International AIDS Conference 2008 To Close Friday

Friday is the final day of the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City. The conference is a global forum regarding the prevention and treatment of the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Twenty-five thousand delegates from around the world assembled in Mexico City this week.

In a press release (see PDF), Dr. Pedro Cahn, the conference international co-chair, and Fundación Huésped, president of the International AIDS Society (IAS), said, “AIDS 2008 is taking place at a unique moment in the epidemic, when there is widespread consensus on the urgency of ensuring universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010. What we now need is action on the part of all stakeholders. As we gather in Mexico, each of us must ask ourselves: What can I do to end AIDS? In 2008, there are no longer bystanders in this global struggle.”

Many reports of the discussions covered during the conference have come to light via bloggers who attended the conference. According to blogger Janna A. Zinzi, of the Guttmacher Institute, the Fuerza Joven de Mexico (Youth Force of Mexico) promoted comprehensive sex education at the conference as a way to prevent the spread of HIV in young people. More than four in ten new cases of HIV are in young people.

RH Reality Check bloggers reported about the importance of women’s rights in the global fight against AIDS. The Bush Administration’s AIDS response, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), requires HIV positive women in Botswana to sign a contract promising not to become pregnant. Activists at the conference provided recommendations to improve PEPFAR in ways that respect women’s basic human rights.

Links between HIV and gender based violence has also been the focus at the conference. RH Reality Check reports that women who have experienced gender based violence are at greater risk for transmission of HIV. Comprehensive sex education programs and policy changes to hold perpetrators of violence against women accountable were recommended.

The conference was open to both delegates and the general public to foster comprehensive dialogue about the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The Words of Welcome for the conference stated, “The AIDS 2008 theme, Universal Action Now, underscores the continued urgency of the pandemic and reminds us of the responsibility we have to take individual and collective action.”

Media Resources: XVII International AIDS Conference 2008 Press Release; feministing.com 08/05/08; RH Reality Check 08/06/08

Congress Repeals HIV Travel Ban

The House of Representatives voted Friday to repeal a discriminatory law that prevents HIV-positive foreigners from entering the country. The law, originally enacted in 1987, prohibits foreign nationals with HIV to obtain visas for travel to the U.S. and prevents them from becoming legal permanent residents, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) secured the provision to repeal the travel ban in the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR). The bill also includes a $48 billion five-year plan to fight HIV/AIDS and other diseases internationally, a significant increase from the $15 billion allotted previously, reports the Associated Press.
“Our government still treats individuals with HIV/Aids as modern-day lepers, categorically banning these individuals from entering into the US,” said Senator Smith, according to BBC News. “To fully embrace our global leadership on HIV/Aids, we must remove our unwelcome mat and overturn this ridiculous ban.” The US is currently one of only 12 countries with such a ban.
The bill will go to President Bush for approval. According to the Associated Press, Bush supports the bill and is expected to sign it into law.

Media Resources: Human Rights Campaign 7/25/2008; Associated Press 7/27/2008; BBC News 7/17/2008; Library of Congress

An Update On My Ovarian Cyst

This is an update from one of my previous entries located here.

My cyst is on my left ovary. It is small and I had an ultrasound done last month and the cyst has not grown any. Since July 10th, and this week, even right now, The cyst has been bothering me. It was so bad last week, I had to stay in bed quite often for 2 days: Thursday and Friday..July 10th and July 11th. Last Saturday, July 12th, I went to the doctor. He prescribed me some Ibprofren (spelling?) 800mg to help the pain. I also found out I had a UTI again. (urinary tract infection) Last Sunday through right now, It is still bothering me, but the pain isn’t as bad as it was,. Also, I started my period 4 days ago and the cyst is still bothering me. Today-Saturday, It is still bothering me. I still feel bloated, full, heavy, have dull pains, and at times…sharp pains. It was worse than that last week. I’m hoping that it quits bothering me soon. I have to sit alot, but on something soft…any hard chair makes the pain worse. I can stand and work some, even though it still hurts when I do so.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Is there anything I can do to get rid of the pain? Please share your advice with me.

