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thenightcallsme · 6 months

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ATWOW | Neteyam Sully, pt. 5

"The further we walk along the sandbar, the further we are closed in. The Reef People stand at all sides; we are entirely at their mercy."

Synopsis: You and the Sully's have reached the Metkayina Clan at their seaside village, Awa’atlu. Their acceptance is something to be fought for, and despite your willingness, it is no less challenging. (A/N: this is just a bit of a world-building/filler chapter)

Pairing: Neteyam x Fem!Ometikaya OC (Gi'anya, or Gi for short)

Contains: established OC POV, mentions of menstruation if that makes you uncomfortable (mostly me projecting my health issues onto MC lol), less talking more thinking in this one,

Word count: 4,735

find the rest of the chapters in my masterlist here :)

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By some miracle, the grazed bullet wound on my thigh has healed. No purplish bruises, no angry red hints of infection, no scab, not even the silvery hint of a scar. Unbroken blue skin takes its place. Cuts and bruises on both Sully brothers from the incident during their last raid have just begun to fade, all injuries that are less serious than mine for the most part. And yet I’ve healed days before they have even begun. I ran my fingers over the soft unmarred skin in wonder upon removing the bandage, and if I’m honest, it almost unsettled me. Though I’m not surprised.

All my life this has happened. An accidental bite of my tongue heals in an hour, a graze on the knee scabbing over in two. Being called to my talents of healing and crafting, I do not often partake in hunts or any activity that entails injury. But on the rare occasion I do injure myself, nothing ever lasts. My body is untouched by scars. Even the littlest things like chapped lips and dry skin are almost nonexistent for me. Not to mention my immune system and stamina are impeccable, as if my body is in a constant state of replenishment too advanced to be natural.

I once brought it up to the human scientists who lived alongside us. One theorised that my cells work at an advanced rate, an attribute of my half-Avatar heritage (as far as we know, at least), and offered to run some tests. Already burnt out by the excessive and invasive tests for my unusual menstrual cycle, I declined. Count it as a miracle, I had reasoned. It’s best not to challenge something good.

My conception and its mysteries have influenced a constant state of questioning. Nothing about who my mother and father are—or were. That is something I accepted to be lost in time. It's myself that I question. The five toes and fingers, the fine hairs on my brow and the queue stemming from the base of my skull were questions answered by the Sully children; having at least one Avatar parent gave the possibility of a few inherited traits. Those traits were black and white through the extensive knowledge of their creation. Perfect genetics concocted in a lab do not leave room for imperfections, and those perfect genetics did not include incredible cell sustainability. And then there’s my menstrual problems, something not recorded in Na’vi women and something not programmed into the Avatars.

How, how, how… It’s a ruthless cycle of endless questions not meant to be answered. The regeneration doesn’t bother me as much. The menstrual problems, however…

Na’vi women experience their cycle twice a year at the height of their heat. The surge of their female hormones causes an extraordinary desire for a male counterpart shadowed by a light shedding of blood from the womb. Accompanying that is the slightest hint of pain and pressure. Nothing crippling, just noticeable enough to entice the occasional hiss and wince.

Eywa, do I envy the other women.

Four times a year, I spiral into a week-long suffering so debilitating I wonder if the end is near. My presence from clan life is snuffed like a flame as I lay curled in my hut, a mess of tears and too much blood for me to handle. I spend most of those weeks submerged in lonely streams if I can make the journey without vomiting. Of course, I battle the same…wants as the other women. It dances with the debilitating pain in a dangerously tempting, mind-numbing tango.

The visits paid by a certain someone in those weeks are almost unbearable.

The scientists told me I display symptoms of disorders that are entirely human in nature, opening up a can of worms they were eager to explore, given my mysterious conception. They did the best they could with the limited knowledge and Na’vi adapted health equipment they had. Something was wrong, that much was concluded, but to know the extent of it would require surgeries and more of those terrible internal exams. In the end, I was left with no solid answer and extensive knowledge of the human menstrual cycle and its inherited flaws.

Oh well. There is no use thinking about it today of all days, especially with the bleeding stage of my cycle about a month away. Those four weeks are worth spending enjoying the moments I’m able to function. So I brush the thoughts away, instead testing the unbroken stretch of skin across my thigh. How strange…

Jake believes today will see our journey’s end. A flat expanse of water stretches out endlessly beneath the flock of Ikrans, reaching its watery grasp to each corner of the horizon. Soon enough, his prediction manifests.

Peaking from the endless ocean is the promise of land; spires of rocks and greenery that meld into staggering mountains dance in a misty haze on the horizon. Small islands orbit one gigantic one that reaches for the heavens with jagged fingers. A wall of arching roots exploding from the sea floor keeps the islands in a circle of calm waters, filtering out the strong currents and merciless waves beyond. As our Ikrans cross the protective boundaries, I get a glimpse of shallow pools climbing the natural walls, teeming with life. Not just the splash of a tail or glitter of scaled bodies, but intelligent life. Na’vi life.

