Sunday, May 22, 2016

PF again! Almost out!

First of all, I have been in the program for almost a year.  Secondly, you can no longer email an instructor through the HELP in student portal.  It is no longer a feature.  Thirdly, I have tried being kind and get no answer anywhere I post.  I always check out which avenues to use when communicating.  Fourthly, I can never get help from the supposedly available instructors. 

I am on the last section and I no longer care.  Thanks anyway.  I just want to be done.  I made a bad decision to take medical coding here.  I learned my lesson; next time a medically-accredited school all the way.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

A Terrible school district! Public education is not working in Central PA!!

Administration is very top heavy and arrogant.  Teachers and admin were bullies and arrogant.  Kids in this area not too bright, yet parents and educators expected miracles.  Parents do not parent in Central PA; they get a free ride.  I would never work in another public school again.  The principal tried to blame me for everything in a school he did not know how to run.  Incompetence is rampant in Central PA, ditto for this school district.  He was later asked to leave.  It was a corrupt district run by a bunch of thugs.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

The US Mental Health System, Very Unhealthy!

Please do something about deplorable conditions in mental institutions.  People are treated like criminals and are not allowed to leave if they don't take medications.  They are stolen from and belittled by both staff and doctors who think they are God.  Doctors base their opinions on nonprofessional staff and 15 minute meetings with "inmates".  Not much has changed since the 1900s.  Doctors prescribe medicines not caring if you get addicted, then accuse you of anything when you have problems with the medicine.  They do not care if their poison medicines cause people to have DUIs.  The police just blame the "inmates" because they can.  This is just sanctioned prescription drug abuse.  They give people so  much medicine they can't even function and they don't want the blame when people develop other problems because of this "medicine."  Too much medicine and incompetent, greedy, conceited  doctors.

The whole mental health system in the US is messed up.  Maybe the doctors and the psychiatrists need to be hospitalized.  Those institutions are extremely harmful and make people worse. Please do something.  Doctors in general have way too much power.  They are not and never will be God like they think they are.

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Review: The Comfort Garden, Laurie Barkin

This book took me a long time to read, but it was well worth it. Laurie Barkin has written a memoir-type account of her work experience as a psychiatric nurse and woven her personal life throughout. The account read like a good novel, and the personal life experiences rounded this therapeutic story. Laurie's personality shone through her expertise as a nurse; her sensitive care of her patients made me wish there were more nurses like her. What we have lost in quality patient care has touched all aspects of society and has caused costs to skyrocket instead of decrease. Laurie mentions this issue throughout her chapters; she has direct insight from having worked in a hospital when managed care was just taking off. I related to the notion of vicarious trauma that some caregivers experience; this is probably more widespread than some of us want to admit. Although I did not work with such severe trauma cases as Laurie, I did work for a facility that ministered to special populations and after 5 years of working there, sought a career change.

One has to admire a person that loves her job and that loves helping people with traumatic histories.  Laurie related these stories in a sensitive manner while making an impact on the reader. I found myself wanting to know more about them and how they had survived such conditions. She did admit that there were a few people she did not warm to, and this added to the book's credibility. I related to her worrying more about her loved ones and wondering if her luck would run out in her own life. It is impossible for many of us not to wonder if our relatively stable lives will all of a sudden be shattered as is the case for many. I am a worrier and I feel like I have to walk on glass sometimes so as not to disturb life's rhythm; although, I am much better as I age. I suppose there is less time left to worry.

Laurie seemed cautious as the book began, not going into too much detail on the first patient she described, but as the book unfolded, the descriptions of the patients and their histories made more of an impact. I especially liked the description of Mr. Livermore, the seemingly cold, inhuman patient who appeared near the end of the book. Then, there was Will Avery, who wondered why the doctors saved him; he felt worthless. I liked Mrs. Holloway, who had gotten a knife wound, from one of her neighbors, and the comical Jack Whitman, who joked about his injury.

Laurie balances the sad horror stories of her work with anecdotes of her home life, her last pregnancy, her husband, and three children.  They live a good life, the reader watches Benny, her last child, grow; they take vacations and do normal family activities. Toward the end of the book, Laurie describes her pounding heart and her growing misgivings about her work situation. She finally reaches the breaking point, and as the book ends, she decides to take a break from work and worries about reinventing herself. Will her identity survive when she is no longer a nurse? This is an issue many of us grapple with when we make a career change. Will we succeed, or will we fail? It was therapeutic to share the author's feelings and thoughts throughout this book. Readers will find many issues to relate to and share in the ways that Laurie works through them. Is is obvious to me that she is a success; a book is a great accomplishment. In the acknowledgments, she says it took her nine years to write her book; the work she did is evident in the carefully written accounts of her career.

