Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
SOSNSBSB--Illness Edition!
Something/Someone Old
My Something Old today is influenza! You can guess why.
Influenza is a viral respiratory infection that causes symptoms similar to, but more severe than, the common cold, such as sudden onset fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose and severe malaise (feeling unwell).
The flu can also sometimes cause vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, (particularly in young children), but the flu is primarily a respiratory disease and not a stomach or intestinal disease.
Influenza is old, but we don't really know how old. The earliest possible record we have of the disease is around 410 BC, from Hippocrates himself. For those who don't know, he's considered the father of western medicine, and the originator of the Hippocratic oath; he's also one of my favorite figures from ancient times:
The first instance of flu we are pretty sure of happened in the 16th century:
Pinpointing pandemics from historical reports is challenging given the lack of accurate and consistent records, but epidemiologists generally agree that the 1580 influenza outbreak is the earliest known pandemic.
https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/flu#section_5
The word "influenza" was first used to describe the disease in 1357, and continued to be used through the 18th and 19th centuries, but it wasn't until 1931 that we figured out which microorganism actually caused one of the diseases we know as influenza, when researchers isolated the virus that transmits from pigs. In 1933, they isolated the virus that transmits from humans.
So it's an old disease, but our exact identification of it is pretty new, as diseases go. It makes sense that a great deal of effort would have been put into figuring out what the disease was in the early twentieth century, because the waves of flu epidemic were horrendous; they marched arm in arm with the devastation of war.
Something New
I hope somebody can understand this better than me. Of course, my brain is more than a little fried at the moment, since this flu seems to be only slowly releasing me from its grip (I'm still not computer gaming for more than about twenty minutes at a time, after which I give up because my brain is mush; then I go back to watching TV). This scientific advance looks fascinating (and perhaps a bit scary, as I'm always a bit cautious when humans start messing about with DNA)--so if anybody understands it, please explain to me what they're doing:
New vaccine could shoot down all flu strains
Seasonal flu shots only protect you from three or four strains of flu, but researchers at the University of Washington are working to change that with a vaccine that would protect against all strains, and a delivery system that doesn't hurt.
Two researchers in two different labs have been working on a universal flu vaccine, one that would protect against all strains. Now, they’re working together. David Baker, PhD director for the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington, is designing proteins to generate broad responses to flu.
Baker said, “The proteins mimic the virus so that when you get immunized with the protein, your body sees that it's foreign and makes a response, and if it's similar enough to the virus, then the response to the vaccine will also be a response to the virus.”
https://www.click2houston.com/health/new-vaccine-could-shoot-down-all-fl...
How is this any different than inspiring an immune response with a small amount of the actual virus? I don't get it.
The protein leaves the body, but the immune response remains active.
I assume they don't mean forever. Or do they?
Is my brain mush, or is this reporting not very good?
In her lab, Deborah Fuller, PhD, professor in the Department of Microbiology, had identified genetic sequences to fight flu, but people’s immune responses weren’t strong. Now, with Baker’s protein platform and the gene gun she's developing, work on a universal flu vaccine is moving forward.
So...she's trying to design some genetic sequence to trick the body into triggering its immune response, but the body wasn't buying it...so she's borrowing the other guy's designer proteins, which do trigger a strong enough response. I still am not sure how this improves on simply using the virus.
I hope all this goes well, and I hope even more that it doesn't cause some unintended consequence. Obviously I'm in favor of medical research, but, like I said, I can't help but have a bit of trepidation every time we humans fiddle around with genetic design. And no, I don't mean Gregor Mendel and his red and white and pink flowers. There's a difference between hybridization and modern genetic design in a lab. I'm proud of human ingenuity; I'm scared of overconfidence due to knowing how smart we are.
Something Borrowed
We borrowed the word influenza from the Italians during a 1743 epidemic; it began in Italy and spread to Britain:
AN Article from Rome informs us that a Sort of Plague has broke out there, which destroys Abundance of their People, and they call it the Influenza. ["The Gentleman's Magazine," April 1743]
https://www.etymonline.com/word/influenza
The Italians got the word from the medieval Latin influentia, which meant "visitation or influence (from the stars)." The word the Romans used to describe astrological "influence" was applied by the medieval Italians to many different diseases:
Used in Italian for diseases at least since 1504 (as in influenza di febbre scarlattina "scarlet fever") on notion of astral, occult, or atmospheric influence.