We are here.

Greenish bodies pause in acts of play and leisure to turn skyward as our Ikrans soar past. Some point, some remain unreadable from this distance. Some dive into the waters below and disappear beneath marbling azure blues and emerald greens.

The stretch between the wall and the main island is crossed in just a few minutes. My Ikran dives to skim the surface of the water. Small bodies of aquatic life jump through the calm ripples alongside Vaana as if in competition. It’s not long before they’re lost to the sea. Standing at attention along the approaching shore is a compact network of gigantic mangroves. Their great roots dive dramatically in and out of pale sand and crystal waters. Nestled into the root system are the woven huts and platforms that make up Awa’atlu, the settlement of the most westerly Metkayina village. We’re halfway when the deep bellow of a horn echoes across the bay.

The Metkayina dive from their platforms, abandon shore-side activities and emerge from the waters atop strange creatures as our Ikrans approach an outstretched catwalk of sand. A crowd has already gathered as the first of us touch down. Neytiri’s Ikran screeches a mighty cry. I run my hands along the stretch of Vaana’s white neck, fingers following the purple and black patterns as I silently urge her to remain quiet. Our arrival is meant to appear in some confidence, but too much may strike the wrong impression.

I slide off Vaana, feet met with the unfamiliar scorch of hot sand. Sand beaches are not common in the jungles of Pandora and are often traded for natural pools and gushing waterfalls. Even then, the sand isn't nearly as fine, nor responsive to the heat of the sun. I share a wordless look with Kiri, who falls into step beside me as we shadow her brothers. With a nod she returns, I look ahead at the approaching people, pulling my woven shawl tight around my shoulders at the sight of them. Some brandish wooden spears, some carry children on their hips. Some appear curious, others cautious. And some…some look ready to strike. Yips and cries are passed between the Metkayina as Jake takes the lead, palms outstretched and arms flourishing in a sign of peace.

The further we walk along the sandbar, the further we are closed in. The Reef People stand at all sides; we are entirely at their mercy.

It doesn’t take a second look to see a striking difference in anatomy besides the obvious green skin and markings, which closely resemble ripples instead of stripes. In both males and females, their ribcages are wider, protruding in great contrast to their soft stomachs. A jutting form branches from elbow to pinky resembling that of a fish's fins. Thin and tufted tails are traded for oar-like ones, thicker and flat. While I try not to stare at one face for too long, I’m caught off guard by the blinks of blue eyes. Their eyes are double-lidded, one layer blinking towards the inner corners before the outer layers meet in the middle. Swirling designs cover their skin, etched permanently in black ink.

It shouldn’t take an expert to understand the difference; their bodies are built for the water.

The hushed whispers set me on edge. My ears prick this way and that as my brain attempts to pick apart every conversation. One woman leans towards her friend, whispering that she is unsure why we are here. It’s one of the more tame comments, and though I wish to bare teeth at some, I know it is not wise. They are right to be unsure, right to question what they do not know.

From the crowd, two boys that I assume are similar to my age emerge. The one in front is taller, staring us down through heavy brows. Intimidating. His black braided hair is pulled into a topknot high on his head. A leather band circles his thick bicep, stitched with small shards of iridescent paua shells and practically shouting his ranking. A warrior. Strapped to his grass loincloth is an impressive blade. Behind him, his shorter companion appears more curious, albeit still on the offence. He, too, carries a blade, but his arm is bare of a band. Neither of them is marked by the swirling tattoos.

As they advance, their gazes leave Jake and Neytiri to focus on us. Kiri and I linger a step behind Neteyam and Lo’ak, who incline their heads and draw two fingers from their foreheads outwards in a sign of respect. The gesture is not returned. Kiri and I make similar gestures regardless. Still, their ruthless stares do not soften.

The pair pass behind the brothers to reach Kiri and me, the two of us no longer able to cower behind the broad shields of Neteyam and Lo’ak’s backs. They turn over their shoulders to keep a close watch. In usual fashion, Lo’ak is distracted within seconds and his eyes travel elsewhere, melting into awe at something I cannot see. Neteyam, however, is entirely invested. There’s a sort of warning in the way he watches the Metkayina boys. The tall one seems to find it amusing.

The two are unapologetic in their dissecting stares, brows raising and lowering as they take us in. The taller one’s blue eyes remain on me longer. Too much longer. His gaze is too slow as it drags over my body, too curious. When our gazes meet, the hint of a smirk pricks at his full lips. It takes a ridiculous amount of will to school myself into indifference. I couldn’t be more thankful when his friend nudges at his arm, pointing at Neteyam’s swishing tail.

“Look, what is that?” He says with a bemused grin. “Is that supposed to be a tail?”

