MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'fear'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:53:42 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182380&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F7AuH1DzxsVU%2F You probably agree that the #1 reason why people can’t pursue their passions is MONEY. It takes time to find a way through which your passion can replace the secured paycheck. However, there is another equally important reason. On the surface, you can call it the fear of failure! However, there is a much deeper and critical aspect of your fear of failure, specially when it comes to pursuing your passion. It doesn’t hurt that much when you fail to achieve an average goal that you’re not so emotionally attached to it. But when it comes to your passion and what you’ve put your heart in, it looks like there is no comeback. Peter Buffett brilliantly put it in his book ‘Life Is What You Make It’ when he said, “If, in the many facets of life at which we are destined to ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182380 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:05:31 +0100 5182380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159947&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38619&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FALifeCoachsBlog%2F%7E3%2FWRtgmPJpOhg%2F I’ve read a few ridiculous posts on self development in my time, a few of them were even my own. But probably the most asinine was by a guy (and I genuinely forget who it was now) writing about fear. He explained that we should all just let fear go, that there was no need for it in our lives. If that wasn’t incredible enough in its own right he followed up with the Continue reading... (Source: Life Coach Blog: The Discomfort Zone :) Life Coach Blog: The Discomfort Zone : blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159947 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:38:08 +0100 5159947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159493&cid=t_106395_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fthe-mental-exacerbation%2F I promise I’ll read this post through an extra time or two — and have Rose comb it as well — as I’m experiencing something very new to me and my MS. I’m calling it a “mental exacerbation.” I have met a few people whose executive function, memory, and even general cognition have taken a direct hit from our old nemesis: multiple sclerosis. I can remember a few conversations in these pages having to do with increased difficulty with multitasking and attention, and I’ve lived with some of those issues for many years now. What I am now experiencing is beginning to frighten me quite a bit, but, as odd as it may seem, I also feel great comfort as well. The past few days have found me completely overwhelmed by even the smallest list, stack, or process. Time managem... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159493 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:48:36 +0100 5159493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140176&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Flife-after-the-battle-with-breast-cancer%2F I am in North Carolina on vacation this week. My husband and I have been enjoying leisure time fishing, exploring, and watching the sun set over the mountains. Vacation time is important to me, and even though I am a full-time student and our income is drastically reduced, I would not go without it. I can’t tell you if this is because of having been threatened by breast cancer, or because of the change in attitude towards life I experienced when my dad died. It was after his death that I realized that life was for the living, that when it was over it was over, and all the things you wanted to do wouldn’t get done. My dad didn’t live for tomorrow. He enjoyed each day as it came. He was the most patient, content person you could ever meet. When he was in the hospital before his death... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140176 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:05:27 +0100 5140176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5131085&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fm3rv7YjfbAs%2F ‘There are two driving forces in your life: love and fear. Love is your higher self. It is the place of pure intention and hope. When your higher self drives your life you are on purpose and empowered. Life surges through you; you thrive and society thrives because of it. Fear, of course, is its opposite and is your lower self. It is, unfortunately, the place from where the majority of us exist. When fear drives your life you stagnate and die. You don’t live your true purpose and you become dark and heavy and the world suffers as a result. Who is the driver of your life? Who are you allowing it to be? How do you know? Most of the time you don’t, as you are totally unaware of what is controlling you and your victim circumstances. Ask yourself. Are you living your true pas... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5131085 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:21:52 +0100 5131085 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5119001&cid=t_106395_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2F8-admissions%2F The wisdom of these timeless spiritual paradoxes are encompassed in all 12 Step Fellowship recovery processes. Admit your fear, and your courage will grow. Admit to not knowing, and you will learn. Admit your weaknesses, and you’ll become stronger. Admit your mistakes, and you’ll begin to move past them. Admit you don’t know what to say, and you’ll have said just the right thing. Admit that you’re confused, and you’ll begin to understand. Admit that you’re hurting, and you’ll begin to heal. Admit that you care, and the things that truly matter will grow stronger. Being honest with yourself, with others, with life, can often be difficult and intimidating. Yet honesty is always the most reliable, the most direct route to truly attain whatever... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5119001 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 07:33:38 +0100 5119001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5097189&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FxUpdGis69Rg%2F How much of your life has evaporated forever due to unnecessary fear? Probably more than you realize. While surrendering to your fear may provide temporary relief, it can also lead to feelings of helplessness, hopeless, anguish and regret, looping together in a viciously twisted circle that can keep you imprisoned from doing your best. Fear harbors a painful gaze, and staring it down can hurt. But only momentarily. And the benefit left behind might last you the rest of your life. Think of the confident people you know – the ones who know what they want, then aim for it without apology. They’re no different from you. They feel fear, insecurity, and the wretches of needless worry. Difference is, they’ve found a way to use their fear as fuel and ignite their fire for life, rather th... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5097189 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 06:01:44 +0100 5097189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086590&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FJOAObf3pdgE%2F The world lost a great person when Betty Ford passed away three weeks ago at the age of 93. Betty Ford was a courageous person who set a remarkably potent precedent for us all, especially when it comes to living a life without fear while keeping true to your core values. The Truth is Powerful and Liberating It’s easy to forget it in our current culture where we exchange minutia at the speed of a click, but once upon a yesteryear cancer was a topic approached only indirectly and not very often. Breast cancer was barely discussed at all. But Betty Ford faced cancer head on and chin up, staring right into cancer’s two fish eyes full of hate. She refused to bury the truth of her condition and was fiercly outspoken about both her masectomy and the disease itself. And Betty’s bravery bent... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086590 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 06:02:44 +0100 5086590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086591&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FCJGruDE3r44%2F Fortunately, all fears are learned; no one is born with fears. Fears can therefore be unlearned by practicing self discipline repeatedly with regard to fear until it goes away. The most common fears that we experience, which often sabotage all hope for success, are the fears of failure, poverty, and loss of money. These fears cause people to avoid risk of any kind and to reject opportunity when it is presented to them. They are so afraid of failure that they are almost paralyzed when it comes to taking any chances at all. There are many other fears that interfere with our happiness. as well. People fear the loss of love or the loss of their jobs and their financial security. People fear embarrassment or ridicule. People fear rejection and criticism of any kind. People fear the loss of resp... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086591 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 05:55:53 +0100 5086591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086562&cid=t_106395_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Frussell-brand-on-amy-winehouse%2F When you love someone who suffers from the disease of addiction you await the phone call. There will be a phone call. The sincere hope is that the call will be from the addict themselves, telling you they’ve had enough, that they’re ready to stop, ready to try something new. Of course though, you fear the other call, the sad nocturnal chime from a friend or relative telling you it’s too late, she’s gone. Frustratingly it’s not a call you can ever make it must be received. It is impossible to intervene. Russell Brand on Amy Winehouse: ‘We have lost a beautiful, talented woman’ | Music | guardian.co.uk. :Ever Wondered Why?Women’s Sexual AddictionWomen’s Sexual Addiction30 Natural HighsI Finally Listened to Their Stories (Source: Recovery ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086562 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 20:45:39 +0100 5086562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008569&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fboldly-kind.html Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning...(Ruth 3:10)Growth = kindness now > kindness beforeKindness = desirableCan you be kind when you are afraid?Yes. Even when you're running from turkeys in the twilight.It's Your kindness LordThat leads us to repentanceYour favor Lord, is our desireIt's Your beauty LordThat makes us stand in silenceYour loveYour loveIs better than lifeWe can feelYour mercy fallingYou are turning our hearts back againHear our praises rise to heavenDraw us near LordMeet us here~Kindness, Chris Tomlin~ (Source: Turquoise Gates) Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008569 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:19:00 +0100 5008569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008728&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FFmSY0B6uoTk%2F Other people want you to change your opinion to suit them but they won’t change to suit you. They just go on living their lives. How does that work? – Quote by My wife, 2010 John Donne said “the death of any man diminishes me” but I think a worse fate than being dead is dying inside – being diminished – while you live. That is what happens when you poison your growth through letting others diminish, marginalize and demoralize you from reaching your potential. Let me tell you, living in fear of other peoples’ opinions sucks. I know. I’ve done it. Yes, – you live, but you live a sickly fearful existence stunted like a tree permanently in the shadow of other peoples’ opinions. As a result, both the branches you grow and the fruit you bear wi... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008728 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 06:02:48 +0100 5008728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992929&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fhow-ive-changed.html When I was a young adult, I definitely considered myself to be an extrovert. Then, in 2007, a year or so after my cancer diagnosis (and after being on leave from my job for most of that time), I did the Meyers-Briggs test. The person who explained my results to me said that mine was the most even split between introvert and extrovert that she'd ever seen.Fast forward to last weekend when I attended the PAB conference. Walking in the door on a Friday night to an environment where it felt like everyone already knew each other was terrifying. My chest tightened, my breathing became shallow and I felt something between "slightly queasy" and "I think I'm about to puke my guts  out." I texted Tim, "This is so hard" and sent out similar messages to the Twitterverse (I will be forever gr... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992929 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:07:00 +0100 4992929 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968837&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fbut-its-scary.html In the UK, more people find cancer scarier than unemployment, knife crime or debt. Well obviously, they are a bunch of underprivileged people who have not been lucky enough to have cancer. I have had cancer twice, but I've been laid off four times. We have a giant mortgage so that counts as debt. I have never been the victim of a knife crime (ouch) and I'm happy to stay that way.So is it fear of the unknown? The curse of the C-word? What doesn't kill us makes us stronger? Last weekend I was at a booth at a local council on aging event for taking care of elderly parents for the cancer support center where I work. I found it pretty humorous when the octogenarians would stop by the booth and find out that we provide support services for those with cancer. Some stopped to learn more and others... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968837 Sat, 25 Jun 2011 10:42:00 +0100 4968837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968580&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F24%2Fintroducing-panic-about-anxiety%2F Lots of people experience panic attacks. For some people, it can get so bad that they also get agoraphobia — the fear of leaving one’s house. So I’m happy to introduce Panic About Anxiety with Summer Beretsky, a blog that will explore panic, agoraphobia and even topics about general anxiety in upcoming entries. If you’re not familiar with Summer, you can check out her archives at the World of Psychology blog. She is a graduate of the University of Delaware, where she received her Master of Arts degree in Communication. She enjoys writing about her experiences with anxiety, panic, and Paxil. She contributes to the World of Psychology blog here on PsychCentral and has written for the Los Angeles Times. You can follow her on Twitter @summerberetsky. You can read more about her here. W... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968580 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:34:41 +0100 4968580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968841&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39027&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancerlifeandme.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fstream-of-consciousness%2F Surgery. What a word. Spooks the hell out of me. I really, really, really wish I didn’t have such vivid memories of my past surgical recoveries. The smell of alcohol, iodine, blood, and saline. The way every whisper of a breath feels like a sledgehammer to the chest and ribs. Feeling the searing, white hot, blast Continue reading Stream of consciousness (Source: Cancer, life, and me) Cancer, life, and me blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968841 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:21:07 +0100 4968841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953279&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fshort-term-planning.html I kind of left you in suspense yesterday.I was sitting an exam room, waiting to see my oncologist to discuss whether I could continue my break from chemo. Here's what happened next:We waited.We played a little Lexulous.I knit. My hands shook a little. And then the door swung open and Dr. B. entered the room. Dr. B. is not my oncologist. The cancer centre has a title called GPO (which I assume means general practitioner - oncology) for doctors who work with the oncologists. I hadn't seen Dr. B. in more than a year and without hesitating, we hugged each other - something I've never done with any doctor. She's wonderful and she's the only doctor I trust as much as my oncologist.After a physical exam (liver is where it should be and the size it should be. Chest sounds fine) and looki... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953279 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0100 4953279 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934329&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F16%2Fwe-need-better-filters-smart-alerts%2F When I review the research and write about the intersection of human behavior and technology, I’m constantly amazed by how far we’ve come. In just 5 years, social networks have become not only “all the rage,” but also a must-have for a significant portion of the U.S. population. In just 10 years, video online went from a mess of different, incompatible formats to YouTube and its competitors, revolutionizing the way many people engage with entertainment online (and to a lesser extent, information). In just 15 years, the Internet and technologies it has enabled has transformed not only many people’s workplaces, but the very connectedness and relationships we have with others. Let that sink in for a few minutes. In just 15 years, a set of technologies has started... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934329 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:48:03 +0100 4934329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934739&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2FeKFzbBUMzVU%2F They come in waves. Sometime tidal waves, sometimes ripples that wash up the ocean shore. But they still come. I am still in the season of grief. Numbness has almost left, but grief, I can’t shake loose of. I do well talking about her to other people, actually I invite the conversation. But when I am alone…. I hate being alone. I am trying not to judge God by my present circumstances. I am trying really hard. But that in itself is hard. I know in my heart that He is the beginning and the end, that He is bigger than even this pain. But then my grief takes over and I am lost again. I am trying to guard my heart, protect it’s vulnerability from anything that satan might use to sway my trust in Christ, but even that, at times, is hard. Everything is hard when you grieve th... Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934739 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:14:09 +0100 4934739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953295&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Ftraining-wheels.html I walk a thin line between anxiety and laughter in large groups. I thought I could resign myself to this as part of this season. But then I went to church.This isn't my church. It's just a pretty one.It was one of those messages that you feel is written just for you. You slowly creep down in your seat to avoid the pastor's gaze, which you're sure is going to settle on you any minute now. And fill up your whole paper with notes.I'm ruminating on this while I put training wheels on my daughter's bike. First of all, you've got to get the assembly right or they won't work well - or even worse, might be dangerous. I installed one training wheel upside down, for instance. That is NOT going to work! I bloodied a few knuckles during the process. And then the bike is done, and I watch Amy ride and ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953295 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:17:00 +0100 4953295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921761&cid=t_106395_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Falcohol-the-isms-and-fear%2F This article will discuss the ism’s and associated fears.The Ism’sThese ism’s are part of normal life, everyone has them to varying degrees. Specifically, the ism’s are an attempt to make life bearable, as a way of “interpersonal control and coping.” This is, of course, what we all strive to do on a day-to-day basis, we need these thinking patterns and behaviours to cope, most people seem to be doing alright, while the alcoholic seems to be sinking fast.One of the main ism’s with alcoholism is the ism of fear.FearsRecovery is mostly about letting go of fear. In fact, fear produces most all my insane moments. Any time I need a reality check, I try to stop and ask myself if there is a fear at the root of what I’m doing.These are the fear demons I’ve identifi... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921761 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:44:23 +0100 4921761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893556&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F03%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-june-3-2011%2F It’s easy to slip into the “coulda, woulda, shouldas” of our lives. There’s the trip you didn’t take. The relationship you might have ended too soon. The career that sits, still waiting to be pursued. And though it maybe difficult to admit, it’s not the boss that held you back or the friend that slighted you. In fact, there’s probably some true to the saying that “you are your own worst enemy.” It’s the weekend again. It’s June. Summer is upon us. Why not take the time to reflect on why you’re holding yourself back? A few days ago, I asked our Facebook friends what’s the best decision they ever made. It was one of our most popular topics and we received responses on everything from living to accepting their life.... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893556 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:16:55 +0100 4893556 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893830&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39212&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbahtocancer.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fin-a-car-park%2F I was making my way home from an evening with a friend in a local town. It was about 10.30, and the sky was that lovely tawny blue of almost-dark. I’d parked the car in a busy car park, but by the time I returned there were only three cars still parked: mine, at the far end away from the road, and two closer to the road. One of the other cars that remained had half a dozen young men, probably in their early twenties, standing around it, laughing and talking. And as I crossed the car park, they started to shout at me. They shouted insults. Specifically, insults about my coat. I think it’s a nice coat. (Obviously, or I wouldn’t have bought it.) It’s a Jasper Conran mac that I bought earlier in the year, so it’s not outmoded, or strange. Granted, it’s servi... Bah! to cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893830 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 07:45:33 +0100 4893830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883676&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F31%2F10-steps-to-conquer-perfectionism-2%2F Perfectionism. It’s the enemy of creativity, productivity, and, well, sanity. In The Artist’s Way, author Julia Cameron writes: “Perfectionism is a refusal to let yourself move ahead. It is a loop — an obsessive, debilitating closed system that causes you to get stuck in the details of what you are writing or painting or making and to lose sight of the whole.” But you don’t even have to be creating anything to be crippled by perfectionism. It can also frustrate your efforts as a mom, a wife, a friend, and a human being. Because no one and no thing is perfect in this blemished world of ours. I tackle this adversary everyday. And although my inner perfectionist clearly has hold of my brain many days, I do think I am handcuffed less often by the fear of mes... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883676 Tue, 31 May 2011 10:52:40 +0100 4883676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4876484&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fin-translation.html The cancer centre has implemented something new. When patients check in for treatment, we're asked to fill out a questionnaire related to our well-being (it has some acronym but I can't remember it). We're given the option of filling it in on a central computer but I'm really squeamish about germy public terminals. I always ask to fill the thing in manually (furthering my feeling that I am more of a Luddite than some of my seniors).Filling out the form involves reading statements such as "I am in pain" and then circling a number between 1 (no pain) and 7 (excruciating pain - or something like that). Most of my numbers were very low except for the ones about my emotional well being and sleep habits. My answers resulted in the following conversation with the well-meaning nurse who checked me... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4876484 Sat, 28 May 2011 17:00:00 +0100 4876484 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872162&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F27%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-may-27-2011%2F I remember the first time I ever felt in control of my life. I was about 8 or 9 years old at the time and had a reoccurring nightmare about two kids chasing me down the street. When I told my dad about it he said, “You know you can control your dreams right?” He told me all I had to do was visualize what I wanted to happen in the dream before I went to sleep. Because I had the kind of faith in magic and pure wonder that only occurs in childhood, I wholeheartedly believed him. The next morning I woke up with a smile on my face. In my dream, the two kids that were chasing me finally caught up. But in their hands were melting ice-cream cones they had been trying to give me. That dream was years ago, but I will never forget it. More than teaching me how to control my dreams, it tau... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872162 Fri, 27 May 2011 10:40:45 +0100 4872162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872242&cid=t_106395_117_f&fid=38856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timemastermd.com%2F%3Fp%3D2102 Old Yeller’s Sniffing the Feller A study shows that dogs can be trained to detect Prostate Cancer by smelling urine! Prostate Cancer gives an odor quite distinct from other bodily perfumes, which is pretty cool.  Rumor is the White House Press Corp are training the dogs based on their expertise in having their noses in President Obama’s backside these past two years. Royal Arse News – Pippa Mania Before the Royal Wedding took place, Palace security had bomb sniffing dogs everywhere making sure things were safe.  During the ceremony there was some commotion and apparently it took three “Bobby’s” to get one of the dogs away from Pippa’s backside. Apparently the powder sniffing dog had been cross-trained to smell for heavy metals too, and since Pi... Timemaster MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872242 Thu, 26 May 2011 06:51:35 +0100 4872242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862843&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fcloser-i-am-to-fine.html Last night I spent 4 hours holding a beautiful baby. This morning, my car was enveloped in a storm of cotton from the trees, glittering in the sunlight. Lunch with my friend was a happy spot in my day. A coffeehouse, my Ipod, got some writing done to finance my upcoming trip to South Carolina. My husband put up a porch swing for me, and I am addicted (and ever grateful). We watched Amelia and decided that we are happy with our choice in naming our own Amelia.In between were flashbacks and one horrifying nightmare. I am on the brink of checking myself back into the hospital to have my meds tweaked. I am thankful for every moment of today. And that's all I have to say!I'm trying to tell you something about my lifeMaybe give me insight between black and whiteThe best thing you've ever done fo... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862843 Wed, 25 May 2011 09:52:00 +0100 4862843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841879&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fnone-of-us-knows-when-we-are-going-to.html On April 25th, Alaina Giordano lost custody of her children. A North Carolina judge ruled that her two kids need to move to Chicago to live with Giordano's ex-husband. She based this decision, in large part, on the fact that Giordano has Stage 4 breast cancer.Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economyI can't be articulate about this story, except to say that I work very hard to make sure that my kids will be all right- no matter what happens. I wish I could protect them and all those who love me from the realities of cancer. But do I think that cancer makes me a less fit parent?Not on your life.Want to read more? I first read about this on BlogHer, where Jenna argued very articulately that anyone who has ever been ill or ever might be should care about this s... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841879 Thu, 19 May 2011 18:52:00 +0100 4841879 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841880&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fselfish-dear-loved-one.html I'm sorry that my fear becomes yours.I regret that you get pulled into my panic.I feel ill when my every cough, ache or bump twists your insides the way it does mine.I would prefer to protect you.I want to watch you smile, hear your laugh, feel your heart thump with joy when you pull me to your chest.I don't want to make you scared, or sad or worried.But I can't wish you weren't ever scared or sad or worried.Because I need to share.Because I need not to feel alone.Because I need you.If you are reading this post on a site other than Not Just About Cancer (besides Facebook or a feed reader), you are reading stolen content. (Source: Not just about cancer) Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841880 Wed, 18 May 2011 02:10:00 +0100 4841880 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841587&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F17%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-may-17-2011%2F Do you feel it in the air? It’s change. Every season has an end. And with any end comes fear, uncertainty and sometimes sadness. Even if ends bring new beginnings like a marriage, a baby or a new career, the loss of what we know can feel earth shattering. Instead of embracing change, we grasp on, holding desperately to what was instead of what will be. Does that sound like you? How are you continuing to do things that don’t serve you or your new life out of fear of change? Maybe you need to take the time to grieve for your old self and your old life so that you can embrace your new one. It’s something important to contemplate this week as we get closer to summer. It also fits with one of our posts on transitions. Have a great week and enjoy! Seven Rules of Mindful Eating ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841587 Tue, 17 May 2011 13:50:25 +0100 4841587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4828984&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F16%2Fgood-perfectionism-versus-bad-perfectionism%2F Although perfectionism undoubtedly brings me suffering and pain, I’ve come to appreciate the snobby part of my personality because it also bear gifts, especially over time. For the last three years, perfectionism has placed me in an okay spot in a terrible economy. Had I not invested so many hours into networking and writing blogs the last five or so years, sometimes on top of full-time employment and other responsibilities, I would not have a job right now. And spending a night or two recently with friends of friends I knew back in high school made me proud of all the therapy and recovery I have done since graduating. Had I not held myself to a high standard back then, I wouldn’t have quit drinking at the age of 18, and may still be hitting the bars at night. Perfectionism can even be... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4828984 Mon, 16 May 2011 16:00:07 +0100 4828984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4821096&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fbeautiful-eyes.html That's what struck me when I met Sarah in person: she had the most beautiful deep brown eyes I had ever seen, with a lovely smile to match.It was February 2010 and we were both in attendance at the Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer. We had met online through our online community, Mothers With Cancer.A short time after we met, Sarah found out that her breast cancer had become metastatic and she began treatment anew. A few weeks ago, she learned that the cancer had spread to her brain and she started radiation treatment. A couple of days ago, she was admitted to hospital with breathing issues. Last night, she passed away.I won't claim to have known beautiful Sarah better than I did. But I did consider her my friend. And I will miss her. Here are some things I knew a... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4821096 Thu, 12 May 2011 17:22:00 +0100 4821096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813361&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F11%2Fthe-fear-of-making-mistakes-and-interesting-insights-on-being-wrong%2F My whole life I’ve been terrified of making mistakes. When I was giving a talk about Germany in my sixth grade class and the teacher asked me who the chancellor was, it took me a minute to utter his last name — all the while I was stuttering. When I gave presentations in school, I never veered away from my index cards — not even a word. I made myself memorize the words in their exact order — perfectly. If I fumbled, I was a failure. When I started a job in college, the first time I swept the floor, I took an inordinate amount of time. I was worried that if the manager saw any dirt, she’d think that I wasn’t working hard enough to pick up every speck. When I was accepted to grad school, I thought they could sense my stupidity and lack of skill and send me on my way. (Im... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813361 Wed, 11 May 2011 12:29:54 +0100 4813361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813363&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F10%2Fconquering-performance-anxiety-a-primer-for-all-phobias%2F Public speaking is the king of phobias. That’s according to Taylor Clark, author of the insightful book, Nerve. He writes: According to a 2001 poll, more than 40 percent of Americans confess to a dread of appearing before spectators. (In some surveys, fear of public speaking even outranks fear of death, a fact that inspired Jerry Seinfeld’s famous observation that at a funeral, this means the average person would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy.) To get to the solution of this phobia — which can help us with all our other phobias — Clark tells the story of cellist Zoe Keating. Today her music is featured everywhere from National Public Radio to film scores to European ballets. Clark attended one of her performances and comments, “Keating seemed entirely obl... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813363 Tue, 10 May 2011 14:30:33 +0100 4813363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4797801&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F07%2Fa-stress-relieving-article-for-professionals%2F I was trying to do it all on my own: I know how to meditate. I know how to do my job. I am an addictions counselor. I arrived at the UVA mindfulness meditation meeting because something inside me told me that I wasn’t OK. I was in a lot of internal pain — otherwise known as being extremely stressed. I take my life experiences very seriously. I try not to let them get by without noticing. I don’t always know how to ask for help, or know if I even need help at times. I didn’t consciously know what I was asking for that night, I just showed up, along with a few others, both meditation teachers showed up… and Help showed up. Lessons learned while sitting… Letting go. I listened as the lady across from me explained her work as walking in deep water wearing cloak upon c... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4797801 Sat, 07 May 2011 13:18:43 +0100 4797801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789522&cid=t_106395_134_f&fid=35179&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscottsdiabetes.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fsloppy-evenings-low-blood-sugars-guilt-and-fear%2F This has been an active week for me. It feels good. My body feels good. Four days of basketball, with one seriously kick ass weight session afterward. Four days of tossing a football around with my son and shooting baskets with my daughter. One short bike ride back home after taking my old pickup truck to the repair shop. As far as exercise, I’m doing it. And it feels good. But I get sloppy in the evenings. High carb foods combined with estimated carb counts and ballpark boluses PLUS a lot of exercise and activity equals an evening full of lows that leave me feeling fat, guilty, foolish, frustrated, helpless, stupid, and scared. The first low blood sugar I treat with glucose tabs. But because I’ve been so sloppy with my insulin dose, they are not enough to do the trick. So I ha... Scott's Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789522 Fri, 06 May 2011 06:53:22 +0100 4789522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4780458&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fnot-really-end.html Did you know that the world is going to end on May 21st, 2011? I saw a guy on a street corner today with a sign that said just that. And then I saw a big-ass caravan with the same message. Contemplation of our impending collective doom helps to put yesterday's election into perspective. It doesn't matter if the Conservatives were gifted with a whopping majority if none of us is going to live long enough to deal with the consequences. There must be more of these end of the world types than I previously suspected. That would help me understand how it is that so many of us thought endorsing the Conservatives would be a good idea.Or something. You'll have to forgive me, it's been a hell of a day. I stayed up way too late watching the election results and then stumbled around like a zombie all ... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4780458 Wed, 04 May 2011 03:07:00 +0100 4780458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4771359&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FGh7JyNjnrD8%2F Fear is something you probably avoid at all costs. If you’re nervous in elevators, you might take the stairs. If you’re afraid of heights, you probably wouldn’t go on a skiing vacation. And if you’re scared of the ocean, the beach is most likely not on your list of hot spots is it? But have you ever thought about what it really costs you when you try to live without fear? If you’re afraid of being hurt or taken advantage of in a relationship, if you’re terrified to leave your dead-end job or if you simply try to keep yourself busy to avoid worrying about money and other day to day things… Then it’s official…. Fear is taking over your life and you’re letting it happen. Even if you’ve “figured” out how to push it a... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4771359 Sun, 01 May 2011 06:18:17 +0100 4771359 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758897&cid=t_106395_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FvMgW3WYlfrg%2F In the UK, a nationally broadcast science series titled Inside The Human Body, which airs on BBC1, plans to air the peaceful death of an 84-year-old man, surrounded by his family. The show, which has previously documented conceptions, births, adolescence into adulthood, and the body’s natural defenses, will broadcast the man’s passing in an episode slated for May 12th. Hey, it’s not worse than anything I’ve seen on Fox’s Most Shocking High Speed Car Chases. We’re fed death and violence via airwaves daily. Between the bullet-hailstorms featured on cop dramas like Law & Order, to the magnified bloody innards of victims on CSI, we’ve become so attuned to seeing death and gore on TV, that when it happens to us in real life, the most popular comment... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758897 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:05:51 +0100 4758897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753758&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F26%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-26-2011%2F Today, I started thinking about who we were as infants and the impact of time and life on our well-being. It’s the layers of criticisms, lessons, memories (good and bad) that start weighing on us. Like a perfect stone weighed down with years of sediment or a beautiful painting undiscovered because it is covered in dust. Maybe our purpose in life is to take a duster and remove all those layers (shame, insecurities, etc.) that appear to be us, but in reality are other people’s stuff. Maybe we are supposed to find exactly who we are by getting back to who we were before disappointments, fear and judgments impacted us. What do you think? I think it’s something worth pondering this week. Speaking of which, here is another fine, round-up of best blogs to peruse-starting with a ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753758 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:08:04 +0100 4753758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4744911&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2Fp6YxCYSLfyY%2F Sweet Emma Grace met Jesus on Good Friday at 7:15pm. She finally received her full healing, although our hearts ache to have her back here. She is perfectly whole, and dancing with the Lord at this moment. I cannot describe the unbelievable ache we feel with her gone. It is at times unbearable. But there is peace. Peace in the knowledge that she is not hurting anymore. Peace in the knowledge that she can run and dance and sing in her perfect body. Peace in the knowledge that she is giving them heck up there…. But the silence down here is unbearable.. Please pray for our family, especially our 2 other children. Please pray that Christ would wrap his hands around their hearts and calm their uneasy minds. Pray for my husband, he is taking this really hard. Pray for me…. I do... Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4744911 Sat, 23 Apr 2011 12:48:40 +0100 4744911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734209&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F19%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-19-2011%2F Have you ever read A Parable by author Barbara Stanny? It’s a story about a farmer who was terribly afraid of an ugly, horrifying monster that lived in the forest near his home so he spent his life building a fence to keep it out. But all that time he devoted to building walls to protect himself prevented him from spending time with his friends and family. When he was finally fed up with being afraid, a fairy godmother appeared and told him how to make the monster disappear. For that to happen he needed to find the monster and embrace it. The farmer was frightened and paralyzed with fear and thought the godmother nutty for suggesting it and himself crazy for thinking of doing it. But, “his pain had gotten worse than his fear.” And he so he faced it by finding the monster,... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734209 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:05:36 +0100 4734209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4714969&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fmy-kids-are-alright.html I had a dream a few nights ago.My kids were in a giant flash mob, dancing their hearts out, surrounded by dozens of other kids and adults. They were exuberant and focused, their movements fluid and in synch with those around them. My heart swelled with pride and joy.I learned that the flash mob had been created to drum up excitement over an upcoming performance. In a couple of hours, my kids would go on stage and perform. I could tell they were ready.Then I was handed a note. My own performance was scheduled for right after theirs. I was wholly unprepared. I hadn't even looked at my script. I was rushing off to find it when my alarm went off.Sacha was in a play very recently. And they did organize a flash mob a week before the performance, as a form of advertisement. And Sacha performed be... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4714969 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:00:00 +0100 4714969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709247&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F14%2Ffomo-addiction-the-fear-of-missing-out%2F As serendipity often strikes randomly, I was reading an article in The New York Times by Jenna Wortham the other day at the same time I was reading the chapter in Sherry Turkle’s new book, Alone Together about people who fear they are missing out. Teens and adults text while driving, because the possibility of a social connection is more important than their own lives (and the lives of others). They interrupt one call to take another, even when they don’t know who’s on the other line (but to be honest, we’ve been doing this for years before caller ID). They check their Twitter stream while on a date, because something more interesting or entertaining just might be happening. It’s not “interruption,” it’s connection. But wait a minute… ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709247 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:15:24 +0100 4709247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704716&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F11%2Fbe-the-unpopular-kid%2F Growing up, I wasn’t popular (except with the girls in elementary school, heh). Like most kids, and then teens, somehow we get it into our heads that the more popular you are, the better life is. It’s a dream magnified and reinforced by Hollywood and Hallmark movies, and it’s an urge as a teen that’s very difficult to resist. Now, consciously, I never imagined or cared about the trappings of popularity as a teen. I didn’t fantasize about being the high school football star, or being named prom king or some such nonsense. What I did imagine and want was simple — a high enough level of popularity where I didn’t have to worry about my ass being kicked while walking down an empty hallway. (For the record, I never had my ass kicked in high school; it wa... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704716 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 21:35:00 +0100 4704716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696625&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdiabetes-when-being-no-worse-means-progress%2F2011.04.09 “Everything looks good.  No progress is good, actually.  Means your eyes haven’t deteriorated any further in the last five months.”  Dr S, my eye doctor at the Joslin Clinic, ran her fingers across the keyboard, typing notes into my online file. “So it’s the same as back in November?  When I moved from mild to moderate retinopathy?” “Right.  Still non-proliferative, but the same.  Not worse, by any stretch.  We’re working with a few spots, a very small bit of leakage, but nothing I’d recommend treatment for, other than watching it closely.” I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.  The fluorescent bulbs in the room were bright and ricocheting off the white walls, making me feel like I was in an avalanche ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696625 Sat, 09 Apr 2011 20:00:27 +0100 4696625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693466&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F04%2Foptimism-tested.html As we were listening to yet another story on the news this morning about how the Tories and the RCMP have barred people from attending campaign events (for things like having a photo of Ignatieff on their Facebook page or having been involved in an youth environmental organization), my spouse announced "It's going to work."I was only half way into my first coffee, so I made him repeat himself. "None of this is going to matter," he said. "It's a story for now but it won't affect the election. The Conservatives will get a majority and then, next time, the other parties will have learned that hateful advertising and ignoring the truth are the best strategies to get ahead." (Forgive me, Tim, I'm paraphrasing. That's the gist of what he said)I fear that he's right. Even the revelations about fo... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693466 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:40:00 +0100 4693466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693398&cid=t_106395_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Flearning-to-live-with-the-gremlins-called-fear-and-guilt%2F There are two little gremlins that sit on my shoulder each day and night. I swat at them like pesky flies, but they continue to stick. It’s as if they had glue on their feet, sharp little claws, and such extreme staying power that I would admire them under different circumstances. Their names are fear and guilt. These persistent little buggers came to me many years ago — or maybe I was born with them, as most of us are who are full of the normal human foibles. Fear of heights, fear of failure, fear of the next unknown event flying at you — list goes on and on. When you suffer disease and chronic pain, there is much to be afraid of. You can’t dispel fear. You have to confront it and look it squarely in the eyes. Fear is normal under many circumstances. Many actors always hav... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693398 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:04:59 +0100 4693398 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4670172&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F02%2Fhow-to-be-afraid-an-interview-with-taylor-clark%2F Today I have the honor of interviewing Taylor Clark, author of the BRILLIANT book Nerve: Poise Under Pressure, Serenity Under Stress, and the Brave New Science of Fear and Control. It’s amazing material, so I wanted to learn even more. 1. In all your interviews and discussions with brain experts, what study or piece of research about fear was most helpful to you in trying to overcome your own fear? I actually have two answers to this question — or, rather, one answer and one clarification. I’ll offer the clarification first, because it’s absolutely vital to understanding how to deal productively with our fears: trying to “overcome” anxiety and phobias by doing battle against them just doesn’t work. (Believe me, this is a lesson I had to learn the hard way.) Even though an... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4670172 Sat, 02 Apr 2011 11:56:39 +0100 4670172 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653506&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fwhat-if-nothing-changes.html Today is a treatment day.For the first time ever, I will have Herceptin on its own (if you don't count the Demerol and Gravol I get to keep the shakes and fevers at bay).Some people have almost no side effects with Herceptin. Some feel like they have the flu. Will the fact that my body has such a strong response to Herceptin mean that I feel more of its side effects?The break from chemotherapy is meant to help me heal and rebuild - physically and emotionally.The break from chemo is also a risk.Here's hoping it all works out for the best.If you are reading this post on a site other than Not Just About Cancer (besides Facebook or a feed reader), you are reading stolen content. (Source: Not just about cancer) Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653506 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0100 4653506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642921&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2Fa1c1iwZwqcU%2F Emma’s kidneys are not producing like they should. She is going to the operating room to have a cath put in this afternoon for CRRT (continual renal replacement therapy) It is 24 hour dialysis and she will be on it anywhere from 7-14 days. We were here one year ago, for those of you who have been following our journey. We covet your prayers during this time, it is going to be rough for Emma and for us. We are trusting again. Trusting in the doctors. Trusting in Dr. Danielson and his team. Ultimately we place Emma in the Fathers hands…. Yet again….. (Source: Especially Heather) Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642921 Sun, 27 Mar 2011 14:49:41 +0100 4642921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642922&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2F-r8AmhBhM7c%2F I have debated what to post for the last several days. I know that my family reads this, including my older children and so I a m very careful of not putting things here that would frighten them. Keeping that in mind, here is what has transpired in the last 72 hours: After surgery on Monday Emma was not doing very well. Her Xray looked pretty bad so they chose to intubate her. Her white count was up the following morning along with her CRP. They drew blood from both her IV and her Medi Port both of which came back rather quickly with bacterial blood infection. Usually with a blood infection, they would run only antibiotics through the port and then lock it when it is not in use. Emma has limited veins & 11 IV medications going at one time, some of which are not compatible together. T... Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642922 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 18:26:59 +0100 4642922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636481&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F25%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-march-25-2011%2F It happened to me the other day. I was admiring a fellow writer’s accomplishment while someone else was admiring my own. The funny thing is that we were both shocked by the compliment. I guess I could dish it, but was surprised that I couldn’t take it. Why is it that we have such an easy time seeing the beauty, hard work and achievement in another, but neglect to see those same things in ourselves? The impact over time of finding the silver lining in our partner’s, friend’s, co-worker’s lives, but focusing on only the shadows of our own lives can make us jealous, bitter, resentful and depressed. It can reinforce negative thoughts and beliefs about what is possible for us instead of motivating us to take risks, play big instead of small and follow our dreams. O... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636481 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:49:38 +0100 4636481 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4626995&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2FzWlzTDgTznA%2F Emma has a blood infection-Her lungs are clearing up/they want to keep her intubated-She has low BP & is on the maximum iv support for that. They are doing an echocardiogram now to see what her heart function looks like. So now we wait and watch for the next 24-48 hours. Please continue to pray. -H (Source: Especially Heather) Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4626995 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 15:38:07 +0100 4626995 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4610848&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F18%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-march-1-2011-2%2F I have been reading a book called The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have by Mark Nepo. It is basically daily reflections on life written in a way that is so heartbreakingly honest and beautiful that it reads like poetry. I am a bit behind on my daily reading so I am only on, “February 19: Instead of Breaking.” But the daily awakening was so moving that I thought I’d share a snippet with you here: “Instead of breaking the bone of our stubbornness, we can nourish the marrow of our feeling unheard. Instead of breaking the bone of our fear, we can cleanse the blood of our feeling unsafe. Instead of counting the scars from being hurt in the world, we can find and re-kiss the very spot in our soul where we began to withhold o... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4610848 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:22:28 +0100 4610848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592645&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Ftrain-date-with-cousins.html ("diddle diddle dumpling, my son John,one shoe off, and one shoe on...")Excerpted from my gratitude journal this busy Monday morning, #200-239:#207 Mohawks are back - reminding me of brothers#210 Lies being dismantled#211 Katy reading devotions with my parents#213 Frost turning trees into diamonds#216 Baby brothers#220 More questions than answers means life is never boring#221 The blackness of an almost frozen creek#224 Fear of death makes every moment ALIVE sweeter#230 Dissertation proposal PASSING!#231 Reading the Gospels for Lent#237 The largeness of my suffering reveals the awesome provision of a powerful God (Source: Turquoise Gates) Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592645 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:14:00 +0100 4592645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575249&cid=t_106395_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fweeding-out-toxic-relationships%2F Keep in mind that I’m not discussing all difficult relationships; some challenging relationships are well worth keeping. I’m specifically discussing toxic relationships, which are characterized by the following.Toxic relationships; take heavily from us without giving anything back. sap our joy as well as our mental and emotional energy. represent people who are hateful, hurtful, critical and discouraging the vast majority of the time you are around them. constantly leave you feeling empty, guilty, incompetent and ashamed represent people who are verbally and emotionally abusive to you. bring out the absolute worst in you.Weeding out Toxic Relationships. Share, print or e-mail this articleStress ReliefWHAT IS ANXIETY?Alcohol Awareness for Loved OnesReleasing ResentmentThe Dark Side of G... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575249 Sat, 12 Mar 2011 03:05:40 +0100 4575249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570714&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fmixed-but-good-i-think.html And I'm not talking about the weather, which while it has been mixed, has been pretty consistently bad for the last twenty four hours. We had a big dump of snow (the photo above was taken from my front door), followed by freezing rain, which will be followed by ordinary rain.Good thing I just bought rain boots.My GP called me last week to let me know the results of my endoscopy (I won't get in to see the gastroenterologist until March 21st). All my results were negative - no celiac, no bacterial infection, no cancer. It's all good.Then I talked to my oncologist on Friday. We discussed my scope results and my digestive symptoms (diarrhea, heartburn, abdominal pain). He expressed surprised that I was still feeling lousy on Friday after a Tuesday treatment. I told him that my recovery time ha... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570714 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:07:00 +0100 4570714 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4565903&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmanaging-patient-uncertainty%2F2011.03.09 How comfortable are we with uncertainty? I struggle with this question every day. I treat children with abdominal pain. Some of these children suffer with crohns disease, eosinophilic esophagitis, and other serious problems. Some children struggle with abdominal pain from anxiety or social concerns. I see all kinds. But kids are tricky, and sometimes I can’t pinpoint the problem. Trudging forward with more testing is often the simplest option since it involves little thinking. And some parents perceive endless testing as “thorough.” The question ultimately becomes: When do we stop? Once we’ve taken a sensible first approach to a child’s problem and judged that the likelihood of serious pathology is slim, when and how do we suggest that we wait before going any furt... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4565903 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:30:46 +0100 4565903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560518&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2FhYaas_qMqlE%2F I have struggled alot with those words. Alot. This past year has held so many changes for our family with Emma Grace. Changes that I knew in my head were possibly going to take place in the far future, but that future came way to fast for my heart. I fell completely apart when she lost her communication. I felt abandoned and lost. I still do on some days. I don’t want to turn this “hard thing” into Glory… I want the hard thing to go away! But then I remember these words: “Fear not… I am with you..” Those words were so close to my heart during her 3 month stint in ICU, yet they didn’t have the impact on me that they now do, a year later. I have lived the last year in fear. In fear of losing her. In fear of losing more of her than I have al... Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560518 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:36:50 +0100 4560518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4549941&cid=t_106395_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fstress-relief%2F Guide to Stress Relief.Many people in recovery from alcoholism, addiction, gambling and co-dependency have diminished or lost ability to cope with stress. Due to the anethetising effects of alcohol and drugs many people also do not recognise that they are under stress – they just feel uncomfortable, angry, or sad.Untreated stress can lead to relapse.Stress is bad, right? Or is it good? Well, if you talk to the experts, they’ll say both are true. You need some stress to just get out of bed in the morning. And when you drive to work in your car, you need stress to stay alert and respond to what is in front of you. So stress has its place.  But what if a high level of stress goes on and on? The doctors tell us that ongoing stress becomes Chronic Stress. Chronic Stress is bad news. It... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4549941 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 10:30:56 +0100 4549941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4525033&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcancer-survivorship-and-fear%2F2011.02.26 I had breakfast this morning in Las Vegas with my friend, Dave Garcia. Dave is a pit boss on the graveyard shift at the Belagio Hotel where they made the modern-day “Ocean’s 11″ buddy movie from 1960. Dave is also a 52-year-old chronic lymphocytic leukemia survivor. He reached out to me online and we have been friends since soon after his diagnosis in 2002. Dave is a father of two young kids. He dreams of seeing them grow up. But, understandably, he worries. Some days more than others. Today was his day to see his oncologist and get the latest blood test results. Would his white blood count (WBC) be in the normal range? If so, his third round of treatment was still working. If not, he might be headed to a stem cell transplant, short-term disability, and living in another city... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4525033 Sat, 26 Feb 2011 16:00:36 +0100 4525033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4495382&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fscoped.html I once had a colleague who was a former Fleet Street journalist. I can't remember his name but I do remember a story he told over a particularly boozy dinner."The worst kinds of press releases," he said, "keep all the best bits for the end. That's just not how it should be done. It's like reading a news story that says 'A crowd gathered at Buckingham Palace today. There were also fire engines and ambulances. The corgies were brought out to safety. The Palace burned to the ground. The Queen is dead." As I went on to work in communications, I kept that anecdote in mind and tried to make sure that the most important facts were kept in the lead of my news releases.But this is not a news release and I can tell my story in way that pleases me.I had an endoscopy yesterday.I wasn't terribly worrie... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4495382 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 20:37:00 +0100 4495382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4495388&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fwhat-silence-speaks.html I'm going to put this in writing. Because I trust that someone out there has felt this way, needs to read this, needs to hear that someone else is in the same lonely place. Because writing it somehow brings the breath back into lungs spasming and the light back into eyes behind those squeezed-tight eyelids. Because I know somewhere someone else is crying out for help from Jesus as they put brick upon brick, slap mortar, build build build walls and hope they're invisible walls, walls nobody can see and will keep you safe in here forever. Because, if you read that I am right here, where you are feeling all alone, then you will know the truth - you who are like me, and not alone - and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)Don’t let your bones turn to stoneCause you’re feeling so al... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4495388 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 06:00:00 +0100 4495388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4482931&cid=t_106395_134_f&fid=35179&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscottsdiabetes.com%2F2011%2F02%2Ffear%2F I love Riva Greenberg. We are all so fortunate that she is able to devote herself to helping people with diabetes.  She has much wisdom and many gifts to share with us. She wrote a post recently (A Valentine’s Gift of Health and Happiness) about her experience with Divabetics (another group I’d like to write more about – Max is awesome), and there was a section that jumped out at me. Many healthcare providers unknowingly try to motivate diabetes patients to manage their condition through fear — specifically, fear of diabetes complications, which indeed are scary. But fear motivates behavior temporarily — you jump to protect yourself from harm. Fear does not motivate sustainable behavior change because you do not want to stay focused on your fears. You jump to... Scott's Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4482931 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:12:09 +0100 4482931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477817&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F14%2Fvalentines-day-for-the-realistic-romantic%2F At the beginning of a new love relationship, we may find ourselves in a beautiful fantasyland. Finally, the struggle to find peace and happiness is over… ‘I am saved. I am safe. I am lovable. I am desirable. I am acceptable. I belong. I am overflowing with love to give and joy to share. I am so incredibly alive. We are a perfect match.’ And then reality sets in… ‘He leaves his wet towel on the bed.’ ‘She is constantly texting.’ ‘He is always late.’ ‘She is always working.’ ‘He drinks too much.’ You may wonder, ‘Who is this person I thought I knew?’ ‘She’s changed.’ ‘He’s different.’ ‘You complete me’ spirals down into ‘You deplete me.’ Despite our hopes for perfection, romantic love relationships, like every aspect of life, ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477817 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:00:03 +0100 4477817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4472942&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Ffear-of-sickness.html In lieu of defending medical care, I offer a commentary on health and sickness, health care and medical care, and a health system. These views and comments come from seventy-two years of life experience and fifty years of life actively involved in medicine and health. I have learned that a health system is a basic aspect of community life. The goal of a health system is the best health status possible for each person and the community. Medical care is a component of a health system and not the first or necessarily the most important component. When a health system is usurped by medical care or medical care is in the primary position, it reflects a mind-set that fears sickness more than it trusts the pursuit of good health. That mind-set relies upon medical care to cure sickness but it is n... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4472942 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 21:03:00 +0100 4472942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4464660&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fwhen-google-is-not-your-friend.html So I've been having some (ahem) gastrointestinal issues for a while. Last spring, I was diagnosed with GERD. Things got better after I made some amendments to my diet and started taking meds (so much better that I got lazy about the diet and just took the meds). But now the issues are back in spades, along with abdominal discomfort and a feeling I can only discribe as "weasels chewing on my innards."A couple of weeks ago, I went to see my GP who doubled my dose of the meds, ordered some blood tests and other (ahem) samples and put in a referral to a gastroenterologist. She told me that it would likely be a six month wait. I had chemo on Tuesday, February 1st, which means I should have been feeling more or less like myself on the week end. I did not. By Saturday, I was still achy, weak, nau... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4464660 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0100 4464660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460187&cid=t_106395_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fpoor-emotional-recognition-by-addicts-alcoholics%2F Drug-abusers Have Difficulty in Recognizing Negative Emotions such as Wrath, Fear and SadnessUniversity of Granada scientists have been the first to analyze the relation between drug abuse and recognition of basic emotions (happiness, surprise, wrath, fear, sadness and disgust) by drug-abusers. Thus, the study revealed that drug-abusers have difficulty to identify negative emotions by their facial expression: wrath, disgust, fear and sadness.Further, regular abuse of alcohol, cannabis and cocaine usually affects abusers’ fluency and decision-making. Consuming cannabis and cocaine negatively affects working memory and reasoning. Similarly, cocaine abuse is associated to alterations in inhibition.For the purpose of this study, researchers carried out a psychological evaluation (with thinki... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460187 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:56:00 +0100 4460187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460198&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F5sEV5jTSDqE%2F This post is inspired by another blog post – by Catherine Caine at Cash and Joy. In that post, an (imaginary) therapist and client are having a conversation, which goes in part like this: ‘And what’s the worst thing that could happen if you don’t follow that dream?’ ‘Nothing.’ ‘Which is scarier?’ ‘The nothing.’ And I looked at that, and thought, “There’s a mission for me. Help people to see that the nothing is scarier than following your dream.” Change is simple, but it isn’t easy The thing about personal development and personal change is that it’s simple. There are really no magic bullets. There are a few tips and tricks, some things that make it easier, definitely, but the basic idea is simpl... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460198 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 06:55:14 +0100 4460198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450292&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fend-of-life-care-when-medicine-prolongs-dying-not-living%2F2011.02.08 The recent Washington Post article entitled, Who decides when medicine prolongs dying, not living? perfectly captures my earlier blog on why we’re afraid of death. An excerpt from the Post piece: [There's a] huge gap between Americans’ wishes about end-of-life care, as expressed in numerous public opinion polls, and what actually happens in too many instances–futile, expensive, often painful procedures performed on people too sick to leave the hospital alive–much less survive with a decent quality of life. Ninety percent of Americans say they want to die at home but only 20 percent do so. Half of Americans die in hospitals and another 25 percent in nursing homes, after a long period of suffering from chronic, incurable conditions that finally become untreatable. An ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450292 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4450292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450384&cid=t_106395_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2FMHQFE7sktU8%2F The UP Experience A researcher who studies shame talks about how it gets in the way of our “how to” happiness. She explores the roots of worthiness, “never good enough” and perfectionism, and the role of gender with shame. “Courage to me is the ability to tell your story and like yourself in the process of doing that,” says Brown. (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450384 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:30:18 +0100 4450384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4429247&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fd0H2MKFLGaE%2F Fear is like a toxic poison – it seems you can’t get rid of it by any means and it prevents you from living the life you always wanted to live. I was being “poisoned” with fear for myself and continuously worried about the events that might take place in the future, which included – besides many other things – messing up with my grades or not being able to master the defiances of my life. Even though I wasn’t a scared chicken at all, fear remained a part of my thoughts and often prevented me from falling asleep. Generally speaking I would say that all my worries had one thing in common: the fear of failure. Overcome the fear of failure #1 Having the right mindset about failure When I was about 20 years old, I’ve made an interesting conclusion... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4429247 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 06:49:27 +0100 4429247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4414650&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2Fu6ELcRhF_HY%2F In the last month and a half I have: Sat next to Emmas bed in PICU for two weeks.* I have asked God why too many times. I have been full of fear. I have been full of anger. I have been disappointed in myself, in my God, in my life. I have been exhausted With trying to be strong. Pretending to have it all together. Hiding the fact that I don’t. I have been shadowed with fear, Insecurity, Doubt, Loss. I have been honest with my Savior, with myself. And I have come to the realization {again} that it is not about me. Its about Him using me for His Glory… Not mine. It is about me completely trusting Him. With Emma. With me. I am tired of being a “cancer survivor, homeschool mom and mother of a special needs child just trying to survive.” I want to be more. For m... Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4414650 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 13:38:57 +0100 4414650 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405990&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fwelcome-to-my-life.html Earlier this week, my friend K. sent me an article from the New York Times on metastatic breast cancer that was the best piece of journalistic writing on metastatic breast cancer I've ever read. And I've read a lot on this subject.I cried when I read it (but as I told K., in a good way) because it resonated so deeply with me, juxtaposing the facts and the experiences of women living with cancer that can never be considered cured. I started to highlight the best bits to share with you here but ended up cutting and pasting more than two thirds of the article.I've decided that it's best not violate copyright or my own ethics and just post the link and ask you to please go read this article:A Pink Ribbon Race, Years Long.If you are reading this post on a site other than Not Just About Cancer (... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405990 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 02:14:47 +0100 4405990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4361259&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fwound-that-blinds.html It's one of those mornings when you just keep putting the kettle on. The hot water burbles out of the cracked teapot spout, and the bag steeps it's stems and pods, and you lift it until the brown liquid slows to a drip and drop the spent bag onto the saucer, a brown wet spot on a pile of orange dried ones, a whole pile of teabags to propel you through this morning. The cream swirls caramel through the comfort and you sigh as you lift it to your lips and try to focus deep on this one small pleasure amid a sea of pain and ugliness. Raw.Nothing seems to come into focus these days. You blink and rub your eyes and you still see shadows and colored blur and there is no clear path and no sharpness to the images that race like sand through those windows of your soul, time in fast forward and you f... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4361259 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:14:00 +0100 4361259 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4377615&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F14%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-january-14-2011%2F The first month of a new year is often filled with fear, anticipation and sometimes frustration. There’s a whole lot of things we didn’t yet accomplish that we often feel pressured to do this year (lose weight, make more money, find our true love). And there’s often a sense of grief associated with that as we slowly say good-bye to 2010 and reflect on what we’re proud of what what we regret. Speaking of regrets, a lot of you had very different views about this statement told to me by a relative: “You haven’t really lived, if you haven’t had regrets.” (You can read their opinions here and contribute your own on our Facebook page.) If you feel regretful and frustrated about last year, there are still lots of things you can do to remedy that. In... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4377615 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:38:52 +0100 4377615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4349544&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F14%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-january-14-2010%2F The first month of a new year is often filled with fear, anticipation and sometimes frustration. There’s a whole lot of things we didn’t yet accomplish that we often feel pressured to do this year (lose weight, make more money, find our true love). And there’s often a sense of grief associated with that as we slowly say good-bye to 2010 and reflect on what we’re proud of what what we regret. Speaking of regrets, a lot of you had very different views about this statement told to me by a relative: “You haven’t really lived, if you haven’t had regrets.” (You can read their opinions here and contribute your own on our Facebook page.) If you feel regretful and frustrated about last year, there are still lots of things you can do to remedy that. In... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4349544 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:38:52 +0100 4349544 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343364&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FgX8bqc_al_U%2F I have grown up near the ocean my entire life and I have learned much about the strong currents, rough surf, and powerful nature of a storm at sea. As a long-time diver, I have recently begun to notice that the nature of the sea is much like the nature of the land. Life above the waves is very similar to the depths below, and there are many parallels with what is simple and beautiful and what is difficult and scary. A tranquil sea can turn rough, choppy, and dangerous within minutes – you could be driving along content in your car, listening to your favorite music, when your tire blows sending you into a spin and a maelstrom of danger. In life, as with the sea, you never know when the good or bad will hit. I have come up with five principles I learned at sea that mirror the lessons I... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343364 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 07:21:42 +0100 4343364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4327041&cid=t_106395_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F08%2Fsarah-palin-incites-stupidity-why-not-worse%2F “If a Muslim put a map on web w/crosshairs on 20 pols, then 1 of them got shot, where would he b sitting right now? Just asking.” (tweet from Michael Moore) I have nothing but best wishes for the victims and families of today’s gun madness in Tucson. Speaking from family experience, the first brain [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4327041 Sun, 09 Jan 2011 02:39:20 +0100 4327041 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4314234&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F4Ma6JX62mtM%2F What are you afraid of? What keeps you rooted to your comfort zone? What keeps you from taking chances? What keeps you from living the life you want? I’ve lived much of my life afraid. Afraid to take chances – what if I fail? Afraid to stand out – what if someone laughs at me? Afraid to reach out to others – what if they reject me? My fears weren’t unfounded. I had a hard time making friends as a kid. I DID stick out. I was goofy, geeky, and was into comic books, Dungeons & Dragons, and reading horror and sci-fi books, when other kids were playing sports, partying, and doing whatever it was that cool kids did. So I set up barriers. I found a menial job which was unfulfilling but safe. I ate for comfort, turning my body into a barrier. And aside from a few good friends... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4314234 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:35:46 +0100 4314234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4300550&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fare-doctors-afraid-of-social-media%2F2010.12.30 We sometimes forget that public transparency can be scary. I’ve found this particularly true for doctors. And they tell me so. This tweet from MD Anderson’s Dr. Garcia-Manero hints that the daily digital repartee that I take for granted isn’t so easy for the newbie: And this comment came in today from a rheumatologist, Dr. Irwin Lim of BJC Health. It illustrates nicely the hesitancy physicians sometimes feel: Our clinic’s business manager was pushing me to blog as a means to improve the profile of our group musculoskeletal clinic. I found myself quite afraid of this, as I had not previously participated in social media. I was also wary that I could not control patient comments. Eventually, I tiptoed into LinkedIn. I then started reading blogs and came across yours. Your posts h... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4300550 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:00:33 +0100 4300550 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294711&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F26%2F8-ways-to-pitch-perfectionism%2F Although it can lead to imperfect — or even damaging — consequences, many of us strive for perfection anyway. Procrastination, ironically enough, is one of those unfortunate consequences. “In our pursuit of unreachable standards, we endlessly spin our wheels rather than move forward. In some cases, we never even start. The quest for perfection can be so intimidating that our productivity screeches to a halt,” said Debbie Jordan Kravitz, professional organizer and author of Everything I Know About Perfectionism I Learned from My Breasts. For some people, perfectionism can become all-consuming, so “reaching perfection is all they can see, feel, want or even need,” she said. Fear of failure is part of perfectionism. It stops us from seeking adventure and exploring... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294711 Sun, 26 Dec 2010 13:57:21 +0100 4294711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266155&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fvoice-in-wind.html I stand alone with arms outstretched in the summer field on the prairie, watching the storm roll in. I am pelted with the rain drops driven before the wind. The grass bends over in submission to it. Stand, or run?In joy and in pain, I hear the bittersweet strains of the symphony of life, and I bend my head and close my eyes and keep on clinging to the hand of the One who guides me. Tears fall on my feet sometimes. Sometimes I am laughing.Always, in the wind, I hear another voice, the voice that calls me to doubt, to fear, to flee, to protect myself, to shut down and to give up. But even when He isn't speaking, there is always the warmth of that hand gripping mine, the presence of the Holy Spirit, the comfort that says there is nothing on earth I have ever to fear again.Bring me joy, bring ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266155 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 20:36:00 +0100 4266155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253136&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Frationed-care-denied-treatment-and-%25e2%2580%259cdeath-panels%2F2010.12.13 One of the canards slung at the Affordable Care Act is that it creates “death panels” that would allow the government to deny patients lifesaving treatments, even though two independent and non-partisan fact-checking organizations found it would do no such thing. I don’t bring this up now to rehash the debate, but because the New York Times had a recent story on Arizona’s decision to deny certain transplants to Medicaid enrollees — “death by budget cuts” in the words of reporter Marc Lacey. His story profiles several patients who died when they were unable to raise money on their own to fund a transplant. Lacey quotes a physician expert on transplants who flatly states: “There’s no doubt that people aren’t going to make it because of this decision.” Arizona Medic... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253136 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:00:00 +0100 4253136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214538&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FAxRAvdMlQv8%2F What is the single biggest roadblock to your dreams? Fear. Is fear of the unknown, fear of losing control, or fear of making the wrong decision keeping you from the life you’ve been longing to live? Is your confidence being sucked dry by your fears? I have the perfect antidote – gratitude. The power of gratitude is unrivaled by any other emotion, even love. In gratitude there can be no fear. If you don’t believe me, the next time you are afraid or worrying about the future, stop and be grateful for anything, then notice what happens. Just by thinking the words “I’m grateful for…” can change your entire outlook on life in that moment. Do you allow your fears to overcome you, forcing you into the fetal position, distracting you from the power of truth that lies deep within... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214538 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:32:16 +0100 4214538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4207253&cid=t_106395_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fmedical-imposter-works-north-carolina-hospital-weeks-detected%2F Daniel Ray Stewart posed as a medical resident at Cape Fear Valley Hospital shadowing doctors and nurses in the emergency room for two weeks before someone noticed that he was not wearing a hospital-issued identity badge. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4207253 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 03:26:14 +0100 4207253 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4207479&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fback-and-forth.html Illness is the night-side of life, a more onerous citizenship. Everyone who is born holds dual citizenship, in the kingdom of the well and in the kingdom of the sick. Although we all prefer to use only the good passport, sooner or later each of us is obliged, at least for a spell, to identify ourselves as citizens of that other place. ~Susan SontagMy aunt was only sick a few weeks.Her sons couldn't bear the sharpness of spaded dirt falling on her in the grave.They dug with their hands instead,leaning deep in the hole to drop gently on the beloved.It's a different world, a different part of me whispered in the flat hushed land of the reservation. I think these men do intuitive better than most. Rules matter less here.I remember them both...lovers in old age, uncle with the chaotic over... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4207479 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:46:00 +0100 4207479 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4186906&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Finfection-control-and-the-doctor-patient-relationship%2F2010.11.20 Hospitals have recently been stepping up their infection control procedures, in the wake of news about iatrogenic infections afflicting patients when they are admitted. Doctors are increasingly wearing a variety of protective garb — gowns, gloves, and masks — while seeing patients. In an interesting New York Times column, Pauline Chen wonders how this affects the doctor-patient relationship. She cites a study from the Annals of Family Medicine, which concluded that, fear of contagion among physicians, studies have shown, can compromise the quality of care delivered. When compared with patients not in isolation, those individuals on contact precautions have fewer interactions with clinicians, more delays in care, decreased satisfaction and greater incidences of depression and anxiety. T... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4186906 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 15:00:09 +0100 4186906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183593&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F11%2Fspirit%2F You’ve taken many painful lumps Survived life’s tearful turns Endured some brutal bruises, bumps, And saintly savage burnsBe grateful for the strength you’ve gained Your inner muscles bulge But lips are drained and legs are chained By fears you still indulgeYour animator kept from view Locked up inside a cell It pleads release long overdue While you secure the shellIf you should seek to sow the seed Of peace within your heart, The breathless breather must be freed No secret self apartYour essence never lacks the nerve Its power shines divine To be in spirit is to serve With courage by designSo dig your cowardice a grave And lower it to rest Your daring, dauntless dreams will save The slave still dispossessed Special discount only for StevePavlina.com readers - Get the 26-CD Enhan... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183593 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:00:01 +0100 4183593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179473&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Flast-best-day.html Have you ever experienced the sharp intake of breath as you revel in a moment of pure joy and beauty...and fall like a roller-coaster car over the precipice of anxiety as you wonder if this will last? Anything can be a last, after all. Children grow and change. Bad things happen. People grow apart. Distance separates.It comes to me like a thief in the night, unexpected. I wonder if it's always lurking there, this silent thief of joy, the heaviness of temporariness that robs me of moments I intended to savor. The last night with Amelia in the hospital. She was awake until 1 a.m. The previous late nights in the hospital were excruciating, because I didn't know how many more late nights stretched before me. But the last night...it was different. It was pure sweetness. Amelia's husky little be... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179473 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:17:00 +0100 4179473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175925&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fcoming-undone-mayo-day-6.html Step 1. Remove dressing & netting around head.Step 2. Soothe child with favorite thing (in this case: bottle).Step 3. Remove tape, gauze, and electrodes from head using acetone (sting!).Step 4. Understand why child has been screaming & itching head for last 48 hours.Step 5. Finally: the awaited-for-a-whole-week bath.Step 6. Try another bottle.Step 6. How about some Benadryl for that itching?Step 7. Go HOME! (Source: Turquoise Gates) Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175925 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:38:00 +0100 4175925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4176002&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F11%2Fconnecting-from-the-heart%2F How do you create a heart-centered connection with someone close to you?I think the best way to do it is to let the other person see you naked.I don’t mean this in the physical sense, but in the emotional-spiritual sense.As you converse with the other person, talk about your career; then let it go. Talk about your past; then let it go. Talk about your other relationships; then let those go as well.Keep talking and connecting without re-hashing the same subjects. Eventually you’ll come upon a thought that’s uncomfortable for you to explore. This is where you must summon the courage to delve in and share.If there’s an end goal here, it’s to reach the point where you feel so safe with each other, that you can ask absolutely anything and get an emotionally deep an... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4176002 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:00:16 +0100 4176002 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4172113&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F11%2F16%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-november-16-2010%2F Do you remember the first time you began thinking about yourself as your own person, separate from mom and dad? I think for me it began when I was a child and saw that I could choose what I wanted to wear for school, what I wanted to eat and what I liked to do. But not only that. My tastes, sense of style and opinions were different too. Yet, this sense of, “Who am I?” definitely did not stop as a child. It grew in my twenties and continues to grow for me as an adult. The more I am able to step out of my family’s shoes and develop my own sense of me, the further along the path I walk toward authenticity and self-identity. It’s a road less traveled especially if you come from a family-centered culture like mine. If you are an artist, writer or any creative person, th... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4172113 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:59:46 +0100 4172113 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168155&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Ffelt-prayers-mayo-day-5.html Suffice it to say she hasn't itched since the prayer comments started pouring in. Well, that's not entirely true: she has stated, a few times, in a very calm voice, "Mama, I am itchy. Can I have some medicine please?" TADA! Prayer at work, people!! Thank you to each and every one who dropped everything to pray for something as small as the comfort of one little kid today. She's more subdued than usual, pale and under the weather as her cough worsens every day. But she has not been screaming in pain! These pictures are from our evening play session a few minutes ago.Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or imagine, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. (Ephesia... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168155 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 03:26:00 +0100 4168155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168156&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fwhen-you-are-helpless.html The results from this hospital stay are so depressing on so many levels. Last night Amelia started reacting horribly to the glue used to attach the electrodes all over her scalp (about 30 of them). She screamed, thrashed, and begged me to remove them, all while shaking her hands in the air because she was obeying and not scratching at them. When I finally got her to sleep at 4 a.m., I vowed not to let them touch those electrodes again...just take whatever information they can get, without the usual morning process of gluing loose electrodes and filling them all with conducting gel again. At 11:30 a.m., I praised God because they hadn't come to do so yet, although they are usually here by 9 a.m....I assumed this meant the electrodes had by some mercy survived the night intact. So I allowed ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168156 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:41:00 +0100 4168156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4162927&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoctors-voicing-concerns-and-fear-of-retaliation%2F2010.11.12 Shouldn’t it be possible to voice a concern about a medical treatment, procedure, or claim without the fear of retaliation? If the claims are backed by science, then simply addressing my concerns would be enough. Fear of retaliation silences discussion. Fear of retaliation makes it difficult to do the “right thing” when the public or an individual patient is at risk. This incidence involves a British plastic surgeon threatened with libel action by the ‘Boob Job’ cream’s manufacturer after she voiced concerns/doubts of its effectiveness. Sense About Science has a great summary of the entire affair: ”Plastic surgeon threatened for comment on ‘Boob Job’ cream.” (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Suture for a Living* (Source: Better... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4162927 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:00:00 +0100 4162927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4139290&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F11%2F05%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-november-5-2010%2F Only a few days ago, it felt like summer and now the holidays are fast approaching. As the warm days sheds its last ray of summer sunlight, I can’t help but reflect on the past. It seems as though somewhere between childhood and today, there was a time when life seemed a lot simpler, and so much more magical. Instead of fear, worry and disappointment, there was excitement, joy and hope. And even though being an adult often mean less presents and more shopping during the holidays, I still believe in the possibilities of the end of an old year and what the beginning of a new one brings. Maybe it’s all in our attitude. If we can learn how to bring gifts to ourselves and those we love through appreciation and recognition for the things done well, then maybe we can forgo the need fo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4139290 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 12:27:10 +0100 4139290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119585&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fhearing-wild-heartbeat-in-storm.html I didn't have enough handsto hold the pieces of my brokennessDidn't have enough tearsto dry out my heartBut on the other side of the stormwhere the sunshine is wonderful warmthI've much to liveand more to giveand laughter comes so easy~Other Side of the Cloud, Sarabeth Geoghegan~A half hour east of Chicago, my eyes were a sand-filled abyss of fatigue and my knuckles ached from clutching the steering wheel, as if I could haul myself out of the drag of slumber if only I pulled hard enough on the faux leather grain of the wheel.The clouds stacked up for miles, tens of thousands of feet of mist piled in mounding thunderheads all around the city.  At 4 p.m., the last straggling suburbanites filed out of downtown with lights glowing in the gloom of the gathering storm.  A few fingers o... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119585 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:51:00 +0100 4119585 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4097899&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FrhPfL2XcVjA%2F By Jim HarperIn his Washington Post op-ed this morning, “Obama Underappreciation Syndrome,” Charles Krauthammer mocks President Obama’s latest explanation for his, and his party’s, low popularity. “[W]e’re hard-wired not to always think clearly when we’re scared. And the country is scared,” explains the president. This is rich loam for derision. “Opening a whole new branch of cognitive science — liberal psychology — Obama has discovered a new principle: The fearful brain is hard-wired to act befuddled, i.e., vote Republican.” Krauthammer rightly takes the campaigning president to task. But he scopes his critique a bit broadly. It’s pretty close to uncontroversial that the logic centers of the brain shut down when... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4097899 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 20:02:38 +0100 4097899 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098060&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F21%2F6-ways-to-open-up-and-talk-in-therapy%2F “I’ve shared more in my blog than I could ever tell my therapist.” “I wish my therapist could read this online support group. Then they might begin to understand what I’m really going through.” You’ve gathered up the energy and resources to start psychotherapy. It’s a big step and you’re excited to begin. But you find yourself unable to talk in therapy. What’s the point of talk therapy without the talking? We find it so incredibly easy to open up online, but when we’re in the therapy office, we become suddenly mute. There are many strategies to help “open up” and be able to talk more freely while in psychotherapy. Here are a few. 1. Write it down. One of the easiest ways to help overcome your fear or inability to... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098060 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:24:49 +0100 4098060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082278&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2FR7rrTpMQenk%2F I had my bi-quarterly MRI last Wednesday. Normally when I am laying on the MRI table, I recite verses and remain calm through the 40 minute bumping, knocking, thudding. This time was different. This time I felt scared. I thought about my expiration date, and that once I hit the three year mark (May of this year) I will be living on borrowed time. I thought about Emma’s expiration date and how she is already living on borrowed time. I thought about those two things all the way through my MRI until the last 10 minutes or so. Then I stopped. I prayed. I cried. I prayed some more. and right at that moment these verses popped into my head: “You are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you. Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” - Isaiah 43: 4-5 “Your eyes saw... Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082278 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 14:57:20 +0100 4082278 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082276&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fomg.html If you are reading this post on a site other than Not Just About Cancer (besides Facebook or a feed reader), you are reading stolen content. (Source: Not just about cancer) Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082276 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 14:09:00 +0100 4082276 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074061&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoes-it-matter-what-the-hospitalist-thinks%2F2010.10.15 I read this article about a young child with heterotaxy syndrome with great interest. Not because I find heterotaxy syndrome something of great fascination, but because of the lack of communication — on both ends of the spectrum: Even though 5 other Dr. all came in and listened to his lungs and said that he didn’t sound like he was wheezing and that his lungs sounded really good. But because this hospital is overly political, process driven, bureaucratic, and in a constant state of litigious fear they are unable to make any conclusions based on actual medicine and patient care. Common sense is blown out the window when you  have a system were a hospitalist one year out of medical school has an opinion that is as valuable as a cardiologist with 25+ years experience. But in�... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074061 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:00:00 +0100 4074061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074012&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=36069&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffrankiespeakingfrankly.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fradio-interview.html I was invited into the local BBC Radio station yesterday, for a half hour interview on what motivated me to get involved with campaigning. Apparently they were looking for 'inspirational' people and I ticked all the right boxes! That's got to be one of the best compliments I have had in my life :)Of course if meant taking half a day off work, and all the nerves that go with it, but I figured it would be a good experience that would help build my confidence, plus I really did think I had a story that should be told.I actually really enjoyed it. Justin Leigh did the interview (stepping in for the usual presenter - Justin is the one you usually see on Spotlight tv). He was incredibly nice, and made me feel at ease straight away - obviously a very skilled presenter.If you ever get the chance t... Frankie Speaking Frankly blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074012 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:27:00 +0100 4074012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4065630&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38608&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FLifeDev%2F%7E3%2FLBq53C_96qw%2F I used to run from competition like a schoolboy runs from the playground bully. I’ve had plenty of ideas for sites and products that I never developed because I was scared stiff of the competition. In fact, a couple of years ago I abandoned a project that was 95% completed because a huge company entered the space and was touted as the “total solution”. (It turns out that the service was mildly successful, but never gained market share or lived up to the hype.) But instead of just finishing the 5% that was left with development, trusting in what I had built, and releasing the product anyway, I threw up the white flag. Hindsight tells me that had I actually released the website, it probably would have been pretty profitable. Needless to say, it was a valuable lesson for me.... LifeDev blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4065630 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 14:51:19 +0100 4065630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4045357&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fwhispers.html My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world....you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie — just as it has taught you, abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. ~ I John 20: 1-2, 20, 27-28 ~I hear the whispers in the quiet communion between these tw... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4045357 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 01:29:00 +0100 4045357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036901&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fwhat-time-i-am-afraid.html The seasons of change speak deep into the souls of all people in this northland: autumn is always a last fervor of activity, for people and the animals, as we prepare for winter.  We dance in the yellow leaves, and rakes together God's gold into piles of glory, and harvest, can, preserve, bake crisps and pies and eat stew and soup again for the first time in 6 months.  And, because of the unique way God unfolded my cancer in my lap - surgery in summer, treatment changes in September, radiation in November - I am forever on a schedule that means I spend summer free from cancer and autumn turning back toward it.Yesterday was my big fall appointment with my thyroidologist-slash-oncologist.  The planning appointment, when he tells me when to come back for the electric blue pill,... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036901 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:17:00 +0100 4036901 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013347&cid=t_106395_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fczf-MSXQ8Qw%2F Excellent article about an emerging “small revolution” in mental health care: Marientina Gotsis, media lab manager at USC, started thinking about designing apps with therapeutic potential when she realized that her phone had joined her wallet and keys on the small list of things she never left home without. “It’s what keeps people connected, functional, feeling safe and entertained. So why not use what people hold on to close to deliver behavioral interventions?” It’s the kind of innovation that Kathleen Carroll, a psychology professor at Yale, says may be a “small revolution” in mental health care. These apps are part of the “brain fitness” industry, a category that includes computerized memory exercises and cognitive-impairment assessment programs, and that SharpBrain... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013347 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:39:00 +0100 4013347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987201&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fchest-x-rays-are-an-important-test-for-breast-cancer-survivors%2F Last week I had a chest X-ray. It is just in time because I see my oncologist this upcoming week, and she has been asking me to get one for almost 2 years. Regular chest X-rays are a part of staying vigilant after battling breast cancer. I have found some information that suggests that 60 to 70 percent of deaths from breast cancer are because the cancer metastasized to the lungs. This is too scary for me. I don’t like to think about breast cancer spreading to other organs in my body. I know, of course, that it is possible, even though I have already taken precautions, like removing my ovaries and the prophylactic mastectomy of my healthy breast. When cancer was diagnosed in my right breast, however, it had already spread to the lymph nodes. That is why early detection is so important —... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987201 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:03:13 +0100 3987201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3982016&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsocial-media-and-lazy-doctors%2F2010.09.18 When it comes to the social media landscape, doctors are scarce. Few on Twitter and fewer with blogs. Maybe we’re socially lazy. Or maybe we’re just taking it all in. Mitch Joel of Six Pixels of Separation caught my eye last week with his article ”In Praise of Lazy” and reminded me that despite the how we may want to see things, most of us aren’t interested in creating content. In fact, he describes a 1 percent rule — only 1 percent of the audience will take time to actually create content. I suspect that if we were to take the time and do the survey properly, we would find that physicians too are largely new media consumers — or spectators, joiners or collectors in the Forrester sense of the word. Physicians, in fact, might adhere to something of a 0.1 p... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3982016 Sat, 18 Sep 2010 12:00:51 +0100 3982016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3969051&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F14%2Fhousebound-paralyzed-with-anxiety%2F Within the last six months, I have treated two patients whose visits to my office were among the very few times they had left their homes — in years. They are just a few of the million or more Americans who suffer from anxiety conditions or weight problems or psychotic illnesses that lead them to dread leaving the house. Some are literally housebound and never venture outside, even confining themselves to a single room or barricading doors and windows. The housebound population is a kind of secret in America, because these folks are often embarrassed about their situation and don’t know how to get help for it. House calls, after all, went out of vogue decades ago. Conditions leading people to be housebound include agoraphobia (an intense fear of crowds and being publicly humiliated) an... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3969051 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:55:52 +0100 3969051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3960082&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F09%2Fhacking-reality-subjective-objectivity%2F As my 30-day subjective reality experiment concluded last month, I shifted to a different mode of living. I finally got used to seeing the world through a dream lens. It was seriously challenging to hold that perspective at first, but after a few weeks, my subconscious took over, and I no longer had to consciously remind myself that this is a dream. Eventually the dream perspective became my default way of thinking.Freeing Mental RAMUp until that point, holding that perspective was a major cognitive burden. My mind often felt fried at the end of the day. The experiment required a serious conscious effort, a lot of dedication, and perhaps a twist of fanaticism.Holding the subjective perspective required a significant amount of mental RAM. Multiple times per hour, I had to keep refreshing t... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3960082 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 21:12:27 +0100 3960082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3929422&cid=t_106395_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FQYoupcXMikc%2Fsymlin-scare.php I hate that title, because it implies that I dislike Symlin.  That's not true.  I like it a lot.  Most of the time.  The few times I don't like it are memorable.  Take this experience from about a month ago. One of Symlin's main jobs is to slow digestion.  This helps the post-meal blood sugar spikes, which is one of the main reasons I use it.  But because digestion is slowed, I have to also slow my insulin.  I usually use a pump feature to spread the bolus out over 60-90 minutes.Shortly after eating I just happened to glance at my CGM.  My heart jumped.  I was below 100 mg/dl and dropping fast.  Two down arrows.  Finger stick confirmed my fear, I was in the low 80's. I'm too low and dropping fast.   I did that quick mental re... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3929422 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0100 3929422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3895845&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fthink-no-evil-obessing-over-fears-can-make-them-come-true%2F If you’re the OCD type, listen up: Giving in to your worries and fears could actually make them come true, according to Australian researchers. In a study published in the last issue of British Medical Journal, researchers found that in a group of elderly subjects, those who worried most about falling were twice as likely to fall as those who said they didn’t worry. Though the test was limited in its scope, the implication is that psychology does have an impact on real events. At the risk of sounding too much like The Secret, we’d advise losing the negative thinking for some positive visions of your future. via Vitamin G Post from: BlissTree Think No Evil: Obessing Over Fears Can Make Them Come True (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3895845 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:35:01 +0100 3895845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3889126&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F20%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-august-20-2010%2F The creative process is a mysterious one. I sit down at my computer twice a week not knowing how I will do it and what will come out when I type. Yet, if I come to my desk present, open-minded and trusting, somehow my fingers do the work for me. That doesn’t mean that I don’t have days when the writing doesn’t flow and that I don’t feel stuck. On those days, I notice it’s one or all of the three f’s: fatigue, fear or feeling frazzled that pushes me over the edge. Then, it feels like I’m trying to run in water or force a piece into a puzzle that just doesn’t fit. I tend to think of those times as moments when self-care is vital. I might be feeling anxious, overworked or my own negative thoughts could be sabotaging my efforts. Yet, when we&#821... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3889126 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:25:53 +0100 3889126 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3865405&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2F43-things-part-four.html 32. I can organize ideas, a campaign or a project but I can't organize my house or even a room to save my life.33. If I become interested in something, it can easily turn into an obsession. At least for a little while.34. I'm trying to ride my bike as much as possible. I think I'm becoming addicted (see above).35. I'm always a little surprised to discover that someone likes me.36. I didn't think Facebook birthday wishes were a big deal until it was my birthday. I loved getting messages from all over the world and from people from all parts of my life.37. I have already passed my minimum goal of raising $150 for the Run for the Cure. I dream of wildly exceeding that.38. Two of my favourite childhood memories are of a family cross-country ski trip and going sailing on my uncle's boat. I don'... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3865405 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:43:00 +0100 3865405 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3845146&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F09%2Fcongratulations-to-katherine-stone-postpartum-progress-2%2F Katherine Stone, the author of the wonderful Postpartum Progress blog, won the First Annual Bloganthropy Award at the BlogHer 10 event in NYC this past weekend. It’s an award focused on making a difference through social media. Given that this award was open to any type of blog on any type of topic, the fact that a mental health blogger won it is heart-warming and fantastic! Here’s a part of the announcement about the award: The Bloganthropy Awards recognize bloggers who have made a difference by using social media effectively to promote a good cause. Stone became an advocate for women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders after experiencing a severe bout of postpartum depression herself in 2001. Her feelings of fear and isolation inspired her to create Postpartum Progress, no... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3845146 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:04:23 +0100 3845146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3831398&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F06%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-august-6-2010%2F I remember being in my early twenties sitting in my beat-up Nissan right in the peak of traffic hour. I had no air conditioning. The music was not on. I think the only people who owned cell phones back then were doctors and dentists. It was so hot that my palms were sweaty and slippery against the hot steering wheel. The unforgiving heat from the cars all around me felt suffocating. This was an ordinary day and I was just on my way home from work. I would not have remembered it other than the fact that I had an extraordinary experience sitting there being very ordinary. Suddenly, I just felt plain loved. I felt grateful for being me, for every hardship I had ever endured, for every fear I had, for every imperfection that made me unique. In the midst of all that traffic while people were ho... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3831398 Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:23:27 +0100 3831398 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3823186&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F08%2Fsubjective-relationships%2F “What is the primary goal?” “You should know, Professor. You programmed me.” – War GamesWell… this 30-day trial of inspiration is absolutely amazing. I’m so far down the rabbit hole of subjective reality that I can perceive little else but rabbits now. And there sure are a LOT of rabbits down here!Today is technically Day 12 of this experiment. That seems ridiculous to me. How could so much have changed in only 12 days? The pacing of life has become almost unfathomable compared to what it was like before. I feel like I’ve lived through the mental and emotional equivalent of about 3 months in less than 2 weeks. Each day is like a week in terms of the density of its intensity.I know this is a long update (over 7400 words), but it still barely s... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3823186 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 07:06:35 +0100 3823186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808824&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Ffull-weekend.html Summer seems to be gathering speed as July waned quickly into August, and we were adrift in birthdays and barbecues and baseball games.  Aaron turned 36 on Saturday, in the midst of a weekend on call, full of procedures and disasters to tend to at work.  I love how the children look like sparks flying off his fire in this photo, as they bend like reeds in the glee of giving gifts.Amy's weekend was full of partial seizures, and a few full-blown ones as well.  I have noticed they are clustering on the weekends, which is a call to slow down again as a family.  Just when things seem to be under control, and we start to pile on the fun as we dance in joy that sickness is abating, the seizures come thundering back to remind us that this is not a temporary change in our lives.... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808824 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 04:38:00 +0100 3808824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3807536&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FS5Eene6tDZ4%2F Photo Credit: Robert Campbell Photography Part 1: Fear is an illusive giant. What is it? What color is it? How is it shaped? Where can it be found? Fear is everywhere and no where at the same time. It has no shape, color, sound, form, or solid visibility. We can see and feel only its effects. What to do when fear is stalking? Stop. Turn around. Look at it square in the face, And what? Fear has no eyes, no face, and no form. The truth is that fear is: False Evidence Appearing Real. This step prepares you to overcome fear, and gather up the courage to write your dream plan and to build your Dream Plan Book. A wise Eddie Rickenbacker once said, “Courage is doing what you’re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared.” This truth brings us straight to the condition of... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3807536 Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:10:33 +0100 3807536 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3806039&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2Finspiration-vs-expectation%2F This 30-day inspiration trial is almost too strange. I feel like a blind man excitedly examining a rainbow. There’s definitely something there, but I’m not sure I have the faculties to make sense of it. I feel a bit foolish trying to explain it. It’s tough to translate the experience into words; words alone can’t do it justice.Is it scary? Most definitely. Why is it scary? Partly because I have no idea what’s going to happen next or where this will lead, and the logical part of my mind is freaking out a bit. It’s difficult to feel grounded and secure.I have no idea where I left my comfort zone. I really can’t even see it from where I’m standing.The pace of change I’m experiencing is extremely rapid. So much has already shifted in just ... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3806039 Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:44:17 +0100 3806039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3794845&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F27%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-july-27-2010%2F This weekend I got in touch with a different side of my personality: the nature loving one. It’s the part of me that often gets buried underneath daily worries, fears and your garden variety neuroticism. While tending to issues are important, so is taking a break from them. Based on the outpouring of responses I got concerning outdoor activities on Facebook, it seems like I might not be the only one. Isn’t it nice basking in the ray of hope and possibility instead of fear and uncertainty every once in awhile? That’s what I spent my time doing in a rustic cottage in the country. I stared out the French doors of the tiny cottage for several minutes without fear of boredom or anxiety from doing nothing. I heard and felt comforted by the subtle soundtrack created by the soun... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3794845 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:36:06 +0100 3794845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3787103&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fchronology.html Reading the lyrics of "Wonder" by Natalie Merchant the other day brought me back.  Made me think some things over.  I had to scan a few photos in for another post, photos from my childhood album.  This is my favorite picture in that album.  Whenever I start thinking I might be making some headway in this photography hobby of mine, I look back and I am reminded that I have a long way to go to match my dad's black and white film and Canon A1 with it's old kit lens...a photojournalists camera, his first major purchase as a high school student.I remember fainting and nearly dying at a friend's wedding when I was in high school.  I remember them thinking I was pregnant and hemorrhaging or something, and how I said a thousand times through gritted teeth that was impossib... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3787103 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 11:34:00 +0100 3787103 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3772280&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F20%2Fafraid-to-leave-the-house-tv-documentary-wants-you%2F If you or someone you know is confined to your home due to anxiety, fear, panic, OCD, or other issues, there may be help available to you. A new documentary project for a major cable network wants to shed light on the severity of such illnesses as well as aid participants in their treatment process. A prominent, board certified psychiatrist will offer help to those who are ready to make a change. If you’re interested in learning more about this project, please contact: HelpOut123@hotmail.com or call 818.382.4322 (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3772280 Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:04:27 +0100 3772280 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3754125&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38619&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FALifeCoachsBlog%2F%7E3%2FNyZ58049FKc%2F It’s not unusual for clients to call me and after giving me a run down on their issues asking “Can you fix me?” My usual response is: “No, because you’re not broken” It may sound like I’m being glib and not listening to the person talking to me, but it’s neither. It’s simply a belief that stems from the NLP presupposition that nobody is broken no matter what their circumstances. I don’t want potential clients adopting the mindset that something is wrong with them. I prefer to have them thinking they’re just great (because they are), but can be even greater with some fine tuning. The reason I adopt the belief that nobody is broken is because all our behaviors are useful in some context or other. As human beings we never self-sabotage and I defy you to give me a single ... Life Coach Blog: The Discomfort Zone : blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3754125 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:49:32 +0100 3754125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750097&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F13%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-july-13-2010%2F How’s your summer going? Have you been soaking up the sun’s rays or hiding out in air conditioned rooms, underneath trees and any shelter you can find? I’ve actually been exercising the latter, cooling off in theaters. As a result, it’s turning out to be a movie themed summer. In fact, this past weekend, I gave into my movie kick and saw everything from Toy Story 3 to Eclipse. Those two very different movies taught me something surprisingly similar about life. Something along the lines of, “anything is possible” and “having a little giggle is just as important as working hard.” Silliness and play teach us a lot about ourselves. It’s how we learned as kids and how we open up the door to possibilities as adults. The reason I bring this up... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750097 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:12:28 +0100 3750097 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3742387&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Ftherell-be-no-dark-valley.html You see allegory everywhere when the world is cloaked in the new mystery again, as things you thought were true crash down about you and new structure is going up and everything is hazy because of injury and loss and grief and pain.  