In 1743, the phrase used by the Italians was actually "influenza di catarro," or "outbreak of catarrhal fever;" the British took only the first word of the phrase, which meant "epidemic," as the name of the disease.
Interestingly, by the time of the Victorians, people already were abbreviating the disease as 'flu--though they often spelled it 'flue.
Something Blue
My Something Blue is the blue flu:
A blue flu is a colloquial term used to describe a type of strike action undertaken by police officers in which a large number simultaneously use sick leave. A blue flu is a preferred strike action by police in some parts of the United States where police strikes are prohibited by law
Most of you probably already know about this type of action, but living in the South where unions are weak, and having no police officers in my family, I only learned about it from Babylon 5, in the most excellent episode "By Any Means Necessary," written by Kathryn M Drennan for the series by J. M. Straczynski. Everyone should watch all of Babylon 5, but if you don't want to, definitely watch this episode from Season 1; it's one of the best.
Here's hoping we all get well soon.
Comments
The blue flu is starting to hit TSA
Link to article from CNN
Here is an excerpt from that CNN article.
Too funny
TSA, the "cement in the immigration wall" has lost their lime for trumpets shorting them a dime. HA
Thanks for reporting on this, jbob
Good for them. The people "sworn to protect" us don't get paid much. Of course, neither do pilots.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Hope you get well quick!
https://virus.stanford.edu/uda/
When I was in the classroom I would catch a cold from the kids early in the year...typically September. Then comes flu season later in the year, and I never did come down with it. I hypothesized that the cold was an early less virulent form of the virus that provided immunity as it evolved into a more infectious type.
My only advice is the two-two. Two aspirins and two clean sheets. We heal best while sleeping. Also drink lots of water.
Wishing good health to you and us all!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Correct, Lookout--
the only thing to do is drink lots of water and sleep.
And hope it doesn't get into my chest, because if it does, I will have to go to the doctor. My chest is my weak spot; I often get bronchitis. Last year I had a pretty nasty bout of pneumonia.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Granddad and the 1918 flu
The 1918 flu epidemic killed my grandfather. How can that be, you ask? He was one of the first people in the world infected by it. The 1918 flu first broke out in Kansas, particularly Fort Riley, Kansas. My grandfather was born and raised right next to Ft. Riley, his farm later appropriated to become part of that military reservation.
In 1918, my grandfather was stationed at Ft. Riley, having become a soldier in the US Army. While he did contract the virus, it didn't kill him - obviously, as I wouldn't be writing these words. Rather, he beat it ... only to be sent to Europe to fight in the Great War. Fortunately, his troop ship was just out of sight of New York's harbor when it received a wire that the Armistice had been signed. It turned around.
Seventy years after contracting the 1918 flu, it finally killed him. It was even listed in his obituary as the cause of death - "... system weakened due to 1918 influenza epidemic." He lived a full, seemingly healthy life, and I didn't even know he'd contracted the virus until late in my 20's.
I've always hoped that his exposure to the virus had somehow filtered down to me, but from what I read, things don't quite work that way.
What a cool story
Very cool, and nice that it has been passed down. Makes me realize that I should get back to reading books more, instead of just stuff online. I love being transported to different times and places, and you took me there for a minute, as the young-uns say. Thanks for that!
Boo flu
Sorry to hear it has you in it's grips (gripes)
A tuna for ya... Brothers and Sisters
Thank you! I love, love, love that album. :-)
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Constant immune response?
So they're trying to recreate Lupus, and make it beneficial?
Because that's what I'm getting here. I'm sure the body will be fine with a constant immune response going on. (Hey, I'm sure there will be an amazing wonder drug which will cure THOSE symptoms as well... Which of course will require ANOTHER drug...)
I'm comfortable with the current impasse. Trying to WIN the game by setting the board on fire constantly doesn't strike me as the best plan.
But hey, I'm the crazy luddite who thinks that Smart Phones are societal Cancer, so feel free to ignore me on this one, scientists... you always do.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q8hAb230OE]
Other than that, trying to stay sane today. So some music in that vein.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYFDY2ZiBLU]
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Smart phones are surveillance devices we pay for ourselves...
twice.
So yeah, societal cancer is a fairly good metaphor.
Why do we hate the Russkies again?
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
The assigning of higher functions to a device troubles me.
