#Importance of foot care in diabetes

[shreyajainblogs]

When Should You Consult a Diabetic Foot Specialist Surgeon for Diabetic Foot Care?

If you are someone who is living with diabetes, it is crucial to prioritize the care of your feet in order to prevent any potential complications. Consulting a diabetic foot specialist surgeon, such as Dr. K P Meda, a renowned Podiatrist in Dubai, can greatly benefit individuals experiencing issues related to diabetic foot care. One common problem faced by those with diabetes is swollen feet due to poor circulation or other underlying factors. This discomfort can be alleviated through proper treatment and management by a skilled professional like Dr. Meda. The importance of foot care in diabetes cannot be stressed enough since it plays a pivotal role in preventing more serious conditions from developing, such as diabetic foot ulcers.

#"Diabetic foot care #diabetes swollen feet #Importance of foot care in diabetes #Diabetic foot ulcer treatment

[butch-reidentified]

well my wife & I had literally just arrived downtown, were still walking down the sidewalk to the bar, when we run into this guy on the corner interacting aggressively with a very anxious-looking woman trying to lock a shop door and two young boys. my wife instantly steps in and firmly asks the man to step back a bit while I check in with the woman. he's obviously drunk and belligerent, and starts shouting at us. "I'm just talking to my son, I'm not allowed to talk to my son?"

she explains very straightforwardly that this is her restaurant she owns, and he's her abusive ex who's always hanging around her restaurant and trying to manipulate the kids by talking shit about her and giving her diabetic son candy. she tells us that the local police and "everyone" knows about this situation, that's she's tried twice to get a restraining order, he's stolen from her and her restaurant multiple times, etc.

he asks my wife and me with disgust if we're "girlfriends or something," to which I respond that it's absolutely none of his business. he asks us why we're in his business, then. She tells us he slapped her a few minutes prior, because of what she was wearing. He says it isn't fair that he "never got to see her like that" while they were dating because he "was always working in her restaurant." I ask him who the fuck told him seeing her ~like that~ was his right.

we ask her if she wants us to walk her to her car/home, and she says she lives a couple blocks away and that would be really good. as we walk away, he tells her "spirits" are going to come and get her tonight. so we walk with her and the kids, let her vent about him and everything she's tried to do to stop this without anything changing, how the police don't care and how they believed him that HER home and restaurant were his because he's a white man and she's a black woman, and they interrogated her while asking him nothing.

On the walk, he walks up behind us to a bit ahead of us to where the older boy is on his bicycle, and starts talking to the older boy again, but not before shouting to us that "men should be with women." She refuses to engage, and we follow her lead. I ask her some questions to get a feel for what she might have or need. We give her our phone numbers and a short spiel about available community resources and the importance of women looking out for other women. I tell her I can connect her with those resources and am happy to arrange help for her to complete the restraining order process, as the barriers preventing her previously have been things like being unable to arrange for childcare so she can go to court. She asks if she can give us hugs, and we say of course.

We stay while she and her piece of shit ex verbally battle for control of the older son. She's asking him to come up to their apartment. We can't hear what he's saying to the kid, but he keeps shifting position to block her from making eye contact with her son. She tells us he is teaching the kid to view and treat women like he does. She tells us the kid needs counseling and is struggling with depression.

We stay until the older son gets his father's permission to go upstairs with her. He approaches us on the corner as we wait to be able to cross, and asks us again about our relationship to each other. We tell him again it isn't his business. He asks why we get to ask for all of his information, then. My wife points out that we didn't even ask his name.

for several long and irritating minutes, he stands a foot away from us running his mouth while we wait to be able to cross. at a couple points, he borders on threatening, but never crosses the line. I keep my hand on my gun in my pocket regardless. I tell him I heard what he said about "spirits" and if anything happens to her tonight (or at all), we'll know who did it. he tells me I'm funny. my wife has already made a phone call, and we have three people on the way from our friend's bar (which is 1 store over from her restaurant). he hears her phone call and tells us that's a bad idea. I ask him if that's a threat. he stays silent as the light finally turns and we begin to cross.

he doesn't follow.

on the way home, we pass three separate police cars, and my blood is boiling hotter each time.

I really hope she's safe tonight. I really hope she reaches out and lets us help.

tonight was a stark reminder that all of our communities are rife with abusive men and abused women, all the time, and nobody is looking out for these women. know your community's needs and resources. any day or night could be the time you stumble across one of these situations. you'll be grateful you have that knowledge to share when you do.

#tw abuse #male violence #mvaw #misogyny #community action #mine #radblr #domestic violence #ipv

[jeanniebug623]

🕸️🕷️ Weaving the Web 🕷️🕸️

Chapter 6: The Diagnosis

Spider was bored. But that was the least of his problems…

Two weeks in a hospital room with nothing to do except NOT go crazy. Well, crazy as in not let out his new unpredictable side. Quaritch checked on him daily as well as a very limited staff of doctors. After those two weeks with no sign of Miles, the colonel felt secure enough to reintroduce Ja. The teen didn’t say anything when the team medic came into the room, only readjusted his arms wrapped around his knees and nodded awkwardly as a greeting.

Ja reassured Spider there were no hard feelings and that his presence was purely professional. He wanted to help the boy understand what he was experiencing. Quaritch theorized that Spider would be more comfortable in the presence of the recoms due to his upbringing. Yes, he’d grown up with other humans but those traitors could barely call themselves that due to their loyalties.

”It’s called dissociative identity disorder.” Ja said as he sat at Spider’s bedside. Quaritch stood at the foot of the bed, arms crossed and gauging the boy’s reaction. The colonel hadn’t even known his genetic predecessor's son was on Pandora and he’d thrown him into the lion’s den without a second thought. A sixteen-year-old boy versus the ruthless might of the RDA. He had to ignore the regret and focus on the present…

”Sounds like a fancy way to say I’m fucked in the head…” Spider said quietly. His voice was sad and empty.

”No, not at all.” Ja reassured him, putting on a small smile for a brief moment before continuing with a more serious tone, “But it is a serious mental health disorder that we can’t ignore. It’s also known as multiple personality disorder. I’m sure you can guess why.”

The colonel felt his brain reeling at the memories of his interactions with Spider’s new personality: Miles. He couldn’t even feel proud that the kid chose that name so proudly. ‘Miles’ was strong, immovable, and highly defensive of Spider. But he was also violent and unpredictable. Miles didn’t care who got in his way; he would destroy anyone he deemed a threat to Spider. But Spider’s safety wasn’t completely in the forefront of Miles’ mind as evident by how he acted without concern for his physical condition.

”So I’m just fucked in multiple ways……awesome.” Spider said, pulling his legs even tighter to his body. So many thoughts rushed through his head. Physically, he felt fine. He’d been in the hospital with lots of rest and solid meals for a couple weeks. He even mentioned a headache, he was quickly rushed to a CT scan and given pain meds soon after. But emotionally? He was terrified. He was still not fully understanding this diagnosis.

”Spider, it’s not about being fucked up.” Quaritch said, his tone equal parts firm and caring. Unlike when Ja spoke and the boy avoided eye contact, he looked up to the colonel when he chimed in. “It’s about knowing and understanding this condition. And acting accordingly.”

”Will it go away?” Spider asked quietly. Quaritch looked at Ja, prompting Spider to do the same. “Like…you can cure it, right, doc?”

Doc was certainly a nicer nickname than ‘wet nurse’ as Miles had called him. Ja wished he had a better answer…

“Spider, I’m sorry. Even with where medical advances are, the brain is still too complex to just ‘cure’.” Ja said, wanting to sound more comforting as the kid visibly deflated and buried his face in his arms. “But the brain is an organ like anything else. Mental health is just as important as physical health. And when you know the problem, it’s easier to control. Do you know what diabetes is, Spider?”

Spider didn’t lift his head up, but he did shake it from side to side in his arms as a ‘no’.

”Diabetes is a condition where a human’s blood sugar level is not properly regulated by their body’s natural process. A medicine called insulin is administered to control it. Modern medicine has discovered ways to permanently control it with implants but not everyone can afford it back on Earth so a lot of people still have to take insulin every day. It doesn’t go away but they can control it.” Ja explained.

”So, is there medicine I can take to control this?” Spider asked, lifting his head a bit and sounding hopeful. Taking medicine every day for the rest of his life sounded like a pain but he would at least be able to live his life. Maybe, escape this circle of hell called Bridgehead City someday. But he wouldn’t feel safe trying to run away…even if he did pull it off, how would he react to his friends? Would he be violent towards them or the science guys or the rest of the Na’vi? That terrified him more than anything…

Ja went quiet and looked to his commanding officer for assistance on this one. The medic had given the entire squad the quick version of what dissociative identity disorder was. The conversation that followed was a free speech conversation but it didn’t go anywhere.

They were on a mission to find Jake Sully. The kid should be left with the medical staff and scientists now. He wasn’t their problem since he hadn’t given them any useful info on the enemy. He was a liability now. Maybe it would be better if the RDA just locked him up for good.

His squad, aside from his old friend Lyle, didn’t understand Quartch’s feelings on the matter. He didn’t have to give his opinion for the corporal to know his bland tone was forced or that the way he ground his teeth while squaring his jaw was very much a ‘human colonel’ cue that he was upset. Even if these squad didn’t have a connection to the kid, they should be respectful that their commanding officer did.