This book should be read by anyone thinking about going into the mental health profession, and would be therapeutic for those already in it. It really describes the day-to-day struggles and triumphs in the helping professions.


Saturday, May 14, 2016

Will skipping breakfast help you lose weight? | JustCare Yes it will!

Will skipping breakfast help you lose weight? | JustCare

BBB complaint Penn Foster

No email option in the help section.  "Instructors" unaware how  own school works.  No help available.
I called yesterday and several other times and was on hold for an hour. This is the worst textbook I have ever used in my life!  You get questions at the end of each chapter, not practical questions, definitions.  The answers are not in the readings or the book.  An instructor told me not to use the Internet to look up information.  Where are the answers?  The only way to actually find them is to look in the answer code at the end of the book. 

The course takes a year and has filler in it that has nothing to do with medical coding.  This is not a certified school; now I know why.  The book for the course is written poorly and some of the course material is chunks of different courses slapped together without being updated too often.  The book does not accentuate the important parts well enough nor does it  provide enough detail in some parts.  There are several teachers for each part of the course so you don;t know who to deal with and there are "graders" that have no knowledge the course at all.  There is minimal interaction with teachers, you are on your own.  They do not want to hear suggestions and they are very defensive.   I found much more that I needed to know on the Internet.

I had a nice review of Microsoft Office, writing skills, and learned medical coding at the very end.  The course description states that you learn billing also, but this is not true.  Very little is mentioned about medical billing.  I learned ICD 9 and 10 coding, CPT, HCPCS coding, and had a short review of anatomy and pharmacology.  I am glad I had extensive knowledge of anatomy, pharmacology, and medical terminology before I took this course.  I would recommend taking these somewhere else before taking this course, because they are not extensively covered.

 I would recommend taking anatomy, pharmacology and medical terminology somewhere before taking this course, because they are not extensively covered.  You will need to take a separate course for medical billing because this is not really covered like the course description states.  AAPC offers the billing course and AHIMA offers the other courses.  I would also suggest solid Internet searching skills and the ability to work on your own.

Book not put together very well; choppy presentation, not enough elaboration on certain topics.  Difficult to find information for review.  Pictures and statements from "experts" seemed  like "filler" to make the book look more professional than it was.  There are definitely better books out there.

Stated that you get subscription to AAPC, haven't received it yet!

Thursday, May 12, 2016

The Benefits of Using Theater to Teach Core Subjects in Academia

The Benefits of Using Theater to Teach Core Subjects in Academia

The benefits of using drama in education are many. Students learn to work out life dramas or problems in a safe way and effectively develop intuitive, communicative, and social skills.  Trying different roles provided in drama education is a way to enhance personality and career development by trying on different roles.  Theater arts enhance creativity and abstract thinking,   broaden horizons, and allow students to experience different personas and personality types.  Interactive observation and learning are experienced through physical action, while encouraging positive attitudes about cooperation and entertainment. Theater arts and drama education encourage problem solving in an engaging way, appreciation of the arts and how strongly they interact with all areas of life. 

Creativity goes a long way in any career.  Problem-solving skills are enhanced by acting through different scenarios. Trying out different personas can help students to safely try out new careers through acting them out.  Their ability to act and make decisions about those actions will enhance life success.  Students can develop different career personas they can rely on in real life. A valuable lesson is the development of the outer personality that will successfully carry the student through a career of their choosing.

The development of abstract thinking can aid in learning of mathematics and the sciences. The addition of being able to think creatively and artistically is a boon to those who will enter these professions.  The ability to consider the human side of issues can lead to better consideration of subjects with respect to scientific and statistical testing.  The ability to think beyond the numbers will put a more rational perspective to findings.
Theater arts allow educators to directly observe a student's strengths and areas of further education.  Drama study increases concentration and comprehension and promotes a sense of achievement. Creating a believable character is not always easy.  Achievement can promote a deeper understanding of psychological and behavioral traits and issues of individual and groups.  What an advantage for a future psychology or sociology major!

Drama helps students develop moral issues and values through exploration of different acting personalities and can guide them in additional values. Drama can enhance other areas of the curriculum such as social studies.  If they play characters from other countries, they can explore different cultural behaviorisms and traditions. They can consider values and moral issues from different perspectives.

Historical learning is an advantage of using theater arts in education.  Playing historical characters gives students room to explore historical cultures and motivations, which can lead to understanding of the development of social and artistic culture. A richer life with a well-rounded experience is an advantage which can also lead to lifelong learning, a sense of curiosity, and confidence.