I know I'm still a fool stuck in that "Well what if you Don't HAVE a calculator" mindset. Building ever higher stratum of interconnections on a framework that most people who use don't fully understand is a recipe for disaster. Honestly, I'm tempted to pick up a slide rule and teach myself. It certainly isn't a skill they teach in school anymore. Yeah, maybe it is akin to using an abacus, but I can MAKE an Abacus... I can't make a calculator.
But hey, why learn greek and latin? Nobody uses that shit anymore.
Like they say about Jazz... Baby, if ya gotta ask, you ain't never gonna know.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Hey, detroit, a slipstick is just a convenient mechanical
device for manipulating logarithms and generally only accurate to 3 decimal places. You can get log tables out to as many decimals as you desire if you like. They even used to publish these books with the basics of algebra, geometry, trig, and calculus with log tables in the back that were about the same size as your basic paperback copy of catch 22. I have an antique version put out by Barnes & Noble called College Mathematics that cost $1.72 back in the day. Back in junior high and high school they were a godsend for those of us who couldn't afford slide rules, and they were cheaper than that, which is a later replacement. They were part of the "College Outline Series", which also published a cheaper and more direct book containing only log and trig tables. There must be something similar out there today.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Cool, going to have to check that out.
I've decided I'm going to pursue every single one of my educational whims to the best of my ability via self study if possible. I don't care if I get a piece of paper out of it, what I care about is whether or not I have the skill.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Do you watch Gotham at all?
I'm at the point where Joker makes his big breakout of Arkham with a hundred or so insane people as footsoldiers.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Honestly, I've been avoiding most shows recently.
The most recent Doctor Who season I had to bail after five episodes. Just constant preaching, and a glowing speech about how Clinton was an incredible president by the Doctor made me want to vomit.
On the other hand, I've been enjoying reading old books and manuals a lot recently. Yeah, I know... totally nerding it up, but as my SO says, I'm "Easily distracted by waving a book."
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Disgusting.
But pretty much par for the course nowadays.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Here's a few things worth checking out
Two College Degrees Later, I Was Still Picking Kale for Rich People
This is one I can certainly relate to, coming from a family that was literally dirt poor (Bithlo is as poor as it gets) whose parents and grandparents did many odd jobs, worked under the table and worked multiple jobs to get by. No doubt having a kid with disabilities and no services out there to help made it all the worse. Sure, I got two college degrees myself, supposedly useful ones according to the Lords of Capital and their idiot bootlickers, but even that wasn't enough for them.
How Millennials Became The Burnout Generation
Me? I'm burnt the fuck out because no matter what I seem to do I can't overcome my disabilities to make any kind of living. I'm burnt out because the pigs want bachelor's degrees, with classes on business management, just to get a job that is, at best, entry level and at worst, contract. And then I'll have to run the educational rat race for a doctoral degree just to clean toilets. If the pigs have it their way, we all will.
But don't tell that to Creepy Uncle Joe and the capitalist bootlickers in this video's comment section:
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdmeV0GJ-oE]
Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.
Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.
Fascist puppets often have no empathy.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Good morning, CSTMS, sorry about the flu. My health care
provider is an HMO, so they benefit by keeping their members healthy and nag the shit out of one, especially the "elderly" like myself, to get that damn shot every year, on them. One year they were practically ambushing people showing up for other businesses. Dunno if that's the answer or not, but I haven't had it in years. Of course, neither has my wife, and she never gets one, so there you are; pick your preferred confirmation bias. I'm perhaps overly conscientious because I got both the '57 "Asian Flu" and the '68 "Hong Kong Flu" and am currently cohabiting my body with a bat shit crazy immune system that I prefer not to antagonize.
So, fluids, rest, chicken soup, and stay warm. Our universal potion is courtesy ou our meyer lemon tree, juice of 1/2 to 1 lemon, teaspoon sugar, shot of brandy and ho water to make a mug full. Take as needed or desired. Clears the head and clouds the mind.
Have the best day you can.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Wow that alcoholic lemonade sounds amazing.
We're growing a Meyer lemon tree, but it's not ready to give us fruit yet. Our Ponderosa lemon is recovering from nearly dying a year ago in a weeklong hard freeze (which was also how I got pneumonia--running around trying to protect the yard in the cold).
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Congratulate yourself on being so faithful that you made
sure to give us this thread, even though you are ill. That kind of discipline and reliability is rare. Thank you. There are times, too, when letting yourself off the hook is fine. We would be grateful to you either way.
Please get all better soon.
You're welcome, HAW.