”No, tiger. There’s drugs to control symptoms but not the DID itself.” Quaritch said, those big brown sad eyes looking back at him. It was like looking at a puppy begging for scraps. He leaned forward on the side rails of the bed, creaking under his weight. “But we’re gonna figure this out. Mental health…stuff…it can be handled in its own way. Right, doc?”

”Exactly!” Ja said, finally able to have a genuinely hopeful tone. “YOU are in control, Spider. You are the core identity. ‘Miles’ is an alternate personality.”

”He was always there…wasn’t he?” Spider asked, sounding unsure. Scared even.

He thought back on all the times he was scared or angry as a young child. When he wanted to hit someone or throw something in rage but didn’t due to the consequences.

Ja sighed and shrugged a bit, “I can’t say for sure. I’m sure the trai-…people who raised you kept track of your medical history growing up?”

Spider shrugged and it made Quaritch’s blood start to boil. Did those human traitors not care enough about the humans being born on Pandora to keep track of those things? Their growth, their health? Wouldn’t the kid have at least been a good ‘experiment’ as the first human born on Pandora?

“We only have five months worth of medical records for you in RDA archives.” Ja said.

”What?” Quaritch and Spider said simultaneously.

The good medic opted to look at Quaritch to explain but Spider listened just as attentively.

”Monthly checkups when Paz went in for postpartum care. Despite the backlash from the initial pregnancy announcement, a lot of people changed their tune when Spider was born completely healthy and Paz recovered faster than most new mothers.” Ja explained.

Spider felt a new warmth spread through himself hearing about his mom. She sounded like a tough woman. Made him proud and a small smile pulled at the corners of his mouth.

”Paz was an amazing woman.” Quaritch remarked and, though he only knew her reputation, Ja nodded in agreement.

Ja looked back to Spider, “You might have had preexisting signs of this condition. The fact that you can remember when Miles is in control to some degree is even rarer than the condition itself.”

”I can’t say I remember…” Spider said, finally letting one arm loose and put his right hand to the side of his head, fingers slipping in his locs, “…it’s more of a feeling. Like…something’s off. Like I know I did something wrong…”

”You haven’t done ANYTHING wrong, Spider.” Quaritch said firmly, ear pinning back, “You understand me?”

”I bit someone’s face…” Spider said flatly, giving the colonel an unconvinced look. He hadn’t seen the guy who’d made the mistake of trying to fasten a strap across his chest when Miles was on the loose. But he heard plenty of rumors how savage he’d been in the strike. Miles had managed to sink his teeth into the man’s cheek and lower jaw, tearing a flap of flesh off that was barely hanging on when it was stitched back into place.

“I’m not saying bad shit hasn’t happened but you’re not at fault.” Quaritch elaborated. Spider was a feisty one, but he didn’t have the heart to hurt someone for no reason. THAT much Quaritch had learned about the boy in the short few weeks.

”Did all this happen because of that demon machine?” Spider asked suddenly with a growl. He gripped his head a little tighter, closing his eyes. He could feel a headache starting behind his right eye when he thought about the neuroscanner.

”It’s a possibility…” Ja said cautiously, glancing at Quaritch.

It was more than a possibility in Quaritch’s mind, probably in Ja’s too. They’d seen the brain scans after each session in the neuroscanner. They physically saw the changes in brain activity. Ja explained that the scans focused on probing the frontal lobe where memory is stored. However, he also explained that this is the brain’s primary storage for personality traits. If they were forcibly prying into that part of the brain, it was inevitable that cracks would spread.

”Soooo…” Spider started, closing his eyes tightly and turning into his own hand, “You kidnap me…torture me…break my brain…and NOW you want to help me?”

”None of this was planned, kid.” Quaritch said weakly. “I would’ve put an end to it.”

”Before or after the torture?” Spider spat out, moving his left arm down to grip the starchy fabric of the sheets. “Maybe a little torture would’ve been ok? As long as you got what you wanted, right? But you let it go too far and now I’m broken. Useless to you and dangerous to others! Awesome…”

Quaritch stared at the boy, unable to respond. Yes, he’d been on board with the neuroscanner. But not the four sessions he’d been subjected to. He’d been present at two of them, including the last one he’d stopped when his concern for the boy’s wellbeing surpassed following orders. It would be a poor excuse to divert blame and he knew to say he didn’t agree to all the sessions wasn’t enough to make up for the damage done.

”You’re not useless.” Quaritch said instead, “The team still needs to learn what insults you’re spittin’ out in Na’vi.”

Spider scoffed and rolled his eyes.

”I’m workin’ on it, Spider.”

”On what?”

”Gettin’ you back out in the field.”

Spider looked up at Quaritch, a strange look in his eyes. He looked excited at first but tried to hide it. He was worried it was just an empty promise.

”First, I want to get you out of this room. Sound good?” Quaritch asked. Not that he intended to stop challenging Ardmore on this, but he wanted the boy to be in the loop and have some say in it. If he didn’t want to leave the hospital, he’d accept it with grace but still move forward with the next step in his plan…

”I don’t wanna go back to a cell…” Spider said quickly, his voice cracking in an embarrassing way. The hospital room wasn’t exciting but it was better than a prison cell with four plain white walls, a hard metal platform with barely a padded mat to sleep on, and a toilet in the corner for those perverts behind the cameras to watch him use.

”Not a cell, I promise. You’ll stick with me.” Quaritch said. He put on the most reassuring smile he could, even though he still had a massive obstacle in the way of General Ardmore. “I don’t make promises I can’t keep, kid.”

This promise was nonnegotiable.

#atwow #avatar the way of water #atwow fanfiction #miles spider socorro #spider quaritch #recom quaritch #weaving the web #ao3 writer

[mycatlifestyleofficial]

10 Ways to Keep Your Cat Healthy, According the vet

Make your feline friend happy with these vet-approved strategies.

Keeping your feline friend healthy and happy starts with a few simple steps—some of which can be integrated into your cat's environment right away.

To help your cat live their best feline life, Los Angeles veterinarian Jeff Werber (who has eight cats himself) offers helpful advice to pet parents. "It's crucial to get off on the right foot with cat care, " he says. "Good daily habits are where it starts." These tips can help you provide the love and care your cat deserves.

1. Brush Your Cat Every Day

Daily brushing or combing can help reduce the number of hairballs that develop in the digestive tract and help prevent mats and tangles, especially in long-haired cats. Cats spend a lot of time grooming themselves, and pet parents may not know that they can actually help their cats by removing loose hair through regular brushing.l

Werber says that the key to getting a cat to cooperate with brushing is to teach your cat to associate it with happy events. "Maybe you always brush before a meal," he says. "Then your cat will associate it with something delicious."

2. Don’t Feed Your Cat Too Much Dry Food

Unlike dogs, cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they rely on meat as the foundation of their diets. The main meal of the day should always be meat, says Werber. He cautions that exclusively feeding dry food diets to cats may cause them to consume too many carbohydrates, which can be unhealthy in large amounts. "We see cats developing type 2 diabetes and growing obese from too much dry food," Werber explains.

If you have both dogs and cats, you can't feed them the same. Dog food is not good for cats, nor can a cat metabolize carbs the way a dog can. Consider feeding wet food as a part, if not all, of your cat's diet.

3. Pay Attention to Your Cat's Thirst

Domestic cats evolved from desert-dwelling felines, so cats don't naturally drink as much water as dogs. Ideally, cats should get most of their water from food. A meal that a cat might eat in the wild—such as a mouse—is about 70% water. Canned food contains about 78% water, but dry food only has 5% to 10% water on average.

It's important to give your cat access to fresh water at all times no matter their diet, but you may notice your cat drinking more when they primarily eat dry food. Seniors, nursing cats, and cats with chronic health conditions are more prone to dehydration than others, so watch them carefully for signs such as sunken eyes, lethargy, and panting.

4. Provide a Sufficient Number of Litter Boxes

As far as potty places go, Werber says a good rule of thumb is to have one litter box per kitty, plus an additional one. So if you have three cats, you should set up four boxes, and you'll want to think carefully about where those boxes go. Humans tend to want the boxes tucked away in a hidden spot like a basement or dark corner, but some cats are uncomfortable in these areas. Werber says to think about a cat's natural instincts. "The animal is in a vulnerable position when performing those functions," he says. "They want to be able to see around them." For the same reason, your pet may not be willing to use a box with a cover or one that's been cleverly hidden in furniture.

5. Don’t Assume You Know Why a Cat Is Peeing Outside the Box

Little frustrates a cat parent more than when kitty skips the box and pees somewhere else in the house—especially when it's your couch or bed. Why would a cat do this? "There can be a lot of reasons," says Werber, "and you want to rule out illness first." Bring your cat to the vet to check for a urinary tract infection or other illness that could explain this new behavior. Once health concerns are ruled out, make sure that litter boxes meet your cat's preferences. Experiment with different types of litter to find out if there is one type your pet prefers.

Be scrupulous about keeping the box clean: scoop once or twice a day (more for multiple cats). Try changing the location of the litter box to somewhere quieter (away from noisy appliances) or easier for your cat to access.

