Cat Hicks5d ago

Because mastodon is like a 99% male audience, I will say this: if you have an aging mother you are in relationship with and care about, do NOT make her go through medical stuff alone. I am skilled & mean enough to fight through medical stuff and even so you would not believe how bad it is. Just accept that you cannot imagine.

I talk to a lot of people's aging moms and they are abandoned & alone even in nice families. I don't care how awkward it is, you have to try to ask them about it.

Show threadCat Hicks5d ago

Our moms are suffering because no one cares and they aren't telling anyone. They're getting diagnoses 15 years late, they're being bullied about medications, they're silent about what they're going through.

The difference between the younger women and the older women in the patient groups I'm in is horrific. I have listened to many, many people's moms describe years of suffering that could've been prevented. I am not trying to lay on any guilt. I'm just saying a little bit could go a long way.

Show threadCat Hicks5d ago
It doesn't have to be this way. I have helped multiple older women argue to get past primary care and get to specialists and learn that there is better science than decades ago, that has studied more women, but there's only one of me in these chats. You can't fix the system but if you have an older woman in your life you can ask if you can research something for them, or go to an appointment and make sure they're heard, or suggest the random pains they have are a thing that needs attention.
Show threadđź’€ đť“•airchild đź’€5d ago
@grimalkina And they're already starting with the 'many doctors simply don't listen to what women tell them' handicap. :/
Show threadCarolyn5d ago
@tankgrrl @grimalkina There is a current tiktok/IG scandal, in which a cute male med student thought that making videos making fun of patients, especially women, was somehow "funny" and great content. Called out by SO many doctors, which showed another issue. Women doctors were accused of "not being able to take a joke," whereas men doctors were praised for encouraging professionalism. A male doctor pointed out: if women doctors were faced with that, imagine what female patients go through.
Show threadđź’€ đť“•airchild đź’€

@CStamp @grimalkina

*sigh*

We should have left the age of 'hysteria' behind 150 years ago.

Mar 18 at 12:52amWeb
Show threadCarolyn4d ago
@tankgrrl @grimalkina Yep. And someone studying at the Mayo Clinic? He made them look really bad.