At his loud comment, a few curious onlookers giggle and laugh. His friend finds great amusement in it. Neteyam’s jaw clenches but, unsurprisingly, he chooses to remain silent. Not interested in childish jabs, I follow Lo’ak’s gaze to the shoreline, which has caught my attention in its intensity.

Emerging with grace so admirable it's envious, a Metkayina girl approaches. The sea of people part for her without hesitation. She’s important. Small braids stop behind her ears to unravel into a glistening shroud of black curls strong enough to resist the weight of water. Beads of water trickle down her heart-shaped face, following the curves of her soft cheekbones, the bridge of her nose, the plush of her full lips. The further it trickles, the further my eyes travel. Subtle curves, short but lean. Shells that reflect different colours upon each footstep are woven together with ropey twine to fashion the most beautiful top I’ve ever seen.

She was beautiful. Utterly beautiful. So much so that I envied it more than I envied her grace—not out of spite or self-hatred, of course. It’s impossible for me not to recognise her beauty out of awe. …An awe Lo’ak shares.

She approaches the two boys, sweet face souring as she hits away the shorter one’s outstretched hand.

“Do not. Rotxo. Aunong.”

Rotxo retracts his hand, grin falling at her tone. The other, Aunong, simply shakes his head, returning his gaze to stare me down. I try my best at faking obliviousness.

The girl turns her gaze to regard us quietly, a vague calculation in her pale blue eyes. Nobody has shown outward kindness yet, and in a way, neither has she. All she does is regain courtesy. However, there’s an aura to her that sucks me in, catching me so off guard that I smile, shoulders relaxing. She doesn’t hesitate to smile back.

Lo’ak nods his head towards her. “Hey.”

She looks away with a flustered huff that almost resembles a giggle, as musical as her breathy voice. Lo’ak’s tail swishes.

Eywa, already?

Kiri sighs at her brother's eagerness, a sound quickly drowned out by a guttural bellow.

Launching from the calm waters come three creatures, all bones and scaled, sleek skin, fish-like and foreign. Close to the base of elongated, slim jaws clustered with razor teeth spread a pair of wings wide. Blue bodies melt into fiery wings not nearly as flexible as our Ikran’s and fin-like in structure. A smaller pair sprout further down the snake-like bodies, merging into a flat tail. Over the sand bar they fly, mounted by males who, without a second glance, appear to be decorated warriors.

The creatures dive towards the water and submerge tail first. Spiked spines peak through the surface beneath the males. The first one to emerge onto the sandbar catches not only my attention, but the entire devoted attention of the Metkayina. They yip in response to his grunt. Tonowari.

Tonowari is the chief of the Metkayina tribe. If I had not known so already, it would have been obvious in his attire. His loincloth is impeccably detailed, with beaded swirls of purples, greens, and blues. Strapped to his chest is what must be their equivalent of a warrior belt to us; a curved, thick leather strap that comes from his left hip, crossing over his ribs and over his left shoulder. A spine-like design of shells decorates the piece, and around his neck a huge display of mollusc shells that dance in the space between purple and blue. A cloak of yellow feathers lines his broad shoulders before descending into braided orange yarn.

With each slow, purposeful stride, Tonowari digs the head of his spear into the sand. The hostility he presents is not near as much as I had expected. He instead appears confused. Surprised. Swirling patterns inked in black stem from the point of his wide nose and the curve beneath his full lower lip. The patterns dip beneath his jaw and fall down his neck to cover his chest. Vaguely, they seem to ebb and flow like the soft lapping of waves against the shore.

“Olo’eyktan,” Tonowari says by way of greeting.

Jake bows his head, repeating the gesture his sons gave to the boys. Behind him, the rest of us bow our heads to do the same. “I see you, Tonowari.”

The chief of the Reef People returns the gesture. “Jake Sully.”

As Tonowari turns to greet Neytiri under customs was no longer required under our exile, a woman emerges from the tight-knit circle, clad in a get-up as exquisite as the chiefs. The Metkayina bow their heads and bear the spears skyward as she passes. At the sight of her less welcoming face, my stomach turns, recalling Jake’s warnings about today.

The Tsahik of the clan approaches her mate, hips swishing, sending ripples down an incredible grass skirt. There’s a fullness to her hips and roundness to her pale stomach that promises the bearing of a child. A thick netting tangled with shells hugs her throat tightly, falling down to cover her fuller breasts. Similarly to her mate, facial tattoos mark her face, stemming from her nose and beneath her lower lip, although more modest. Delicate. Where his covers all of his neck and chest, hers follows a central line from her mouth, over her throat and between her collarbones. It disappears at her sternum, reappearing beneath her breasts reaching her naval. A beautiful headpiece holding a flat shell against her forehead is tucked into a thick head of wild black hair. Her eyes are wide and aware, lips parted as if something is dying to be said.