Finally, the use of theater arts and drama to teach core curriculum is a way to clean, cultural entertainment. Singing, dancing, and drawing are adjunct skills which can be part of the dramatic learning process.  Dancing has the advantage of teaching the fitness component in an entertaining and physically engaging way, while drawing develops fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

 


Works Cited

Education, Maryland State Department of. Assessing Fine Arts Learning. 2006. Assessing Fine Arts Learning. 12 May 2016. .
Papa, Lisa, Loriana Romano and Elita. Saulle. 12 Fascinating Ways to Use Drama in the Curriculum. n.d. K-12 Teachers Alliance. 12 May 2016. .



Saturday, May 7, 2016

Microsoft

Dear Microsoft

I will not change from Windows 7 or lower like XP.  I despise Windows 10.  You are not the only fish out there.  Linux is free, to boot.

health professionals

Seems like some of these health professionals and hospitals are nothing but legal voyeurs.  They ask questions that have nothing to do with your condition and are none of their business.  The power has gone to their heads!  Health care is scary right now; they want to control your entire life, make you sicker, then make more, and more, and more, and more and more money!

health professionals


rudeness

Since when did I ever ask people's advice especially when I first meet them, they don't even know me!  But in PA, everyone is an expert, so you don't even have to ask.  And.. you're the rude one because you don't follow what they say!  What a f'd up state.  The whole state is like that.

sales ploy

I hadn't realized it but a sales ploy is to put hundreds of goods on the site so you get tire of looking for your item and just say the hell with it and choose one.

60 Work from Home Google Search Terms That Really Work – Real Work From Home Jobs by Rat Race Rebellion

60 Work from Home Google Search Terms That Really Work – Real Work From Home Jobs by Rat Race Rebellion

How safe is the food you eat? | JustCare

How safe is the food you eat? | JustCare

Doctors influenced by drug company money | JustCare

Doctors influenced by drug company money | JustCare

Friday, May 6, 2016

http://www.freelancejobopenings.com/search?search_string=&search=1&go=Find Jobs&job_group_ids[21860]=1&location_string=&country_code=us&distance=50&posted_time=&sort_by=relevance

http://www.freelancejobopenings.com/search?search_string=&search=1&go=Find Jobs&job_group_ids[21860]=1&location_string=&country_code=us&distance=50&posted_time=&sort_by=relevance

Dealing with life

A positive outlook on life is a sign of good mental health. The ability to recover from trauma and the ability to cope in situations are also indicators of a healthy mental outlook. So, if we are feeling terrible or depressed, how do we get ourselves back to a more positive state? We are in tough economic and emotional times in this country, and sometimes, it is difficult to see anything positive around us.  Personally, I try to be thankful for the little things that make my life better, my pets, my house, and the fact that I have a job, however difficult it might be.  If you are feeling low most of the time, it would be a good idea to talk with a trusted friend or get professional help.

A few tips I try might help you to function more positively. Deal with your emotions in a safe way. If you are so angry that you are having trouble functioning, try to take a few deep breaths or a time out. If you are work, go to the bathroom or an empty office to calm down. Take your break early if you can.  If your supervisor is easy to talk to and you trust him or her, set a time to talk if it is a work situation. If not, try to talk to a trusted friend at work.  If you are not close to anyone at work, keep taking deep breaths throughout the day and deal with the situation after you are home. If you are at work or do not have anyone to talk to, write your feelings down. This exercise can make feelings concrete and help you understand them better. If you can leave work early, try to get someone to talk the problem or situation over with as soon as you can. Dealing with problems so they do not fester and wear you down will make you feel better sooner.

A network of supportive friends and family is another key to emotional stability and feeling positive. If you do not have family to talk to or that you trust, try to surround yourself with positive, upbeat people.  No one likes to have friends who constantly berate them or bring negative energy, yet you do not want friends who just tell you what you want to hear.  Good friends are hard to find, so be selective with whom you cultivate friendships. Self-reliance brings confidence and a sense of well-being.  Your friends support you in bad times and help bring back your confidence and energy. Rely on them, but rely on yourself as well.

A large part of being mentally stable or healthy is being physically healthy. If you have health problems, seek help. Doctors are very expensive these days, so check out low-cost clinics, low-cost or state-sponsored insurance plans. See if the health facility will let you make payments. Get as much exercise as you can. Exercise manufactures endorphins, which lead to a sense of well-being. Endorphins are a neurotransmitter manufactured by the brain. Find something you really like to do, a hobby, hiking, biking, writing, a pet. Try to do it every day so you experience some happiness every day.

Get enough rest. Sleep works wonders for depression. Do not oversleep, though, because this can cause lethargy. Schedule leisure time and time for solitude. Feeling overly stressed can cause burnout and resentment. You are allowed to take care of you. Try to eat healthy foods. Treats are allowed, but do not eat massive amounts of junk food when you feel angry or depressed. This will make you feel ten times worse. Likewise, avoid alcohol when you feel low. It might make you feel better temporarily, but a hangover will make you feel worse. If you do not like your job, look for a new one. Jobs are hard to find now, but just looking will make you feel like you have made a positive step for change. If you experience trauma, get help. Talk to a trusted friend or family member, a member of your church, or a professional. There are many sources for low-cost mental health counseling. Ask around or arrange for a payment plan. There is also toll-free telephone in most states that can give you counseling or point you in the right direction.