6. Train Your Cat to Use a Scratching Post

Don't want your new sofa ripped to shreds? Teach your cat to use a scratching post so they won't end up clawing your furniture. The mistake many owners make, says Werber, is not knowing that they have to give the scratching post some appeal. "Put it in the center of the room to start," he explains. If you place it in a corner far from the social action in the household, it's easy for your cat to ignore it. Sprinkle the scratcher with catnip when you first bring it home, the vet advises. Once you have gotten your pet into the habit of using it, you can gradually move it to a less-trafficked spot and skip the catnip if desired.

7. Spay or Neuter Your Cat

There's nothing more beneficial to your cat's long-term wellness than getting them spayed or neutered, Werber says. "Female cats are very uncomfortable when they go into heat," he adds. Spaying and neutering can help keep your cat safe, too. Because unaltered male cats often fight, they risk transmitting diseases through bites and scratches. The situation is not much better for female cats, either. Female cats can become pregnant as early as four months old, and mating and queening multiple litters of kittens can be very stressful. And because there are so many unwanted cats in shelters waiting for their forever homes, it's better to not add to the population.

8. Travel Safely With Your Pet

Even if your cat wants to, don't let them travel unrestrained in a car. It's distracting to the driver and, in the case of an accident, a cat can become a dangerous projectile. Get a comfortable travel carrier for car rides, and teach your cat to use it without fear.

Werber also warns to "never, ever leave your cat alone in a parked car." Even in cooler temperatures, and even with the windows cracked, a car quickly becomes uncomfortable for an animal (or human, for that matter). It takes mere minutes for a cat to perish in a warm car. Leave your cat at home if you do not plan to bring them inside with you.

9. Choose a Cat-Friendly Vet

Many veterinary practices see multiple species, including canines. This can be scary for a cat who has to sit in a waiting room surrounded by dogs. "Look for a vet who has separate waiting areas for cats and dogs," says Werber. While that's ideal, not all practices have the space for this. If your favorite vet doesn't have two waiting rooms, ask to be called into the exam room quickly, Werber advises. You can also look for cat-only veterinarians in your area (yes, they exist!) so your kitty won't get bombarded with the sights, sounds, and smells of dogs, birds, and other critters.

10. Let Them Show Off!

When a cat loves you, they like to prove it, sometimes by offering you the results of a successful hunt. Werber suggests accepting the gifts with grace (even when it's gross—say, a decapitated mouse). Your cat may also show you love by head bunting, purring, or kneading you with their paws. Sit back and soak up the affection.

#cat #warrior cats #cats of tumblr #my cat #cute cats #cats news #cat food #catfinder #cat behavior

[hannahmanderr]

DannyMay Day 10 - Bones

this one's a long one, but it's important to me :3

Words: 5,380

Summary: Danny stumbles across a ghost unlike any he's met before. Of course he's going to help her reunite with her lost family. (FFN)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If there was one thing that could make Danny feel better after a long Halloween of fending off ghosts, it was a huge Oreo shake from the Nasty Burger.

He took a long slurp as he walked out the restaurant’s door, savoring the sugary taste. Sam would probably give him an earful for getting such a big shake - tell him he was going to give himself diabetes or something - but he figured his wacky half-ghost metabolism would take care of it. 

She just doesn’t get how much energy it takes to maintain two bodies, he joked to himself as he made his way down the sidewalk. True, he could always “eat” ambient emotions to maintain his nutrition, and he’d started adding in daily ectoplasm supplements in his water (or, to Jazz’s horror and his amusement, drinking it straight from the vial), but they couldn’t hold a candle to the joys of sucking down a delicious milkshake.

Besides, he’d had a long night. His parents were definitely right about Halloween night being an annual thinning of the veil between the human and ghost worlds, but contrary to their belief, the ease of passage didn’t attract the more intelligent, try-to-take-over-the-world type of ghosts, especially since they could usually find a way over anyway. Instead, Halloween night helped make the way for the more animalistic, instinct driven ghosts to come over - the ones who normally couldn’t come over as easily.

In some ways, the animalistic types were harder to deal with, Danny mused. Especially since they couldn’t appreciate his witty banter. That was the worst of it. 

That aside, though, the animal ghosts could be far more unpredictable with their methods of destruction and terror-inducing. Usually with the ones who could at least talk, he could work out their MO and begin to predict their moves, but not so much with the ones operating purely on instinct. It made for more frustrating, drawn out chases and battles. 

Needless to say, he was exhausted. They had been crossing over like crazy last night, and he’d been up tracking them down the whole night. The only blessing was that today was Sunday; he’d slept all morning and into the afternoon, and aside from homework, he could spend the rest of the day lazing around and recovering before school tomorrow. That’s exactly what he intended on doing.

At least, that’s what he had intended, before his ghost sense triggered and he saw the old lady staring into a shop window.

He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, straw still in his mouth. The lady was Dead, he knew that easily enough; it was the scene around her that gave him pause. Maybe, rather, the lack of a scene. 

For as used to ghosts as the citizens of Amity Park were, they still tended to get a little loud and ever so slightly panicked in the presence of a ghost. The issue here was that the passersby weren’t reacting to the ghost at all.

It couldn’t have been that they didn’t realize the lady was a ghost (she was floating half a foot off the ground and her head was a literal skull, how much more obvious could it be?). In fact, as Danny watched the humans more closely, he realized they didn’t even seem to notice her at all, which was also out of the ordinary. 

A young couple dressed in their church clothes walked towards his direction, deep in conversation about some car repair that needed done. Danny almost shouted as the man nearly collided with the ghost, but to his astonishment, the man walked through her. Neither the old lady nor the young man seemed to notice, although the man shivered after emerging from the other side of the ghost’s body.

“Okay, that’s not right,” Danny muttered to himself as the couple passed him. As far as he could tell (and usually he could tell very well), the old lady was neither invisible nor intangible. He couldn’t recall a single instance when a ghost had been able to avoid being seen or touched by a human without using their powers. Unless this was a power he’d never seen before.

So then why could he still see her?

He finally lowered the straw of his shake from his lips and moved towards the ghost. After checking to make sure no one was around to give him weird looks for talking to seemingly thin air, he ventured a tentative, “Hello?”

The lady immediately reacted. She turned towards his voice, and though she had no eyes in her sockets, he could’ve sworn he saw them light up in sync with her growing smile. “¡Qué lindo!” she exclaimed. She put her hands on either side of Danny’s face, and he realized with a start that her hands were skeletal as well. “¡Tu pelo, es como un ángel! Y tus ojos…”

Danny grimaced. He’d taken a year of Spanish back in the eighth grade, but he’d only gotten a B, and he’d definitely forgotten most of it in the two and a half years that had passed since. “Umm, habla… uhh, el English?” he asked, then mentally slapped himself. It would’ve been less rude to just speak entirely in English rather than try and ultimately botch it in Spanish.

To his relief, the lady laughed. “Ah, forgive me, angelito. I was simply stunned by your beautiful hair!” She began running her bony fingers through his hair, and he was surprised by how nice it felt. “Such a pure white! I have never seen anything like it!”

“What?” Danny shrieked. As far as he knew, he hadn’t transformed, and he liked to think he knew pretty well which form he was in at any given time. He grabbed a fistful of his bangs and sighed in relief when he saw the black he expected. “How are you seeing…?”

The lady tilted her head. “You are un espirítu, no? A spirit, like me?”

“I mean, I’m part ghost, if that’s what you mean,” Danny said, shrugging. He didn’t mind admitting it; most ghosts already knew about him anyway, even if it was only because the dead were terrible gossips. “My hair can be white, but it’s definitely black right now.”

“Interesante…” she murmured. She leaned closer to Danny, combing through his hair and examining his face. Normally he would recoil from such probing, but something about the woman resonated with warmth and safety and persuaded him to lean into her touch. In her hands, he felt as if he was wrapped in his favorite blanket and buried in a nest of pillows. The taste of sweet cinnamon inexplicably filled his mouth. 

He cleared his throat in an effort to shake himself out of it. “Um, wh-what’s your name?” he said, blinking rapidly.

She took his hands in hers, and he tried to avoid staring at the bones. “You may call me Rosa,” she told him with a warm smile. “Oh! Perhaps you can help me, angelito?”

Even if he didn’t feel the innate Obsessive push to extend his help, there was no way he could deny such a sweet lady. “I can definitely try, what’s up?”

Rosa turned to peer into the window again. “This home, it is supposed to belong to mi nieto, Víctor,” she explained, “but it is empty. Do you know where he is?”

“Uhh…” Danny racked his brain trying to remember if he knew anyone named Víctor, but he drew a blank. “I don’t think so, I’m sorry. Plus I think this building’s been condemned for, like, a year or so. I mean, I should know, I’m pretty sure I’m the one who got thrown into it,” he said, laughing nervously. He thought he’d recognized this house; he’d visited it more than once before one of Ember’s power chords sent him crashing through its roof. “I don’t know if anyone named Víctor lived here, though.”

Rosa’s face fell. “It cannot be,” she whispered. “He and his familia, they were here last time…”

“What do you mean?”

She put a hand against the window, but as he expected, it fell through the glass. She sighed wistfully, then said, “It is the one night of the year I can visit mi familia, but they are not here… and I do not know where to find them…”

“What?” Danny said again, frowning. “The one night? But ghosts come through the portal all the time. Why can’t you visit your family on a different day?”

