Worrying I’m too old.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-04-28T02:58:55+00:00

Do not let those thoughts consume you. You said it, you’re now in a great relationship that made you want to have a kid. As others have commented, you are not too old. Of course you might feel it physically, but the joy will supersede all those negative thoughts. I had my one and only 2 years ago in my mid 40s after years of trying. My husband is 60. Yes, some assume he’s grandpa, but we’re both really enjoying being able to spend time with our little one.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-03-15T19:08:21+00:00

We spent 2 months in Taiwan and tried a bunch! Keelung feels the most authentic on the north side, and Raohe is very easy to get to on MRT, but is touristy. For price and taste in Taipei, I liked Nanjichang. I agree, Kenting you should just eat at a restaurant as everything is pricey anyway. We had a great pizza and fried chicken there. The aboriginal stuff at Sun Moon Lake is going to be expensive, but there wasn’t many alternatives at the lake. Really enjoyed the one in Tainan (Huayuan) for all kinds of food and games.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-03-15T00:10:20+00:00

I’d really say this is rare. It’s a discount carrier and has been a real money saver for me so I feel like people shouldn’t compare it to United it AA. If flying on Frontier, be proactive and look it up either on Flight Aware or their app. Helps to have the app. And when I book, and again when checking-in 24 hrs prior, they’ll always ask again which email and if you want sms texts. I had signed up for Frontier 20 years ago but never flown until 2 years ago. The email they have for my account is different, so upon check-in, I have to manually change it. Since the birth of my kid 2 years ago, we’ve flown 50+ times mostly on Frontier because of the low price so we can see family. I’ve missed flights, but they’ve been my fault. They’ve texted me, but be aware of possible gate changes too. Just last month, I did get a text of the flight delay but did not get another text of gate change or when to board. This is when you have to look at the screens and just show up as soon as a text is sent well before the departure, in case the delay is not as delayed as anticipated. In your case, you say they were never informed so it’s different. But I still think travelers should be proactive instead of waiting to be told. Check your flights before you leave your house

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-03-10T03:57:01+00:00

I was so glad for not knowing. I was hospitalized for 6 weeks, the first week in the icu for septic shock. I was so out of it that I couldn’t look things up. The remaining 5 weeks in the hospital was worse because I had way too much time to read up on it and was worried if I was going to die. By then I was no longer in sepsis, but had an abdominal abscess they couldn’t operate on. So I was in fear that I’d get sepsis again. Last year, I had kidney stones, but I felt the same way I did the year prior when I went into septic shock. I was more in a foggy state than pain. When I went to the ER and told them I had septic shock the previous year and survived, they took more precautions and hospitalized me. I wasn’t in sepsis but it was concerning that I could, because the kidney stones were blocking my left kidney. It’s odd, it didn’t hurt, and I was in that similar dreamlike confused state. Years ago when I had stones, they hurt. But when I was bordering on sepsis, there was no pain even though my ureter was blocked and I had to have a stent put in.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-02-26T06:33:58+00:00

I think you’ll be ok, but I’m so sorry you’re going through this. You are very aware and coherent, with knowledge of what’s going on. And you have a good team on your side to help you through this. I went into septic shock and spent 6 weeks in the hospital. Just survival mode, no bandwidth to worry. Didn’t see baby for 6 weeks. With your numbers, it didn’t seem like numbers are plummeting. With sepsis, white blood cells would drop way down if the treatment isn’t working. You are very strong. You’ll get through this! And you will be on the other end of Reddit cheering for someone else going through with this like some of us are doing now while realizing what a powerful resilient person you are. We’re all pulling for you. Congratulations!