We all have rough times and not all of us are adept at handling them.  Do not feel alone; none of us is super-person who is mentally healthy all the time, but with the right skills, we can learn to cope better with life's rough patches.




Education... Intellectual? Not anymore!

It has been dumbed down so much, these institutions are simply profit-makers anymore, too.  Repeating courses after 7 years?  If a person can't remember what he took 7 years ago, maybe he should retire.  Courses that there are no jobs in and there will never be jobs in.  Whatever happened to learning on the job?

I don't know which is scarier, the educational system or the health system.  The idiot educational system churns out the idiots that run the health system.  Oh, and the idiots that run politics.  Do these people really not know how stupid they are?  What a scary country.

We are dumbed down so politics gets what it wants and businesses, healthcare, and educational  institutions can get what they want.

No one has any intuition anymore.  Are they just stupid or taught not to trust it?

Don’t Throw Away Prepaid Debit Cards After You Use Them To Make A Purchase – Consumerist

Don’t Throw Away Prepaid Debit Cards After You Use Them To Make A Purchase – Consumerist

LEarning and Education

Most educators don't even know what learning is.  They think quantity defines rigor.  Why?? Because they're too stupid to be intellectual and to apply intellectual learning.  Whatever happened to Bloom's taxonomy?  It got dumbed down.

'You want a description of hell?' OxyContin's 12-hour problem #InvestigatingOxy - Los Angeles Times

'You want a description of hell?' OxyContin's 12-hour problem #InvestigatingOxy - Los Angeles Times

10 Training Development Tips for Instructional Designers and Trainers

10 Training Development Tips for Instructional Designers and Trainers

Medical co ding,? Yeah, right!

The reason for this shortage is that schools and testing centers are making it next to impossible to enter any of these professions.  Expensive schooling,  outrageous testing prices, along with low salaries  What do you expect?  Education and certification have become nothing more than profit-making mills under the guise of professionalism.  Quality should count, not the number of hoops to jump through.  The medical certification coding test, 5 hours, 40 minutes, $290?  Who are you  kidding?  For $30,000 salary?  Guess I won't be certified any time soon.  Another useless waste of a year in school.

Staff Picks - Lackawanna County Library System

Staff Picks - Lackawanna County Library System

Thursday, May 5, 2016

BAV - Vatican Library

BAV - Vatican Library

Necklaces and bracelets, Oh my!









A Prince of Sinners by E. P. (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim | LibraryThing

A Prince of Sinners by E. P. (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim | LibraryThing

My reply to PF

This is exactly what I am speaking of.  That email is no longer an option in the help section.  You don't even know how your own school works  We received an email that t he help center was changing.  Searching  for instructor in the Help section does nothing.

There should be no need for sorry.  If the school were run correctly, it wouldn't have such a bad reputation.

If you check the help center like you should have, you will see that it is even less help than before.

I called yesterday and several other times and was on hold for an hour.  I would like to finish the course before I die in 30  yrs and get on with my life.  But this is my fault, I made a very  poor choice.  I just didn't know how poor.

I am astounded that this school is even legal at all.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Check your doctor bill -- This little known fee could cost you big bucks | WHP

Check your doctor bill -- This little known fee could cost you big bucks | WHP



Sneaky doctors charging separately for their services in the hospital.  No wonder people go overseas when they're sick.  Doctors in US are nothing but snake oil salesmen!

Panel: Painkiller training should be required for physicians | WHP

Panel: Painkiller training should be required for physicians | WHP







It certainly should!  These doctors do nothing more than encourage legal addiction with any drug!  If you don't come out of the dr's office with 20 Rx's or even more illnesses they can invent, they're not happy.

Dear PA State Board of Medicine

I am very concerned about the health care available in Mifflin County  I am not giving my name or address because people are quite vindictive in this area.  The doctors seem to be incompetent.  They order unnecessary tests, drugs, and give unhealthy or wrong advice.  I have had to look on the Internet for information that the doctors should have known.  If I have a serious problem again, I will not go to a doctor in Mifflin or a mental health location anywhere in PA.  Dental care is a joke or nonexistent for poor people in Mifflin County.  Eye doctors and psychiatrists seem to be around 30 years behind the times, too.  They all seem more concerned about making money and keeping their piece of the pie than helping people.

I am concerned with what they are teaching these health care professionals in schools.  None of these professionals seem to be that intelligent or intuitive.  One doctor had to look in a symptom checker before he answered my question, another types into his computer the entire time of the visit and doesn't want to hear what you say at a price of $300 an hour, and another couldn't figure out a simple symptom even after expensive testing.  The Internet is cheaper. and more reliable.