“Ay, angelito, it is not so simple,” Rosa said. “The gateway from the Spirit World, it is only open tonight - El Día de los Muertos. I have not known anyone who is able to cross over on another night.”

“But that doesn’t make any sense,” Danny muttered. Even as the words left his mouth, though, he thought about how none of the humans seemed to notice her presence, and he began to recall hearing something about Día de los Muertos in that Spanish class he had taken. Something about families making way for their dead family members…

At the same time, though, he still found himself confused. As far as he knew, there was only one dimension for the afterlife, and it was the Infinite Realms. Like he’d told Rosa, ghosts passed into the human world all the time, not just one night of the year. Ghosts that couldn’t cross over were usually held back by their lack of core strength or their distance from portals, not a lack of portals. He couldn’t understand why some ghosts would be arbitrarily prevented from entering the human world all but one day of the year.

He mentally cursed. He knew he should have taken up Frostbite on his offer of lessons on cultures of the Realms.

Rosa turned to him again and gripped his hands harder. “Please, angelito, you must help me find mi familia. I could not bear it if I could not see them… If I could never find them again…”

Both Danny’s heart and core jolted in sympathy. The idea of only being able to visit his parents and Jazz on one night nearly tore him apart. He couldn’t imagine having to deal with that pain.

“Of course I’ll help you,” he told her with a kind smile. “We’ll find your family.”

Rosa’s face lit up again. “¡Gracias, angelito, gracias!” she cried, planting a kiss on his cheek. “How can I ever repay you?”

Danny shrugged. He was still a bit thrown off from the motherly kiss. “Don’t worry about it, really, I don’t mind. I want to help you.”

“I still do not know where to find them,” Rosa said. “This was their home, even after I passed on. I do not know where they could have gone.”

Danny facepalmed quite literally. “Duh!” he said. He’d even remembered that he’d been to this house before just a few minutes ago! How could he have been so stupid?

Checking the streets again for curious human eyes, he darted into the nearby alley, pulling Rosa along with him. Once safe in between the brick walls, he transformed and pushed off the ground.

“I think I might know where they are after all,” he told Rosa. “Follow me!”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They stopped above a house a few minutes away. It was in the same neighborhood Danny and his family had lived in for all of a couple of weeks that time his parents were convinced to sell out to the GIW. Definitely an affluent area, and not one he tended to visit often. Even the ghosts usually stayed away from here.

Rosa eyed the two-story house warily. “Are you sure this is where mi familia is?” she asked.

Danny scratched his head. “I’m pretty sure? I haven’t exactly had a chance to visit since they moved - or had a reason to visit, I guess - but I’m almost positive this is the house they moved into.”

“What if it isn’t?” she said, wringing her skeletal hands in worry. “The gateway will be closing soon, and if I do not return in time, I will fade away, but I must see them again, I must! I will also fade if I cannot see them!”

“It’s okay, Rosa,” Danny soothed. “If they’re not in here, we’ll just start checking the other houses on the block. I know they moved somewhere on this street. You’ll get to see them, I promise.”

She stared at the house for another long moment (at least he assumed she did. The lack of eyes made it a bit difficult to tell). “Bueno,” she whispered. “We will look and see.”

“Just remember that I’m not like you,” Danny cautioned. “I have to actually think about it to keep the humans from seeing and hearing me, not like you. I won’t be able to say anything if they’re around without them knowing.”

Rosa nodded. “Sí, sí. It will not be a problem, angelito.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paulina Sánchez pulled a tray from the oven. “Papá!” she called. “The pan de dulce is done!”

Her father entered the kitchen and looked over her shoulder at the steaming sweet bread. “Perfecto, mi amor,” he said, squeezing her shoulder. “Your bisabuela will love it.”

Paulina smiled down at the tray, though it weighed heavy on her face. “Pan de dulce was always her favorite,” she said quietly.

“I remember when you were just a little girl,” Mr. Sánchez said as she set the tray on the counter and began transferring the little pastries into a wicker basket. “You and your bisabuela were making the pan de dulce one year, and you stole the cocoa powder right out from under her nose. She didn’t know you had taken it until you tried to eat some and you spat it out all over the floor because it was so bitter!” He chuckled jovially.

“Sí, I remember,” Paulina nodded as she put the last of the sweet bread into the basket. “Mamá was so angry with me! She almost didn’t let me help Bisabuela the next year.” Picking up the basket, she smiled up at her father. “Will you help me put it on the altar?”

“Of course, mi amor.”

Their eyes snapped to a belt hanging across the back of one of the barstools as the radio attached to it crackled to life. A staticky voice started speaking, and though Paulina couldn’t quite make out what it was saying, her heart sank to her stomach when she saw her father’s face drop.

“Scratch that,” he said, picking up the belt. The joy had drained from his voice in an instant. “You’ll have to do it without me.”

“Papá, you can’t! It’s Día de los Muertos, it’s supposed to be a family day! Mamá already had to be in Prague this weekend; you promised you wouldn’t have to go out tonight.”

“I know, mi amor, I know,” Mr. Sánchez said. He strapped the belt around his waist and began adjusting all of the equipment hanging off of it. “I didn’t know Jerry was going to call in sick today, and he was supposed to be the one on call tonight. I don’t want to go, but I have to.” He straightened the APPD badge on his chest and moved over to Paulina to envelop her in a hug.

“I’ll be back soon, okay?” he said, pressing a kiss into his daughter’s hair. “You can finish setting up the altar while I’m gone, and then when I get back we’ll park ourselves there for the rest of the night.”

“Sí, Papá,” she muttered into her dad’s chest. He let her go and jogged out of the kitchen, leaving his sullen daughter behind. 

Paulina sighed and looked down at the basket of pan de dulce in her hands. The topping had begun to harden and create the cracked pattern she knew well. It needed to get put onto the altar before it cooled down too much and lost its scent.

She pulled open the sliding glass door that opened into the backyard and stepped outside. It was uncharacteristically warm for Amity Park at this time of year, but she didn’t mind. She liked the warmer weather; it reminded her of what little she could remember of her childhood years spent in México. Plus it made for the perfect opportunity to set up their altar for Día de los Muertos outdoors.

She was careful to avoid stepping on the path of bright orange marigold petals she’d carefully laid out earlier that afternoon as she walked towards the back hedges, where they’d chosen to set up the altar. A few candles also lined the path, though she hadn’t lit them yet. 

When she reached the hedges and the altar, she set the basket of pan on the spot she’d saved for it, making sure it sat just so. She was Paulina Sánchez; she would not be known for anything less than perfection. And, she decided as she surveyed her handiwork, the altar was as close to perfection as it would get.

Dozens of candles lit the tiers of the altar, casting the whole setup in a soft, warm glow. Even more marigold petals covered the altar’s surfaces, and she’d chosen to put a few whole flower heads on some of the edges. Colorful papel picado lined the edges of the altar tiers, and a string of the papers Paulina had spent hours cutting the day before hung over the entire altar. The basket of pan de dulce sat on the lowest tier, right next to a bowl of oranges, pears, and bananas - her Bisabuela’s favorite fruits. She’d also placed a variety of nuts she knew her Bisabuela had liked on the altar. A bottle of tequila sat to the side. On the tier above the food, Paulina had put a few of the calaveras de azúcar her mother had prepared before leaving for Prague. They grinned up at her, guarding the other things that had been placed on the tier - some of her Bisabuela’s most important belongings, like the pocketwatch her husband had given her before they left México and some of the old journals she’d written in up to the day she died. The top tier held the photo of her Bisabuela, smiling serenely at the camera and framed in an ornate faux gold. Paulina had wrapped the base of the frame with the bright fuchsia shawl her Bisabuela had worn nearly every day for as long as she could remember, and more marigolds swaddled the shawl.

All in all, it wasn’t quite as extravagant as some of the altars they’d decorated in years past, but with Mamá out of the country and the risk of the altar accidentally getting destroyed in a ghost attack, they’d decided to go with a bit of a simpler design. She was still pleased with the end result.

She only hoped her Bisabuela was pleased, too.

Paulina sighed and sat down cross-legged in front of the altar. Ever since the ghosts started showing up, she’d held out hope that her Bisabuela would come back to Amity Park and visit her and her parents. As days passed without seeing her, though, she lost her hope, and, though she hated to admit it, she began losing faith that her Bisabuela’s spirit was even out there in the first place.

Still though, she tried to convince herself otherwise. Maybe her spirit was farther away than some of the rest of the ghosts that usually showed up. Maybe the bad ghosts kept the good ghosts from getting through.

There had been a scary bit of time when ghosts first showed themselves in Amity Park. At that point, only evil, havoc-wreaking ghosts had been doing anything, and they rampaged the town and freaked everyone out for a week or so. She’d been horrified to learn that the rantings of the Fentons were true, and of course she’d barely had any time to come to terms with it before she’d (apparently) been possessed. In that short period of time, though, she couldn’t help but wonder if her sweet, loving Bisabuela had had her spirit turned into something awful like the ghosts attacking the town.

Then Phantom had shown up and rescued her, and her faith in gentle spirits was restored.

The fact that he’d proven to her that ghosts could be good and rescued her from possession twice played a huge part in her crush on him. It was embarrassing to admit something that seemed so frivolous to her friends; it was much easier to just sit at the lunch table and gush about how hot the ghost boy was. The other popular kids didn’t know how important the existence of good ghosts was to her. They couldn’t understand. 

