There are some things we shouldn't sound happy about...

During my high school years, I took mainly business classes. I have worked many office jobs and held to the lessons I was taught about answering the phone with a smile on my face. By doing this simple act, you are able to automatically sound happy to the person on the other end of the line.  This is a great piece of advice. HOWEVER, I feel that there are just certain times you should not use that tactic.

We have all heard the commercials about different medications. I am sure we can all agree that we are left to wonder whether our ailment is really that hard to deal with after listening to the side effects.   I have normally heard a man’s voice rattle through the list so fast that you almost don’t have time to even comprehend what he is saying. The other day I was busy picking things up and heard a commercial in the background. I stopped, my hands full of laundry, and stared in disbelief at the TV. It was a woman’s voice. You could tell she was smiling as she spoke although you could not see her. She began in her cheery tone, “Talk to your doctor before taking this drug. There have been reports of difficulty swallowing while taking this medication as well as stomach upset, diarrhea, headaches, skin rashes, insomnia, and loss of vision. Depression, suicidal thoughts, and possible death may occur.”

There are just some things you should not sound happy about. I would think a voice of alarm would be more appropriate along with slowing down so we could catch all that information. Maybe a more compassionate, slow-speaking, male voice needs to be announcing the effects. Something along this line:   “I would like to inform you of the issues you may be up against if you take this medication.  You could possibly break out in a severe skin rash for which you would have to take another prescription.  Soak that in for a moment…. You may go blind. I want you to really think about whether your insomnia is all that bad for which you are considering this medication.  Even if you are able to sleep, you may fill your days with being sick to your stomach accompanied by migraines and diarrhea…. Are you still willing to try it?  How about trying a glass of hot milk first?”

I am not trying to make light of the conditions people suffer and I am not against medication.  Some of the effects just seem a bit extreme. I understand that people just want the suffering to end but at what cost?   My mind is still trying to wrap around what I heard.  I am left to wonder if this woman was trying too hard to do the best job she could or if the tactic of the cheery voice is to make the effects sound like they are really not that big of deal.  Maybe she was hired to be the Pied Piper of Pharmaceuticals. 

The Taboo I am Willing to Talk About - Physical Consequences

My last article introduced the topic for my next few writing sessions, namely abortion. People tend to have very judgmental responses when this issue is brought up. What I want to do is educate others on the consequences of this decision.   Today we will look at the physical complications  that can result from the abortion procedure.

 Some complications are immediate and can  be short-term or long-term. Shock is one thing that can happen due to significant blood loss, causing the blood pressure as the heart rate increased. Perforation of the uterus can cause pelvic abscess that can result in death. Hemorrhaging can be a sign of infection involving many areas invaded by the procedure. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and fever can be signs of infection. Either of these issues needs to be treated immediately.

Other complications can happen years down the road. A post-abortive woman has a 50% higher chance of getting breast cancer and increased risk of cancer of the ovaries, liver and cervix, especially if performed on a woman’s first pregnancy. The reasoning behind this is that the  interruption in the hormones causes millions of cells to be at a high risk.

The uterus has the possibility of being punctured due to the instruments used during the procedure. Cervical lacerations or tears can occur. Abortions can result in placenta previa causing the placenta to be too close to the cervix . This can result in pre-term labor in subsequent pregnancies, many times requiring a cesarean section delivery of the baby. This condition can carry a higher risk of death and handicaps in newborns.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (inflammation of the reproductive organs) is yet another physical risk. This has many complications in itself, causing severe pelvic pain and scarring in the fallopian tubes.  It is a major cause of ectopic pregnancies in which the fertilized egg remains in the fallopian tube rather than making its way to the uterus.   This can be life threatening and can also be a factor in infertility.

Another heartbreaking circumstance that can occur is miscarriage, which is the natural termination of a pregnancy. Chances of miscarrying in a future pregnancy are increased by 45% for these women. That brings on a whole new list of issues. Not only can this cause more physical complications with the risk of scar tissue building up, but there are many emotional scars caused by this event also. The woman or couple has to work through the trauma of losing a child, telling others what happened and gain courage to try again. In general, post-abortive women are in poorer health overall.

As you can see, the risk that a woman takes is very great regarding the physical consequences. Women need to be more informed and truly understand what their future may hold in terms of illnesses and subsequent difficulties. It also needs to register within the minds of these women what they possibly may not hold in their future….a child.

The next article will reveal the emotional consequences of abortion. My hope as you continue to follow this  series is that you will start understanding the lives of the men and women involved in this decision. Although the choice may have been made out of  a dire situation with the hopes of things being “better” because of it, the life they have had to live every day since that choice was anything but better.   I want you, the reader, to understand that there is more behind the person than the choice they made.  Until next time, slow down and take a look into people’s eyes and try to see their story. Be an encouragement to them!

http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Behind-Eyes-JoEllen-Claypool-ebook/dp/B00FD65ZTM/

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