The prices here for health care are obscene.  They charge almost the same as New York.  Like I said, health care here is a profit-making making business, nothing more.

Please do something before these doctors drive the cost of health care through the stratosphere.  If they keep on their current path, there will be no more insurance because even the insurance companies won't be able to afford them.

Thank you.

Get a Full Body Kettlebell Workout With These Exercises

Get a Full Body Kettlebell Workout With These Exercises

Penn Foster sucks! Don't waste your money!

This is the worst textbook I have ever used in my life!  You get questions at the end of each chapter, not practical questions, definitions.  The answers are not in the readings or the book.  An instructor told me not to use the Internet to look up information.  Where are the answers?  The only way to actually find them is to look in the answer code at the end of the book.  One thing this course taught me is that I no longer want to be a medical coder.  I am tired of it already, so much BS.  Why a 5 hr and 40 minute test for something that doesn't pay that well anyway?  Everyone acts like this job is the president of the country.  Get over it.  $290 for a test?  Who can afford to be certified?  Not me!  I'll take cancer registrar management instead, much more professional and realistic.

The length of the test and the certification cost should be mentioned in the course description.  Once again, good job Penn Foster.  Thanks for a total waste of time.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Writing Therapy

Writing  is a form of expressive therapy that uses poetry, storytelling, journalling, memoir, humor and narrative. Writing therapy is also used in music as songwriting; we hear a tale or story in most of the songs we hear. Writing therapy can help people to pour out emotions that they otherwise have trouble expressing and can help them to feel more control in their lives. It helps articulate and organize emotions.


Writing Therapy has been used in health situations to help people come to terms with abuse, disease, sickness, depression, and trauma. Writing can take place in individual or group therapy in person with a therapist or as remote or distance therapy through mailing, chat, phone calls, or the Internet. Writing therapy groups exist on-line, in hospitals in universities to aid student development. Distance therapy is useful for those who prefer to remain anonymous.  Assignments can range from writing unsent letters followed by imagined replies or a running dialogue. The oldest and most widely practiced form of self-help through writing is that of keeping a personal journalor diary. This can allow tormenting thoughts or emotions to escape on the paper.


There are several advantages of writing therapy and distance counseling. People can express their feelings while they are fresh, which gives them more freedom in a therapeutic relationship. The client may feel more active in his or her own healing process and they have a permanent record of the process. Distance therapy may also be cheaper for both client and counselor. There is no travel involved, and chat and email are usually free, requiring only a computer. Distance and remote counseling can also provide services for the disabled when they cannot physically get to a site for therapy. There are also sites where one can call a counselor to discuss issues that may be troubling and get some direction. One form of writing therapy that has become widespread are blogs. There are many that deal with tough issues and they are usually free to set up and write.

Expressive writing can improve mood and feelings of well being, which can lead to better socialization and behavioral patterns in a depressed person. Writing can also exercise the brain: improve memory, which can lead to better performance in school and on the job. People who are ill can share their experiences with others in a nonthreatening way and receive feedback and social support. Writing can also be nonstructured and follow few rules so people are free to express themselves on paper. They can emotionally soar, explore, or simply describe whatever they want. This nonhindering experience can be freeing in ways that traditional therapy cannot. Many have turned their words into books or narratives that help others by a sense of recognition
by readers. The fact that there is someone else who has had similar experiences can reduce the loneliness a person feels when they have too much to cope with.

Many people get started with journals and diaries and set aside a small amount of time each day to write. There are numerous free blogging sites and chats to get started on the Internet. For those that prefer writing longhand, all that is needed is a small notebook or just some paper. The important thing is to start writing and see where the journey takes you.


Journaling: Get your life and grow it!
http://www.createwritenow.com/

Alzheimer disease is a form of dementia (loss of cognitive ability) that was noticed by Alois Alzheimer in 1906. It is recognized by three stages: early, middle, and severe, and is currently without a cure. It affects over five million Americans and over 26 million people worldwide. There are currently several medicines that help with symptoms and delay progression.

Alzheimer disease usually becomes evident in people over 65, but younger-onset Alzheimer’s can occur in younger people. These people can begin early stage Alzheimer’s in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. Not all older people get dementia; severe memory loss is not a normal aging process. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. It is progressive and interferes with the electrical signals in the brain so a person gradually loses all cognitive abilities and physical functioning.


Researchers have identified some risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s. The first is age; people over 65 are more likely to develop the disease. Second is heredity; people with family members who develop Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop it themselves. Head injuries and heart disease appear to influence the development of Alzheimer’s. Heart disease can lessen blood flow to the brain. Keeping active both mentally and physically in later life can reduce the risk of developing brain dysfunction. Early detection can make a big difference in quality of life for a person with Alzheimer’s dementia.


