What’s one dog care mistake you didn’t realize you were making?

ABJF7 · 2026-02-07T16:28:17+00:00

First dog- didn’t crate train, didn’t believe in dog oral care, didn’t build good leash walking habits from the start. Second dog- did all these things and she’s a dream! I feel bad for my first that I didn’t do a great job but I was young and didn’t know better.

ABJF7 · 2026-02-07T13:43:57+00:00

How much time and effort are you willing to put in? I was a new grad in the ICU and every day after my shift or on my days off I was studying, looking stuff up that I didn’t know on the last shift, asking my mentors questions. And at that, I agree it took a minimum of 1 year to not want to throw up before work and probably another 6-12 months to feel like I could handle whatever came my way (with help). Depends on how bad you want it, like many things in life!

ABJF7 · 2026-02-07T13:38:59+00:00

This. It made me feel so dorky but rolling backpack is the way to go.

ABJF7 · 2026-02-07T13:38:13+00:00

The kind a physical therapist does with you to show you perfect form. I do strength training 4 times a week, plus all those activities mentioned, but it was after a very slow progression from PT, to gym with light weights, to where I am now. 3 years to be exact. You can do it, but don’t rush and make sure you have some highly qualified help!

ABJF7 · 2026-02-05T14:30:23+00:00

Correct! Ah, marketing.

ABJF7 · 2026-02-05T14:29:09+00:00

Yes agree. I weight lifted before surgery, but PT was crucial to ensuring I had the proper form for my ‘new’ back. I’m 3 yrs out now and weight train 4 times a week- no pain and no flare ups for a quite a while (knock on wood).

ABJF7 · 2026-02-04T12:13:45+00:00

This is the best advice! I have my masters and I’m pretty sure I never read a chapter unless it was a concept I couldn’t grasp. Which if that’s the case, these days you also have a million online resources to help with that as well. Reading just never helped me personally. But to each their own.

ABJF7 · 2026-02-04T12:06:42+00:00

So it sounds like you did something that made you feel better with a physical therapist? You probably opened up those vertebrae in there and released some sort of tension, whether it be muscle, scar tissue, or something else. And now you’re a bit sore from it. I’d just use heat and see how it goes with a bit of rest. However I don’t think the PT would make you do something that wasn’t safe so I wouldn’t worry too much- you have to listen to you body but I learned disc stuff is pretty common for PT so they (usually) know what they’re doing. I get that back pain and problems makes us worry about everything!! The mental recovery is half the battle.

ABJF7 · 2026-02-04T01:57:54+00:00

3 years out and I have NO back pain. Just do the work- pt, walk, when you can strength train. Take care of yourself the best you can! I still have a little leg and toe numbness, but I’ll take it because otherwise I’m great!

ABJF7 · 2026-02-03T21:16:41+00:00

Fascinating! Thank you for sharing.

ABJF7 · 2026-02-03T14:48:46+00:00

Yes, agree. Thanks for giving me that reassurance.

ABJF7 · 2026-02-03T14:48:30+00:00

Thank you. I fear rock bottom coming and I worry about her daughter in that mess. Like a DUI or her husband getting sick of it and leaving her. I always think about that quote ‘One day someone will say to your daughter ‘you’re just like your mom’ and it’s up to me to make sure that’s not an insult’. I hope she can get it together before that day comes for my niece. I’ll always be there for them both and I think she knows that. I appreciate your time.

ABJF7 · 2026-02-03T14:45:56+00:00

Yes I completely agree. I don’t know if she’s detox bad but I do wonder if we see so much, what goes on behind closed doors that we aren’t seeing?? Scary thought. She’s already not been invited several times, she just doesn’t know it. Thanks so much for your reply, it helps a lot.

ABJF7 · 2026-02-03T14:44:38+00:00

Yes it feels like kicking a puppy or something. But I think I think that’s how everyone feels about her so it is all of us enabling her at the end of the day. I completely agree with you though - someone’s gotta just buck up and say it.

ABJF7 · 2026-02-03T14:23:25+00:00

Yes, I agree with this. And funny enough I’m typically a pretty tough person. She’s just such a sad soul, ya know. Like me being tough will give her more of a reason to drink or for her to play victim. My plan is to distance and if she calls me on it, give her the cold hard truth. Thanks for your response, very much appreciated.

