#And a cream because ringworm is a thing

[probably-just-shitposting]

This is a callback to something that isn't even relevant anymore that I talked about, like, over a year ago.

So! Update on the not eating thing! Among 'the things I've been diagnosed with during the last 8 months' are ADHD, Depression, Chronic Fatigue, and really fucking bad allergies. Allergies that are so bad, in fact, that the reason I have trouble feeling hungry and wanting food is caused by a near constant drip of sinus drainage into my stomach. Ew. Gross. So, between my stomach not being able to process that very well, and the forgetfullness that comes with Exhaustion/ADHD/Depression, my food intake/appetite is nearly non existent. Which is a problem. To combat this, and all my other health problems, I now have to take medications. It's hasn't even been a year and I'm already sick of it. Maybe if I could go to therapy I wouldn't have to take quite so many, but I still haven't got my driver's license, (stupid hard-to-see left turns), and I can't have my dad or brother take me because they both have work AND they have to take my sisters and I to work and college classes respectively. I've gone off track though. Point is, if I can just manage to take ALL my medications consistently and on time, then the allergies should lessen and I should be able to eat better then. Trust me, it's not as easy as it might sound.

[bitletsanddrabbles]

Stolen Child: A Much Needed Screaming Fit

Okay, so, as I said earlier - I'm fine. The story's fine. I'm not angry at anyone about anything or shouting at or accusing anyone of anything or any of that sort of thing that I might come across as somehow because I'm shouting and only sort of semi-coherently. I'm just shouting because I need to shout.

Basically, I've been feeling increasingly just…tired and tense? The temperature spike this weekend did not help at all, since I am not a heat person and it narfs my sleep. And my brain finally phrased last month as "I didn't have a single day off in August because every time I wasn't at work I was some stripe of not-feeling-well", at which point the rest of my mind and body went "YES EXACTLY!" and doubled down on the exhaustion and anxiety. I also have another routine medical appointment next Tuesday and something going on with my hand that looks kinda like ringworm, but doesn't act like ringworm (and how would I have picked up ringworm there?), which I will need to make another appointment for. Which means I really need to have a good, old fashioned, overstimulated three-year-old level melt down about something I care about, but that is not ultimately important to the universe and then go…I dunno. Maybe eat some ice cream and take a nap. Definitely with the napping.

Since Stolen Child is kinda the Big Craft Community Craft Thing right now and ranting about it could, conceivably, generate some useful dialogue which always results in Happy Brain Chemicals (useful right now!), we're going with that one. So if you feel like reading through the flailing mental health fail rant and giving advice, observations, feedback, or just patting me on the head and saying "Don't forget to breathe, dear. Air is important", go right on ahead. If you don't, eh. Not your job. Feel free to keep scrolling.

And now! Here we go! Ready, set - MELT DOWN!

This right here? Is a great comment. It's a lovely comment. I love informative comments like this! There's only one problem with it:

I SERIOUSLY NEEDED THIS INFO BACK WHEN I WAS PLANNING THE ORIGINAL STORY!

See, back in 2017, when I was first plotting this whole thing, my plan was to have him wind up…not heir. I seriously think he'd be happier doing like Tom and Henry and living at Downton, but running a clock shop somewhere and letting Mary run the estate and George be the heir. Thing is, I didn't know that was possible just like that. I hadn't made any of my UK fan-friends at the time (heck, I don't think I had this account yet?). As I have mentioned a million times, I fail at research, although I have been slowly getting a bit better with help. So at the time I thought that an Earl's son became the heir, no questions asked, and no options unless they abdicated which was fully what I intended on having Thomas do after a bit of trying and getting a headache and having him and Mary both unintentionally-but-avoidably stomp all over each other's toes. Then I started rewatching (didn't make it through season one because I have officially hit the 'can't really watch things on my own' stage) and was immediately reminded that Matthew didn't have a choice but to be heir. Oh! Oops! Guess Thomas can't abdicate! Which is how we wound up with the current draft.

And this comment.

Now, I have no reason to disbelieve the statement that they don't need to recognize Thomas, but I can't think of why my UK friends wouldn't have pointed it out at some point, except that I did always call it the Thomas-as-Heir fic which could have lead to the concept that heir was my desired end game. Or perhaps it was one of those things that just didn't get questioned because subconsciously they thought it was my desired end game. Or maybe something else perfectly logical! I mean, there are reasons it could have happened, but my brain is not braining good right now, so. Point being, I didn't know and I'm still not sure and this firmly falls outside of my 'things I can comfortably research'. If it were modern, sure! But history?

Seriously, my researching lessons in school extended to 'go to the library and read a book' and stopped. There was nothing about how to gauge how trustworthy the book was, or if there was, I didn't learn it because I moved through three school districts (five if you count college and uni) and wasn't in the right district at the right time. Given how obvious it is that there are a lot of history books out there that straight up lie (and I don't just mean the school texts. I've tried to teach myself history in recent years and wound up straight up calling bull shit on several books), this leads to massive trust issues. I asked at my local library if they had a research librarian on staff and bless his heart, the fellow I was talking to didn't even know what that was. There's another library nearby that is bigger, but I keep forgetting that it's part of our library system now and honestly I don't even know how to drive there and don't like driving in that area anyway and I'm not even sure the busses will take me there in a reasonable manner given public transport in this area. I know I've heard of a couple other tricks over the years that I've carefully noted down in places I've forgotten about so that I could reference them later.

…yeah.

And if it is true (which I have every reason to believe it is), what then? I've already set up the entire story to have Thomas be recognized as heir! I mean, I could put it on hold and rewrite the ending. There are a couple of scenes that would be easy, but others would be straight up impossible. I'd also have to lose at least three scenes that I've been looking forward to sharing and that people would love, and I don't know what I'd replace them with, and I'd have to rewrite the dinner scene (*straight up cries at the thought*), and I am a slow writer, so I have no idea when it would be done! I kinda hate the idea of telling everyone "We're going to be a chapter a week!" and then three chapters later going "Haha, just kidding! Indefinite hiatus while I fix the entire plot!" Especially since right now reader comments are definitely my primary 'happy chemical' source and I need that! On the other hand, I really, really love the idea of this being a one shot and not having to figure out what happens next! But it might not get done for another ten years if I try that!

If I do stick with him as heir, it seems like people would know that not recognizing him was an option, so I'd still need to do some rewriting to explain why he winds up heir! And why would he? The only thing I can come up with given my current setting is Cora pitching an ever loving (dignified, restrained) fit over the idea of not acknowledging him and he and Robert just going "OKAY OKAY WE YIELD!" which will still take some rewriting, but a lot less (I think I can keep the rewrites ahead of the posting schedule for the most part maybe?), and will still leave me figuring out where we go from here, but might work as a decent compromise?

Either way, I have to figure out what I'm doing before I post next week's chapter! And all my brain wants to do is melt into a puddle of goo for a month! The idea of trying to research or plot or anything like that just makes me want to sit in the shower and cry! I WANT A MONTH'S VACATION FROM LIFE, DAMN IT ALL!

Edit: I now have an appointment to have my hand looked at this Wednesday.

[theprissythumbelina]

Feeling super vindicated today because I had a weird rash on my arm and went to the doctor about it. Doctor says "It's ringworm, do this." and I'm like "It's not ringworm, I work with animals, you think I don't know what ringworm looks like?"

They give me treatment for ringworm, it gets worse, I go back, a different doctor goes "I still think its ringworm" and I'm like "It's not ringworm, can I please get treatment for the thing I think it is and not more of the stuff that made it worse?"

And this doctor goes "Ok, fine. Let's give you some really strong anti-histamine cream. Also here's ringworm treatment if that doesn't work because it's ringworm."

Guess what. It was an allergic reaction. It's almost like I know what ringworm looks like.

[vtforpedro]