She put her elbow on her knee and rested her chin in her hand, staring longingly at the framed photo of her Bisabuela. More than once, she’d considered the merits of cornering Phantom and convincing him to take her to the ghost world to see if she could find her Bisabuela’s spirit, but she’d dismissed the idea each time. Not only was he way too difficult to track down and have a discussion with (her attempts to invite him to her quinceñera were proof enough), but she had a feeling he’d immediately shut the idea down, citing danger as the reason.

And so now she was here, in her backyard, spending her first Día de los Muertos in this house alone, not even knowing if her Bisabuela’s spirit would even see the altar - or even see any of the altars they’d made. It was soul-crushing, to say the least, especially having grown up hearing people preach the importance of the holiday.

A cold breeze ruffled through the yard, causing the flames of the candles to flicker and the papel picado to rustle. She shivered and pulled her sweater tighter against herself. Maybe it’d been a mistake to set the altar up outside. 

Surprisingly, the breeze didn’t extinguish the candles. In fact, as she watched them, they looked taller than ever. And brighter. 

She stood in alarm. Too tall. The flames were getting dangerously strong. She turned to run inside and grab the fire extinguisher under the kitchen sink - 

- and promptly collided with the ghost boy.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Someone’s leaving,” Danny said needlessly. An APPD squad car peeled out of the driveway and down the road, lights and sirens going. 

Rosa gasped. “Víctor,” she whispered. His name sounded like a prayer on her lips (or lack thereof, what with the whole skull thing). “He was in the police school when I passed… Is he an officer now?”

“I think so,” Danny said, drifting closer to the roof. “It was part of the reason I was so scared of him when I showed up to pick up Paulina for the dance my freshman year.”

“Ay, Víctor…” she said again. Danny didn’t need to look at her to know she was beaming with pride; he could hear it in her voice.

“Come on,” he said, pointing towards the house with his head. “Maybe Mrs. Sánchez and Paulina are still inside.” 

He took Rosa’s hand and turned himself invisible and intangible, then guided her through the wall. She recoiled as they approached, but relaxed once they were inside. Danny figured she didn’t have much experience with the whole intangibility part of being a ghost, what with spending so much time in the Realms (assuming she was another kind of ghost, and assuming she lived somewhere in the Realms the other 364 days of the year).

Together, they flew methodically through each room of the house. Though Rosa became more and more comfortable with passing through the walls each time, she grew more and more desperate with each room they passed through that did not have one of her family members.

“No, no,” she muttered, grasping at her cheeks. Danny’s stomach turned just slightly when her fingers went into her eye sockets. “They are not here… I will not get to see them… mi familia, mi corazón…”

Danny didn’t respond. He couldn’t speak from fear of one of the Sánchezes //hearing and flipping out, or worse, calling his parents. He really did not feel like traumatizing a sweet old lady with his parents’ shenanigans tonight. 

He settled for giving Rosa’s hand a comforting squeeze and continuing to lead her through the rooms.

“Wait,” Rosa said, stopping dead in the downstairs hall. “Do you smell that?”

Danny took a deep inhale. “Yeah… It smells really good, what is it?”

“Pan de dulce!” she exclaimed, and before he could react, she became the guide and dragged him in her wake. 

“Rosa, wait!” he risked hissing. He was surprised when she actually came to a stop again, in the kitchen, though he had to press the brakes hard to avoid running her over. 

It took him a minute to realize that she hadn’t stopped because of him, though. She stared out the sliding glass door that led to the backyard, and when Danny followed her gaze, he saw Paulina sitting in front of a beautiful display of some sort.

“What is that?” he whispered, forgetting himself for a moment. He figured he was probably safe, what with a glass door in between the two of them and Paulina.

“They still made an altar for me,” Rosa said. Her voice wavered, making her sound like she was seconds away from bawling. “Ellos todavía recuerdan… No han cambiado…”

Danny didn’t understand the last part of what she said, but he figured she was happy judging from the sound of her voice and her gentle smile. He flicked his gaze between Rosa and Paulina a few times, then asked her, “Do you… wanna get closer to her?”

Rosa’s face brightened momentarily, then dropped. “No,” she said. The melancholy dripped from the single word. “She cannot see me, or hear me. Mi corazón almost broke tonight. I do not think I could bear any more pain.”

As much as her words broke his own heart, he could understand where she was coming from. His mind flashed to his parents and how they still remained oblivious to his secret. Not by any fault of their own, he always insisted, even if Sam or Tucker or Jazz tried to convince him otherwise. The blame was his own.

He too didn’t know if he could bear the pain if he told them and something went horribly wrong.

Still though, the sparks of a Danny Fenton Idea (trademark pending) began to pop in the back of his mind. It was incredibly stupid, and it had the potential to go completely awry. So basically no different than most of his other ideas, although this one put both Rosa and Paulina at risk.

“You know,” he said slowly, still wondering if this was the right thing to do, “she can interact with me.”

Rosa’s head turned toward him with a sharp crack of her vertebrae.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paulina couldn’t believe it.

Danny Phantom. Her beloved Ghost Boy. Here, at her house.

And all she could do was gape like a fish.

Phantom grabbed his bicep and looked everywhere except at Paulina once he seemed to realize that she wasn’t about to speak anytime soon. “I, uhh,” he stammered, clearly unsure how to keep the situation from becoming any more awkward than it already had.

Lucky for him, she found the awkwardness oddly endearing.

He cleared his throat. “Sorry, I was - well, I was just out and about and, erm, I kind of ran into someone - not literally of course, just a figure of speech, I mean I - I would never -”

She couldn’t help it. She giggled at Phantom’s inability to articulate himself. It completely wrecked the image of her valiant knight in shining armor, but in a way, she preferred this side to him. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was one of the less popular boys at school trying to work up the nerve to ask her out.

Not to mention his face was absolutely adorable once she started giggling. The way his eyes grew enormous and his face flushed green was totally unlike the hot version of himself that got talked about in school, but he pulled it off well. 

“¡Lo siento!” she said in between giggles. “I’m sorry, I’m not laughing at you! I’ve just never seen you so flustered!”

He blinked once, twice before his face relaxed and he let out a few nervous laughs of his own. “Yeah, sorry,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t exactly think through what I was gonna say before I came out here…”

“It’s okay,” Paulina reassured. “Why don’t you start over?”

Phantom watched her carefully before cracking a crooked grin. “I can do that.” He blew out a puff of air, which was so unlike a ghost it almost sent her into a fit of giggles again.

“Long story short,” he began. “I ran into someone earlier today, someone who knows you. She was kind of lost though - like, looking for you at your old house. I thought I’d bring her over to say hi.”

Paulina furrowed her brow. “Really? Mamá made me make sure to tell everyone that we had to move. Who would’ve been looking for me at our old house?”

“Well, not everyone realized you moved, apparently.”

“Oh no,” she said. Her stomach dropped a little. She hated to think that she’d forgotten to tell someone important such a huge detail and that they’d been living under false information for months at this point. “I feel terrible! Who is it? Where are they?”

He ran his hand through his hair again. “That’s kind of the catch. You can’t really see her; only I can, apparently.” He nodded towards the altar with his gaze fixed just above her head. She followed his line of sight to -

Her heart skipped a beat. “Bisabuela?” she whispered. Did she dare to even entertain the thought?

Phantom looked to the empty space to his right. After a long moment, he said, “She wants me to tell you that you look beautiful as ever.” His face flushed even brighter green as he delivered the message.

Paulina hesitated. On one hand, this was a literal dream come true. Her Ghost Boy guiding her Bisabuela to her altar on Día de los Muertos, after going for so long wondering if her spirit was truly out there, it was too good to be true.

That’s what gave her pause.

“How… how do I know… she’s really here?” she asked tentatively. She didn’t want to give Phantom the impression that she didn’t believe him, but she had to make sure. She needed to know for certain.

He winced and scratched his shoulder. “Well, I - uhh,” he stuttered. After a couple of seconds, his face lit up again and he turned back to the empty space beside him. “What’s something that only you would know? Or think to tell her?”

As she waited for him to give her the answer, her heart raced. She didn’t doubt that he had a spirit there next to him, but what if it wasn’t her Bisabuela? What if it was someone else, and a mistake had been made? She didn’t know -

“Okay, I think I’ve got it?” Phantom said, though his uncertainty didn’t ease Paulina’s nerves. “She said - Ancients, I’m gonna botch the pronunciation here - she wants me to ask you… ‘¿estás robando más cacao en polvo hoy en día?’”

Paulina fell to her knees, tears falling freely and silently down her cheeks.

“Estás aquí,” she whispered. “You’re really here…”

Phantom hovered over her anxiously. “Oh jeez, I’m - are you alright? I didn’t know…”

Still crying, she sprang up abruptly and into the space where Phantom had been looking before. “Bisabuela, ¿dónde estás?” she blubbered, not caring that she’d completely fallen back into her native Spanish, not caring that her mascara was totally running, not caring that she was probably making herself look like a fool in front of her crush.

Of course, she received no response, but then, just when she was about to ask Phantom for another message, she felt the comfort of a blanket wrapped around her and the taste of cinnamon filled her mouth.