“I see you, Ronal,” Jake says before she can question anything. Neytiri echoes his words. “Tsahik of the Metkayina.”

The Tsahik does not respond, painfully silent and painfully critical in her stare.

“Why do you come to us, Jake Sully?” Tonowari asks after a long pause.

Jake looks back at his family before answering. “We seek uturu.”

Ronal’s questioning eyes turn bewildered. “Uturu?”

Her judgment is off-putting, but I do not blame her. Uturu does not just mean a place to stay for the Na’vi, it means protection. Alliance. A welcoming into one’s way of life as if those seeking it were family. Acceptance is celebrated in our cultures but not without the allowance to question.

Jake nods. “Yes, sanctuary for my family.”

Tonowari seems torn as his mate wordlessly advances towards us, searching, judging. “We are Reef People. You are Forest People. Your skills will mean nothing here.”

Ronal levels Neteyam and Lo’ak with hard stares as she breezes behind their parents. The two of them lower their gazes out of respect, not the challenge that she seems to be searching for. I chew at the inner flesh of my cheeks as she comes Kiri and I’s way. Respect her, understand her. The first indication of negativity will have the Tsahik demanding our retreat.

“Well, we will learn your ways,” Jake reasons, turning back to give his mate a silent call for help. “Am I right?”

“Yes.”

Neytiri can barely breathe out her answer before the Tsahik’s hand wraps around her tail. It slips from her grasp as Neytiri turns. Their gazes meet, hard and demanding the other to speak first, but Ronal drifts away without paying her any more mind. Instead, she reaches for Tuk’s arm to hold it high above the child’s head.

“Their arms are thin,” she announces. Tuk backs away so fast that she stumbles from the comfort of her mother, instead thumping into her father’s thigh. Ronal continues, doing the same to Kiri as she had just done to Neytiri. “Their tails are weak. You will be slow in the water.”

With an indignant ‘ow’, Kiri snatches back her tail, holding the tufted end to her shawl-draped chest. An energy of incredulousness buzzes from my friend. I place a hand on Kiri’s shoulder, squeezing softly. Don’t bite back. Let her express her concerns. Kiri seems to heed my silent plea. When her gaze travels to me and the hand on her shoulder, I have to remind myself of the same plea. Especially when her three-fingered grasp pulls at my wrist.

Ronal is anything but gentle as turns my palm skyward, eyes jumping over each finger. She pulls at my other hand to do the same, recounting the extra digit over and over as if certain she has imagined it. Jaw hard, she raises my hands skyward so hard my shoulders ache in protest. I look to the sands below in shame.

“These children are not even true Na’vi!”

A collective gasp rolls through the crowd like a ripple in a lake, upset by the plunk of a skipped stone. This, I had expected. Beyond the forests, nowhere else on Pandora has seen the uncanny forms of the Avatars and their descendants. Na’vi are incredibly accepting in appearance, but our culture has never accounted for physical mutations, something unheard of throughout history. Instead, I’ve come to learn that acceptance lies in expression; the clothes you wear, the way your hair is done, the precious stones and woven jewellery decorating your body. All things controllable. I do not fit that narrative.

“Yes, we are,” Kiri counters, but Ronal has already had enough, prowling away as the murmurs and gasps continue.

The others look on, helplessly silent as she grabs for Lo’ak’s hand. It’s a rebuttal to Kiri’s comment, proof that we are not true Na’vi. I share a sympathetic look with Lo’ak, who runs his tongue behind his lower lip to subdue any arguments. There is nothing we can do but listen.

“They have demon blood!”

The murmurs grow deafeningly loud, horrified and angry. My ears flatten as I attempt to drown out their words. Some back away, positioning themselves on their haunches as if prepared to strike. Considering the wooden spears in their hand that happen to tilt down from the clouds…I wouldn’t be surprised.

“Look. Look!” Jake brandishes his hand, extending his fingers and waving it before the Tsahik’s face. “Look, I was born of the Sky People and now I am Na’vi. All right? You can adapt.”

Unchanging in her display of disgust, all Ronal does is drop Lo’ak’s hand, drag her eyes venomously over his father’s face, and then prowl back to Tonowari’s side. Jake spreads his hands wide and turns to address the crowd.

“We can all adapt. Okay?”

At the ensuing silence and unsure look on the clan leader’s face, Neytiri steps forward. She regards the Tsahik with her chin purposefully high, looking down the flat bridge of her nose as if the female was her lesser counterpart instead of her equal. Unsurprisingly, it is Neytiri who is unapologetic and unafraid to display her distaste for our treatment. My respect for her is endless, but I cannot help but fear for the response.

“My husband was Toruk Makto,” she begins, voice dancing between contempt for the female and pride in her mate. “He led the clans to victory against the Sky People.”