Feminism Friday: My Mother’s Health

My story below might not sound like something for this blog, but the health issues: diabetes and kidney failure DO affect women. (men too)

My mom had a blood test a few weeks ago and it revealed that her kidneys were weak. They took it again last week and her kidneys were a little weaker. My mom went to her doctor this past Monday morning. He told her she needs to see a doctor that specializes in kidneys. Today, My mom went to see the kidney specialist and he told her that her kidneys were functioning just 28%. Oddly, My mom goes to the doctor quite often and they are just now finding this. (after all the blood tests she has had throughout the years) He told her it was kidney failure and that it was in stage 4. (out of 5 stages) They told her that she wouldn’t have to start dialysis until her kidneys are functioning at 15%. Either way, Kidney failure is still bad news and deadly. He also told my mom that someone in the family could give her a kidney transplant or she could be put on a waiting list for one, whenever it gets worse. My mom is only 60 years old…She just turned 60 on July 15th. My mom’s sister, also my aunt, died a couple of years ago and she had kidney failure too and took dialysis. (That’s not what my aunt died of though and she was in her late 50′s.) My mom hasn’t been in good health for about 3 years now because she can barely walk. Her legs and feet bother her/hurt her and turn color. When she goes out, She has to go out in a wheelchair because she cannot walk, unless it is a short distance. My mom has been diabetic since 1993 and she has type 2 diabetes. (not sure if that is the right year, but she has had diabetes since the early 90′s I know) I have been so sad ever since hearing the news. I just break down and cry at times as well. (so does my mom) I was hoping it wasn’t kidney failure. It’s the thought of knowing she has kidney failure that makes me sad. I know my mom could live a long time or not, but it makes me sad knowing that she has kidney failure.

Update On My Health

My story below might not relate to this blog, but the health issues DO relate to women and men, so I thought I would share it.

I had blood taken on July 16th and my doctor made me an appointment to let me know about the results of the blood test for today. My thyroid seems to be better, in fact, it is currently overactive due to the medicine I take for an underactive thyroid. The doctor decreased my thyroid medicine from 50mg to 25mg. However, There are some not so good results to my blood test. It turns out that my triglycerides (I think that is the word or something like it) are high, but my cholesterol is good. He said that I might be fixing to be diabetic, but he said I wasn’t yet because my glucose was fine according to my blood work. He said to watch the fatty foods that I eat. Also, He told me that my liver enzymes are elevated. He checked my last blood test from April or May and my liver enzymes were not elevated. (neither were the triglycerides) I already have a fatty liver, so I am worried. (I found out I had a fatty liver when I had an ultrasound done on my stomach a few months ago.) He wanted me to take blood again, so he sent me to the blood lab. This blood test should reveal if I have certain liver diseases, an iron problem, and find out more specifically about my liver and how it is functioning. He scheduled me for an ultrasound on my gallbladder for tomorrow, just in case the elevated liver enzymes are caused by a gallstone. I won’t know the results to the ultrasound or the blood test until August 8th, that is when I see my doctor again. Until then, I am nervous and worried.

Gardasil Not Approved For Women Over 26

Gardasil Not Approved for Women Over 26

6/26/2008 – The Food and Drug Administration denied Merck and Co Inc’s application to expand Gardasil use to women over the age of 26 on Wednesday. The FDA cited pending issues with the vaccine that could not be researched during the review time-frame, according to Philadelphia Business Journal.

Gardasil is a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine that protects against about 70 percent of the HPV strains that are linked to cervical cancer. It was approved for use in girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26 in 2006.

The FDA also denied Merck’s proposal to expand the vaccine to cover other strains of the HPV. Merck and Co. is currently preparing to seek approval for use of the vaccine in men, according to CNN Money.

Media Resources: Philadelphia Business Journal 6/25/2008; CNN Money 6/25/2008; Reuters 6/25/2008

This story was taken from the Feminist Majority Foundation.

44 Writings I Need For This Blog

I am in need of some articles and writings for this blog. I will add to this list as I see fit. The ones listed below are ideas for articles and writings and are some writings/articles I need for the blog. By writing the article (or articles), You will be emailed an invite to join this blog and will be able to post up your writing on the blog. Be sure to let others know that you wrote the article (or articles).