#danny phantom #dannymay #dannymay2023 #dannymay 2023 #danny fenton #paulina #danny phantom paulina #dia de los muertos #mexican #anyway i've always loved learning about dia de los muertos #and paulina deserves good character development

[hotforharrison]

After weeks of arguing with me about the egalitarian bullshit that wasn't adding up, my husband at least acknowledged this evening that I am the secondary partner in everything but legal status.

I'm not getting enough emotional fulfillment from our relationship as it is, but I'm not going to make any decisions about divorce until I'm in a better place mentally.

My focus and priority right now is my weight loss, by my own choice. The lab work results that barely fell into prediabetes is my primary motivation. I had multiple relatives with diabetes complications, key word being had. Avoiding that fate is the most important thing to me.

Even with all the motivation in the world, it's still a major struggle not to eat my feelings. I've lost 55 lbs since Sept 22, 2023, including a 6 week period that I couldn't bear weight on my left foot, and almost 70 lbs from my highest weight.

I want to lose at least another 120, which overwhelms me when I think too much about it. It feels impossible.

I have to take it a day at a time -- even an hour at a time on more days than I care to admit. Sometimes I have to drink a bunch of water to make myself feel "full," which works maybe half the time. The rest of the time I can't go anywhere near the kitchen, even to get a drink, and just silently suffer.

I've been struggling massively with imposter syndrome about the weight loss, and I can't seem to shake it.

My heart already feels broken, but the relationship isn't over.

Everything feels so uncertain, and I hate it.

After I'm in a better place and ready, maybe I'll go to a few polyamory meetups or make a profile on a dating site that allows ethnical non-monogamy and meet someone and find enough fulfillment between my marriage and a second relationship.

My husband agreed that I'm not very needy and honestly don't need much. (His girlfriend just needs a lot.) Maybe being two men's secondary partners would be enough.

I don't know.

My husband said he'd support my decision about whether to continue our marriage, whatever it is. That we'd still remain friends, even if we were no longer married.

The thought of losing him never fails to bring me to tears.

I wish I had a crystal ball, just enough of one to let me know if I'm going to be happy again, but I'd also be scared to know the answer.

[bmodiwrites]

Steddie coffee shop au

Thanks for playing, friend! I'm always a sucker for coffee shop AUs.

The most important thing about this story is that neither Steve nor Eddie work at the coffee shop. Instead, the shop is the main location in the story. It's set in the late 80's just outside of Bloomington, Indiana were Indiana University Bloomington is located. Steve, who reluctantly went to college right after high school, frequents the coffee shop in hopes of avoiding an annoying roommate that makes studying impossible - never mind the fact that Donny's has the best espresso in the world. Eddie, on the other hand, works at the record store to the left of Donny's and tries to avoid the coffee shop like the plague. People come from it with to-go cups they aren't careful with around the records. He's cleaned more sticky coffee of the merchandise than he cares to admit. So - how do they meet?

Steve always says it was like fate that day, bringing him into the coffee shop for a pick-me-up. He didn't know his life was going to change when he stood behind the curly headed stranger but Steve's glad it happened, no matter what. It's not all that often a person meets their other half after a swapped coffee incident. Eddie, he tries to chalk it up to bad timing, but he always gets swatted for it, so his answer is always changing. One a rainy Thursday evening, Eddie never expected to walk into the damn coffee shop, let alone run into a beautiful wall of a human he later learned was called Steve Harrington. His usual cup of coffee was delayed at the store due to a small child breaking the coffee part earlier in the day, so main street coffee it is. Simply standing in Donny's is humiliating for Eddie - the fact that a gorgeous specimen of a man stands behind him is just barely enough to sweeten the terrible moments. Eddie is where he never wanted to step foot. Never mind the fact that when he actually gets his coffee it's the wrong one; while the dark espresso smells amazing, Eddie wants his sugary monstrosity of a drink. If he's going to drop a pretty penny on some coffee, it's going to be diabetes inducing.

When they go to switch coffees, it's almost laughable how dumbstruck they both are. Steve's chest got all tight when Eddie turns around to hunt for his name on someone else's cup. From the second Veronica called out the orders, Steve's known about the mix up. He wonders if Brad behind the counter got the cups all switched around on purpose. Nonetheless, Steve's caught off guard when a furrowed brow and dark brown eyes start zeroing in on people, on him. He tries to get his feet to move, but there's too much happening south of his brain for basic motor skills to compute. It's the grumpy brunette that approaches him, instead. Not to say that Eddie isn't taken by surprise when Steve finally pulls his shit together enough to answer Eddie's question. It's almost too bad that Eddie found his answer so quickly, the boy stumbling over words holding Eddie's coffee towards him is the cutest he's seen in a while and his personality seems to be on par with that diagnosis, too. The immediate anger he felt dissipates, leaving only curiosity and the slightest hitch of want behind. He decides then and there that instead of hightailing it out of the shop like he initially wanted to, Eddie's going to stay - maybe the floppy haired boy might like to do that, too.

Steve stays, there's no surprise about that. They spend a little time talking about menial things like jobs and hobbies, but that quickly gets brushed to the side when Steve notices the bats on Eddie's arms. It's a rush to then compare tattoos and share stories about trips to the parlor and future wants of more ink. Eddie's got a whole list of things he wants and for some reason, Steve hopes he's around to see the newest additions. They probably could have talked the rest of the night but Steve really does have to study and Eddie's more than likely fired for taking such a long break. Before they head out, Steve's nervously asking for Eddie's number. Eddie, the little shit that he is, takes Steve's arm and lengthens it out across the table. His fingers move nimbly to his ear where a pen Steve never noticed before is sitting. Sharp, white teeth tug at the cap until it comes off, then 10 digits are scrawled across Steve's skin. It's embarrassing to admit that Steve spends the rest of the night tracing the numbers and reliving the wink Eddie gave him as he walked out the door.

From there, the coffee shop is their sort of haven. Steve's never acted on the feelings he knows he has for other boys and Eddie's been burnt by so many people before that it's a little easier to simply share a coffee table with a cute guy with no real strings attached. Conversation is easy and never boring. Eddie knows Steve isn't the brightest bulb in the box, but he's funny and has a lot of heart. There's a crew of about six or seven kids that are always mentioned, melting Eddie's tough outer exterior little by little. Steve's seen the way Eddie sometimes looks off into space when the conversation gets slow, he's aware of the hard mask the other puts on, but the squishy inside he gets to see every now and again makes yanking that the armor off more of a game than a chore. For them both, it's nice to fall slowly, to get to know a person on neutral ground before the rest of the world comes into play. Though, there's no fight left in either of them when Steve suggests a time and place that isn't the coffee shop. And while Donny's will always be there place, Steve and Eddie quickly find that empty apartments and low-lit restaurants top sticky tables and the smell of coffee beans. There's so much more to explore now that moving forward is kind of a necessity. Then again, Steve is always going to need his Americano.

Send me a potential AU and I’ll tell you five fun facts that would happen in a story.

#steddie #steve harrington x eddie munson #eddie munson x steve harrington #eddie munson #steve harrington #steve x eddie #eddie x steve #stranger things #bobbie writes #5 AU fun facts prompts

[explode-this]

Oh yeah diabetic tip: get a good lotion like Gold Bond Diabetic’s skin relief, lotion your feet and legs at least twice a day, and wear the good socks specially for diabetics. The downside is the socks are a bit pricey but if you wash them in a lingerie bag and air dry them they’ll stay more elastic for longer. It’s a fucking game changer. The “diabetes education” I went to taught all about diet but didn’t talk about foot care or what to do for swelling. “Fortunately,” my mother was a diabetic and taught me the importance of checking my feet for injury and drying between my toes. She also lost a foot so I’m paranoid and want to take the best care possible.

#diabetes tips #diabetes type 2 #personal crap

[dauglasoliviiia]

How To Choose The Best Diabetic Socks For Women?

If you want to choose the best diabetic socks for women, it is important that you learn how to buy them. Here are some things that will help you choose them the right way: We are still in the era of flat and toe-less shoes. The traditional style is gaining popularity all over the world, especially among women. This is a very fashionable way of dressing up every hour of your day. Therefore, it's important that you care about your appearance before you get dressed up in public. They are designed to help you tolerate your foot curves better and prevent injuries like ulceration and skin infections.

#Diabetic Socks For Women

[rarigenius]

The Health of Feet and How to Take Care of Them

Our feet are a vital part of our body, but they are often neglected when it comes to health and care. They are the foundation of our body and support our weight, enabling us to stand, walk, run, and perform various physical activities. However, our feet are also prone to various health issues, such as blisters, calluses, corns, fungal infections, and other foot conditions. In this article, we will discuss the health of the feet and ways to take care of them, including preventive measures, treatment options, exercises, and lifestyle changes.

Why is it important to take care of your feet?

The feet are one of the most overlooked parts of the body, and people often neglect them until they develop a problem. However, the health of our feet is crucial for overall health and well-being. Proper foot care can help prevent foot problems, which can lead to pain, discomfort, and decreased mobility. Taking care of your feet can also help prevent serious medical conditions, such as diabetes and circulatory problems, which can have serious consequences.

What are some common foot problems and how can they be prevented?

Several foot problems can arise due to neglect or improper care. Some common foot problems include:

Blisters: Blisters can develop due to friction or rubbing against the skin. They can be prevented by wearing proper fitting shoes and socks and using foot powders or lubricants.