personal/med update

My brain is fried mush right now. I survived my disability hearing on Tuesday. It was definitely informal, a little intimidating, but I feel I got through it well enough. My attorney said it’s a toss up because this judge is extremely professional and won’t give any indication and he sure didn’t. The vocational expert narrowed me down to like 3 jobs, then 2, then 1, then 0. I felt that was a good thing? Like am I not disabled if I can’t do any jobs? Either way, my age is working against me so we shall see. It’s very strange that you can be completely disabled and unable to work, but not by US law so they won’t provide aid. Blegh. Gotta wait another 1-3 months for his written decision. ._. Last Thursday, I noticed I had a ‘spot.’ I call them spots b/c I have eczema but I also had a bad ringworm infection in 2015 and called them spots then. Red spots that turn into rings. Anyway thought it was gonna be eczema but by Friday I was covered in many more. Cue me having multiple meltdowns about it interfering with my hearing if it got too bad lmao It didn’t, but it is bad! I had 49 ringworm spots as of last night and they grow in number by day. So, I went to see an NP b/c my dr couldn’t fit me in. Went as well as every other medical professional interaction has, which was terribly, and left me in tears and feeling beat down yet again by the medical field. She wants disabled me, who was bedbound for eight months and currently in PT to recover, to put cream on 49 spots and counting. With IIH and nerve damage that limits my movement and ability to stand for longer than 10-15 min. But she kept interrupting me and wouldn’t let me explain any of this. Her notes said ‘she is not usually terribly active’ so I guess being bedbound translates to that somehow??? She also said I had 3-4 spots on my breasts which is not what she was told by me or what her MA wrote down. lmao so guess who had to message her pcp again!!!!!!!! A completely healthy person can’t be expected to put cream on 49 spots 2x a day. For me, this involves washing my skin since I am unable to shower every day cause of the whole disabled thing. She said a lot more bullshit about my swollen feet and fatigue, so basically I got zero help. It was barely a 10min appt. Fucking hate them, I swear. She refused to give me the oral anti-fungal cause of my other meds, but my mom asked the pharmacist today and she said I’d be fine to take it. The pharmacist asked, unprompted, if an NP, urgent care or ER doctor said no to the oral pill and my mom was like YES! And she said they don’t understand it and won’t give it despite it being used every day even for yeast infections and athlete’s foot. She said her friend went through this shit too trying to get the oral pill. Back in 2015, I suffered this infection for 5mos while applying for health insurance/getting approved/waiting for a pcp because no NP, UC or ER doctor would give me the oral med lmao I saw my new pcp finally and he was like uhhhh no here’s a prescription for it you have way too many spots to worry about putting cream all over your body. Y’all I had been washing my sheets, towels, clothes, taking apple cider vinegar baths, soaking my spots in ACV, then applying one of five or six otc and prescription creams EVERY DAY. I spent two hours twice a day in my bathroom. Ringworm was what I did every day all day for five fucking months. I cannot fathom doing that again. It’s insanity. I was close to a mental breakdown and I only had MH issues back then, none of the physical stuff. I hate it here man Also why do I keep having shit happen every time I turn around. No idea why my feet are swelling, no idea why I have this abnormal fatigue that makes me teary because I sit here and stare at my screen unable to think of anything else but how tired I am. Like for long periods of time. She said to talk to my psychiatrist about it HOOOOOOOO. I woke up this morning and immediately started crying. It’s triggering being treated this way after three years of it. I should’ve waited to see my pcp and used otc in the meantime or something, but my pcp wanted me in asap for my swollen feet so I could get lab orders. Which, according to this NP, ‘there are no labs for swollen feet.’ Where did they get this lady She’s like WHAT ABOUT YOUR LEUKEMIA DID THEY CURE IT? I’m like my chronic, lifelong leukemia? No, it is in remission lmao chronic is right there in the name ma’am. It’s the first word. HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I’m gonna go cry again sorry for ranting I am so so so fucking sick of medical professionals and I cannot wait for it to slow down but my february is completely booked and march is halfway there. Chronic pain life baby!!!!

[thejosh1980]

Little Wing

(Trigger warning: animal/pet death)

Today, right now, I am sat at the spot where Mijo felt his last sunrise, just 24 hours ago.

He was 28 weeks old, he spent 20 of those weeks with me, and my family. He was my family. He was thrust upon me by my wife and mum, who knew Mijo would be the kind of birthday present I'd want, but could never ask for.

When he arrived he was unexpected. Straight from the car, into my bedroom, onto my lap, what a surprise, it was love at first sight. Those eyes, that tail, that round belly, the fur, I was all in. I had to say goodbye to 4 beautiful pets whom I loved dearly when I left Germany, so then and there I made a quiet, whisper promise to Mijo;

“I'll never ever leave you”...

We began like any other Daddy and cat story, playing, eating, talking to each other. We may have made a few messes on the bed learning to potty train, but I couldn't really fault him, he was perfect. He loved cuddles, got under our feet all the time, talked to us a lot and wanted to be a part of everything happening around the house.

He meowed very loudly too. Sometimes he'd meow from the next room sounding lost and worried. That's when I started to realized something was very different about him. It took about 2 weeks, but then I realized, he was totally deaf!!!! No vacuum cleaner, loud bangs, claps, or door slams could get his attention. When he meowed loudly, it was either because he had to, to feel himself meowing in his head, or he was missing us and could smell us, but not hear us in the next room. I had never had a cat who couldn't hear me call their name, so this was going to be a challenge.

Mijo accepted that challenge...

In a short time I figured out how to clicker train him, using a torch. I love training cats. Most folks think it's impossible, but I've taught cats to fetch, sit and come on command in the past.... So, pretty soon I had him jumping up, over and across chairs and tables on cue. I also learnt a way to “call” him; assuming he could see me, if I knelt down and tapped my leg, he'd come a running. Every time. We had it all figured out.

Grab a harness and a lead, and off we go, walking around the garden. This wasn't a cat, this was a dog. He had very little fear, I mean, he couldn't even hear the birds making a racket or the car driving by or the dog barking next door. He was fixated on me.

I bought him a blow up boat, to use in the pool, to help him get used to floating on water. It was a huge boat for his little size, but he'd hop in, and I'd “treat” him while he got used to the motion. The plan was to build him up to a real boat, or canoe or SUP. I could imagine him walking on water.

He was also great with other cats, so I could take him to visit his cousin and they'd play all day (if we'd let them). He'd come with me to visit other family and then... well, then the real adventures started. Mijo and I could go to the river, the park and the beach. We also went for coffee at the busiest part in the local village, and he took it all in his stride. We took bike rides too, as he sat in a special backpack I had for him. I could hold him while skateboarding or put him on my shoulder as I walked around. He was chill, happy to see and smell his silent world.

When Alex or I came home, and he'd be in the bedroom snoozing or gazing out the window, we could come in, take off our shoes, put our stuff down, maybe run to the loo, then we could snuggle up with him, cause he hadn't heard us arrive. He would just be waiting... He'd just wait for someone to step close enough, blow on his ear, feel a vibration and then he'd meow a big BIG hello, purr and snuggle. He was a no pressure cat... But always ready for hugs and pats.

Besides being deaf, he just didn't seem like any other cat I'd had or even met...

But isn't the way it is with all pets? They're all unique.

He loved Alex. He always had a hard decision between my lap and hers, or sleeping close to one or the other. We had a son to take care of, to love and to enjoy. At the beginning, Alex wasn't sure about having a cat, she'd pretty much always been a dog person, but it didn't take long for Mijo to wrap her around his little paw. She was hooked.

We thought he was going to be grow up to become a big boy. You know, Maine Coon sized 5-6 or maybe 7 kilo. We had high hopes for a dog-like cat, big enough to take on the world. We wanted to show him the world too.

After he had his snip (desexing) in mid March, he wasn't very well, and it really traumatized all of us, we just weren't sure why he took it so badly. He was in a lot of pain, even though the operation itself was quick and really good, with no issues. He would spend the day, in his “bread loaf” position, with his nose to the ground. It was like he was conserving all his energy for when we came home or wanted his attention.

Eventually, after a few weeks he bounced back, back to being his usual self, for a while. He actually lost a lot of fur during this time, most likely due to a reaction to the antibiotics and pain killers. Where his collar and harness were, he lost all his hair. It only took a few days, a bit too quick to realize what was going on, he rarely wore the collar or harness after that. It meant we sometimes lost him in the house without his bell on to tell which room he was in, so I'd be running around turning on and off the lights to get his attention and a meow.

It was our fun game of “Mijo Polo”.

We had noticed he wasn't eating as much, and he wasn't as playful. In fact, all his toys were being ignored, and he rarely chased anything we teased him with. When we took him for playtime with his cousin, he wouldn't last as long play fighting. Something was up, we thought he'd bounce back by now.

Overall, he was a very chilled cat, having just had an operation and now with, ringworm, a tooth problem (one adult tooth was causing him problems and needed to be pulled) maybe that was why he wasn't too interested in food. Surely it wasn't bacteria, an infection or a virus in his blood.

In early May, Mijo developed ringworm, which, by the way, isn't a worm but rather a fungal infection. The vet already had us on anti fungal cream day and night. It's very unusual to get ringworm; it's all around us, but a strong immune system, actually, a decent immune system, would fight off any infection naturally. Cats generally just lick it all off their fur. Humans sometimes get it, from a scratch or a wound. It's in the soil, it's in the air.

When we got the treatment for the ringworm, we also gave him an appetite stimulant, to encourage him to eat, but it made little difference. As nothing changed, we went back to the vet a few days later, and did a hypothyroidism test; the results were borderline.

What could be going on?

At the time of his desexing operation, he was 1.7 kilos, a week later he was down to 1.5 and eventually 1.45 kilo. His body was growing a little, but his muscle and fat wasn't.

We talked to the vet and decided, even though his ringworm was infectious, the tooth had to go, sooner rather than later. It seemed logical that it was his biggest barrier to fulfilling his dietary requirements and his well being. We wanted him fattening up, growing up, and being his usual self again, ASAP. We needed to get him back on track towards good health, enough was enough.

On Monday 17th May I dropped the little guy off at the vet for the day. A check up and a tooth pull.

Before any cat gets an anesthetic, they run a simple blood test to determine if the cat is well enough. During the day we got a call that the operation couldn't happen, and that he'd have to stay in over night or longer, with meds to help him, because his red cell blood count was low. 10%. Most cats need around 40%, if there's any complication with the tooth pull, his blood may not clot.

It's official, he was very unwell.

I was at school when I got the news. I was in shock. Our little boy was that unwell? But he does eat (a little), he does walk on the lead with me, he's eating his treats... was he that unwell?

Suddenly we had to decide on some expensive tests to figure out what was wrong with him. I mean, the red blood cells were being eaten up by the white ones, but why?? We arranged the suggested tests and they kept him in over night.

I was very distraught. How can my little guy be so unwell yet behave well? With that blood count, he shouldn't be able to walk, he should be so lethargic that he can't keep his head up!! He should be in a coma.