When cancer is back again, bigger each time, threatening; when going to the bathroom at night feels like a scene from "Where the Wild Things Are" (let the rumpus begin); when your heart flip-flops afresh to a mechanical beat like a bad '80's house jam; when you can't squeeze your children or cook your meals or pack your bags for a trip you want to go on/don't want to embark on.  Then daisies in harsh sidelight on your sacred marriage bed are haunted, and you think about the curse and evil, and God and good, and discipline and persecution.  You s... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3742387 Sat, 10 Jul 2010 10:55:00 +0100 3742387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737226&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2F3dS17V_BQyw%2F I realize that I have never written, in detail, about the day Emma had a grand mal seizure, or what the days held that led up to that horrible event on March 31st. I wrote about feeling “numb” on April 1st, but never about March 31st. So I am going to attempt to do that now… I have to to warn you that my emotions on this subject are still very raw, and the 2 images I am going to be posting are very hard to look at. I wont be offended if you leave now, before you read any farther, in fact, I will totally understand. Before I get to March 31st, I have to start back in February. Emma went into ICU because she had a 104.5 fever that would not go away. All of her labs and cultures were coming back negative of any virus or bacteria for the first week… finally we got the r... Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737226 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:09:42 +0100 3737226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3746690&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fare-you-a-worrywart-6-signs-that-youre-addicted-to-your-anxiety%2F Worrying is second-nature to some, while others seem immune, but for most of us, it’s a pretty natural emotion. But according to Tom Ferry, author of Life by Design, you could actually be addicted to the stress and anxiety of worry. In his Huffington Post article, “Are You Addicted To Worry,” he explains that he believes addiction to worry is the number one thing keeping people from achieving their hopes and dreams, interfering with plans, relationships, and action. So how do you know if you’re addicted to worry? Here are 6 signs that you’ve got a habit to kick: Everything makes you feel depressed, concerned, or fearful. Everything. The people around you are also worrywarts. You need TV, movies, or music to distract you from worrying. Your mind chatter keeps ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3746690 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:08:12 +0100 3746690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3729940&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=38950&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shockmd.com%2F2010%2F07%2F07%2Fgender-diffrence-panic-disoder-explained%2F Women process threats and aggressive stimuli different than men, differences in the activation of brain regions participating in the fear circuitry. This might be an important factor contributing to the increased likelihood of women to develop panic disorder compared to men. If in women activation differs in parts of the fear circuitry, this could explain the gender difference in prevalence of the panic disorder. Fear Circuitry in the Brain dysfunctional fear network centered in the amygdala and projecting to the thalamus, hypothalamus, brainstem, and prefrontal cortical areas in Panic Disorder patients In a recent study 20 patients with panic disorder (12 women and 8 men) were shown images depicting fearful, angry, happy, and neutral expressions of 10 individuals (5 males and 5 females) d... Dr Shock MD PhD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3729940 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 06:28:20 +0100 3729940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3723412&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fbrokenness.html I don't remember much about what happened, so I can't give you many details.  But I can write, read, speak, laugh, joke, smile, walk, and otherwise function completely normally.  Even though my head apparently went through our toilet tank last night.  When I saw this picture, it is amazing to me that I am alive and sitting in bed typing.  I did have a seizure in the emergency room, a first for me, but haven't had any more.  There is no sign of any broken bones in my skull or face or bleeding in my brain on the CT scan.  I am continuing to have a lot of head pain and some disturbing double vision.  This post will be short because of that.I am okay.  I'm not really sure why I fell, if I fainted or tripped or what.  I have had no dizziness at any o... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3723412 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 05:08:00 +0100 3723412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3742321&cid=t_106395_122_f&fid=35077&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneurophilosophy.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F02%2Fscared_by_the_light%2F Using state-of-the-art technique called optogenetics, researchers provide new insights into the neural basis of fear conditioning (Source: Neurophilosophy) Neurophilosophy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3742321 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:25:47 +0100 3742321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695844&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FrkTORJOElys%2F Photo Courtesy of exfordy Every morning we wake up and face a new day with new challenges. It’s  human nature and this is the course of life. Even if I was not always prepared for whatever fate has given me to carry on my shoulders I struggled and I managed to get all things to an end. One of the greatest challenges I faced was fear: fear of change, fear of making wrong decisions and fear of holding my point of view. This instinct of fear can mess up our lives distorting the way we look at ourselves and at the people around us. From definitions, fear is a pre-programmed emotion that acts as an instinctual response to potential danger. And this instinctual response causes different physical reactions, because when we are afraid, the adrenaline and the stress hormone cortisol are released... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695844 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 06:01:57 +0100 3695844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3687394&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FbQkBieXMup8%2F I get a lot of questions from people who read my articles or visit my site asking me if I can give them some specific steps to follow to get started making changes in their lives. Unfortunately, I don’t really have a step-by-step program for self improvement, so as much as I’d love to help, I can’t really tell them much other than to just get started. But I’m also happy to give that very simple piece of advice, because getting started is the hardest part of… well, anything. And it’s the most intimidating. There’s a fear of the unknown that likes to creep its way in and it often leads to another overwhelming fear: failure. And that will often stop us right in our tracks. I’ve seen it absolutely paralyze some people. And that’s a shame be... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3687394 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:15:54 +0100 3687394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683560&cid=t_106395_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fpresident-american-college-emergency-physicians-claims-fear-malpractice-suits-unneeded-tests%2F Dr. Angela Gardner, President of the ACEP, says that fear of lawsuits is an overriding reason that ER physicians order so many tests. ER physicians Drs. Jeffrey Kline, Angela Mills, and Jeffrey Schaider also give their thoughts. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683560 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:32:05 +0100 3683560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3665935&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fliving-in-fear-whats-your-phobia%2F photo: Thinkstock Boo! Sorry, we didn’t mean to scare you. More phobias exist than we could possibly list in this post – and more than 19 million American adults have them. Usually, our fears are founded during childhood around the age of seven. When confronted with a specific phobia, the brain reverts to fight or flight. Phobias are very treatable, but most people with deep-rooted fears never seek treatment (because they’re scared, probably). We want to know what our Blisstree audience thinks about phobias. Do you have a specific fear? (spiders, clowns, darkness, escalators, whatever.) Take our poll, and elaborate in the comments, below. Hey, no judgments – we’re scaredy-cats, too! #MicroPollDiv_261270 { width: 250px; margin: 0px auto; } via CNN Post from: BlissTr... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3665935 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:30:56 +0100 3665935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662961&cid=t_106395_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2F10-signs-of-bad-relationships-2%2F Many people have experienced or practiced abuse in alcoholic or addictive relationships. You may be an alcoholic, addict, codependent or child of a bad relationship (ACOA). In recovery these behaviors need to be addressed in the program in confidence with a sponsor or counselor. This list is not complete, but it may help you begin to find understanding and ways out of the quagmire of pain. 1.  Isolates you from friends and family 2.  Is verbally abusive 3.  Blames others for his problems 4.  Alcohol and drug use 5.  Does things to instill fear 6.  Punishes you for spending time away from him 7.  Expects you to wait on him like a servant 8.  Is extremely jealous of all aspects of your life 9.  Controls you through his emotions 10.  They g... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662961 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 03:08:04 +0100 3662961 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3659119&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fcancer-is-a-big-fear-of-breast-cancer-survivors%2F Last week I experienced a bit of an upset stomach that lasted for a few days. It was a flu-like symptom, but I had no fever, aches, or other telltale signs. By the third day I had no explanation for the continued discomfort, so I was convinced I had cancer. My mind always gravitates to the conclusion that I have cancer. This was never the case before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since that battle, however, I find cancer at every turn. I have been doing a lot of yard work which has put some strain on my right hip. One night I awoke with excruciating pain in the hip joint — immediately I thought that I needed an MRI to find the bone cancer. It took a few minutes to convince myself that sleeping on that hip after a whole day of hard work was the cause. Fear of a new cancer or cancer ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3659119 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:18:40 +0100 3659119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3655614&cid=t_106395_101_f&fid=38969&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheemtspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2F11%2Fwhere-do-you-put-the-fear%2F I once thought that part of the goal of being a competent paramedic was getting to the point where I no longer felt any fear or anxiety about running calls. After all, most of the folks I worked with appeared to be absolutely fearless. At least the competent ones did. They never go flustered or rushed. They smiled. They remained calm in the face of very real emergencies. I needed to be like that. Eventually I figured out how to act like they acted, but I never really mastered the whole not-feeling-any-fear thing. It nagged at me for a long time. It took me almost a decade to figure out the secret. Everyone feels the fear. Yes, everyone. Everyone carries around their own special brand of fear. Fear of failure, fear of being in the spotlight, fear of public embarrassment, fear of not having... The EMT Spot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3655614 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:10:51 +0100 3655614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3652469&cid=t_106395_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F11%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-june-11-2010%2F There’s a side of us that we want to keep from the rest of the world. We put our best face forward while hiding the parts of ourselves we deem too unlovable to reveal to outsiders. Sometimes we do it out of fear of being rejected and other times we do it out of habit. For example, can you count the number of times today when someone asked how you were doing and you automatically answered “fine” even when you didn’t feel that way? Maybe it’s our society that values doing so or maybe we don’t believe that others can hold our own truth. We all have hidden our true selves at one time or another, yet I can’t help but wonder at what expense? Being honest about who we are and what situation we are in good or bad, may have a positive effect on others as we... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3652469 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:00:13 +0100 3652469 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3641023&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmedical-malpractice-perspectives-from-a-doctor-and-a-lawyer%2F2010.06.07 Medical malpractice is a major issue that divides doctors and lawyers — with patients often left in the middle. I wrote last year in USA Today that reform is sorely needed, mainly to help injured patients be compensated more quickly and fairly than they currently are: Researchers from the New England Journal of Medicine found that nearly one in six cases involving patients injured from medical errors received no payment. For patients who did receive compensation, they waited an average of five years before their case was decided, with one-third of claims requiring six years or more to resolve. These are long waits for patients and their families, who are forced to endure the uncertainty of whether they will be compensated or not. And with 54 cents of every dollar injured patients receive... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3641023 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:00:18 +0100 3641023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3635743&cid=t_106395_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fprovide-healthcare-get-investigated%2F2010.06.07 When I started medical school, if someone had told me that providing healthcare to my patients would be grounds for a Department of Justice inquiry into the care I delivered, I would have laughed in their face. But the government’s desperate financial times require desperate measures. From the Report on Medicare Compliance: Both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC) are focusing investigations on Medicare billing for implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) surgery. The reimbursement rate for ICD surgery is one of the higher dollar Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Groupings (MS-DRG). The DOJ’s investigation is focusing on both medical necessity and MS-DRG coding validation issues, while the RACs are currently only conducting MS-DRG validation re... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3635743 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3635743 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3629911&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F06%2Fsuspending-judgment%2F It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so. – Mark TwainWhenever I write about certain topics, especially those that seem contrary to mainstream conditioning, some people voice very strong opinions. They communicate their thoughts with a high degree of certainty, as if adopting the posture of an expert.However, upon further inspection it becomes readily apparent that most of these people have little or no direct experience upon which to base their opinions. Their knowledge of such subjects can hardly be classified as knowledge at all, since it’s derived largely from non-primary sources like media conditioning, third-party rumors, and supposition.Erroneous KnowledgeOf course the problem with acq... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3629911 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:02:10 +0100 3629911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3625729&cid=t_106395_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fis-a-breast-cancer-vaccine-on-the-horizon%2F The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio is vaccinating mice against breast cancer — and they are seeing some very promising results. This means that there may be a breast cancer vaccine in the foreseeable future; this is too wonderful to even hope for. The scientists working on the vaccine were able to prevent tumors from growing, but were also able to reduce the size of already growing tumors. They were able to target a protein found in most breast cancers and use it in the vaccine. Dr. Vincent Tuohy, an immunologist and the lead scientist, suggests that human studies could begin as early as next year. It will be a long process to work through FDA requirements and raise the funding for further studies in humans, but this is so promising. Dr. Tuohy was inspired by the vaccines that protect children... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3625729 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:37:07 +0100 3625729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3621988&cid=t_106395_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F06%2Fludicrous-results%2F When an idea is first conceived, it’s very easy to idealize it and see only the good aspects. In your imagination, anything is possible. But when ideas are implemented under real-world conditions, the results may not be what you’d expect. In fact, sometimes the results will be completely ludicrous.The Idea-Implementation GapDuring the 1980s, my younger brother and I saw a TV ad for a device called The Clapper. You could hook up The Clapper to an electrical outlet, and it would allow you to turn the power on or off by clapping loudly a couple times. Perhaps the most common use for the device was to turn the lights on and off. So you could be lying in bed reading, and when you were ready to go to sleep, just clap your hands to turn the lights off. Clap again to turn the lights ba... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3621988 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:16:13 +0100 3621988