Corns and Calluses: Corns and calluses are thickened areas of skin that develop due to repeated pressure or friction. They can be prevented by wearing shoes that fit properly and using foot creams or pumice stones to remove dead skin.

Fungal Infections: Fungal infections such as athlete's foot are common in people who sweat excessively or wear tight-fitting shoes. They can be prevented by keeping the feet clean and dry, wearing clean socks, and using antifungal creams or powders.

Ingrown Toenails: Ingrown toenails occur when the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain and infection. They can be prevented by cutting toenails straight across and not too short.

Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes heel pain due to inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament. It can be prevented by stretching the feet and wearing proper shoes with good arch support.

What are some effective ways to maintain healthy and strong feet?

There are several ways to maintain healthy and strong feet, including:

Proper Footwear: Wearing proper footwear is essential for maintaining foot health. Shoes should fit well and provide adequate support and cushioning for the feet. Avoid wearing high heels or shoes with narrow toe boxes for extended periods.

Good Hygiene: Keeping the feet clean and dry is essential for preventing foot problems such as fungal infections. Wash your feet regularly, dry them thoroughly, and change your socks and shoes frequently.

Regular Exercise: Regular exercise can help maintain foot health by improving circulation and strengthening the muscles and bones in the feet. Walking, running, and yoga are all good options for foot health.

Foot Stretches: Stretching the feet regularly can help improve flexibility and prevent injuries. Try exercises such as toe curls, ankle circles, and calf stretches.

Foot Massage: Massaging the feet can help improve circulation, reduce tension, and relieve pain. Use a tennis ball or foam roller to massage the soles of your feet.

#healthylifestyle #health #wellness #dentalhealth #mentalhealth #exercise #meditation #bodypositivity #healthyhabits #mindfulness #naturalhealth #healthychoices #stayinghealthy #healthmatters #healthiswealth #rarigenius #rarigenius-health

[synergyprosthetics]

Synergy Prosthetics is a leading prosthetics in Fremont CA. We specialize in providing custom-made prosthetics that are designed to meet the specific needs of their patients. Our team of highly trained and experienced professionals understands the importance of quality and comfort when it comes to prosthetics. We strive to provide the best possible service for each and every one of our clients, ensuring that they are able to live life as comfortably as possible with their new prosthetic device.

Synergy Prosthetics 48521 Warm Springs Blvd. STE 317, Fremont, CA 94539 (610) 476–7202

My Official Website: https://synergypo.com/ Google Plus Listing: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=11805589097648400357

Our Other Links:

Orthopedic Shoes Bay Area: https://synergypo.com/orthotics/foot-orthoses-care/ Prosthesis Legs Bay Area: https://synergypo.com/prosthetics/ Shoes for Diabetics Bay Area: https://synergypo.com/orthotics/diabetic-shoe-care/ Orthotics San Francisco: https://synergypo.com/orthotics/ DVT Therapy Bay Area: https://synergypo.com/dme-dvt-network/ Deep Vein Thrombosis Bay Area: https://synergypo.com/deep-vein-thrombosis/ Bone Stims Bay Area: https://synergypo.com/orthotics/fracture-orthosis-care/

Service We Offer:

Prosthetics Orthotics Diabetic Shoes DVT/PE DME Network AFO CARE FOOT ORTHOSES CARE FRACTURE ORTHOSIS CARE KAFO CARE KNEE ORTHOSIS CARE SHOE CARE UCBL CARE WRIST HAND ORTHOSIS CARE DIABETIC SHOE CARE

Follow Us On:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synergypo/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SynergyProsthe1 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SynergyProsthetics/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synergyprosthetics/

#Prosthetics Fremont CA Bay Area Prosthetics Prosthesis Legs Bay Area #Youtube

[drshashibhushan]

Understanding The Impact Of Diabetes On Your Body And Organs

Living with diabetes can be challenging, as it affects various aspects of your health. It is essential to be aware of the impact diabetes can have on your body and organs to effectively manage the condition. In this blog post, we will explore the effects of diabetes on different organs and discuss the importance of seeking expert care at Livwell Clinic.

Eyes: Diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels in your eyes, leading to a condition called diabetic retinopathy. This condition can result in vision loss or even blindness if left untreated. Regular eye check-ups and timely intervention by a diabetologist can help in managing and preventing complications.

Heart and Blood Vessels: Individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease. Expert consultation and lifestyle modifications provided at Livwell Clinic can significantly reduce the risk and manage these conditions effectively.

Kidneys: Diabetes can harm the kidneys, leading to diabetic nephropathy. It is a progressive condition that affects the kidneys’ ability to filter waste from the blood. Early detection and proper management by a diabetologist can slow down the progression of kidney disease and preserve kidney function.

Nerves: Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication that affects the nerves, particularly in the feet and hands. It can cause tingling, numbness, and pain, impairing mobility and affecting quality of life. Regular monitoring and personalized treatment plans at Livwell Clinic can help manage and alleviate symptoms.

Skin: People with diabetes are prone to skin complications such as dry skin, infections, and slow wound healing. It is crucial to maintain good skin hygiene, manage blood sugar levels, and seek professional guidance at Livwell Clinic to prevent and treat these issues effectively.

Feet: Diabetic foot complications are a significant concern. Nerve damage and poor blood circulation can lead to foot ulcers, infections, and even amputations if not managed promptly. Regular foot care, early detection, and comprehensive diabetic foot care programs at Livwell Clinic can help prevent these complications.

Conclusion:

Living with diabetes requires proactive management and regular monitoring to prevent complications that can affect various organs in your body. Livwell Clinic, under the guidance of Dr. (Lt Col) Shashi Bhushan, provides comprehensive and compassionate medical care for individuals with diabetes. Dr. Bhushan’s expertise and holistic approach to patient care make Livwell Clinic an excellent choice for those seeking specialized diabetes management and prevention of organ-related complications. Remember, by seeking expert care and making necessary lifestyle changes, you can effectively manage diabetes and lead a healthy life.

#general physician #diabetes treatment #health #diabetic #diabetes prevention

[beardedmrbean]

ST. ALBANS, Vt. (AP) — Authorities in Vermont say Ugandan activist who fled his home country after he says he was repeatedly tortured for his human rights work and would fear for his life if he was deported can stay another year.

Steven Tendo, a 37-year-old pastor, was granted a one-year stay on deportation or removal on Tuesday. After a meeting at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office in northern Vermont, he thanked the two dozen advocates and friends who gathered outside the building to show their support. The newspaper VTDigger first reported on his case from Vermont.

“You mobilized, you spoke on my behalf, you poured out your hearts,” Tendo said to the small crowd. “I mean, I can't express how I feel but I am so happy and I promise I am going to be a very successful Vermonter."

In Uganda, Tendo started the nonprofit Eternal Life Organization International Ministries, that he says, among other things, helped youths to vote, incarcerated youths and those calling for reforms to express themselves in a legal and organized manner. The Ugandan government eventually saw the organization as a threat and targeted him, he said. Starting in 2012 he says he was repeatedly tortured and that government operatives severed the tips of two of his finger. He was arrested multiple times on trumped up charges but never convicted, he said.

Emails were sent to the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in Washington, D.C., seeking comment.

Uganda's human rights environment has declined markedly over the past year, according to the 2022 World Report from Human Rights Watch. In the spring of 2021, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the election in which longtime President Yoweri Museveni won a sixth term “was neither free nor fair." In announcing some visa restrictions, Blinken said “opposition candidates were routinely harassed, arrested, and held illegally without charge. Ugandan security forces were responsible for the deaths and injuries of dozens of innocent bystanders and opposition supporters.”

Tendo fled Uganda and in late 2018 sought asylum in the United States and protection under the Convention Against Torture. For a little over two years, he was detained at the Port Isabel Service Processing Center in Texas where a judge did not find him credible and denied him asylum. During his detention — which Tendo said was worse than the torture he endured in Uganda — his health declined. He said he was denied a diet to manage his diabetes, was not allowed to check his sugar levels and he became blind because of his uncontrolled sugar levels.

In August of 2020, 44 members of Congress wrote a letter to the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security urgently requesting that Tendo's deportation be halted and that he be released for “life-threatening medical reasons.” Amnesty International and other organizations also called for his release, which happened in February of 2021. An email was sent to ICE seeking comment.

After his release, Tendo was invited by the Central Vermont Refugee Action Network to live in Vermont, where he now works at the DREAM Program Inc., a nonprofit that helps youth, and he has a separate night job. He had an operation to correct the vision in one eye.

DREAM Program founder Michael Foote described Tendo as “fantastic," as he stood with others outside the immigration office on Tuesday to support him.

“He exudes charisma, and leadership and so he’s been a real asset on the fundraising side, which is where he is focused, but also an important bridge to the new American community in the Chittenden County area,” he said.

Dian Kahn, a member of the Central Vermont Refugee Action Network, who helped Tendo for about nine months when he first arrived in Vermont, also stood outside the building.

“Steven is a brilliant, caring, very special person that really wants to bring community good and in Vermont those are our values here for a lot of us,” she said.

State officials have also taken on his cause. In November, Vermont's congressional delegation and Lieutenant Gov. Molly Walsh wrote letters to acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement asking her to “exercise prosecutorial discretion in Mr. Tendo’s case." Amnesty International also sent a letter saying his “removal would constitute a grave injustice and a clear breach of U.S. obligations not to return a person to possible persecution or torture.”

