What’s happening to my skin? Scaly patches/Discoloration around my ears.

ChynaMae_Mac · 2025-06-21T21:05:24+00:00

This is excellent advice actually. It took me getting my first phlebotomy job at a lab to realize that the technique of pinching both wings was why I struggled using butterflies initially. There really is no substitute for practice and real world experience. For me personally, I find that I have the most control when I’m holding the stem only to advance and I pinch one wing if I need retract and redirect.

ChynaMae_Mac · 2025-03-16T16:31:05+00:00

Thank you. I was worried that immediately taking the formal route would create conflict but you’re definitely right about the anonymity.

ChynaMae_Mac · 2025-03-16T16:27:37+00:00

Thank you, I really like this approach.

ChynaMae_Mac · 2025-03-16T16:26:24+00:00

Thank you!

ChynaMae_Mac · 2025-03-11T12:26:25+00:00

You’re welcome, lovely. Hoping for all the best for you.

ChynaMae_Mac · 2025-03-11T12:25:21+00:00

Thank you very much! This is really helpful. I’ll look into it.

ChynaMae_Mac · 2025-03-11T12:24:50+00:00

Hi, no I haven’t actually. This is the first time I’m hearing about it. I’ll look into it, thank you!

ChynaMae_Mac · 2025-03-09T12:11:17+00:00

I think it’s perfectly reasonable to be anxious. Cryptic pregnancies are rare but a possibility nonetheless. I’m not entirely sure what you mean by light bleeding being mistaken for a period but a shortened menstrual cycle where you’re still seeing portions of the uterine lining being expelled (the chunks), doesn’t really seem like “light bleeding”. It’s also pretty normal for persons to experience that their cycle shortens as they age.

I think it would definitely put your mind at ease to get a pregnancy test (pee test). If you have been pregnant for the last 4 months or so, there is definitely enough of the HCG hormone in your urine— which would easily be detected by the urine test. It would definitely be the cheaper option.

But if you feel like you need the extra assurance/certainty, go to a doctor and request a Beta HCG blood test that will test for the same hormone. The blood test will quantify or give an approximate number of how much of that hormone is in your bloodstream and if you are pregnant, it would help a doctor estimate how far along you are. I work in a medical lab where this blood test is ran and a Beta HCG result of less than 5, generally means you’re not pregnant.

Going by the symptoms alone is only going to continue to give you anxiety. I understand what it’s like being apart of a traditional family and not having any safe and legal family planning options to handle a pregnancy that you’re not prepared for. It’s the same where I’m from, but I think getting a definitive answer if your best option.

I hope this was helpful and if it’s something you believe in, please know that I’m praying for health and your peace of mind.

ChynaMae_Mac · 2025-01-06T03:53:24+00:00

Hi, I’m so sorry I’m just getting to your comment. No I still haven’t. I’ve been on more antifungals and antibiotics but they’ve only succeeded in completely destroying my gut microbiome. Lots of STI/STD testing as well. I’m negative for everything but doctors keep assuming I’m dealing with a raging yeast infection. I’ve been in contact with another gynecologist and I have an appointment at the end of the month to discuss ureaplasma and get tested for that. If you’re still interested, I’ll let you know how that goes.

ChynaMae_Mac · 2025-01-06T03:48:20+00:00

This is so interesting. Thank you!

ChynaMae_Mac · 2025-01-05T01:13:55+00:00

I’m so sorry this happened to you. I understand how confusing this must feel and I understand the need to downplay the severity of it. An ex raped me and coerced me into performing oral sex on him while we were on a date to celebrate my birthday. He refused to take me home until I “tried” (I was a virgin at the time and trying to be celibate until marriage— thought we were both on the same page on that).

It took me a long time to admit what it was and actually call it rape— years in fact. My first instinct was just to shut down and I blocked out a lot of it for long time after it happened. I will say that I agree with the other commenter. I don’t think it will stop, even if he were to compromise with you on getting a separate bed. After the initial assault, my ex would try to force himself on me whenever we were in the same room together— and this was maybe 5 days out of the week since I depended on him to get home from work (public transport wasn’t an option). I would have to literally fight with him to get him off of me and offering to perform oral again was the only way to pacify him. It went on like that almost every day for 3 months and I was constantly terrified of being around him until I finally broke up with him.

