Unrealistic Expectations in Healthcare by my fellow healthcare professionals...

As a healthcare professional working in a larger hospital covering surgical units, I see a lot of very sad cases. I also get to see some amazing miracles. I know many different healthcare professionals from my workplace, previous workplaces, from my school days.

In today's era of rocketing healthcare cost, and the politics that has been going on that regulates the healthcare industry, there has been a lot of talk going on. Recently, one of my follow healthcare professional (same profession, different area of specialty - more community-based as I am hospital-based) recently ranted on social media about ongoing voting system that the medical community is doing with routine cancer screens based on the most current research available. She basically does not understand why they would feel the need to take away funding on any cancer screening test unless the physician was 100% positive there was no cancer. This is such an unrealistic view. Some of the screening tests expose people to radiation, lead to invasive biopsy procedures, or even surgery. For what reason? To find out that you don't have cancer? Is it okay if the doctor might accidentally kill you with these screens and tests and procedures along the way? What about the emotional and mental drain you feel as you go through all this?

However, with all that being said: that doesn't say that you can't pay out of pocket for these screening tests and all the follow-ups involved. It just means the government can't force Medicare/Medicaid or private insurance to pay for it. If you really want to reassure yourself, you can take on that financial burden, but don't expect everyone else to take it on for you.

No Dad? That's ok!

I'm a single mother! The biological father (I always refer to him as sperm donor) has never been a part of my child's life. I am not bitter about it. I'm am OKAY with it. I would never think ill about the man who gave me my child. I always wanted to be a mother, and someday I hope to have another child. But that is not the point of this story.

What drives me absolutely nuts...is when people tell me that I need to find someone so my child can have a daddy. I do NOT need to get involved in a relationship (or get flippin' married) so my child (or future child) can have a daddy. I do well enough to provide financially for my child and support my child emotionally. There are plenty of men in my child's life to provide that male figure. Why the heck would anyone think it's okay to tell a single mother, who is obviously very happy on her own, to go out and search for a man, just to give her child a daddy? We do not live in the dark ages anymore.

So, now that I had my many rant. Tell me what you think. If you're a single parent, what are your experiences? Any single dads out there being told you need to go find a mommy?

Home Cooking with Thuy: Phở Gà - Chicken Pho

This blog, I'm going to share a little Vietnamese home cooking. I am not a great cook. However, my sister is. She writes a blog on Asian cooking. I decided to promote a recipe that I really enjoy.

I actually always preferred the traditional Pho with Beef. However, this version is very tasty. So tasty, I ate 4 bowls in one sitting. :-)

Home Cooking with Thuy: Phở Gà - Chicken Pho: Pho ga is a less popular version of the pho that everyone loves.  It is simple, mild, and delicate.  I think the dish is ugly becaus...

Not normal kid behavior

Today my friend told me her cat came home last night with very badly injured legs. (Truthfully, I don't think domesticated cats should be allowed outdoors, but that's not the point of the story.) For some reason, her reaction and a few of our friends' reaction was "it must have been a neighborhood kid." While that may be the case, they said it in a way like this is normal kid behavior. It is not!!! Harming an innocent animal is indicative of other psychological problems in a person. If a person can harm an innocent animal, then that behavior can escalate into more violent behavior. I don't understand how anyone can just blow such behavior off just because the age of a person.

Below I'm adding links to a couple reads on childhood violence toward animals.

Psychology Today article

article on animal abuse and youth violence

Breast feeding and proud

I'm a health care professional. Breast is best. I understand it when women can't breast feed. What I don't understand or accept is people who shame women who breast feed and women who don't for vanity or convenience sake. There are so many misconceptions about breast feeding.

 As a mother with bipolar disorder, there has been some who criticize me about breastfeeding my child. Apparently, people never stop to think that everyone are on different medication. Not all medication pass through the milk in the same account, and not all medication have a hugely negative effect on the baby. It's up to the mother, and the physicians to decide the risk versus benefits. I took the time through my pregnancy to discuss with my psychiatrist, OB, and the maternal fetal medicine doctors to determine the risks of continuing my medications and breastfeeding. The benefits far outweighed the risks. My baby boy is now almost a year old. He's happy and healthy, and like every little boy, working on destroying my house.

Becoming a mama

I always wanted to be a mother. I was diagnosed bipolar several years prior to becoming pregnant. I am incessant planner. Prior to becoming pregnant, I discussed with my psychiatrist who was managing my medications, what I would need to do if I should become pregnant. Of course, she was not comfortable with deciding alone, so she suggested I consult a high-risk OB for their advice. I am very fortunate that I live in the same town as a teaching/university affiliated medical community. I was able to get an appointment with a maternal fetal medicine physician prior to conceiving to discuss the safety of different medication options. With a stack of information in hand, and a MFM physician on board, my psychiatrist was able get me on a medication regimen that was safe for pregnancy. And on the journey I took to conceive (which took me 6 months). The pregnancy was AWFUL! I vomited almost the whole pregnancy. I was not the fortunate women who sailed the pregnancy with ease. I had swollen feet, aching hips and back. However, I only gained 10 lbs. Which isn't a bad thing considering I was an obese woman to begin with. I delivered late and after a very short labor and delivery, I gave birth to a HEALTHY baby boy. I never regretted my decision to become a mother. I never regretted my decision to stay on my medications. It's very important to take the time to research and take all the necessary precautions to ensure a healthy outcome. Having a well qualified team of physicians is also very important. If you have a mental disorder and want to become pregnant, having an OB with experience with that patient population is important. At least in my experience. :-)