ARTICLES AND WRITINGS NEEDED:

1-History of riot grrrl: how, why, where, when, and who started it. (about the music and the movement)
2-History of feminism: how, why, where, when, and who started it.
3-The 3 waves of feminism.
4-The many different types of feminism such as: anarcha-feminism, individual feminism, radical feminism, and all the others.
5-Write about your favorite feminism/riot grrrl website or write a review of your favorite feminism/riot grrrl website. (can be blogs, websites, forums, etc.)
6-Write your own definition of what feminism means to you.
7-What does riot grrrl mean to you? (Write as much or as little as you want.) Describe riot grrrl in your own words.
8-Write about being a riot grrrl in another country. What’s the riot grrrl scene like where you live? Is there a chapter where you live? Any riot grrrl bands where you live? How did you get into riot grrrl? How long have you been into riot grrrl?
9-Write about how you got into riot grrrl. What, how, when, who, and where made you get into riot grrrl?
10-Write about being a riot boy: how, when, who, what, and where did you get into riot grrrl?
11-Write your own riot boy manifesto. (I already have a version on my website.)
12-Write about being a male feminist: how, when, who, what, and where did you get into riot grrrl?
13-Write some feminism questions that you would like answered or start a feminism FAQ (frequently asked questions) of your own and the answers to them.
14-Write some riot grrrl/boy questions that you would like answered or start a riot grrrl FAQ (frequently asked questions) of your own and the answers to them.
15-Write about women’s issues important to you.
16-Write about feminism and what it means to you.
17-Write how you got into feminism and why.
18-Make a list of reasons on why your a feminist. Try to think of 50 or more reasons, if you can. 10-20 reasons will do too.
19-Make a list of reasons on why your a riot grrrl. Try to think of 50 or more reasons, if you can. 10-20 reasons will do too.
20-Write some DIY tips or share yours. Share your own DIY stuff.
21-Write something about being an activist/ or about activism.
22-Write something about zines or your life as a zinester.
23-Write about your ladyfest or a ladyfest you attended.
24-Write about a riot grrrl chapter or your own riot grrrl chapter.
25-Write about being pro-choice, why your pro-choice, or what it means to you.
26-Write something about how riot grrrl and queercore music are connected.
27-Write something about how riot grrrl and grunge music are connected.
28-Write something about how riot grrrl and punk music are connected.
29-Write something about feminism in other countries. What’s feminism like in your country or other countries?
30-Write something about human rights in your country or another country.
31-Write something about equal rights.
32-Write about why is feminism important today.
33-Write your own definition of what a riot boy is to you. Give your own definition of riot boy.
34-Write your own Zine DIY guide.
35-Write how to start a riot grrrl chapter DIY guide.
36-Write your own list of ways to be an activist.
37-Write a review of a zine or your favorite zine.
38-Write about your experience with the Riot Grrrl Online website.
39-Write about the Riot Grrrl Online website or do a review of the website. If you write about the website, write how you found the website, how you got active in the website and why. I’m sure there are more things you can write about the website, as long as your a reader or fan of the website, your input is appreciated.
40-A review of your riot grrrl or feminist website.
41-Write a news story. Write about an issue or topic important to you or an issue/topic you think would be important to others that is happening in the news.
42-Write your own women’s issue story. If you are a survivor (of anything from rape to cancer, etc.), I’d like to hear your story and what you went through.
43-Write how to start a ladyfest.
44-Write how to start your own record label and/or band.

If your interested in writing one of these articles, Feel free to read the “contribute” page and reply to the “contribute” page or email me. If you comment on the “contribute” page or email me, Please specify which article (or articles) you want to write about by letting me know which number or numbers (# or #’s) your interested in writing. If you have your own ideas for writings or whatever, feel free to email me some of yours.

*This is also posted on the “Ideas” page.

Volunteer to Help Protect Women’s Health!

Planned Parenthood has been a major proponent of Women’s Health rights for over ninety years! They were making sure your Grandma had an opportunity to take care of herself when no one else would. Contrary to popular misconception, PPFA offers way more than access to abortion.

Most major cities have clinics where women have access to checkups, birth control, emergency contraception and other resources. Planned Parenthood is funded by its members and their staff is supplemented by dedicated volunteers.