I would hate it if we all lost this connection, so I try to be as reliable as I can.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
So sorry to hear you're feeling like crap
I've been sick twice in the last two months but each time, mercifully, the strain was either very weak, or my immune system was very strong because I managed to fight it off within days and symptoms were relatively manageable. Working in retail this holiday season has been a little like playing the roulette wheel of rotating viruses. Everyone kept getting sick. I'm still very tired and battling the depression that usually follows sequestering myself in bed. But it helps to understand that.
I actually thought that was where you were going in your "Something Blue" since dealing with depression for many is almost as bad as the virus itself. Especially since the conventional ways of dealing with depression (exercise, socializing, outings) are restricted while sick. Double whammy as far as I'm concerned. When that happens to me, I like to listen to relaxation and positive affirmation CD's, particularly as it relates to Health. Helps to refocus the brain waves away from the negative loop towards the healing capacity of your body and mind. Belleruth Naperstak is my preferred guide in these metaphysical journeys. She has a very soothing voice and really knows her stuff.
Now for the bed rest part; you've heard it before but it's the BEST way to give your body the boost it needs while working overtime fighting off the virus. (And while you're at it, thank your wonderful body for working as hard as it is fighting the virus for you).
It's good to hear from you even if you are under the weather. Thanks for your diligence in getting the open thread up. Feel better really really soon!
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Relaxation and positive affirmation CDs
Sound like a great idea for illness. Wish I'd thought of that!
And yes, vegging inside in front of the TV does have a tendency to bring on the blues.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Immune response from the Flue Vaccine
creates antibodies for specific flu varieties. Think of a lock and key scenario. the antibody as the key and the virus a lock. When exposed to a vaccine the body designs and makes a key for the future. The key will either deactivates/weakens the virus or notifies the body for a full immune response to eradicate the virus. The body defenses can then overwhelm the virus, sickness may be over before we consciously even notice.
Over time the keys get used up when responding to a virus exposure and were not replaced, or get lost, worn out, etc. Now when the exact same virus comes back it can overwhelm the body and cause sickness.
A tactic for the virus is to alter the lock slightly so the key does not work. The first line of defense fails and virus duplicates in high numbers before the immune system notices. This is one of the the flu's tactics.
Disease experts watch the flu in different parts of the world and make an educated guess which are coming for the US flu season. It takes several months to make this vaccine. If the guess is wrong the US has a bad flu season.
The vaccine style described the article is to assist the body in creating a general purpose key to work with any type of flu virus lock. The key will deactivate various flu locks or let the immune system know the enemy has arrived, identify the enemy for a targeted response and reduce collateral damage (aches, pains, runny nose, fever).
The researchers are using the known fact - fewer people who had chicken pox would experience deadly cases of small pox. The chicken pox virus protein structure (lock) is close enough to small pox to activate immune system and keep it on target.
Western medicine is finally beginning to look at the immune system in a more complex manner. Our obsession in avoiding exposure is part of the rise in asthma and allergies. It appears it may also be true for some types of childhood Leukemia.
Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.
I totally agree with you about the overreliance on
eliminating bacteria. We don't want to make ourselves a bunch of boys (and girls) in plastic bubbles.
Also, I assume that the bacteria will evolve to become stronger in response to these attacks, which means that we should be restrained in our use of antibiotics and antibacterial agents, rather than trying to carpet-bomb our environments. Making our own systems stronger makes sense.
But the vaccine....I get what they're trying to do (a key that will fit many locks) but not how they're going to do it, or whether they are, as detroitmechworks says, putting us into a condition of constant immune response. I can't imagine they would do that.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Want a smart, strong immune system that will coordinate
attacks on harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites and prions. Not a confused immune system damaging healthy body tissue and attacking our normal flora and fauna living on our bodies keeping us healthy.
I don't think vaccines are being designed to keep us in a state of hyper immune activity with the intent to control us or cause autoimmune diseases. If there is a nefarious plan it is more likely to keep us safe from a biological attack released by our military. If your population is sick it is hard to maintain a fighting force and the supporting systems. Flu epidemics in the past have decimated young adults and children. The section of the population a society needs for a future.
Part of the push for expanded use of flu vaccines is to create a large market for profitability. Vaccine production and research has been decreasing the last few decades because other areas of medicine are more profitable. Flu vaccine is unique in the short length of time it effects immunity from the condition.
Modern life style, environmental contaminants and many of our medical treatments suppress our immune systems. Antibiotics and antiseptics indiscriminately kill whether taken internally or used in our surrounding environment. Something will grow back. The mystery is if what repopulates be harmful, benign or helpful.