Symptoms vary with individuals but common behaviors may be confusion, aggression, hallucinations, restlessness, wandering, and insomnia. These behaviors may be noticed at home and may need further study by a neurologist, general practitioner, or a psychiatrist, who will complete a professional examination and referrals to another specialist if needed. Doctors will develop a treatment plan for dealing with behaviors and physical symptoms and prescribe medications according to symptoms. Medications can delay the progression of symptoms. With advanced Alzheimer’s, a physician may recommend additional professional care in the home or a professional facility.


The brains of people with developing Alzheimer’s progressively shrink and have less active brain matter. Changes in behaviors may be gradual at first and hardly noticeable. Eventually, Alzheimer’s  patients become less able to take care of themselves; they may forget to eat, bathe, or take medications, so it is important to plan for their care. Find reputable doctors and care facilities if needed and get help if taking care of someone becomes overwhelming. Sometimes it is difficult to understand Alzheimer behaviors so developing strategies to deal with them is crucial. Early detection can make the care process easier for the caregiver and also give him or her a better quality of life and peace of mind.


References


Science Daily. “Alzheimer’s Disease To Quadruple Worldwide By 2050.” http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070610104441.htm





People who kill go to church

Why?  Killing animals for sport, treating other people like they're trash, being arrogant, conceited, lazy.  Church doesn't help them.  Nothing does.  Do they want to seem like good people?  Wouldn't it be easier just to be good?  I guess not.  Not if the ability is not there.  They have no consciousnesses,so they certainly don't go to church to assuage their guilt. 

New World Health

Welcome to New World Health where doctors are both stupid and incompetent. They bully you into taking medications and are incoherent.  If you don't think it wise to do something they prescribe or tell you, you're non-compliant or uncontrolled.  Guess the God complex is alive and well.  They are very bad here in Deliveranceville, doctors, dentists, you name it.  And they want everyone to be stupid enough to let them make everyone sick, so they can make more money by scheduling unnecessary visits, tests, drugs, treatments.  What a place!

Deliveranceville

Welcome to Deliveranceville, PA  Caution!  Do not move here if you can help it!  It's cheap, but the people?  Let's just say that if they held a class on how to pick your nose correctly, these people would need it.  Incest Village is not too far away  Now I know what happens to people who have lived in the mountains too long.  There must have not been many roads in or out...

The Cure For Fear | New Republic

The Cure For Fear | New Republic

Visit to Lake Chevrolet in Lewistown, PA

Very impressive, sales person extremely helpful, low pressure, cars looked well kept. The only negative was the parking lot, not much room for customers at all.  Signage was adequate.  Salesperson stated they had a whole IT department who updated website in real time. Sales person showed me the cars , features, pricing on the website on the desktop, then the physical  cars.

I did have to go up to salesperson, but his appearance was neat and clean, great attitude, liked his job,very good at building rapport.  I was pleasantly surprised.


Asked me what I was looking for, answered all my questions honestly, great communication skills, recommended Chevy Cruze, Sonic, Malibu, Spark.  Described vehicle features and options, offered  test drive  I asked about Service and pricing and parts pricing.

I asked about the warranty, gas mileage, features, options.  I was provided  with pricing, ask if I was interested in a sale today, offered future assistance and sincere thank you.

Dealership Appearance - Clean and orderly waiting room with TV and magazines.  Coffee available. Vehicles very clean

Dealership Signage:Visible for Service,Bathrooms.

Top Content ideas for Guest posts in design blogs

Top Content ideas for Guest posts in design blogs

Monday, May 2, 2016

Medical Studies: Should We Believe Them?

Medical Studies: Should We Believe Them?

Alzheimer testing

Alzheimer disease is a form of dementia that slowly reduces a person's mental faculties to the point, where in the later stages, the person can no longer function physically. It is a progressive disease with no cure; however, there are new drugs on the market that can slow its progress, and there are some promising tests which may diagnose it in the early stages to allow for earlier treatment. Alzheimer's is the most common progressive dementia.

Early signs of Alzheimer's disease may include confusion about places, handling financial affairs, misplacing items, completing daily tasks, and mild personality changes. In moderate Alzheimer's, there is increased memory loss and confusion regarding places and recognizing familiar faces. Hygiene and appearance may become unimportant. In the severe stage, a person may lack any ability to recognize familiar places or faces, communicate, lose control of bowel and bladder functions, and require assistance for all activities.

Since many baby boomers are becoming golden-agers, there has been much research into Alzheimer's. There are a few new tests that can help diagnose it in the early stages, thereby helping doctors set up more effective treatment. Traditional testing has included the Clock Drawing test, the Mini-Mental Stage Examination, and the Functional Assessment Staging test. A physical exam, brain scan, neuropsychological evaluation, and interviews with family members are part of the diagnostic process.