All in all, theoretically, he should be dead.

So was it dwarfism, hypothyroidism, mycoplasma??? And and and?? Tests... Blood being taken.. Our boy in the vet over night, alone, worried, scared??? Will he make it through the night? I didn't sleep well...

On Tuesday afternoon the vet let us bring him home. His blood level was down to 9.1%. The idea was that, at least at home he'd have cuddles and love, and that might help his immune system. He was lethargic but not completely terrible. I would need to bring him in on Wednesday for another blood test, to see how he was doing.

On Wednesday, it didn't go well, Mijo had gone from 9 to 8.1% blood level. It was now becoming almost impossible to get any blood out of him. I saw how difficult it was 2 weeks earlier when he had the hypothyroid test, they had to try on both legs and his neck to get a half mil of blood! He was a champ and barely complained. But now, I couldn't imagine the pain he went through with even less blood.

He's been that sick for how long?? Why hadn't we noticed?

We were panicking.

The vet suggested we meet with a mature, more experienced doc, on Thursday. We should be able to figure something out, we had to. Each day = less blood = more chance of...

Well, I am a hopeful guy. I realize, I live on hope. I spent years hoping certain people in my life would change, or love me in a way that I feel some love. I always hope things will change for the better. I don't know why, but it's ingrained in me to feel hopelessness or hope... I think I'm never in the middle... or is that called acceptance? OK, maybe I do feel that too, eventually... But it takes a long long time...

I have videos of Mijo on Thursday 20th, he's cleaning himself in the sun, meowing and purring, happy to see me, walking around the garden with me. Full of life and adventure.

At lunch time, Mijo and I go to the vet. He is his usual cute self, always curious at the vets, and now there's a the new guy he's meeting, what an adventure.

Before he opens the cat box he said something along the lines of “Well, because his blood levels are so low, today is really about deciding if he goes to heaven or not...” I'm not sure, but I know I heard words like “heaven” and “euthanasia” early on in the consultation. Shock was setting in. I barely heard anything else he said, luckily we had Alex on the speaker phone.

Turns out, not only is our little guy deaf, he's an anomaly.

Any cat with 8.1% should be comatose. They should barely be able to walk. They certainly can't pee or poo without help and don't drink or eat much. Mijo came out of his box and sniffed around, was alert and ready to meet the new guy!!

The vet was stumped. He had never seen this before, in over 30 years...

We didn't know he was so sick, because, he was, overall, a well behaved cat. His weight he lost, sure, but he was now at least stable. He was eating, it just took a lot of creativity sometimes to spark his interest (mostly warming up meals and giving him treats).

The vet tried to explain to me, but I'm sure Alex on the phone understood it clearly, that we had very little time, well, no time. We had 3 choices that day. Go to a specialist an hour's drive away, give Mijo steroids and hope he had mycoplasma or Immune mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) or, lastly, euthanasia.

Wait???? What does that even mean??

The specialist would give him a blood transfusion, and some special custom drugs which should help him. The vet said it could cost in the 10s of thousands, and may help Mijo for a few weeks, but it's not a solution that we are sure would be long term or not.

Giving Mijo steroids would give him a fighting chance, or not... Basically it could cure or kill him. Because we aren't sure what is the cause of the low blood count, it could be IMHA, mycoplasma or something else, but it's a best educated guess at this rate. If it is the wrong choice, he may die quicker than expected.

Euthanasia, no explanation needed.

We decided on steroids. According to the vet, there was a 50/50 chance it would work. If the cause of the blood cells killing off each other was for or against steroids, we'd know soon enough. Still shocked I tried to understand it all. I'm so grateful Alex was on the line and knows this stuff through experience and study.

The idea of taking Mijo an hour's drive north to the specialist, to a cubicle, a place where we may not be with him 24/7, on the off chance that he wouldn't make it and die alone, we couldn't fathom that.

Mijo took the steroid injection like a champ, he always did injections well. He was given some antibiotics to also help. The vet said, that by Saturday we'll know if it was the right decision. We'd know if he would be getting better...

It was decided that on Monday 24th we'd go back in for a blood test to actually see if the steroids were working (cause apparently one can't really tell with Mijo's behavior, the cheeky monkey).

Mijo and I came home, and well, he ate, he was purring, sitting on my lap. The usual deal. When I went out to get the washing in, he tried to go out too, something we, as parents, have been very protective about. He doesn't go out alone, he doesn't go out without a lead or a bell. He's not an easy cat to find if he runs off, not that he has ever tried. He deaf, he can't hear cars or other dangers out there.

I promised him I'd take him out to that side of the house/garden that afternoon...

So we did, we went out, we sat down, he explored. He was well, good, better, best. He was my boy. He trusted me, I trusted him. I'm always amazed how well he walks by my side, like a dog, with loose leash... Taking my steps as cues when to walk, and when to stop.

We also met the neighbor's dog, which was a first, both were not really interested in each other... But still, Mijo knew there's a lot to live for...

Overnight he went great... Woke up with him on my chest relaxing waiting for me to get up and feed him, luckily I have a wife who had to get up for work at that moment. I remember she sang him a lullaby and held him like a baby. It was really sweet to see how much love they had for each other. Rock-a-bye Mijo...

We wanted to him feel as much love as we could. We felt that, if the steroids and antibiotics were doing their part, and we did ours, there's nothing he can't beat. And he sure felt the love...

I held him while doing some singing exercises, close to my chest. It was something we hadn't done before, and he purred. He'd look up and meow every time I stopped making vibrations. He felt it, I felt it, it was a connection.

We spent a lot of time, reading, relaxing and sitting on laps. Alex and I cuddled him, told him we loved him. He was really fighting. He was eating. He was a little more playful than in recent weeks. He wanted to live. We could feel it...

He went from eating half a packet to 1.5 packets a day, plus dry food. He always wanted treats, and I was always glad to oblige.

By Saturday he was wonder cat! Kneading... Purring... Chasing toys... Eager to hang out...

We'd overcome the problem! He was getting better. There's fight, love and life left in him. He was amazing. If it hadn't been for his ringworm (which was also healing very very well) I'd say he was perfect, especially once he put on another few grams...

We had 4 awesome days, loads of energy and love. He was never alone in the house, and rarely alone in a room. We wanted him to know, to feel, that we loved him so deeply and that all we want was him in our life, for adventures and cuddles.

On Monday morning, his appetite went down... He didn't really eat much...

We all left for the day, work and school. I think we were all worried, but he'd been so good and improved so so much, that we were sure he'd be fine. We have the blood test booked for the afternoon, I'm sure he'll pep up by then. The injection could be wearing off too...

Mijo and I went in to the vet, and his test came back at 14%!!! Damn, that's 6 points!! The vet expected 3 to be a big improvement. In fact, if he had 3 or less, euthanasia may have been the only option... Happy days! He was well. He's going to live! He'll be fine.

We're not out of the woods yet, but we are in the right direction.

All that love we lavished on him, not just in the past days, but the past 4 months. The adventures, the friends he'd made (both human and animal) the smells and sights he'd seen, the vibrations he felt, it was all coming together... He was a fighter with a lot of love to give...

We were over joyed. Really, I couldn't have been happier when I got the results. I gave a “whoop” and threw my fist in the air (I've never done that before in my life!).

We changed to tablet form steroids, as they'll be better long term, keep up the antibiotics and off we go...

But we all know, that often people and animals, when they know they are dying, they give it one last shot. And that was it... We didn't realize until Wednesday, that he wasn't actually going to get better...

Mijo stopped grooming himself, he slowly ate less and less... He became more and more lethargic, he started to sit in the “bread loaf” position with his nose on the ground, as he did after the snip, resting. We thought it was the change in steroids, and as I was at school and the girls at work, we just kept thinking he'd pep up eventually.

When I left for school Wednesday morning, he was alert, but lethargic. When I came home early to check on him, he had really changed again.

His belly was a little bloated, but he had hardly eaten. He had trouble walking, it seemed like it was a mix of muscle degradation/pain and confusion. His meowing changed to a high pitch cry, similar to that of a young kitten. He also stopped eating, he wouldn't even touch any of his tasty treats. He searched for any bit of sun to stand in, but he was looking so uncomfortable, his posture had changed, half sitting, half standing. I was grateful, when I carried him to his water bowl, that he drank a lot. He also went to the toilet, I held his tail so he didn't make a mess on himself.

We spent the afternoon outside, as the sun started to set. He loved the sun, I wanted him to feel warmth... I held him, talked to him. I don't know now many times I asked him to please hold on, please fight and that I loved him. He looked more comfortable in the sun.

I did film us walking around the pool. I am forever grateful for technology, so that I could just put my phone down, touch a button and record a moment. As we walked and talked, oblivious to the camera, I recognized a change in his breathing... I may have missed it previously, but for sure, his breath was becoming more and more labored. Every 3 or 4 breaths, he just had to try harder... His eyes were changing too... But I was sure he could recognize me, the way the vibrations from my chest reached his body and the way I smell. He would react from time to time, shifting or clawing at me.

He often touched my chest with his paw. Reaching out...

Mum and I went to the vet late Wednesday afternoon, the earliest we could. I explained it must be the change of steroids. No, it wasn't. They were the same type, it was just that he wasn't able to fight anymore. We discussed the specialist, called them and made a plan to go in first thing in the morning. I arranged for a friend to come with me, and Thursday morning bright and early, we were going up to get Mijo cured. Transfusion, drugs, you name it, we were going to do it. We had to, we told him we'd make him better.