You might find these two TED Talks interesting
A general discussion on the body microbiome.
[video:https://youtu.be/i-icXZ2tMRM?t=12]
Takes a while to become focused in his talk. Relates his personal experience with Type 1 diabetes.
[video:https://youtu.be/27lMmdmy-b8?t=13]
Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.
Get well soon, CSTMS!!!
I can commiserate with you as I have been down with the flu for over a week now. The last time I left the house was one week ago today. This grunge has been weird as one day I am running a fever of 100 degrees and then the next day or two, temp is normal but I feel terrible. Mine is concentrated mostly in my upper sinuses which is my personal weak spot.
And no, I did not get a flu shot. But my husband did have a flu shot and he got this stuff first before giving it to me. I am beginning to think that flu shots are worthless.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
I'm not sure if you have the same thing I do.
Did it start with a sore throat? What I've got also alternates between feeling mostly all right and feeling weird/exhausted (there was a certain amount of disorientation as well, that made me not want to drive).
Either way, sleeping and drinking water are the best thing. Also, try to spend some time outside in the air and sun, even if you're just sitting in a chair (I just did that). I hope you get well soon.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Sore throat
was the first symptom. What is weird is that on Wed, I thought I was getting over this only to wake up very sick with a high fever on Thurs. Felt better on Friday and then sick again Sat. Except for the alternating fever and normal temps, this thing is acting like a super bad old.
Friends have told my husband that this stuff has been going around Tall. for over a month now. We were back less than one week and bingo, it hit! LOL
I hope you are feeling better and thank you for still posting today's open thread despite being so ill.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
Flu shots are a crap shoot
They're made using a best guess at what strain will be around next flu season. And, as we all know, viruses mutate. So, it's a guessing game as to what might be around in the near future. I got an eyeroll from a charge nurse while I was in the hospital for a respiratory infection a few years back after she asked me when I had my last flu shot, explained that I never had and told her why. (Got the same reaction from an OB/GYN when I told her I would not be allowing pitocin during labor because I intended to allow my own body's oxytocin to do what nature had intended.) They don't like us knowing things like that.
Hope you get to feeling better soon!
You got an eye roll from the nurse?
How unprofessional.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Yep, and was strong armed by a labor/delivery nurse
After giving birth. 26 hrs of labor. 2 hrs of pushing an 8lb baby out with no epidural or IV or episiotomy, she had the syringe of pitocin in her hand, and I grabbed her wrist with the last bit of strength I had in me. I told her my birthing plan said no pitocin. She got right up in my face, and told me if I knew what was good for me, I'd let go of her. I didn't. She used her other hand, yanked my shaky hand off her and jabbed the syringe into my thigh. Then she said I'd thank her later when I didn't bleed to death because redheads bleed more than other people. My mom and the midwives were busy with my daughter, so no one helped me fend her off.
The charge nurse, 20 yrs later, rolled her eyes when I told her I understood how the flu shot is created ahead of time using guesses as to which strain they think might make people sick next year. She obviously likes people who don't know anything.
You could have sued or gotten her fired for that
You verbally said no and backed it physically and yet she gave it to you anyway. Patients always have the right to refuse anything medical. She could have been charged with assault and battery and a few other things.
I haven't gotten the flu shot for some time either. Last time I did I couldn't move my arm from two weeks. The nurse basically rolled her eyes too when I kept complaining about it. Next year the hospital made it mandatory that all employees that had contact with patients had to have it. I kept ducking her and ignoring memos and she finally gave up. I don't think it's right that people don't get to decide what goes into their bodies.
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
Harris is unburdened of speaking going forward.
I didn't think about it then
What should have happened is my daughter should have been allowed to suckle. That releases oxytocin from the pituitary gland and induces contractions naturally. Then the midwives should have begun massaging my stomach, to help get the placenta out. That's what happened with my son, 4 yrs later, and different midwives, because insurance instead of Medicaid.
All pitocin does is slam your body with hard ass contractions (full labor strength) and either induce labor, or flush the placenta. It's synthetic oxytocin. And it hurts like a mofo! Mother Nature is more subtle, but takes longer. They want you out of the room asap so they can use it for another customer.
I'm glad they don't force the flu vaccine where I work, like they did to you. Yuck!
FDR invented kidnapping of families to use as bargaining chips
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/19/books/the-train-to-crystal-city-by-ja...