Ronal scoffs. “This you call victory? Hiding amongst strangers? It seems Eywa has turned her back on you…Chosen One.”

At the sarcastic power behind the name thrown at Jake, Neytiri’s lips curl back into a livid scowl, fangs bared. Ronal reacts in kind by mirroring the look. The two women snarl at each other. Strangely, in their clashing, the Tsahik and Neytiri are incredibly alike. It is their stubborn pride in the protection of their people that cannot coexist. Jake places a hand between the two.

“I apologise for my mate,” he says slowly, trying to appease the Tsahik without offence to Neytiri. “She’s—”

“Do not apologise for me.”

“—flown a long way, and she’s exhausted.”

“Jake.”

Jake shoots her a look. With a huff, she falls back a step to remain in line with him.

“Toruk Makto is a great war leader!” Tonowari suddenly announces. At the dizzying speed that everyone's head turns, it seems we have all forgotten his presence, entirely captivated by the unnerving clash. He steps forward, a giant hand falling on Jake’s shoulder. “All Na’vi people know his story.”

The onlookers nod slowly, humming their hesitant agreements. Tuk tugs at her father’s arm as the Metkayinan chief addresses his people. He picks up his daughter, cradling her small body to his chest tightly. The image of him holding her as if he had just carried her across a battlefield, face twisted in desperation for a godly miracle to promise her safety, is signal enough. Its time.

Slowly, Kiri and I drift to either side of her mother. We are not shy in our closeness—we have a part to play, after all. Kiri flocks beneath her mother's outstretched arm, a hand reaching up to hold the one resting on her upper arm. Neytiri’s own free hand rests on my shoulder, her thumb running over the curve at the base of my neck. The great warrior that holds us has lost all hints of hostility, eyes downcast and touch comforting. Her sons stand as our shadows, towering over us women. I look back to see Lo’ak watching his mother with convincingly sad eyes. Neteyam gives me a reserved nod.

“But we Metkayina…are not at war.” Tonowari turns back to Jake then. “We cannot let you bring your war here.”

“I’m done with war. Okay?” Jake pleads. “I just want to keep my family safe.”

His quiet, defeated voice breaks beneath the anguish. For a moment, the chief and his mate go quiet, considering his request as they take us in. Weak, hopeless, broken. That’s how we look, just as Jake had instructed us to. The Metkayina would not sway easily; he had thought right. Manipulative as it was, we had to capitalise on our desperation, drag it out and brandish it like scars of war.

“Uturu has been asked.” With great difficulty, Neytiri repeats what we have come here for. It shames her to seek help from a foreign clan. To ask twice is unbearable.

Still, they remain silent, sharing an indecipherable look.

“Do we have to go now?”

Tuk asks the question quietly against her father’s neck. He reaches his hand to her skull, cradling it in his palm to hush his daughter with the promise of everything being okay. Clever girl. The scene captivates Ronal entirely as if she had just witnessed Eywa herself descend from the heavens. Leave it up to the innocence of a child and the threat of danger to pull on even the coldest heartstrings.

One million words are spoken between the chief and his mate, but not one lands on my ears. Through raised brows, lowered eyes, hard jaws and pursed lips, they soundlessly speak entire conversations, going over the risks and the gains, what is morally right but what is wrong for their people. A sigh, a nod, then…

“Toruk Makto and his family will stay with us.”

My heart flutters. A breath I had not known I was holding escapes my lips. Neytiri squeezes my shoulder.

“Treat them as our brothers and sisters,” he continues, speaking to the contrasting sea of emotions that surrounds us. “Now, they do not know the sea, so they will be like babies taking their first breath. Teach them our ways so they do not suffer the shame of being useless.”

Jake chuckles softly, bewildered. To Tuk, he murmurs, “Hey, what do we say?”

Tuk looks to the chief with a beaming, utterly youthful smile. “Thank you.”

The praise is echoed between us. Kiri’s voice is an unenthusiastic whisper, barely anything more than a breath as she does the same.

“My son, Aunong, our daughter, Tsireya, will show your children what to do.”

Tonowari gestures to his children as he speaks, first the tall boy with the wandering eyes, then the pretty girl who had told him off earlier. Tsireya beams at us, and so far the only person happy with our arrival, and I couldn’t be more relieved that she will be the one to show us our new way of life. Her brother, on the other hand, looks mortified. I’m just as displeased that he has to do the same.

“Father, why do—”

“It is decided.” Tonowari cuts him off firmly with a pointed finger and a shove of his spear into the sand. Aunong stares his father down.

“Come!” Tsireya wastes no time in skipping towards us, breezing past the boys with a welcoming smile towards Kiri and I. She takes my hands in hers and pulls me away from the confinements of the circle. At first, our arrival was unbearable, dragging out like a terrible memory on repeat to torture me. Now, the pace has kicked up, and everything moves too fast for me to comprehend. “I will show you our village.”