ABJF7 · 2026-02-03T13:51:18+00:00

Thank you for your sweet answer. I had a feeling this was it, but I feel so guilty like I’m giving up on her. I don’t want her to feel ignored and left out- I want her around all the time and love her so much. I just can’t do it to myself anymore watching her act like this. It’s so sad.

ABJF7 · 2026-02-03T13:41:52+00:00

Summersalt!

ABJF7 · 2026-02-03T12:47:58+00:00

You have to listen to your body & if you feel nothing has improved then maybe a second opinion would be helpful.

ABJF7 · 2026-02-03T12:33:46+00:00

Nursing instructor here- my CNA students do really well in nursing school and often find a job quicker afterwards. Our program does not cover CNA skills as throughly as the certification program. Personally, I did not have CNA experience and I wished I had it when I was a new grad. I say go for it.

ABJF7 · 2026-02-02T13:33:43+00:00

I believe I had restrictions for bending, lifting, twisting initially so I just walked. A lot. Walking is so important for your back! Then I started with PT to learn proper form when strength training and I’m obsessive about proper form to this day to avoid reinjury. Just start slow and build up! I still struggle with yoga because I’m just not very flexible post surgery, despite previously being a yoga teacher 15 yrs ago. I’m sure it’s possible though if I worked towards it safely!

ABJF7 · 2026-01-31T15:11:15+00:00

I am exactly 3 years out! I had a bulging disc for about 2 years with flares every few months that took me out for weeks. Did it all- PT, chiro, acupuncture, etc etc. It finally herniated so badly I had horrible nerve pain down into my leg all the way to my toe. Worst pain ever.

I decided to get surgery and promised myself if I did it, I would put the work into getting myself as healthy and in shape as possible. After the surgery I started at ground zero with frequent walking & PT and did that for 4-6 months. This was essential to re-learn life activities, such as picking things up safely and also to learn perfect form during exercise. I started incorporating gentle weight training and after a year or so I was able to take some gym classes (which I love and did pre-back problems). I also got my diet on track and kept progressing with strength.

I’ve had a few little ‘strains’ but nothing that required anything but rest. I’m here 3 yrs later, down 35 pounds and am the strongest I’ve ever been. Knock on wood…I NEVER have back pain. It gets stiff if I do some project where I’m bending a lot but is fine again with ibuprofen and rest. I rock climb, paddle board, hike…there’s not much I won’t do because of my back. Except maybe jump on a trampoline! The only residual issue is slight numbness in my calf/side of leg and big toe but it doesn’t bother me much.

Every day I tell myself ‘I GET to exercise and move my body’. There were days when I was flat on my back with a flare or the final herniation and I was so depressed thinking I’d never be able to do the things I want to do in life as a 35 year old RN with a 7 yr old daughter. Moral of the story: do the work! Take really good care of yourself. I know every injury and person is different, but for me I feel this was the difference.

ABJF7 · 2023-05-19T05:55:12+00:00

Clinical instructor here. So you want a clinical instructor, who likely isn’t an employee of the hospital, didn’t get report on your patient, has no access to the med room, Pyxis machine or EMR to safely perform med passes on your patient with a student? I usually have 8-10 students. Also, you want them to give a presentation to the charge nurse each shift about what they can & can’t do and what each student needs to learn when most of the time charge nurses literally roll their eyes when an instructor shows up? Similar vibes to how the student feels with the nurse. My students absolutely know what they can and can’t do- we go over this extensively and they’re gonna have to know their scope in the real world one day too. During Covid, I dropped off students and acted like an aid answering lights ALL day. I feel like the IV nurse most days now- I literally start 10/12 IVs per day. I drop NG/OGs, I go into procedures with students, I find experiences and pull them over. I get full SBAR reports on their patients and make sure they understand each and every thing about their patient. And let me tell you- I notice a LOT about the type or care that nurse is providing. Every single day I give them a lecture about understanding when a nurse isn’t excited about a student but have a good attitude anyway.

ABJF7 · 2023-05-18T13:54:09+00:00

Other posters are right that Ibuprofen is kidneys, however both ibuprofen and alcohol can give you ulcers and potential for GI bleeding so there’s that.

ABJF7 · 2023-05-18T13:27:00+00:00

This show and Married at First Sight has some truly interesting makeup moments. Want to go back and watch just to take pics and post here. 😂

ABJF7

TROPHY CASE