There and then, Alex and I decided to trade in our honeymoon, you know from the wedding we had 13 months ago and still haven't done the traditional thing of a week or two away somewhere. We decided the money we had aside for that, would go to Mijo's specialist costs, because without Mijo, our honeymoon, whatever and whenever we decide to do it, wouldn't be worth doing, if he wasn't around.

I made a firm plan on how to help him through the night. We would hold him in shifts... All 3 of us... If one showered, the other held him. Dinner time, we shared the responsibility, not that we ate much anyhow. We cuddled, we talked, we purred, I would blow gently on his head... He was feeling love and he was fighting...

Because he hadn't eaten all day, we decided to try feeding him with a syringe, with success. With the tablets we were putting into his stomach, I felt he needed something else down there too... With a small syringe, he took it well, lapping up a tasty liquid treat.

When it was bed time, we put pillows around the bed, incase he fell, because he was very wobbly on his feet. He would cry out at random times, possibly from pain, but I think more from confusion. He sometimes wanted to get away from us, as we know, pets know when it's time and usually disappear, isolate.

We barely slept. I managed about 3 hours... But it was tough.. He wouldn't stay still, and eventually we put him in his little bed, near our bed... Of course he didn't stay there long.

At 4am I heard him crying... I found him under the bed... Alex woke up too... His breathing had changed a lot... Every breath was labored. He wasn't getting enough oxygen.

I laid on my back, and Mijo laid on my chest. This was how it often was, especially when I was reading... We did that until around 7am... Alex taking turns, holding him, talking to him, loving him. Mijo could barely hold himself up, he just laid in our arms... Breathing... His eyes began to glaze over...

We discussed our options, we felt the specialist was now a long shot. We didn't think he'd make the drive, he was near the end. Our little man had little fight left... And we wouldn't forgive ourselves for him dying in a foreign place. There were a lot of tears and back and forwards, including mum coming in for cuddles with the little guy at 5am...

Alex called the emergency vet, and we planned to go in at 8:30... Mijo's time had come...

When the sun comes up, if the blind is open in our bedroom, the sun shines right on through to Alex in bed, Mijo was in her arms, while she drank coffee as the sun rose.

Sometime later I took the little guy out to the pool, where we walked and talked, cuddled and loved, around and around, in the morning sun. I talked to him about all the adventures we had, riding bikes, visiting people, the beach and the river. I spent most of that hour, holding him, looking to his eyes... He gazed up, I just hope he knew it was me. I just knew he felt the vibrations of my words.

We both told him, it was OK to let go now. We were ready. But he kept on fighting for each breath... I think he was just like his Dad, always hopeful..

He last moments at home, where in the chair I'm sat in now. It gets the best light, first thing, even though it's inside the “catio”. Alex had sat down while I was walking outside, I seem to do better when I walk, and I brought him in for cuddles with her in the sun... He was bathed in sunshine, in Alex's arms... It was beautiful...

Actually getting in the car and going to the vet, was tough, but it really hit me when I walked in. I held the little guy, and just burst into middle-aged-man tears and sobbing... If you were there, you'd know I was my mother's son, cause she was sobbing too... I couldn't look anyone in the eye... I didn't understand what was going on, or about to go on...

I think I was in another place...

We went into a consult room, and I just laid the little guy down, not thinking of using the blanket we had... The vet explained the procedure and took him away for his catheter and first injection, some anesthetic? I don't know, but apparently it was the right thing, it helped with his pain.

I couldn't even look Alex or Mum in the eye... I just cried...

I still had hope...

When they came back, Mijo was wrapped in a soft blanket, what a great idea...!! He was quieter, more peaceful... The vet left to give us a moment...

He was still breathing, still fighting... I put my ear to his face, and heard him...

I kept making sure his eye lids closed from time to time. I remember back when Catalina, my little girl in Germany, needed to be anesthetized for a check up. The vet put some put liquid drops in her eyes and made her blink, so her eyes didn't dry out... So for Mijo, I did that every once in a while... I didn't want his eyes to dry up... I wanted him to be able to see me, because laying on that table, he couldn't hear me.

I begged Alex not to bring the vet back in for the final injection... I think I may have screamed something at her... I don't know... I wasn't me... I was trying to hold him in my arms, without moving him... I was trying to give him another chance...

I bawled...

I don't know if I have ever cried like that before... I thought I'd be all cried out... I thought all my tears had already left the building the previous hours and days... But there was more... a lot more... and more to come...

I know that Alex and I held hands over his body... I felt the love... I felt his warmth... his breathing... I know I cried tears onto him, there were tear drops on his lips...

I looked him in the eye as much as I could, but mostly, I cried...

I felt the liquid go into him, I felt it go around my hand into him...

I don't know much about what happened after that... I know I didn't want to leave him, I had promised him I would never do it. I regret not holding him once more... I know that at that moment, I felt the life drain out of me... I felt hope die...

I walked out, not knowing what to do, and flopped down on the grass outside... I never sit on grass, but Mijo liked it...

I managed to drive home...

That was yesterday...

Since then I've tried to rest, tried to come to grips with what has happened, tried to connect with a few friends, I've tried... I'm still trying...

This morning I got up wanting to do some sport, washing, then study and take on the day with confidence... It's a new day, I should take that opportunity to get back into my routine... It took all of 1 minute, from bed to bathroom, to be bawling... Except for the time I manage to calm down enough to type this blog, I've been crying... It's now 10am... I was awake at 6:15...

We are running out of tissues..

I felt so bad this morning, I wanted to plead with Alex not to go to work, because I just can't today. I just can't. We have discussed how she copes in these situations, and I know that's how she copes, by going to work, so I kept my trap shut. I just want her to hug me all day, so I can feel her warmth.

I cried so much on the drive to drop mum off at work this morning, she started crying too, and contemplated not going to work... She wanted to be there for me, but I told her, honestly, I don't think I'd be much company today.

I don't know the grieving process, we haven't learnt that in counseling school yet, but I do know, I'm feeling very lost... I feel very numb...

I can't explain it, and maybe that's why folks can never really explain how they feel after someone close to them, or their pet, has passed. We are just lost.

I also feel that I am grieving for my other losses in my life. It's a bit like, it's a culmination of all the others before him, plus him on top, making me feel pain like I have never experienced before.

Grief is just love, with no place to go... Alex and I talked about that quote last night. I used this quote to help me through leaving my 4 pets in Germany, I know I have to find a new place for my love, but for now, I just can't.

I know I couldn't have gotten through this without the support of my Mum and Alex...

While Mum cries at the drop of a hat, she is solid and thoughtful and loving. Alex is strong and experienced in these matters. She knew what to say, and when, even if I did yell back… Both have a lot of time and patience for me.

I know Alex and Mum feel bad, maybe even guilty, for choosing him. Mijo was a present, to give me joy and love and comfort. And he sure did, in multitudes, to all of us. I would never have gotten a cat back then, I didn't feel Alex or I were ready, we were still working through our issues with our pets in Germany.

Alex and I decided that we want Mijo home with us. He was only on this earth for 6.5 months, we expected him to be with us for 10+ years. Taken too early. Once he's cremated we'll have him in a little urn. He was so small, but if there's a little left over, we will either plant a tree with his ashes or sprinkle him down by the river, the first place he went to that was close to water.

The past day or so, I have shared what happened with some friends, classmates and family, and everyone has been so thoughtful and caring. Thank you, it's really helped to know you're all out there, thinking of the little guy. He would have loved to meet you all.

He was perfection. If someone else had gotten him, realized he was deaf, they may not have given him the adventures and life he had. Mum considers him a rescue cat...

So here I am, in the chair, his last chair in his last moments at home.

I can still smell him on my shirt. When I walk around the house, dazed, I sniff my shirt. He had a wonderful smell. The smell of love and adventure. I hope that smell lasts a life time.

I miss his warmth, his meow, which was damn loud!! I miss, that sometimes he'd get lost around the house... Or he'd lose me, around the house. He was gentle, and only bit me once, by accident, piercing my thumb a little. I miss the fact he had 1 tooth growing forward, directly out, making him a tri-toothed kitten with a protruding top lip! He took on the world without fear. I've never experienced anything like it in a cat. My girl Catalina did sit on my shoulder as I walked down the street in Germany, but Mijo, he let me go skateboarding with him, played guitar with me (he'd chew the strings) and one time, I even vacuumed his tail.

All trust. No fear.

Back when he lost all his hair around his neck and stomach after his snip operation, we were pretty concerned. Funnily enough, it grew back pretty quickly, but it grew back white, not grey. He had a ring around his neck and kind of marks on his back wrapping around to his belly. Alex googled it, and actually found out, cats can often have their hair grow back white after trauma or experiencing extremes of temperature if their hair was cut short or fell out.

About a month ago, I sent my dearest of friends, Sandra, a photo of his regrowth, and she commented looks like “little angel wings”...

Fly on little wing, fly on...