New testing which looks promising includes analyzing spinal fluid to find biomarkers, which are chains of amino acids. High levels of these biomarkers are indicative of Alzheimer disease and very accurate in diagnosing it. Other researchers found three proteins in cerebrospinal fluid that may diagnose Alzheimer's before symptoms start and signal how fast it is progressing. Total tau protein, phosphorylated tau and amyloid protein are called disease signatures in people with Alzheimer's. More promising research indicates that blood levels of the beta-amyloid protein can predict Alzheimer's.  A PET scan named Amyvid uses a  radioactive marker known as florbetapir F 18 to detect the protein.  Amyvid can detect the buildup of amyloid plaque in the brain. It can help doctors differentiate between symptoms of other dementias or other cognitive problems. The FDA has said that Avid Radiopharmaceutical, developer of Amyvid, needs to think about training the medical community and getting more evidence of the effects of amyloid plaque.

In Canada, researchers are working on a DHEA blood test that might be used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease.  The brain hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), is produced at high levels. When oxidation on blood samples was tested from people without Alzheimer's, the samples produced DHEA. The blood from  Alzheimer's patients could not produce this hormone.  Currently, the diagnosing of Alzheimer's focuses mainly on neurological signs. Although, DHEA testing is not a sure thing yet, it will enable accurate, early, noninvasive testing for Alzheimer's.



Social Skills Training

Social skills training is a form of behavior therapy used to help persons with verbal as well as nonverbal behaviors used in social interactions. It can be in many situations from shyness to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia to serious personality disorders. Social skills training helps individuals to become more adept in handling stressful situations.

Social skills training begins by breaking down complex social behaviors into smaller portions. And arranging the behaviors in order of difficulty to gradually introduce them. Techniques can include modeling, role-playing, shaping, feedback, and positive reinforcement. Monitoring is used to assess progress.  People in groups have the opportunity to offer feedback to one another about their performances in simulated situations.  Specific skills might include nonverbal and assertive communication, making conversation in different situations, problem-solving, decision making, self-management, and peer relations.  Social skills training includes teaching people to express feelings in appropriate ways and to interpret social cues.

The first step in group training is to narrow down target behaviors. Make sure the setting is relaxed and remove any distractions from the room because tension and anxiety interfere with the ability to perform the practiced behavior. Define the behaviors to be taught and explain why how it will benefit them, define rules and regulations, teach easy skills first, model them, practice with review sessions and real life settings, and provide feedback with encouragement from a group leader and other group members. Members can take turns demonstrating the desired behaviors, practice in different settings, and submit self-evaluations to build internal motivation.

Specific skills might be positive interaction with others including manners, how to approach others in social acceptable ways, asking for permission, how to make and keep friends, Respecting the opinions of others, accepting praise, apologizing, greeting others, and showing sportsmanship. Appropriate behavior could include attendance to tasks, listening skills, following directions, seeking attention and help in socially acceptable ways, accepting the consequences of behavior, and waiting one's turn. Dealing with frustration and anger could include counting to 10 before reacting, distracting oneself with another task, internal dialog to calm oneself, and using appropriate words instead of physical fighting. Dealing with stress could include awareness of feelings, coping with negative feelings, dealing with mistakes, and handling teasing and taunting.

Self-monitoring and evaluation of achievement of target behaviors could include keeping a journal, discussions with other group members, or answering a questionnaire. Questions on the questionnaire could include: did I get enough practice, is there enough motivation for me to achieve target behaviors,  can I maintain the behaviors and use them in the real world, am I getting enough monitoring from other group members, and how can I improve my behavior program. Self-evaluations can enable individuals to take ownership of their own progress.

Qigong, Tai Chi, Mudras, and Mantras

Qigong, Tai Chi, Mudras, and Mantras

Qigong and tai chi are both meditative practices that use different movements to tap into inner energy. Tai chi is a practice of qigong, but it is performed with movement and sometimes a partner. Tai chi
exercises are performed in sets that take longer to learn, but qigong can be learned more quickly because exercises are performed repetitiously.

Qigong is part of traditional Chinese medicine and has five main types for health, medical and religious purposes, martial arts, and folk arts. In the religious type, a goal for Buddhists is to reach
enlightenment, for Daoists to increase longevity, and for Confucionists, the goal is to improve the self. The folk type of qigong, also known as peasant quigong, is an adaption that is still practiced today. Among the many quigong techniques are five major styles of Tai Chi Chuan: Chen, Yang, Wu, Hao & Sun, Lee.