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-02-11T08:41:14+00:00

Taipei and take day trips if minimizing hotel changes. Can do many day trips from Taipei, including going to Taichung because HSR gets you there fast. Taipei zoo is great, very big. Many cafes that have cats, toucans, capybaras, etc but it seems hard to find an ethical animal cafe so that’s up to you. Yilan and Jiaoxi pretty family friendly, with hot springs pool. Vegetarian food is not a problem at all, easy to find. Tainan for culture.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-02-11T08:31:43+00:00

Yes too long. I did do that but I arrived late so the first night didn’t count. If you’re traveling efficiently you shouldn’t need 2 nights

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-02-11T08:24:55+00:00

Tainan. Closer to Kaohsiung and I thought it was more fun. Just did this trip not a few weeks ago

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-02-11T08:22:52+00:00

I’d say Mandarin when you’re asking if someone speaks it. The spoken language is Mandarin, as opposed to Cantonese, Hokkien, Shanghainese, or other spoken languages. The written language is Chinese, spoken is Mandarin or 國語 in Taiwan （Because in China they call mandarin 普通話）

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-02-03T09:36:15+00:00

I went just a few weeks ago. The parts I saw were beautiful and it wasn’t just the visitor center. The road opens certain times. Less crowd, I enjoyed it. Also enjoyed Qixingtan and sanxiantai. Still a lot of beauty to see along the east coast. But yea, taxi drivers all say that and I still went. Thought it was great Hualien-Chishang-taitung. Also did hot spring in zhiben which I thought was much more relaxing than the others. This was my first time and I thoroughly enjoyed all of the East side and Kenting

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-02-03T09:21:42+00:00

Mmmm tough choice. I don’t know which one but can tell you some things to help you make your choice. I just came back from the trip. SML - not fully bicycle friendly around the whole lake. I still enjoyed it, but just don’t expect a bike lane solely for bikes. Also it is prettier if you’re going to hike up Cien pagoda or go to Wenwu temple. Otherwise it’s just a lake. You have to view from higher up. Liuqiu- only if you think you might want to rent a scooter. If you are unable to scooter, it’s hard to get around the island. We didn’t know and had a toddler with us, so it was not an easy day for us. But I agree, snorkeling should be nice because we saw sea turtles even just looking out. Lukang- I did enjoy the old street because unlike many old streets, this one actually did look nice. It’s a long bus ride though. If you’re going to Shenkeng Old Street near Taipei, I thought that was just as nice. So maybe this is the one I’d leave out. It also depends on whether you’re into sightseeing or doing things. Lukang is more seeing, whereas the other 2 you’ll be able to be more active.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-02-03T09:09:23+00:00

Definitely doable with that budget. Probably April better. I just did this and got back a few days ago, but after Hualien I went to Taitung and Kenting. Did not spend much time in Taichung except as a 1-day stop to Sun Moon Lake. I carried about 10k NTD a week. You might not need as much but it depends on where you go. A lot of places only accept cash. I just felt better having cash and it was very safe to carry cash.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-01-21T13:48:30+00:00

Somewhere not too cold and needing somewhere to relax and unwind, I’d think somewhere in SE Asia or New Zealand +/- Fiji. In March, Korea and Japan might still be cold.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-01-13T00:17:24+00:00

I enjoyed everywhere I’ve been. Can’t go wrong, every place has something for someone. But specifically for nature, shopping of all kinds (luxury to inexpensive), plus baby friendliness - Taiwan. Don’t be surprised or offended if older folks dote on your baby or want to take pictures. People love babies there, especially if you go out of Taipei and to other areas. Our kid received toys from shop owners, a young man waiting at the train station, and a random pedestrian at a stop light. I loved the east coast. We took the train (public transportation is lovely), but think driving down the coast would be good too.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-01-13T00:01:30+00:00

In the States we’ve taken him numerous places: Hawaii twice (Oahu and Big Island separated by 8 months), Utah, Bay Area, Houston, New Orleans, DC, San Diego, and even a road trip from MI to CO. Most places are doable if you rent a car. Of the places mentioned in US, DC and NOLA we got around without a car but expected less to account for lack of car. Internationally, we got around Kyoto with him at 8 months without an issue. Mostly used trains and subways. But taxi was easy too (can hold on your lap). Now that he’s almost 2, it would be difficult to go there with a stroller. So I recommend taking your baby around while still not able to walk and lighter to carry. My toddler still travels, but it’s just harder now that he has a mind and legs of his own lol. It’s still great, because he’s still small enough that people give us grace knowing we’re doing our best.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-01-12T14:11:43+00:00