RIP Mijo Angus

12-11-2020 – 27-05-2021

Thanks for reading,

Josh

[queenimaginez]

honeymoon (roger x reader)

you are in walt disney world on your honeymoon with your husband, roger taylor. you are excited to spend the week with him, and got a small piercing through your eyelid to celebrate the occasion.

on monday morning you were planning on going to magic kingdom. you woke up at exactly 7:17 am, and quickly brushed your teeth - not with toothpaste, because you aren’t BASIC, but with ringworm cream. it was never too early to protect your teeth from ringworms.

roger and you left your hotel and walked into the theme park. however, when you went to get on a ride, you realized the man in front of you looked awfully familiar. it was your ex-lover, brian harold may. you had passionately been lovers for exactly 79 weeks, and you knew roger would be deeply jealous if he found out about this. it would ruin your honeymoon!

there was only one thing to do. you picked up several handfuls of dirt from the ground and began to throw them at brian. “look at that UGLY man,” you screamed. you continued to throw dirt.

roger was deeply aroused by this. however, it is not legal to be aroused in disney world, so he had to quickly eat some of the dirt to calm down. roger loved when you threw dirt at men you didn’t know. he was such a good husband.

brian harold may turned around. “y/n!?” he asked, passionately.

luckily; you weren’t some stupid hoe. you changed your name every time you broke up with a man so they couldn’t find you again. you were going by a different name now, so roger would never suspect a thing.

“you stupid bitch,” roger said to brian harold may, coughing up a little bit of dirt. he held up his hand and (a/n: i was going somewhere really good with this but then i got distracted and forgot but it was really good)

brian harold may didn’t seem frightened though. in fact, he looked...dangerous. he smirked tenderly and then pulled off his wig. oh god. it wasn’t brian harold may at all. it was john deacon, wearing a wig! oh fuck!

everyone knew john deacon. he was famous for his hit reality tv show, John In Dirt, where he lived in dirt. and now you had just given him the one thing that made him strongest. he unhinged his jaw, ready to devour you with his sexiiiiiiiiiii digestive system. but before he could, a voice spoke up.

“sir, this is disney. you can’t kill the guests. please john,” said a very familiar voice. it was brian harold may, who was apparently now a disney employee. 🍼🍼🍼

he recognized you, and became instantly lustful. “oh my god, it’s you!” he said. “my former lover!” shit! now the secret was out!

in his rage, roger turned to you and snapped your neck with his powerful hands (he often exercised them so they were very large and strong). john then took the chaos as an opportunity to consume roger whole.

this was NOT allowed! brian pulled out his axe and killed john in punishment for breaking the rules. just another day as a sexiiii disney employee.

[crockettmarcel]

Call the Midwife Thoughts, 8x04

We’re 5 seconds in and they’ve already blessed us with Val’s outfit

Why bring custard creams they’re literally the worst ((can’t wait for the hate))

I have a feeling today’s post is just going to be a million points about how much I love Val (and I’m not sorry)

THEYRE WATCHING DOCTOR WHO OH MY GOD IM GOING TO CRY

Val and Lucille, sitting next to each other? There was no need for them to both try and fit in that tight space

“I’m not upset”, she said as she turned away from the midwife so she could look sadly into the camera

Val and Lucille are on a course together :)

Sister Frances’ earnestness is so sweet I love her

There’s no way that woman’s mother is 44 she looks way older

Why doesn’t Phyllis like Sister Frances :( and Shelagh didn’t look thrilled to be having her help her

“This has nothing to do with where he’s from” yeah sure okay

Sister Frances is so giggly and cute I hope she has eternal happiness

They haven’t said anything bad... about Sister Frances which is good news?

“Oh please. Not right across my cheesy tartlet”

Is ringworm fatal because if it is I’ll sue

Ringworm isn’t fatal everything’s fine we’re both going to live

“Why don’t I make everyone a nice cup of tea” God that’s so british thank u Shelagh

God I hate Mrs Wilson she’s evil

Phyllis and the policeman ? hmm not sure how I feel

Jeanie is so pretty omg

The thing I hate about abortion episodes is that my pro-life parents always try to go off on one haha love it :)

Of fucking course they’re sending the daughter to the maternity home with her mum smh

The daughter with the magazine is killing me ugh her mind

“It’s a good job I don’t come bearing naked flames” is that,, a regular thing people do?? Just turn up places with fire?

Val and the hair curlers is a Mood

When Phyllis didn’t take his arm? Queen

PHYLLIS LOOKING AT THE PHOTOS SKSKDKDK

“My parking meter beckons” my parents whenever we go anywhere

This mother-daughter relationship is the funniest thing I’ve seen

TRIXIE IN THAT DRESS AND ARMBAND AND HER HAIR OH MY GOD

what I’ve learnt from doing these is that I’m still gay

She has pre-eclampsia

Oh no apparently it’s toxemia

Wait they’re the same thing I’m a Fool

The mother and Pardeep uniting in their love for the girl whose name I don’t know? That’s some good shit

Oh my god is she dead is Jeanie dead what

She’s not dead that’s good

She looks dead though

WHY ISNT HER HUSBAND IN THE AMBULANCE

Okay this woman should have had her baby by now bc her waters broke days ago which means the baby’s way more vulnerable to infection what’s going on

Jeanie has those Gryphons and Gargoyles cyanide lips

Okay this time she’s actually dead

Baby Singh is so cute I love him

P l e a s e can this woman have her baby how is it not dying

Sister Frances asking questions at very inappropriate moments? Autism Queen

What they need to do is what they did on Miss Fisher - get one of the midwives to pretend to be pregnant + need an abortion and then she leads the police to whoever’s doing it

“Why hasn’t she had this baby??” “Because she’s incontinent. Her waters didn’t break she just wet herself” thanks for that dad

“Enid Wilson’s labour is progressing” I mean I would fucking hope so

Pardeep has the underground badge on his turban instead of a hat?? I love it

They wouldn’t give Lucille a boyfriend,, they can’t I won’t allow it

[cherishedcavies]

We are often asked how to treat and prevent lice, mites and ringworm in guinea pigs.

Thankfully this is not a thing we need to run to the vet for. My advice should never replace vet care, and if you are concerned your number one place for advice should always be an exotic vet.

If your guinea pig is showing signs of hair loss, in our experience it is wise to treat for fungal and for mites. Mites often presents itself as a V shape hair loss patter on the back of the guinea pig. Fungal often starts on the face. Either problem can be anywhere on the body though.

Fungal ie, Ringworm is contagious to us, so always wear gloves when handling and treating. Mites is species specific.

If the affected guinea pig, lives with piggy friends, I would treat everyone as a preventative. Wash cage well, including bars of cage and any accessories with a mild bleach solution, we also wipe over with vinegar. Throw away anything wooden as it is hard to get fungal spores out of wood.

Some people believe piggies can get mites from hay. In my experience, this is not one of the main culprits. Mites and bugs need a host to survive. Unless there was a host in the hay, which could happen occasionally, it it is unlikely hay is the culprit. Humans and animal alike all carry a certain amount of bacteria etc on their skin and bodies. This is normally kept in check by us being healthy. When guinea pigs don’t feel their best, they become stressed. Stress can cause their bodies to go out of whack for a while and let bugs etc take a stronger hold on them. Stress can be as simple as a move or a new cage, maybe a new cage mate or some change in their environment and routine.

Over the 35 years we have had guinea pigs, we have seen mites, lice and fungus in guinea pigs that come in. We have seen severe cases, but it is relatively easy to treat and to prevent.

If you believe your guinea has any of the symptoms of hairloss or itching the very first thing to do is to treat right away with Ivermectin. The product we use is pictured in this post. This product is placed behind the ears on the guinea pig, on the bold spot, they all have. Guinea Lynx has the dosages based on weight on their website, but it basically equates to one drop behind each ear on a 2lb guinea pig. Smaller than that, we use one drop behind one ear.

Do not bathe your guinea pig at this time. Bathing can make itching more intense and cause your guinea pig to have seizures. If you see obvious ringworm signs, you can use Lotramin cream on those patches. Athletes Foot Cream and Jock Itch cream work too.

We wait for six to seven days to give a bath, to give the Ivermectin time to do its job. We then bathe with Nizoral shampoo. This is an antifungal shampoo. It kills fungal spores and is soothing to skin irritations. We soak the piggy for a few minutes working the shampoo in well. After the bath we re apply Ivermectin as before.

Ivermectin will kill Mites and lice. It should be used three times, seven to ten days apart, so you get the life cycle of any bugs. It does not kill eggs.

If treating for Ringworm cream should be applied twice a day for two weeks on the patches. Even if it starts to look better, finish the course, to make sure all spores are gone.

There is a lot of conflicting information out there. We must all decide safely what works for us, through research and talking to others. Anti fungal shampoos do not kill mites and lice. Miconazole shampoo is an anti fungal shampoo. Some people are getting confused and using it to treat mites. That is because of the wrong information being put out there by some. I am getting messages daily of piggies getting worse with mites, because they are treating with this shampoo. Ivermectin treats lice and mites. Nizoral, Meconazole etc treats fungal. It is always wise to treat for both, but don’t bathe a guinea pig who is symptomatic until the Ivermectin has had time to work.

Ivermectin can also be used as a preventive. We routinely treat every pig that enters and leaves our home. We also treat our herd every four to six weeks. This way you can stop something before it starts.

I hope this is helpful and clears up some things. Wish I had the confidence to make a video for this post. It would be much easier than writing lol.

I am happy to answer questions and to help out. I am not a substitute for a vet, but at the same time, this is something you can take care of at home. In severe cases there are more steps you can take to make your piggy more comfortable.

Sorry for the long post. Have an awesome weekend guys. 🐾

[lisanealblog-blog]

21 Ways To Treat Cracked Nail

What Are Brittle Nails?

