Did 4D Sonograms Change Views on Abortion?

 

This is the second article of a three part series:

At one time, it was basically only the Catholic Church that saw induced abortion as immoral. The Southern Baptist Church in the 1970s called opposition to such abortion a "Catholic issue" and proclaimed in its early 1980s' handbooks that it was a personal decision for each woman to make. By the end of the 1980s, a decade before the advent of 4D ultrasound, official Baptist doctrine stridently opposed the common procedure. What changed?

The u-turn in viewpoint was mainly political, and pundits differ on the exact cause; however, many in all denominations will tell you today that the advent of 4D sonograms (available commercially in 1997) changed the views of many. If you find that confusing, you're not alone.

If asked to explain, the anti-abortionist will further relate that until 4D technology, no one really knew how a fetus looked. Apparently, these individuals are merely spouting an idea some misguided church leader has proclaimed.

Unfortunate women who have had spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) over the years have often done so in emergency rooms and similar medical facilities. Physicians and other medical personnel have often seen firsthand what fetuses look like in every stage of pregnancy. Fetuses have been preserved, drawn, and photographed for decades. These images have then been widely publicized in various media from medical texts to pamphlets on pregnancy.

While a personal belief is that induced abortion should not be used for purposes of birth control, the trope that 4D images first changed the politics on this issue is completely false.

Nurse Nan

Rape, Pregnancy, & Abortion

 

In the various homes I've gone into over the years I've spent in home health, I've often been asked for advice on terminating a pregnancy. Oddly enough, I've never been asked about preventing pregnancy to start with.

Alabama obviously needs more funding for sex education, but what about when sex is forced? What about when the sex is an act of violence called rape? What can a woman in Alabama do if she's raped and this heinous act results in a pregnancy? Not very much thanks to our misguided state legislature.

We don't support induced abortion as a form of birth control. We do support it when the pregnancy is the result of a violent crime against a woman's body. Currently we frequently see two very specious arguments against induced abortion - one seemingly Biblical and one reportedly scientific. We'll be looking at the fallacy in these two arguments in our next blogs.

Nurse Nan

Heads Up If You Have United Healthcare!

 

If you are insured with United Healthcare, mark Tuesday, September 12th, on your calendars. United and Walgreens have come together to offer United customers a 20% discount on most store items.

Prescription drugs are not included, and you will be charged tax on the original price. Just remember to present your United card when you check out!

Got Cataracts?

 

The following is an account of what one might expect during surgery to remove cataracts and insert intraocular lenses; it is not an endorsement of any specific clinic or physician/surgeon.

If you google statistics on who has or will have cataracts, you'll get conflicting numbers. Here's the best case scenario for the U.S.: Cataracts affect more than 24.4 million Americans age 40 and older. By age 75, approximately half of all Americans have cataracts.

I found it disturbing when, around five or so years ago, I noticed the vision in one eye becoming blurred. It wasn't that off-putting at first, but then I realized it wasn't going away and that it was almost certainly a cataract. 

I finally asked a friend about her ophthalmologist and was referred to Florence Ophthalmology on Cox Creek Parkway. When I called, someone human answered the phone immediately, and I was told that, for cataract treatment, I could choose between Dr. Gray and Dr. Thompson. Dr. Keith Thompson (pictured) had the earliest available appointment, so I chose him on that basis only. I certainly was not disappointed in his care.

After an official diagnosis of cataracts (my other eye had one much less noticeable), I scheduled a second visit to be measured for my new lenses. There was absolutely no pain and only the slightest inconvenience of the standard eye dilation, etc. Dr. Thompson recommended monofocal lenses which are covered by most insurance policies. Since I had worn reading glasses from the age of 29, these were perfect for my lifestyle. 

If you would like to read about the types of IOLs available, here's a basic article: Types of Lenses. My monofocal lenses were manufactured by Johnson and Johnson and have their own serial numbers (just on the packaging and patient handout, so you can't use them as a device in a murder mystery).

It's standard to have each eye done separately, so that involved two visits to the Shoals Outpatient Surgery just off Helton Drive. The wait time was short until I was taken back to a pre-op area. A nurse started an IV, and I briefly spoke with an anesthesiologist. I asked for the least amount of anesthesia, so I was able to interact during the brief surgery.

Yes, both surgeries were quick and totally painless. Topical drops numb the eye, but you can expect to feel some pressure. I was then taken to a type of PACU where I was monitored for several minutes. It was basically pleasant chitchat with the nurses before I was escorted to my friend's vehicle for an uneventful ride home. 

I was told to remove the eye patch upon arrival at home. There were bending and weight lifting restrictions to follow for 28 days after each surgery, as well as medicated eye drops three times a day. 

Your insurance may not cover these drops, and there will be a deductible at the surgery center. My total out of pocket expenses were under $700.00. Before you say "ouch," isn't that a small price to pay for almost perfect vision?

A friend said that I would have one profound regret and I did: I wish that I had had the surgeries much, much sooner.