Tendo appealed the judge’s decision denying his asylum to the Board of Immigration Appeals and was denied, then lost his appeal for a review of that decision in federal court. He says he plans to talk with lawyers about what to do next. He is intensively grateful for all the support and says he loves Vermont and being a Vermonter.

“I have a passion to help people in need and become a solution,” he said.

#nunyas news

[pcp-erode]

The Importance of Proper Foot Care for Diabetics

Image source

Proper foot care for people with diabetes is essential to longevity and quality of life. Diabetes can lead to a number of issues, including ulcers and pressure injuries in both your feet and legs.

A diabetic podiatrist or other foot specialists can diagnose and treat common conditions that may arise because of diabetes or other underlying health problems.

The biggest challenge will be in treating disease that has already been developed due to the side effects of delayed diagnosis.

Diabetes is a condition that can affect the health of your feet. It is important to take care of your feet to keep them healthy and avoid complications.

6 Best Diabetic Foot Care Tips For a Healthy Life

1. Keep a close watch on your blood sugar levels.

2. Wear shoes with proper arch supports and good soles for shock absorption

3. Keep nails trimmed and clean

4. Use an antibacterial soap or foot powder to wash your feet every day

5. Avoid walking barefoot in public places

6. Get regular checkups from a podiatrist

Furthermore, every diabetic patient should undergo a full foot check once a year. Along with a thorough physical examination, health care providers should reiterate best practises of diabetic foot self-care at each appointment to ensure that the individual knows the guidelines and the necessity of caring for their feet.

Infection Control: To avoid infection, aggressive infection control is required. Diabetic foot ulcers have a high morbidity and mortality rate, hence oral and topical antibiotics are advised if there is any evidence of infection. Wound dressings impregnated with antibacterial agents are commonly utilised. Simple gauze may cause skin injury.

For moderate to severe exudate, alginate and foam dressings have a high absorption. Hydrogels or dressings containing collagen and silver are particularly beneficial for diabetic foot ulcers with dying tissue. The most critical factor is to match the wound dressing's absorptive capacity to the amount of wound drainage.

Offloading the pressure on the diabetic foot ulcer: Pressure on the diabetic foot ulcer hinders healing. As a result, one important part of therapy may be a device that distributes pressure more uniformly across the lower leg.

This can be accomplished with either a fixed whole contact cast or a detachable offloading device. Unfortunately, studies have shown that many patients with detachable devices only use them 30 percent of the time, which can have a major impact on treatment outcomes.

If your feet aren't protected, you're taking a risk. There are some great preventative measures you can take in order to protect yourself against developing diabetic foot ulcers and infections. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

#health tips #diabetes #footcare #podiatry #diseases

[industry93]

Wound Care Market Growth and Investment Feasibility By 2031

Fairfield Market Research presents a comprehensive forecast for the global wound care market, projecting remarkable growth from its 2022 valuation of US$21.2 billion to an anticipated US$28.8 billion by 2030. This growth trajectory is expected to be driven by various factors, including the increasing prevalence of chronic wounds, a surge in surgical procedures, and technological advancements in wound care products and solutions.

Key Trends Fueling Market Growth:

Rising Prevalence of Chronic Wounds: Chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, and venous leg ulcers are becoming more prevalent due to factors like ageing populations, rising diabetes rates, and lifestyle-related conditions. This trend is a significant driver for the wound care market.

Increasing Surgical Procedures: The growing number of surgical procedures, both elective and trauma-related, is fueling the demand for effective wound management solutions. This trend emphasizes the need for advanced wound care products and therapies.

Dominance of Advanced Wound Care Products: In 2022, advanced wound care products dominated the industry, offering faster healing, reduced infection rates, and optimal wound management. This dominance is expected to continue, driven by ongoing advancements in wound care technology.

Focus on Surgical and Traumatic Wounds: Surgical and traumatic wounds are anticipated to dominate the market share, given the prevalence of surgical procedures and traumatic injuries worldwide.

Role of Hospitals and Clinics: Hospitals and clinics are expected to control the market due to their high patient volume and diverse wound types requiring various wound care products and solutions.

Significance of Traditional Wound Care: Traditional wound care products remain prevalent, particularly in regions with constrained healthcare budgets. These products offer a cost-effective option for wound management.

Regional Dynamics: North America is expected to lead the global wound care market, followed by the Asia Pacific region, which is witnessing rapid economic growth and technological advancements.

Comparative Analysis:

The wound care market has evolved significantly over the years, driven by technological advancements and changing healthcare needs. From basic dressings to sophisticated wound care products like bioengineered skin substitutes, the market has witnessed remarkable growth.

Growth Determinants:

Increasing Significance of Advanced Wound Care: Industries beyond healthcare, including pharmaceuticals, sports, military, and veterinary care, are recognizing the importance of advanced wound care in facilitating quicker healing and minimizing complications.

Demand Surge at Hospitals and Clinics: With a rise in surgical procedures and chronic illnesses globally, hospitals and clinics are playing a pivotal role in driving the demand for effective wound care solutions.

Increasing Incidence of Chronic Wounds: The growing prevalence of chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, is expected to be a major driver for market growth.

Major Growth Barriers:

High Costs of Advanced Wound Care Products: The high cost of advanced wound care products poses a notable constraint, particularly in regions with constrained healthcare budgets.

Concerns Around Adverse Effects: Concerns about adverse effects and allergies associated with certain wound care products hinder market expansion.

Key Trends and Opportunities:

Growing Demand for Advanced Wound Care Products: The demand for advanced wound care products is driven by their superior efficacy in promoting accelerated wound healing and reducing infection rates.

Focus on Patient-Centric Wound Care: There's a shift towards patient-centric wound care, emphasizing personalized treatment plans and considering patients' overall well-being.

Rise in Chronic Wounds and Lifestyle Diseases: Lifestyle diseases like diabetes contribute to the rise in chronic wounds, creating opportunities for advanced wound care solutions.

Regulatory Scenario:

Stringent regulatory guidelines ensure the safety and efficacy of wound care products, shaping the industry's development and competitiveness.

Competitive Landscape:

The global wound care market is dominated by major players like Smith & Nephew, 3M, and Johnson & Johnson, who continue to innovate and expand their product offerings.

[podiatrywoodville]

Podiatry FAQs: Answers to Common Questions About Foot Care

Foot health is essential for maintaining overall wellbeing and mobility, yet many people overlook the importance of proper foot care until problems arise. Podiatrists, or foot doctors, specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide range of foot and ankle conditions, from ingrown toenails to plantar warts. In this article, we'll address some common questions about foot care and podiatry, providing valuable insights into maintaining healthy feet for life.

What is Podiatry?

Podiatry is a specialized branch of medicine focused on the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower extremities. Podiatrists are healthcare specialists who undergo extensive training to become experts in foot care. They address various foot conditions, including ingrown toenails, calluses, plantar warts, heel pain, and structural abnormalities affecting gait and posture.

When Should I See a Podiatrist?

It's essential to seek podiatric care if you experience persistent foot pain, discomfort, or changes in foot appearance or function. Additionally, individuals with chronic health conditions such as diabetes or arthritis should schedule regular foot examinations with a podiatrist to prevent complications and maintain foot health.

How Can I Prevent Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, and infection. To prevent ingrown toenails, trim toenails straight across and avoid cutting them too short. Wear properly fitted shoes with adequate room for toes, and avoid tight footwear that can compress the toes and increase the risk of ingrown toenails.

What Are Plantar Warts, and How Are They Treated?

Plantar warts are small growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that develop on the soles of the feet. They can be painful and unsightly, affecting mobility and comfort. Podiatrists offer various treatment options for plantar warts, including topical medications, cryotherapy (freezing), laser therapy, and surgical removal.

How Can I Relieve Heel Pain?

Heel pain, often caused by conditions such as plantar fasciitis or heel spurs, can be debilitating and affect daily activities. Podiatrists recommend conservative treatments such as stretching exercises, orthotic inserts, supportive footwear, and physical therapy to alleviate heel pain and improve foot function.

What Are Orthotics, and Who Can Benefit from Them?

Orthotics are custom-made shoe inserts designed to support the feet, improve biomechanics, and alleviate pain and discomfort. They can benefit individuals with various foot conditions, including flat feet, high arches, heel pain, and structural abnormalities affecting gait. Podiatrists prescribe orthotics as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to address specific foot concerns and promote optimal foot health.

How Can I Maintain Healthy Feet?

Maintaining healthy feet involves practicing good foot hygiene, wearing supportive footwear, and seeking prompt treatment for foot problems. Wash feet daily with soap and water, dry them thoroughly, and moisturize to prevent dry skin and cracks. Wear properly fitted shoes with adequate support and cushioning, and replace worn-out footwear regularly to prevent foot pain and injury.

Conclusion

Podiatry plays a crucial role in promoting foot health and addressing common foot concerns. By seeking podiatric care, individuals can receive personalized treatment and preventive measures to maintain healthy feet for life. If you have questions or concerns about foot care, don't hesitate to consult with a podiatrist for expert advice and guidance tailored to your specific needs. With proper care and attention, you can enjoy pain-free mobility and optimal foot function for years to come.

#podiatry #foot care #foot treatment #podiatrists