Your fingernails and toenails are comprised of layers of protein called keratin. Solid nails are smooth and solid with shading and no spots or staining. Now and again solid nails can end up weak.

Weak fingernails will in general be seen much sooner than fragile toenails, yet both the nails on your fingers and the nails on your toes can wind up weak for different reasons. It's assessed that fragile nails, also called onychorrhexis, are very normal. Actually, it's assessed that it influences around 20 percent of the populace. Ladies will in general battle with fragile nails more than men. When you have fragile nails they are in a debilitated state and will in general break, split or strip effectively.

Useful Home Remedies for Brittle Nails

1. Lemon Juice and Olive Oil Soak

Both lemon juice and olive oil are critical normal magnificence fixings that are generally utilized for different skin and medical issues and lemon juice is a successful common fade that is as often as possible used to expel suntan. The blend of lemon juice and olive oil additionally a compelling solution for dry weak nails moreover. Olive oil has the ability to infiltrate the nail fingernail skin so as to fix and fortify the nails. Lemon juice helps in sustaining harmed and stripping nails while expelling revolting yellowish stains from the nail surface and giving it a bright sheen.

Mix 3 tablespoons of olive oil with 1 tablespoon of crisp lemon squeeze and warmth the blend in the microwave till the blend is marginally warm. Back rub the blend on every single nail and afterward absorb your fingertips the blend for 20 minutes. Leave it medium-term and watch your nails change the following morning.

2. Beer Soak

Beer is not only the favorite drink for celebrations and parties it is an important ingredient in home remedies for skin and hair as well. Beer is a potent natural conditioner that provides soft and smooth hair with every wash. An unlikely combination of beer, apple cider vinegar and olive oil is also a powerful natural treatment for brittle nails.

Beer is a great source of nail friendly minerals like potassium, phosphorus and selenium along with biotin which are essential for strong and healthy nails and hair. Olive oil helps in moisturizing the dry and chipped nail cuticles from within. Heat quarter cup of olive oil till it’s warm to touch. Now, add half cup of beer and a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar to it and soak your fingertips in this mixture for 15 minutes. Repeat this sure 1 to 2 times a week to get desired results.

3. Sea Salt Soak

What better way to fortify frail and weak toenails and finger nails that with a soothing a loosening up drench made of ocean salt and warm water? This recuperating splash not just diminishes the nail fingernail skin and adds a splendid try to please nails but on the other hand is the perfect answer for the topic of how to dispose of dead skin cells from feet. The minerals present in ocean salt have recuperating and restoring properties which make it a common addition to showers. Take some warm water in a major holder wherein you can plunge your toenails comfortably.

Include 2 tablespoons of smooth grain ocean salt and 4 drops every one of wheat germ oil and lemon fundamental oils. Plunge your toe nails and finger nails in this answer for 15 minutes and afterward pat dry. Apply a moisturizing hand a foot cream staring you in the face and feet. Pursue this fix 2 to 3 times each week to get stunning outcomes.

4.  Coconut Oil Massage

Pure coconut oil is the one-stop answer for all hair and skin issues. A creation of coconut oil and curry leaves is a definitive silver hair arrangement, and it is additionally the best normal lotion for treating too much dry skin. Be that as it may, how to reinforce weak nails using coconut oil? All things considered, a feeding coconut oil nail back rub can fill in as an astounding lotion for the nails and counteract different sorts of nail diseases. The oil helps in keeping the nails hydrated though the back rub helps in improving blood flow.

Heat some coconut oil in a vessel and apply this oil on every one of the nails and back rub for 5 minutes with your fingertips. Follow this procedure 2 to multiple times each day for best outcomes.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar Soak

This is a useful and cheap weak nails treatment that is promptly accessible in the storeroom. Apple juice vinegar is a broadly used fixing in DIY skin and hair care remedies, and it is without a doubt the best normal approach to treat dandruff and scalp tingling. Natural apple juice vinegar is loaded with minerals like iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium alongside vitamins – which are all basic for creating stronger and thicker nails.

In addition, the malic acid and acetic acid found in apple cider vinegar helps in keeping nail infections at bay. Mix equivalent portions of apple cider vinegar and water in a bowl and immerse your nails in this solution for 10 minutes. Follow this fix once consistently and see your nails become thicker and more grounded. You can store the solution for using it the next day.

6. Vitamin E Oil Massage

Vitamin E oil is fast finding its way into DIY home remedies for skin care. Vitamin E is an essential component of skin and hair that provides youthful appearance and supplements to skin and makes hair thicker and stronger. One of the real reasons for brittle nails is the absence of dampness in the nails, and vitamin E oil functions as an astonishing weak nails fix by keeping the nails hydrated and saturated. It additionally causes in supplying nourishment to the nail fingernail skin.

Extract the oil from a vitamin E oil capsule and coat all the nails with the oil and massage gently for 5 minutes before going to bed. Follow this cure daily to see noticeable changes in your nails.

7.  Tea Tree Oil Drops

The power disinfectant properties of tea tree oil makes it a popular natural medicine for a wide scope of skin problems and the use of tea tree oil for ringworm in people is well known. Tea tree oil also helps in treating brittle nails caused by fungal infections and it is one of the unsurpassed nail fungus home remedies that provide prompt results. It also helps in treating discolored nails. But tea tree oil should always be applied in diluted form, mixed with water or some other oil because it is strong in nature.

Add 5 to 6 drops of tea tree oil in 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Rub this solution thoroughly on the nails and wait for 30 minutes. Wash your nails with lukewarm water, pat dry and apply a moisturizing lotion. Follow this cure 2 times day for 1 month.

8. Lemon Juice Swipe

Raw lemon juice is the ultimate treatment for all types of skin and hair problems and natural cure for dark circles around eyes. It is also one of the functional home solutions for weak nails that help in fortifying and brightening the nails and disposing of the ugly yellow stain brought about by abuse of nail polish. It also treats dryness, chipping and stripping of the nails brought about by nail polish removers.

Squash out crisp lemon juice from an whole lemon, dip a cotton pad in the juice and wipe each nail with the juice. Massage the rest of the juice on the nails, wait for 10 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water. Follow this cure 2 to 3 times every week for 1 month.

9. Egg Yolk and Milk Soak

One the main causes of weak and brittle nails is lack of supplements such as protein and calcium and egg yolk and milk are some of the best and easily available natural sources of protein and calcium that helps in fortifying the nails.

In spite of the fact that, a blend of milk and egg yolk isn't exceptionally engaging, but it is one of the useful natural remedies for fragile nails that show brief results. The blend gives extreme dampness to the nails and prevents stripping or splitting. In addition, the nails will also look whiter than before. Mix an egg yolk with 2 tablespoons of milk, beat well and massage this mixture onto your nails thoroughly. Wait for 20 minutes and clean it off with lukewarm water.

10. Herbal Nail Mask

We use a wide range of homemade masks to pamper our skin and hair, and then why should our nails be deprived of this nourishing care? A fragrant and nourishing natural nail cover fills in tantamount to a nail treatment that will give more grounded and thicker nails soon after a couple of uses. Add a teaspoon every one of chamomile and peppermint tea in a cup and pour a cup of boiling water over the tea blend. Enable it to steep for 2 hours and then strain the tea.

Add a teaspoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of wheat flour to the tea, blend it well and apply it on all the nails, covering them thoroughly. Wait for 1 hour and rinse off with water. Follow this cure 1 to 2 times a week for best results.

11. Horsetail

Horsetail is a thin, perennial herb that looks like the tail of a horse. This herb is a rich wellspring of a portion of the essential minerals for the body, for example, calcium, iron, manganese along with tannins, flavonoids and unsaturated fats – which are all important for becoming solid and healthy nails. It also helps in expelling white spots and contaminations from nails. The advantages of horsetail herb can be used essentially by expending horsetail separate day by day on absorbing the nails a horsetail infusion.

So as to set up the mixture include 2 tablespoons of the dried herb to a cup of hot water, spread it and let it steep for 10 minutes.

Let the infusion cool and soak your nails in it for 20 minutes. Pat dry and apply some olive oil on the nails. Follow this cure 3 to 4 times a week for best results.

12. Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly has always been the best friend for dry and flaky skin throughout winter, and it is also the best natural cure for chapped lips as well. It is a multipurpose item that is used for treating various skin problems. Lack of hydration is one of the main sources of brittle nails.

Spreading some petroleum jelly or Vaseline on your nails at night before heading to sleep is an easy and straightforward trap to keep the fingernail skin hydrated and keep them from splitting. Pursue this daily custom day by day for 1 to 2 months and spread your nails by wearing thin cotton gloves before resting.

13. Hot Oil Treatment

Kneading the nails with natural oils, for example, coconut oil is good, but it works surprisingly better when the nails are spoiled using a deep nourishing hot oil treatment. You can use common oils like almond oil, olive oil or jojoba oil for this treatment. The nutrients and healthy fats present in the oils helps in restoring the nails that have been damaged by overuse of nail polish and nail polish removers.

Mix equal parts of olive oil, almond oil, and jojoba oil and heat the mixture till it’s warm to touch. Dip small pieces of cotton in the oil and apply the soaked cotton pieces on each of the nails. Wrap foils around the nails in order to keep them covered. Wait for 10 minutes and remove the foil and cotton. This procedure allows the oils to penetrate and enter the nails.