The practice of Tai Chi Chuan, or tai chi, helps relax mind and body and develop awareness of balance, posture, strength, agility and rhythm. It is low impact and is based on eight energies: peng, lu, ji, an, leigh, tsai, kao, zhao. Most tai chi sessions will start with warm up exercises, often qigong exercises. Examples are “Awaken the Chi,” “Bridge over Water,” and “Wild Goose Looks for Food.” When the warm up is over, you can do tai chi exercise or longer qigong patterns. There are twelve health tai chi forms that can be repeated over 15 minutes when practicing the movements without a partner. When practicing with a partner, there are different movements for “pushing hands.” Other forms of tai chi include weapons training, sparring, and breathing exercises. Cool down of health tai chi sessions can include moves like “Stomping on the Tigers Tail,” “Three claps of Thunder,” and “Quieting the Chi.”

Included in meditation practices are mudras, or hand positions, which are used to bring energies into the body. The easiest and most well-known are having the tips of the thumb and index finger joining,
other hand resting in lap, and the Hakini mudra, where the tips of the fingers from the right hand touch the opposite fingertips on the left hand. These can either be done alone for around 15 minutes, while
sitting in lotus position, or as part of other meditation exercises. There are nine other mudras, which can be found with an Internet search for “mudras.”

Mantras are a part of many meditation forms and help the mind to empty of extraneous thoughts. single sound sounds like: "ohm" or “aum” are useful because they are uninterrupted. sounds. You can choose your own mantra or use longer mantras that consist of one or more sentences, as are used in various forms of meditation. Chanting is often used as a mantra, rhythmic speaking or singing of words or sounds on certain pitches. They can form a simple melody or more complex music that includes repetition of phrases. As with mantras, you can choose your own chant or listen to ready-made chants widely available on CDs.

Berkers, Ewald. “Introduction to Mudras.” Eclectic Energies. http://www.eclecticenergies.com/mudras/introduction.php

Harrison, R. Everyday Tai Chi: A Passport to Better Health & Lifetime Fitness. http://www.everyday-taichi.com/index.html

Massaro, Bentinho.  “Mantra Meditation.” Yoga Mind Control: Enlightenment through Yoga and Meditation. http://www.yoga-mind-control.com/mantra-meditation.html

Monteith, Anthony. “Qi Gong: The Art of Ten Thousand Styles.” Ezine Articles. http://ezinearticles.com/?Qi-Gong:-The-Art-of-Ten-Thousand-Styles&id=6513468

Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong, Tai Chi, Mudras,  Mantras, meditation, meditation exercises, meditation gestures

Jewelry making

My favorite hobby is jewelry making.  I have been doing this for several years now and am self taught.  I love new tools, mediums, techniques, and try as many as I can.  I enjoy wire work, beading, Kumihimo braiding among others.  I know several jewelry stores online as well as jewelry groups, newsletters, where to find tutorials and tools.  I was also a librarian and have good reference skills to look up most information.

General Health, I was a medical transcriptionist, studied medical coding, and took allied many health courses, including pharmacology, anatomy, medical terminology.

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Penn Foster Medical Coding course review

The course takes a year and has filler in it that has nothing to do with medical coding.  This is not a certified school; now I know why.  The book for the course is written poorly and some of the course material is chunks of different courses slapped together without being updated too often.  The book does not accentuate the important parts well enough nor does it  provide enough detail in some parts.  There are several teachers for each part of the course so you don;t know who to deal with and there are "graders" that have no knowledge the course at all.  There is minimal interaction with teachers, you are on your own.  They do not want to hear suggestions and they are very defensive.   I found much more that I needed to know on the Internet.

I had a nice review of Microsoft Office, writing skills, and learned medical coding at the very end.  The course description states that you learn billing also, but this is not true.  Very little is mentioned about medical billing.  I learned ICD 9 and 10 coding, CPT, HCPCS coding, and had a short review of anatomy and pharmacology.  I am glad I had extensive knowledge of anatomy, pharmacology, and medical terminology before I took this course.  I would recommend taking these somewhere else before taking this course, because they are not extensively covered.

 I would recommend taking anatomy, pharmacology and medical terminology somewhere before taking this course, because they are not extensively covered.  You will need to take a separate course for medical billing because this is not really covered like the course description states.  AAPC offers the billing course and AHIMA offers the other courses.  I would also suggest solid Internet searching skills and the ability to work on your own.

Course Hero - Scholarship Form

Course Hero - Scholarship Form



We have a final project which will take careful and focused studying.  To be certified in medical coding, you need to take a 5-hour 40-minute test, which takes much study.  There are some guides and websites I will review as well as some videos on YouTube.  There are a few printed study guides you can purchase, but the ICD 9 and 10 manuals provide good reviews in the front of the book.  I will also peruse the AAPC forum for tips on coding, using my membership to prepare as well.

Homemade Bagels

Homemade Bagels