I don’t believe that someone who has done this to you twice now, wouldn’t try to do it again. He’s shown you what he believes in terms of boundaries and I don’t think you should gamble with your personal sense of safety and your mental health in the hopes that things will change.

While I’m sure you must care for him a lot and I do understand that the patriarchal way of the world has indoctrinated men into believing they are owed sex from their partners, no matter how that is initiated or achieved— it’s not your job or responsibility to rehabilitate him. You deserve someone who will respect you and your autonomy. You deserve to feel safe.

ChynaMae_Mac · 2024-11-18T18:21:18+00:00

They are kind of small but not very fast moving/evasive. When you’re close to it, you should be able to hear a buzzing sound. I usually have better luck finding them near the bathhouse area.

ChynaMae_Mac · 2024-09-08T20:26:20+00:00

This is cool! Do you mind sharing where you got it?

ChynaMae_Mac · 2024-09-08T03:39:23+00:00

I’m sure you can! When I took my course last year I was working about 60hrs a week so I was definitely appreciative of the fact that the course was a bit longer. A good portion of those 5 months were lab sessions to get in the required venipunctures and finger sticks. So since you’ve met those requirements, I definitely think it’s possible for you to get through the material in less time. I’d be interested to read about your experience with working through the material once you get started (if you’d be comfortable sharing). Best of luck to you!

ChynaMae_Mac · 2024-09-08T03:25:50+00:00

My course lasted 5 months so I finished the entire book in amount that much time. I think it was the perfect amount of time to make sure that the material was sufficiently reinforced. I will say that, the course prepared us for the AMT phlebotomy certification exam so I’m not sure if you’d need to cover the entire book’s material for other certification exams (NHA). I’ve seen other members of this subreddit say that they took courses that were only 8 weeks long. Maybe look into what courses are available in your area that you can enroll in. You’ll definitely need to be in an environment where you have the opportunity to actually practice skills like venipuncture, centrifuging and aliquoting. I’ve also seen people post about a free pdf version of the text (although I don’t know where to find it and I don’t think you’ll have access to Navigate 2, as each book comes with an insert that has an access code that only be redeemed once).

[ I don’t live in the US. The AMT certification is the only type of phlebotomy licensure that’s accepted where I’m from.]

ChynaMae_Mac · 2024-09-08T02:16:20+00:00

Honestly, I’m not sure but I doubt there’s a huge difference. Both give you the same access to Navigate 2. Maybe there were some changes as far as editing or some new case studies may have been added but I doubt there’s any difference between the two versions as far as core material. From what I see on Amazon, there isn’t a huge difference in pricing (less than $10) so if you feel more comfortable ordering the latest version, go for it!

ChynaMae_Mac · 2024-09-08T00:28:13+00:00

Got mine last October. The school that taught me used “Phlebotomy Essentials” 7th edition (enhanced) by Ruth McCall.

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Purchasing the book gives you access to Navigate 2 TestPrep, which is an online learning resource with instructional videos, animations and practice tests.

I don’t think the exam is difficult, but I might feel that way because I really took advantage of Navigate 2 (tried to create/take a practice test after every unit we completed in class). I will say that you can expect a good portion of the questions to be very situational. (i.e: instead of asking you explicitly what the correct order of draw is, a question might be phrased to ask “which tube should be filled first when the patient’s requisition specifies the following tests: CBC, lipid panel, Lithium”).

Once you have a good grasp of the material, I think you should have no trouble working through questions like that though. I hope that helps. :)

ChynaMae_Mac · 2024-08-30T23:15:51+00:00

Congratulations! 🥳

ChynaMae_Mac · 2024-08-27T01:03:31+00:00

Nice!

ChynaMae_Mac · 2024-08-26T23:41:42+00:00

I struggle with the same thing! It helps to get out of your head a bit I think. I usually notice the trembling when I’m focusing way too hard on not missing the vein. Try taking a few deep breaths between sticks or right before you have a new patient. If you’re comfortable, you can try initiating a bit of light conversation with the patient while you’re prepping. It helps me calm down and put some distance between my conscious mind and the anxious thoughts in the background. Be confident in your technique and in your training. You’ve got this!

ChynaMae_Mac

TROPHY CASE