14.  Blackstrap Molasses

An absence of iron in the body can make your nails brittle and weak. Blackstrap molasses is a decent wellspring of iron. It contains a few nutrias that advantage your general health.

Mix one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses in a cup of hot water or milk.

Drink this once or twice daily for a few weeks.

15.  Biotin Supplement

Biotin is significant for solid and healthy nails. It can be exceptionally compelling in treating part, slim or brittle nails.

An examination done in Switzerland and published in the diary Cutis found that individuals with brittle nails had a 25 percent increase in nail plate thickness after taking 2.5 mg of biotin daily for up to six months.

Take a biotin supplement daily to strengthen your weak nails. Consult your doctor for the correct dosage.

Also include biotin-rich foods like egg yolks, whole grains, cereals, cauliflower, soybeans, fish, milk, lentils, and bananas in your daily diet.

16.  Clarified butter

Dry and cracked nails can also be treated by applying clarified butter (Ghee) thus making them soft and strong. Clarified butter (Ghee) is helpful in strengthening weak and brittle nails in addition to instigating their growth. Simply take a little-explained butter on a cotton swab and wipe it on nails. Leave it to work for medium-term.

17. Vegetable oil

A standout amongst the best regular cures helpful in treating broke nails include applying vegetable oil. Simply take a little vegetable oil on a cotton swab and wipe it on nails. This will ensure your nails to stay moisturized and thus healthy.

18. Orange Juice

Orange juice contains folic acid which is essential for the growth of nails. Extract fresh orange juice. Soak your nails in it for 10 minutes. Apply lotion in the wake of tapping dry. Apply moisturizer after patting dry. Do it day by day for stronger nails.

19. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are wealthy in biotin which helps make the nails thicker and stronger. Take a bowl and blend two tbsps of olive oil with a large portion of some tomato juice. Put your nails in it for 10 minutes. Do it day by day to get the ideal outcomes.

20. Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds contain micronutrients like vitamin B, magnesium, and potassium alongside omegafatty acids. These are basic for nail health. You can rub flaxseed oil directly on your nails. Back rub it tenderly for a few of minutes. Do it before heading to sleep and wear gloves medium-term. Or on the other hand, you can likewise include flaxseeds in your day by day diet. Add 2 tbsps of flaxseeds to your smoothies or grain.

21. Castor Oil

Castor oil not only strengthens your nails but also acts against fungal infections. Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with castor oil. Add Epsom salt to it. Soak your fingers in this mixture for 10 minutes. Wash your hands with normal water.

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Manuka Honey Homemade Acne Treatments

If you would rather support your well being with natural products, then active Manuka Honey is one product you need in your pantry. Active Manuka Honey has been recognised for many years due to the health advantages and it is continuing to gain recognition around the world as being a powerful healing agent. As well as being a great product for everyday digestive health and skin health, using this natural resource is an excellent way to boost your immune system in readiness to fight those winter ills and chills.

Within the UMF trademark, there are also numerous levels of quality. Ranging from 10 to 20, the rating provides a measure with the antibacterial properties contained inside the UMF Manuka Honey. The reason this measure is so important is because of the number of variables that can affect the degree of antibacterial presence inside honey itself. UMF is not seen in all flowers of Manuka trees, with several locations of manuka bush not consistently producing the UMF on a yearly basis. Due to these variations, the concentrations of UMF can differ greatly. Due to this variability, each and every batch of Manuka Honey is scrutinised through a set screening and testing procedure to ascertain the exact UMF qualities prior to packaging and labelling. Manuka Honey that bears the UMF trademark guarantees consumers that they are purchasing Manuka Honey in the highest quality available in the market.

Garlic is among the most adaptable of obviously occurring therapeutic substances, and it could be used as a natural remedy for ringworm too. Crushed garlic can be used to make a poultice being held for that infected area having a bandage. Soaking a few cloves oil for up to three days creates a lineament which can be topically placed on the ringworm, perhaps the top and easiest way of making use of garlic.

The cause is a strain of the Staphylococcus bacteria. There are many different strains. Some of which have become resistant against commonly used antibiotics and antibiotic ointments. The thing that caused the development from the more resistant strains is believed to get overuse of antibiotics, antibiotic ointments and antibacterial hand soaps.

Manuka honey skincare products come in a wide range including soap bars, skin cream, hand, nail and feet creams and lip balms. Manuka soap is a superb method to cleanse your skin layer and remove any body odour. Once you have used the product a few times you won't want to try anything else because the healing qualities refresh and nourish your epidermis leaving it moisturised using a healthy glow.

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Fungal Infection – An Overview

Have you ever noticed red, itchy, scaly, small bumps or lesions between the toes, groin, buttocks, or under the breasts? This can be because of Fungal Infections. Now, as monsoon is near, the fungal infection tends to increase as it gets the favourable environment to breed and grow.

What is a Fungal Infection:

A Fungal Infection, caused by a fungus can affect the skin, hairs, and nails. Fungal infections are quite common among humans and everybody is most likely gets affected at some stage in life. This is caused by microscopic fungi that live outdoors in soil, on plants, as well as on household surfaces and on the skin. The other causes can be attributed to change in socio-economic status, lifestyle, and migration. There are some fungi that live naturally in the body, sometimes they are helpful and sometimes harmful like many other microbes. A fungal infection occurs when a harmful and an invading fungus takes over an area of the body and it gets difficult for the immune system to handle.

Who can get infected:

Some of the best dermatologists of Mumbai have advised on maintaining a good immune system, because a weakened body is more likely to contract a fungal infection. Various medications like antibiotics and the ones used to treat arthritis may increase the chance of getting a fungal infection. People living with HIV/AIDS are also more likely to get fungal infections.

It can also be caused due to continuous sweating specially under breast and groin region. Fungal Infections can be superficial and deep which resides in the layers of the epidermis, or to the hairs and the nails.

Common symptoms:

It is highly recommended to consult the best dermatologist near you or a skin specialist near you when you observe the below listed symptoms:

Darkened skin or loss of colour in the infected part

Rashes, small bumps with raised edges

Peeling of the skin in the infected area

Itching, burning sensation in the affected area

Swelling and soreness on and surrounding the vagina

Unusual vaginal discharge

Types of Fungal Infection:

The top dermatologists in India have rounded up on the various conditions and the common types of fungal infections with their years of experiences. Those are listed below:

Athlete’s Foot: Tinea Pedis or Athlete’s Foot is commonly associated with the foot of the sportspersons or athletes because the fungus finds a favourable condition of warm, moist environment to breed and grow such as socks and shoes.

Yeast infection or Candidiasis: This is a common form of candida overgrowth in women that disrupts the normal balance of the yeast and the bacteria in the vagina. These infections can also cause toenail infections and diaper rash. The reasons can be attributed to antibiotics, stress, hormonal imbalance, or poor eating habits.

Jock Itch: Tinea cruris or Jock Itch is another common form of Fungal Infection. This develop in the warm and moist environments and thrive in the damp areas of the body like groin, buttocks, and inner thighs. This infection is mildly contagious and can spread through direct contact with the infected person.

Ringworm: Tinea corporis or Ringworm is another common form of fungal infection caused by a fungus that lives on dead tissues like skin, hair, and nails. This infection appears like a red patch with raised and bumpy outlines and a clear and scaly inner side. Ringworms are highly contagious and can transmit by skin-to-skin contact.

Treatments and Prevention:

It is extremely important to consult an expert skin doctor when there are visible signs of infection. After confirming a diagnosis, the skin specialist will recommend a treatment or medication, depending on the severity or the type of the infection.

Creams and medicated ointments, along with oral and topical drugs are sufficient to treat common fungal infections. Other important things are to maintain personal hygiene like taking regular baths, wear properly washed and dried clothes, use soft and comfortable clothes preferably cotton. Other basic hygiene includes drying of hands and feet properly after wash and avoid wearing undergarments when possible, and clean and dry bath towels and soaps.

Dr Soma Sarkar, one of the top skin doctor in Mumbai, has experience of over 14 years in the field of aesthetics and clinical dermatology. She goes through a proper counselling with her patients to understand the underlying problems and then advise treatments accordingly. Her treatments are clinically proven and well equipped with the latest technologies which results in satisfied and happy patients.

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Essential items for the bride to put in her bag

Women often use bags with essential items for everyday life, and the bag is used to store other objects in an organized and categorized way, to separate makeup and hygiene products, for example. On the day of the engagement, while the professionals take care of the last details of  the wedding decoration , this accessory must be on hand to maintain the bride’s comfort, especially if she is staying in a hotel, in the place where the ceremony will take place, or if wear the wedding dress and get dressed in a beauty salon.

You may need some items at specific times or in the emergency, such as a loose thread in the lace wedding dress, or medicine for a headache or colic that pops up without warning. Organizing hair, face and body beauty and hygiene products will be very practical on the honeymoon trip as well.

To make it easier, we made lists for your bag with items that cannot be missed (adapting them to your needs, of course!). The focus is on day C, but you can take advantage of the tips for other occasions, such as work, gym, college, ballads, meetings and trips. Check out!

For hair

•             Comb and / or hairbrush

•             Shampoo and conditioner

•             Moisturizer or hair mask

•             Ointment and hairspray to keep the hairstyle stuck for the wedding

•             Dryer

•             Curling iron

Accessories

It depends on your preference and the type of hair, but you can have a bag only for hair accessories, such as: barrettes, hairpins, headband, tiara, donuts to make a bun, or simply to keep the hairstyle you chose intact.