Nurse Nan

Not All Physicians are MDs

 

Note: Thanks to a reader for informing us that an osteopathic school in Dothan began issuing degrees in 2017.

Here in Alabama, most physicians are Medical Doctors (MDs). Why? Currently, all programs in this state offering physician degrees provide only a Medical Doctorate; however, other states are homes to colleges offering a degree in Osteopathic Medicine as well as Allopathic Medicine.

A recent (we believe ill-conceived) bill before the Alabama Legislature is seeking to legalize some surgical procedures to be performed by Doctors of Optometry. An Ophthalmologist who is opposing this bill has repeatedly mentioned such surgeries should be performed by only Medical Doctors.

I've recently been visiting Florence Ophthalmology for intraocular lens implants; at that facility, one surgeon is an allopath, while a second is an osteopath. Both are physicians and surgeons, with an osteopath having somewhat more formal training than the allopath.

The bottom line is to consult with those who have used these physicians in your area to determine which you believe would be more attuned to your needs. Remember, don't ever hesitate to ask for a second opinion if your insurance or finances permit.

Nurse Nan

April Whitworth Weaver Isn't a Former Nurse

 

Alexander Willis of the Alabama Daily News has recently published an article on the Alabama State Nursing Association's lobbying efforts to promote better conditions for our state's nursing professionals. In this short article, Willis calls one of the law's vocal proponents a "former nurse."

It's pretty iffy that there are actually any former nurses out there anywhere in any state - their degree would have to have been revoked by the body that issued it. Nursing is a profession, meaning one becomes a nurse upon receiving a degree of some ilk in the practice. Of course, there are former Registered Nurses since many either voluntarily give up their licenses or are forced to surrender them. 

No, the supporter of better working conditions for nurses in this state is neither a former nurse nor a former Registered Nurse. April Whitworth Weaver (pictured) is a Certified Registered Nurse Practioner fully licensed through the end of 2024. She, according to several nursing sites, practices pediatric nursing in Magnolia Springs. She's also a member of the State Senate. In short, Sen. Weaver appears to have much more going on in her life than the author of the article about her recent efforts to improve nursing in our state.

One often sees ill-educated writers refer to former attorneys, former physicians, etc. Sorry, Mr. Willis, there's probably no such thing out there in our state. Above all, Sen. Weaver is certainly not a "former nurse." She deserves an apology, and nurses everywhere sincerely hope she receives it.

If she doesn't receive such an apology? There might be just a few attorneys in the legislature willing to assist her in a libel suit.

Nurse Nan

Introducing Bradley Wargo, DO

Everyone has pain from time to time, Unfortunately, as we age, many develop chronic pain. Finding the right physician to treat these conditions is often difficult, especially in such smaller areas as the Shoals.

This week, we had the pleasure to meet neurologist Dr. Bradley Wargo who recently moved here from the Memphis area. Dr. Wargo is an osteopath at Interventional Pain Management on West Avalon Avenue in Muscle Shoals. He can be contacted at 256-386-1490.

Welcome to the Shoals area, Dr. Wargo!

Have Your Anti-Suicide Argument at Ready

 

This is Catherine. She was tall and thin and beautiful. She was so intelligent that she made even the most well adjusted among us envious. She had been raped twice and once saw her two-year old son lying dead in a pool of blood on a twisting country road where a teenage boy was driving too fast to stop. Then one day ten years ago, while having ventured only slightly into middle age, she picked up a gun, put it to her head, and pulled the trigger.

Since then, I've had my anti-suicide argument ready. Commit suicide and your enemies win. One by one, they'll venture forward with words of how they always knew you were a loser, of how they had expected your ultimate failure all along. Do you really want that?

I often rehearsed that speech in my mind, but no occasion arose for me to use it until last year. A friend came to my door to say goodbye; she couldn't take the physical and emotional pain anymore. I then presented my prepared speech as fervently and eloquently as possible. My friend began to nod her head and smile. She was to go to Birmingham for a medical appointment the next day; she would wait.

The doctors in Birmingham gave my friend three months to live. She died in three weeks. Perhaps my speech was wasted, but perhaps those extra three weeks of her life had a lasting impact on someone else out there.

I just wish someone could have been there to do as much for Catherine.

Take 81 mg. Aspirin? Try This!

 

Look closely at the aspirin bottle above. This is an idea whose time has come. "Ready in Case" brand aspirin are enteric coated (easy to swallow/digest) and come in a large bottle of 300 so that you won't quickly run out.

However, that's not the reason you'll love this brand. Notice the lid on the bottle? It features eight elevated panels to make it easy to open. Even if your hands are cold or wet or oily, you shouldn't have a problem getting to these aspirin when needed. You can find these 81 mg. aspirin at Walmart and other chain stores for around $6.00. 

We also have a prediction about these caps. Somewhere soon a crafter will come up with a great idea to reuse these attractive toppers.  Sounds like a win-win to me.

Nurse Nan