I smile back at Tsireya. First impressions mean nothing, I tell myself. So what if the rest of the Metkayina are hesitant to accept us? As long as I can find a friend in the chief's joyous daughter, our time here may not be so bad.

#avatar #avatar the way of water #atwow #neteyam #neteyam avatar #neteyam sully #neteyam x reader #neteyam x oc #fanfiction

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mega-ringsandthings-world · 5 months

Note

I know we’ve talked about this via messages, but I wanted to ask again about health issues (mental aside) they’ll have to deal with from being tortured for two and a half years straight.

Not just that, but also the scars they accumulate—do those cause issues? Is part of their bedtime routine putting on scar cream so the skin can move less stiffly through out that day? Is it a ritual every night that they try to perform without fail? Does Mihawk let Shanks get his back? Does Shanks let Mihawk treat his Haki burns?

Are some of their joints messed up from being dislocated so many times? Do they hate cold weather and winter islands most of all? Can they feel an oncoming storm or the weather patterns just from the aches in old broken bones?

Are some days so bad for Mihawk's hands, which are scarred and broken to hell and back, that his fingers just shake all day? Does Shanks get crippling migraines from all the times he was punched in the head?

Do they take medication? For the pain or for their mental illnesses? Now I’m just imagining them dragging themselves miserably to Drum Island for a checkup to make sure nothing’s going to kill them physically or have long-term effects from their captivity, and Dr. Kureha just taking one look at these two miserable kids absolutely riddled with PTSD and going, "Okay, whack that shit out," and prescribing them Lexapro.

Not to mention the stress probably rewired their brains, and the brain damage from getting beaten around so many times. What about their immune systems? High stress and lack of proper nutrition can mess that up forever. Oh, and weight gain is going to be different as well as bone density and muscle loss. They are going to be a mess.

There's also the grief that comes with the loss of bodily autonomy in this way. They had a bright future and young, healthy bodies that have been traumatized. Now, not only will they live with the mental scarring but also the physical scarring that will affect them in fights, breathing, or just being for the rest of their lives. Think of Mihawk just staring at himself in the mirror, grieving the health he had before, how he's scared he’ll never be the world's greatest swordsman, that they taken that away from him like so much else. Think of Shanks crying over the thought he might not get to explore the world because of his migraines.

But at least they have each other! Hopefully, they also learn to lean on each other when shit gets bad and take up accommodations for their issue. I don't know; Mihawk is headstrong but more about efficiency, and if wearing a brace or taking a certain med means he'd be at his peak, then I can see this Mihawk swallowing his pride and doing it. Shanks, on the other hand... I don't know, maybe?

Ooh, more logistics. Bodily logistics, that it. The severest issues come from the initial healing process, like the scar on Mihawk's leg which keeps him bedridden for months. When they heal, it falls to the people who are treating them to maintain continuing treatment for the scars that are left, because they won't be in a fit state to do that at first. But yeah, they get into a routine of care for themselves as they get better mentally, Mihawk especially. And while he wouldn't let Shanks near the scars on his back for quite a while, he'd insist on treating Shanks. The Haki burns are going to be something he's guilty about, naturally. Hm, Shanks' left arm was fractured at the elbow and the burns on Mihawk's knuckles would have damaged the tendons there, and they both have dislocated a shoulder/wrist/rib/knee numerous times. Cold weather/pressure drops/high humidity all exacerbate injuries, so yeah, they'd avoid all of those if it could be helped. Shanks spends a lot of time slumming on beaches for that very reason. Mihawk would probably like cold better than he does heat, so his preferred basking spot is Kuraigana, which was picked for its atmosphere. Yes to them sensing storms. Shanks in particular actually finds that useful. So, dislocated wrists, damage to the nerves/tendons from the burns on Mihawk's knuckles would cause tremors even if his hands were never broken outright, and those mixed with stress/anxiety/sleep depravation can get nasty. Shanks develops migraines due to the head trauma, that come in varying levels of severity. Suffice to say, there's days when neither of them are in any state to do any daily tasks, or much of anything. (they still push themselves to, though) Pain meds, mostly, Mihawk self-medicates on Haki, Shanks alcohol. Sedatives in the early days, when they need to be calmed down. They do get taken to Drum Island at some point, and they'll get a cocktail that takes them off the edge. More on that later. (Kureha would have stock of Lexapro somewhere lol) Speaking of which, they might need short-term anxiety medication and help mitigating (they won't go away) the stress responses they've developed. They amount of head trauma would probably mean permanent damage in real life, but memory issues here, probably. They're kept marginally well-fed, seeing as how they need to be kept alive, and they get enough that their growth isn't stunted to the extreme, but it's not the nutrition that's up to par for two-young men. They'll grow up leaner, having to work to put on muscle definition. Their on and off EDs don't help, and neither does getting sick more frequently until their immune systems regain full health. It looks hopeless to them at the very start of their recovery. Looking into the mirror at every flaw and bleeding wound, feeling utterly weak in every cell, it'll be hard for them to imagine returning to even a shadow of their former selves, let alone advancing past that. Which brings it's own mental issues, of course. And the horror of having to be so weak in front of each other. Which makes them reluctant to have a hand on each other's recovery, at least up until the need to be with each other takes over. After a while Mihawk treats the accommodations he needs as just another thing he needs to do to stay on top, like exercising, doing sword drills, sparring. In canon Mihawk obviously takes care of himself and it's the same here (mostly). He adds it (braces, pain meds, exercises) into his meticulous routine and that's that. Shanks, on the other hand, tends to lean more towards curing the issue than preventing the issue, he'll wait until something can't be ignored to do something about it, out of his own pride. And then it's fuck it we ball and washing down pain meds with liquor, which always gets Mihawk pissed at him.