For the face

•             Sunscreen

•             Moisturizing cream

•             Cleansing gel, if the face is oily

•             Lip balm

•             Thermal water

Hygiene

•             Toothbrush

•             Toothpaste

•             Floss

•             Mouth astringent

•             Intimate soap

Make up

•             Primer

•             Base

•             Compact powder

•             Blush

•             Illuminator

•             Contour

•             Eyeshadow palette

•             Eyeliner

•             Eyeliner

•             Mascara

•             False eyelashes

•             Pencil or eyebrow shadow

•             Lipsticks

•             Makeup Fixing Spray

For the body

•             Moisturizing cream

•             Deodorant

•             Soap

•             Alcohol in gel

•             Perfume

For unforeseen events

•             Needle and thread

•             Wet wipes

•             Nail clippers

•             Remedies for headache and colic

•             Absorbents

Models and organization

There are several models, sizes and colors of women’s necessaire, which can be personalized with the initial or the bride’s name. Try to see if the partitions are transparent because it facilitates the identification of things and separate those by category to keep everything organized.

The tip is to have only one for hygiene items, another for makeup products and a different one for hair with the essentials for the chosen wedding hairstyle model. That way, it’s easier to know which one you need right away, without mixing things up.

For the godmothers

Necessaires are great as a gift option for bridesmaids because they are useful before, during and after the wedding. Take the opportunity to personalize the accessories so that they are different wedding favors with the name of each one. Remember to choose the colors in line with the theme of the event. In them you can put: hand towel, robe, hair brush, some makeup item, like a lipstick, makeup remover, wet wipes, among others that you think matches your team.

Suggestions for items are also valid for friends and family who received the wedding invitation and are going to travel and stay in a hotel, and spend a few days on account of the celebration. Having everything that is necessary, including eventualities, makes women feel more relaxed and comfortable at any time, especially at a party that requires advance preparation.

Prepare your feet for day C: essential care

The wedding day is to celebrate with your couple, friends and family, it is a day to be remembered and used in the best possible way, because the couple invested time and resources to make the moment perfect, with an impeccable wedding decoration and everyone the details thought out. However, we know that it is not an extremely peaceful day. The bride is the most requested person, she doesn’t stop, and she is always walking, greeting, dancing and taking pictures. So, one of the parts of your body that requires more advance care to avoid suffering so much on day C is your feet!

In addition to thinking about day C, especially because bridal shoes usually have high heels, closed or open, it is important to check the condition of the feet so that you can have a treatment and keep them healthy in the long run. Therefore, we recommend looking for places specialized in chiropody, in addition to pedicures and some home care, so that your feet are prepared for that moment.

Schedule with the pedicure

Contrary to what many may think, taking care of the appearance of the feet is not only for those who will be wearing sandals  and their toes will be on display, those who have chosen white bridal shoes , like scarping , also need to think about making their feet beautiful, with nails well done. After all, the bride will not be wearing her shoes all the time, sometimes switching to sneakers or slippers to enjoy and dance to the last song of the wedding party.

So make sure your nails are cut and sanded, without overdoing it . Large toenails can accumulate dirt and very short nails are at risk of getting stuck. The pedicure can take care of this, in addition to removing the cuticle carefully so as not to ignite and pass the enamel of preference.

Consult a podiatrist

Some people have the skin on their feet with dryness, peeling, bad odors, and cracks and, in more extreme cases, even bleeding. For these cases, it is recommended to look for a podiatrist. There are many clinics with specific equipment and efficient treatments to deal with any adversity that, at times, originated from problems in the body, such as intoxication or poor circulation, or from skin diseases due to walking barefoot or wearing a lot of open shoes.

But it is necessary to know that there are factors that can make the condition of your feet worse. The cracks attract bacteria and moisture causes ringworm. It is essential to wash your feet well and dry between your fingers to prevent, in addition to making an appointment with a specialist.

There are also products on the market to eliminate or prevent bad odors and perspiration. Specific antiseptics and deodorants are good options to make the party star more comfortable.

Moisturize and protect

Pedicures and podiatrists can take care of your feet, both health and beauty, but there are some methods to do at home that help in this task of having hydrated and healthy feet. Bet on exfoliation once a week to remove excess skin from the foot and leave the sole smooth to receive the moisturizing cream. Products with vitamin B3 and natural oils, such as almonds, sunflower and mint, are effective in this task, in addition to refreshing the feet.

After hydration, put on a cotton sock, so as not to be barefoot and with your feet exposed in flat sandals and slippers. And don’t forget to bring sneakers for brides to rest your feet during the party, if you are going to wear heels.

To relax

Is there anything better than a massage and a foot bath to prepare for the celebration and to relax after the party? You can put vinegar in warm water in a basin and soak your feet for a few minutes or, instead of vinegar, use salts and essential oils to relieve tension, corns and blisters. The massage has to be done on the sole of the foot by pressing lightly, with almond oils or moisturizer.

Day C should not be a tiring day, with pain and discomfort, and relaxed and well-kept feet will only make it easier for the bride to enjoy her wedding songs until the end!

Courtesy: best marriage halls in Lahore

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My take as a pharmacy person: Essential oils are at their medicinal best when they improve patient compliance. A lot of topical medicines (think of creams and ointments for fungal infections) smell or feel kinda gross, so people don’t always apply them as often as they should for as long as they should and then we have to give you Big Boy Antifungals because your ringworm is resistant to the regular stuff now. If using a fancy essential oil lotion that actually smells good gets you to also use your prescription stuff I am ALL FOR IT! Are you anxious about an upcoming CT scan or something? Will having a cloth or stuffed animal laced with a nice-smelling essential oil soothe you enough to actually make and keep that appointment? Then use that cloth or stuffed animal, even if you’re a “grown-up”! If you’re struggling to remember to take a new pill but you have a well-established routine of using a safe essential oil product? Take the pill during that routine!

And if you ask your doctor about interactions between essential oils and your prescribed meds, or goals like having children like Joy mentioned, and they don’t know? Ask your pharmacist instead. It’s our job to be The Most Up To Date on drug interactions, including interactions with whatever the latest trendy alternative medicine is. If your pharmacist doesn’t know, they’ll find out and get back to you once they have the answer, because that’s their job. To quote one of my professors: “our job is to re-explain things that the doctor already explained badly”.

Hi Joy! I was wondering, I know what they're not supposed to be used for, but I've never seen reliable information on what essential oils are actually meant for. What is the appropriate use of essential oils? Can't eat em or use em on skin, can't diffuse em or breathe em in really, so I'm left wondering what on earth we ARE able to do with them? Why do these things exist? Are they safe to use in showers, I'm seeing a lot of shower bomb things with essential oils lately. Thank you!

Essential oils can be used for emotional and physical well being, provided they are used correctly. Which regrettably, thanks to scam MLM (multilevel marketing, not men loving men, as some people seem to think when I type that lol) companies like d*Terra and Young L*ving they are not.

When diluted properly using carrier oils, people who are not sensitive to essential oils can use them for aromatherapy, general emotional well being (scents are stimulating, our brains like pleasant scents!) to help with stress relief, general comfort and well being and even pain relief. 

Menthol oils are used commonly in pain relief oils because they make things go tingly numb, as well as “decongestants”, which I’ve actually talked about a lot before, and why they don’t actually do what people think they do and why they are not suitable for kids under a certain age: https://tmblr.co/Zomfxx2LT76gn

You can also use them safely in like, mist steamers so long as you use them as intended, and don’t use them constantly, which is what most people do. Essential oil air misters should only be used for 20 minutes in a well-ventilated area, and never around small children or pets. I tried googling for my usual sources about why essential oils are harmful to animals, but they’ve been helpfully buried under a bunch of essential oil marketing propaganda that has paid google money to appear at the top of the search results and bury actual scientific research.

The only essential oil company I actually trust is the Tisserand Institute as they do actual scientific research into essential oil use and safety and published the  Tisserand Essential Oil Safety handbook for professionals that actually cites studies regarding injury and harm caused to small children (and adults) by essential oil misuse. Their website and products are my go-to for referring people in the UK. They also run online classes (which I did in person, back in the day) https://tisserandinstitute.org/safety-pages/

I’m not associated with them beyond having done their classes and owning some of their oils. They’re just actually an essential oil company that does their due diligence to safety and makes it abundantly clear that what harmful cults like d*Terra promote are incredibly dangerous and unethical.

And as for the bath bombs? Those things are made with carrier oils, which dilute the essential oils safely. I think the favorite oil atm is coconut oil. So this makes them safe for topical use, but it doesn’t mean a person still can’t react to it if they have sensitivities they are perhaps not aware of.

They are, essentially (heh), unregulated medicine grade oils, that should never have found their way into the hands of the general public, yet here we are. Like, for example, jasmine oil is often touted as a great relaxing oil for massages, and it is! It can also really help with menstrual cramping... but it can also lead to miscarriages if used on a pregnant person. It’s not guaranteed to cause miscarriages of course, but I also can’t help but wonder how many people who are trying to get pregnant who are using essential oils as part of that process realize they may actually be harming themselves as well... makes me really sad, actually.

And honestly, if people are going to use them like medicines, which a lot of people do, they should really be more heavily regulated. Australia has much better regulation of essential oils than we do here in the US, but that’s not saying much considering how awful it is here.