Blog #3 Menarche

I had my first period at age 10. Mom freaked out. Thinking about what happened long ago makes me laugh at the entire situation. Mom figured I started menses when she was doing laundry. I heard her scream “Allison!” I didn’t know what to think or understand her abrupt reaction. What I can remember is my mom telling me to go into the bathroom, with a pad in hand, and to put the pad on my underwear. Then she hands over the telephone so I could talk to my Aunt K., who just graduated from nursing school. Oh what an embarrassing conversation. I talked to my Aunt K about this significant event years later. My Aunt K remembers that conversation like this:

Mom: Here talk to them.

Aunt K: About what? (Mom hands phone over to me.) How do you feel?

Me: O.k.

Aunt K: Do you understand what is going on?

Me: Yep

Apparently I learned about the menstrual cycle at school but I don’t remember that at all. I believe part of my mom’s reluctance to tell me was because she felt inadequate to explain about the menstrual cycle. English was not her first language so trying to translate from Chinese to English was intimidating. In hindsight, it is possible the reaction my mom had was the same reaction my grandmother had when my mom experienced her first period. Overall I had a unique experience. It wasn’t exactly positive but it wasn’t negative either. It just happened.

Blog #2 Personal Health

Below is a list of 10 questions to RATE YOUR PREVENTIVE PRACTICES from our textbook:

1. Do you eat a healthful diet consisting of the appropriate servings of fruits and vegetables, grains, protein, vitamins, and minerals? Yes and no. I try to incorporate at least one serving of fruits and vegetables everyday. My will power to eat fruits instead of chocolate is weak and something to work on. I think for the most part I eat the recommended amount of protein, grains, vitamins, and minerals. I could improve my diet by making conscious decisions to eat more fruits and vegetables instead of junk foods. One way to do this is to not buy junk food so I would not become tempted.

2. Do you participate in moderate-intensity physical activity at least four days a week? No. Currently I am working my way to 4-5 days of some sort of physical activity like attending classes at the gym, working out at the gym, playing tennis, or walking at the park trail. Usually these activities last from 30 minutes to an hour.

3. Do you get enough sleep so that you do not feel tired throughout the day? Mostly yes. I aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Occasionally I stay up late because I am surfing on the internet or watching a movie/television show.

4. Do you avoid using tobacco products and drugs? YES!!! I don’t smoke or do drugs. But unfortunately I have been around second hand smoke most of my life.

5. If you consume alcohol, do you do so in moderation? Yes. If I were to have a drink, it would usually be one or two drinks maximum.

6. If you are sexually active, do you use condoms or other barrier contraceptives to protect against STDs? Yes. I believe in using protection against STDs.

7. Do you employ methods to reduce stress, find time to socialize with friends and relax, and maintain an overall sense of mental wellness? Yes. I find it relaxing to sit in a quite room reading a great book or to work on a creative project like scrapbooking. I find that a great stress reducer is to talk to my friends or certain family members about any problems. During some stressful events, I like to go walking.

8. Do you practice safe behaviors, such as using seat belts, wearing motorcycle and bicycle helmets, not driving under the influence of alcohol, and not riding with someone under the influence of alcohol? YES! YES! I always wear a seatbelt as a driver or passenger and I make sure that everyone else in the car is strapped down. If I were to drink, I make sure I have a designated driver or take a taxi home.

9. Do you use nonviolent methods of conflict resolution? Yes. I don’t believe that physically or mentally hurting someone is the way to solve a problem. The best way is to first cool down, and then give each other time to talk and listen, and then find a solution or compromise on a solution. Violent methods do not resolve anything. It only brings on resentment, anger, pain, frustration, etc.

10. Do you receive routine preventative care from a healthcare provider? No. I know that I should be getting regular checkups and there are no excuses. I think my fear is to not finding the right doctor or one that really cares about me. I have seen friends and family see different doctors and feel that whatever ache or pains they are having, the doctors will just send them home with band-aid solution and not really getting down to the heart of the problem.

Blog #1 Health Concerns

Cancer (any type), diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, oral health, and mental health are a variety of health concerns that I think about. Cancer is number one on my list because my sister and I have a higher risk of developing cancer because of our family history. Seven years ago my mom and her younger sister were diagnosed with colon cancer and breast cancer, respectively. The odds were against her because she was diagnosed with a stage IV colon cancer, cancer spread to her liver, and she had six months to live. My mom was a trooper and did her best to stay positive throughout her ordeal, but her body became weak and had to surrender. As for my aunt, she is breast cancer free for the past five years in which we are all grateful. My mom’s youngest sister, my sister, and I honored both my mom and aunt by participating in the Avon Walk held in San Francisco. It was truly a life experience to see many breast cancer survivors and all supporters.

I interviewed a Caucasian female friend, 27, and she said her main health concern is excess weight. She feels that being overweight can and does cause many health problems such as back problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. Her father is suffering from severe back problems and is trying to teach his children the consequences of carrying excess weight. Diabetes is another issue because it runs in her family and being overweight exacerbates that issue.

I spoke to a Korean female friend, 30, who said her health concern is diabetes. Two years ago she was experiencing fatigue, dehydration, personal summers, blurred vision and frequent urination and just couldn't understand why. She had changed her diet and tried to do what she could do to improve her situation. After no success, she finally saw a doctor who diagnosed her with diabetes and then she found out that all her symptoms matched with the exception of weight loss. Today her diabetes is under control and she feels like a normal person.

Each woman has a different list of health concern but what we each have in common is that list stems from personal experiences. My Caucasian friend and I share the concern that we will suffer from a disease known to occur. My Korean friend has no known medical history of her biological parents since she was adopted.