#one piece #op #opla #dracule mihawk #akagami no shanks #hawkeye mihawk #red haired shanks #mihawk one piece #shanks one piece #mishanks #mihawk x shanks #op marines #loguetown au

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thenamesblurrito · 2 years

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boy oh boy uhhh. so you’re asking someone who doesn’t know anything about drugs beyond memes about ketamine and the phrase “acid trip”, and doesn’t understand the difference between advil, aspirin, and tylenol, AND doesn’t know anything about computing or mechanics, so go easy on me as i completely make stuff up. i originally screenshot this to put it in an ask dump but then it got too long so it’s in its own post

there are far more digital drugs than physical ones. the physical ones are likely to be fuel additives to affect the performance of the frame, like an upper for self repair systems or temporary nitro boosts that can give you a burst of speed and energy but also might burn out your engine. cy-gars, cy-garettes, and other aerosol inhalants like what Kup and Ravage smoke do actually have an affect on sensory perception, hijacking chemoreception in the mouth and vents. some numb the neurocircuits and deaden senses and can be medicinally used for pain relief, some wake you up, and some are mildly hallucinogenic in that they can mess with the neurocircuitry they come in contact with, and they can end up addictive for some. none of these are powerful enough to actually get someone properly high or in an altered state, because even cycling aerosols throughout the vents of one’s entire frame is still not enough contact and absorption to really affect the processor. otherwise, there isn’t a lot of physically consumed/injected/applied material that will make you feel wonky or something? it’s almost always about changing or enhancing physical performance, medicinally or otherwise

many drugs are digital files uploaded through medical interfacing, either by a medical professional or in a self-contained USB-stick type device often called a holochip or simultronic stick, comparable to an inhaler or pill bottle or injection that can be easily self applied on the regular. all of these are temporary scripts that run their course and then are naturally cleared from the nervous system. it’s incredibly difficult if not outright impossible to permanently change someone’s hardcoding, especially not in the processor itself. medical drugs like mood stabilizers for mental health issues, inoculations, painkillers, programs to prevent rejection of cloned transplants or kibble additions, immune system conditions or allergy pills, and other types are all well regulated, thoroughly tested in AI simulations, and updated to prevent bugs or accidental immunity. not every program can run on every mech, as everyone’s processor and frame is different. especially when considering the differences in alt mode and kibble, it’s incredibly important for medics to identify and test which drugs will actually run on the operating system of a mech’s nervous circuitry

obviously all of those can be altered, heightened, mixed with physical substances, or just overdosed to cause an altered state of mind or physicality that may be addictive and/or detrimental for the mech in question. recreational drugs or performance enhancers are typically called stimms, circuitjacks, or circuit boosters/speeders. examples include syk and nucleon. bootleg programs are extremely dangerous but not exactly uncommon among addicted communities. most drug addicts have dysphoria of some kind, or are actively self-medicating to escape or ignore something wrong in their lives. sometimes just uploading the wrong program to the wrong frame would act as a narcotic, eg a script coded for mecha with flightframe kibble running on a wheeled grounder frame might get trippy and cause phantom limb sensations... assuming it wasn’t just crippling or lethal. it would be unfair to say that recreational drug usage is universally evil or dangerous or what have you, but i think there’s probably a slightly higher risk factor for mecha than humans? their version of drugs does literally temporarily take over and/or their own processing for awhile. if something goes wrong, the program might not end, might corrupt its file, might replicate or overwrite natural coding on accident, might crash the system, or might eat up too much memory or processing space. a fatal computer error, if you would. (i’m absolutely aware of irl bad reactions to drugs, that’s partially what this is based on, i’m not trying to pretend humans aren’t in danger from irresponsible use or something)

the really bad drugs would just straight up be malware. viruses aren’t uncommon and often act like the flu, and self-replicating programs can be a problem if the processor can’t clear its cache fast enough to get rid of them. but truly malicious viruses actively hijack the frame or delete swathes of code or act invisibly while taking up more and more storage space. nothing is capable of actually mind controlling a mech or what have you, but they can mess with the processor and divorce the function and sensory suites of the frame from conscious control. take it too far, and energon circulation might get messed up, self repair might go on the fritz, cooling might go off and freeze or overheat the frame, neurocircuitry might not have the bandwidth to actually run the virus and start causing fatal lag, or the spark might start guttering from working so hard to support such overworked activity from the viruses