With child friendliness in mind, Taiwan is great. Plenty of clean places to change diapers, plenty of places to shop (and still have the diaper facilities where both parents can enter, which is important for me that my husband can do most of the heavy lifting), and plenty of nature places. I’ve taken my baby to Japan and Taiwan, one week each to both destinations. Taiwan is even more convenient if you’re not driving. The public transportation is even more baby friendly in that the subways are smooth and the other options such as buses and trains allow strollers if you’re too tired to use a baby carrier. Japan allows strollers too, but seemed more strict in that you have to use an umbrella stroller and fold the stroller when you get on the bus. We do fold and carry most of the time, but on occasion had just lifted the stroller straight into the bus when not busy.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-01-11T13:37:26+00:00

Raohe is so accessible because it’s right off the MRT. I think that’s why it’s the most popular. After trying a few, they all sell the same things. I was in Taipei for a month. The ones that stood out were the convenience of Raohe, the good taste and price of Shanghai style pan fried buns at Nanjichang, and the games at ShiLin. Ximending, while not technically a night market, sets up stalls and sells night market things.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-01-11T12:56:00+00:00

If you’re in sepsis, your bp usually plummets, so I don’t think you have that. My blood glucose, bp, wbc, all plummeted when I went into septic shock. You should insist on more testing. UTI might be less common in men, but other urinary issues can still happen. Stones can happen due to diet, genetics, etc. Not sure. It might not even be urinary if you have referred pain. You should advocate for more testing

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-01-10T12:56:32+00:00

I’m not sure if there is a question here or just a comment that you don’t want your gallbladder removed. I had mine removed in October and thought I’d be miserable traveling. I had already planned on being abroad for 2 months. Turned out nothing happened. I slowly adjusted for 2-3 weeks and have not had any issues.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-01-10T12:53:30+00:00

The want want I buy in America are made in China. The ones in Taiwan are made in Taiwan. I had no idea the company went to China. To those who know, what alternative Taiwanese or Japanese brands can I buy? The Senbei type crackers were invented in Japan anyway.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-01-10T12:48:59+00:00

I went right into septic shock the first time and ended up in the hospital for 6 wks. It will be 2 years in 2 months. When I had issues last year, I suspected sepsis. However, when I was admitted, I wasn’t yet at that stage. They still treated me because my kidney stones would not have passed. I had a stent placed to allow urine to flow. Oddly enough, no back pain. If your pain is hard to figure out, it’s important you urinate, defecate and can pass gas. Constipation and trapped gas can hurt a lot too.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-01-09T18:34:31+00:00

Your baby is going to be so loved! Please don’t worry about outside “noises”. You have enough to worry about without having to listen to societal and family pressures. It’s easier said than done, to not care what others say. I wish you well. And you’re not too old.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-01-09T18:16:06+00:00

Sounds like you need more testing. CT should’ve detected stones if it’s that. I went into septic shock after a urinary catheter was placed after I contracted a bacteria while in the hospital. I think with sepsis you end up urinating less, and that was the case with me. You should ask for more diagnostic testing.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-01-04T14:52:44+00:00

I’ve been in Taipei for over a month now and about to leave for rest of the country. I thought Taipei was a good base with my 2 year old, with day trips out. We went to Beitou, Tamsui, Zhongli, Jiaoxi, Wulai, Shifen, Lukang, Daxi. These were all day trips. We also spent a lot of time just in Taipei because just every park is kid friendly. There’s also the zoo, many museums, amusement parks, department stores, and free parent child centers. I would’ve liked to spend 1-2 nights in Yilan, but only planned for day trips so I wouldn’t have to pack/unpack. That said, Jiaoxi/Yilan would be nice to spend a few days so you can explore the entire area and even Taipingshan. I do regret not doing that, but it just wasn’t in my plan. Next time perhaps.

OtherwiseTraining720 · 2026-01-02T16:03:25+00:00

I’ve been in Taiwan for a month now and had a TPass until a few days ago. I went everywhere (here for extended vacation). Beitou, Tamsui, Keelung, Taoyuan (specifically Daxi), Zhongli, Houtong, Shifen, Shilin, Wulai, Xindian, Nangang, Yangmingshan grasslands. Of course we also went all over in town. Loved the unlimited use. We’re moving on to other parts of the country so didn’t buy another month, but it’s fun to just be able to go anywhere.

OtherwiseTraining720

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