Check the PPFA in your area to find out about job and volunteer opportunities. Volunteering is not only a great way to get involved in the preservation of women’s health, it shows you appreciate everything the people at Planned Parenthood have done to further the women’s movement. (It looks great on a resume or college application too grrrls)

Emergency Room Visit = Ovarian Cyst

Here’s my health story. I went to the ER (emergency room) Wednesday.

Monday night I couldn’t sleep. I kept waking up every so often due to hurting in my abdominal/pelvic region. To be more specific, I was hurting in my left ovary and at times I would have pains there as well. At the time, I didn’t think it was my ovary, but in a way I felt like it was my ovary bothering me. However, I figured it was my bladder and that I had to urinate, since it happened in the middle of Monday night. On Tuesday, I was still hurting and still having pains all day long. It was going on for 24 hours, even while I was at work. (For those of you who don’t know, I work at a nursing home as a Certified Nursing Assistant. [CNA]) I got to thinking maybe I had pulled a muscle from lifting at work or maybe I was constipated for some reason. I’ve never hurt in this area of my body before. I started getting sharper pains and it was a bother to me because I was trying to get my work done. When I came home Tuesday night, I told my mom about it. She thought the same thing I did.

Wednesday morning, I get up and start my day. I’m still hurting and having pains in my left ovary. Mom told me since it’s still bothering me to go to the ER and not to go to work, so I done that. The doctor at the ER, Dr. Ross, had them to do a urine specimen and an ultrasound on me. Dr. Ross said that nothing showed up in my urine, but I might have a small UTI (urinary tract infection also known as a bladder infection), which I have had before, but it was contaminated, so he couldn’t tell. I have had a kidney infection before too. He told me he didn’t think it was a UTI causing me to hurt and have pains. He had an ultrasound done on me. After doing the ultrasound, I went back in my ER space and Dr. Ross came in. He told me nothing showed up and everything was fine. Then, He left and came back in 15 minutes. He told me that the Radiologist called back and said that he did find a small ovarian cyst on my left ovary, after looking a second time at the ultrasound. He said it wasn’t anything to worry about, since it was barely noticeable. He said that alot of women have them, but if the hurting and pain gets worse, to go see my doctor. He said they may have to operate if it does get worse or if it grows.

I’m going to share some information about ovarian cysts, since quite a few women seem to have them. Here are a few links with quite a bit of information on ovarian cysts.
About Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian Cyst on Wikipedia

The information below was taken from:
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/reproductive/gynecologic/279.html

What is an ovarian cyst?
An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac in the ovary. Many cysts are completely normal. These are called functional cysts. They occur as a result of ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). Functional cysts normally shrink over time, usually in about 1 to 3 months. If you have a functional cyst, your doctor may want to check you again in 1 to 3 months to make sure the cyst has gotten smaller. In certain cases, your doctor may want you to take birth control pills so you won’t ovulate. If you don’t ovulate, you won’t form cysts.

If you are menopausal and are not having periods, you shouldn’t form functional cysts. If you do have a cyst, your doctor will probably want you to have a sonogram so he or she can look at the cyst. What your doctor decides to do after that depends on your age, the way the cyst looks on the sonogram and if you’re having symptoms such as pain, bloating, feeling full after eating just a little, and constipation.

What is a sonogram?
A sonogram (or ultrasound) uses sound waves to make “pictures” of organs in the body. It’s a good way for your doctor to “look” at your ovaries. This kind of sonogram can be done 2 ways, either through your abdomen or your vagina. Neither type is painful. The sonogram usually lasts about 30 minutes. It will give your doctor valuable information about the size and the appearance of your cyst.

Do I need surgery for an ovarian cyst?
The answer depends on several things, such as your age, whether you are having periods, the size of the cyst, its appearance and your symptoms.

If you’re having periods and the cyst is functional, you probably won’t need to have surgery. If the cyst doesn’t go away after several menstrual periods, if it gets larger or if it doesn’t look like a functional cyst on the sonogram, your doctor may want you to have an operation to remove it. There are many different types of ovarian cysts in women of childbearing age that do require surgery. Fortunately, cysts in women of this age are almost always benign (not cancer).

If you’re past menopause and have an ovarian cyst, your doctor will probably want you to have surgery. Ovarian cancer is rare, but women 50 to 70 years of age are at greater risk. Women who are diagnosed at an early stage do much better than women who are diagnosed later.