surprised that neither woman mentioned weight as a concern. Not to say that either is overweight but, both have made comments about being on "diets" in previous conversations.

Blog #1

My main health concerns are cancer, heart disease and obesity. I have a family history of multiple types of cancer. I myself have had skin cancer removed from my upper arm. Several of my female relatives have had breast cancer - some have survived and others have not. My maternal grandmother has had not only breast cancer but also uterine cancer and lymphoma. She is a walking miracle at 89 years old! With treatments improving, early diagnosis and the extensive research for a cure, there is hope for a brighter future without breast cancer and many other cancers. My family has also been impacted by heart disease. My father died at the age of 48 from a heart attack. No one knew he was sick, not even himself. He looked like a picture of health. There is a lot of media regarding men and heart disease but women are at substantial risk and need to be more aware. The signs and symptoms are even more difficult to detect for women so prevention is extra important. Obesity is a concern for me because research indicates that overweight people are far more susceptible to heart disease and cancers - in addition to many other fatal diseases. While I am not morbidly obese, I am overweight. I have taken the appropriate steps to be aware of my personal health issues by going to the doctor and taking the medication prescribed for my cholesterol However, doing my part to eat well and exercise has been a giant struggle. I fear that 25 pounds of excess weight will turn into 50 and then 75 and so on! It was so easy to gain 25 pounds without noticing a whole lot. Losing it is a whole other ballgame!!