#transformers #drugs #worldbuilding #cybertronian biology #macaddam #tf original continuity #TF:SNAP #that intro is kind of a lie im from socal i know weed culture well #i have just experienced too many altered states of mind from health conditions and mental illness to want some artificial experiences

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discoverybody · 21 days

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Discover Natural Remedies for Arthritis in Fingers

Finger arthritis is a crippling ailment that causes pain, stiffness, and restricted mobility. While traditional therapies exist, many people prefer natural remedies to alleviate their symptoms. Natural treatments for arthritis in the fingers aim to reduce inflammation, improve joint health, and provide relief. These treatments include dietary changes, herbal supplements, vitamins, lifestyle changes, exercise, and physical therapy. Finger arthritis can be caused by either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by joint wear and tear, but rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system targets the joints. Common symptoms of finger arthritis include pain, stiffness, swelling, restricted movement, and joint discomfort. A doctor can detect finger arthritis using physical examinations and imaging testing. Natural therapies for finger arthritis include anti-inflammatory herbs like turmeric and ginger. Fatty fish include omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation, while glucosamine can relieve joint pain and stiffness. Exercise and physical therapy can help to increase joint flexibility and strengthen the surrounding muscles. Heat and cold therapy can also help relieve stiffness and irritation.

#finger arthritis #health #good health #healthcare #theraphies

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ask-the-achs · 4 months

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(New battle!)

TOBY! Wait. You're not my son. Wh-who the-he hell?

TICCI TOBY VS LUCCINA MOONTEAR @tobys-multiverse-official (enjoy)

Ticci Toby info:

Height: 5 foot 8

Weight: 139lbs

Weapons: Hatchets, Kitchen Knife

Strengths: Is one of the most famous Creepypasta characters along with one of the most famous of Slenderman’s Proxies, Peak human strength (Is able to carve through bone with his Hatchets, Beat down Laughing Jack and it took Jeff the Killer, Hoodie, Masky and Eyeless Jack to fully restrain him, Aided in restraining Zalgo), Peak human durability (Was born with the inability to feel pain allowing him to tank any wound that doesn’t outright kill or cripple him, Survived the car crash that killed his sister), Peak human speed (Can effortlessly evade capture, Is stated to be faster than Jeff the Killer), Is a master of stealth.

Weaknesses: Slenderman deciding if Toby lives or dies counts as outside assistance and will be removed for this battle, Along with Jeff the Killer Toby can be considered one of the weakest Creepypasta characters, Works better as part of a team than by himself, His inability to feel pain does not mean he is immune to damage and it can actually work against him as he be completely unaware that he has suffered a life threatening wound until its too late.

Luccina Moontear

Height:5 foot 4 inch

Weight:160 pounds

Weapons:Nano-Rifle Implants Kodachi blade crowbar medkit (the only dangerous thing in there is the adrenaline shot to give her a second wind and a different syringe that contains a medical liquid that slows down blood flow which disorient people for a few minutes)

Strengths:the ACHS second in command, and while a low ranking yakuza member, she was a capable fighter and skilled nurse. Peak humans may be past Peak human strength(the metalic implants in her body allows her to overpower men twice her size and easily breaks bone and steel with kicks and punches) peak human? durability (thanks to implants in her body she can get cut by swords and knives without losing limbs and her shins and arms are nearly blade proof. Thanks to a supersoldier surem she made to help being out the best of humanity let's her heal from wounds faster and her immune system was bossted to resist most poisons and diseases.) Suprising speed (can react to bullets and stab attack from Nevada's grunts and agents could throw a knife faster then other agents can react and can pull out a gun and fire before anyone can react and there was 3 people pointing guns at her. Sunblood claims her mind makes choices in 1/250th of a second with means her brain works faster then skilled marines.) Shes capable of aiming her rifle and fire with skilled accuracy and her rifle is can make a according to her 800 ft shot. But she does need time to aim. As a yakuza she was capable kickboxer. Her implants give her metal in certain parts of her body (spine shins forearms) the ones in her arms house hidden curved blades in her elbows. Skilled medic.

Weaknesses:she's still human at the end of the day. Her nano rifle was actually ment to allow people to be injected with temporary healing nanites from a distance but when shot at a human she states all it does to a person with a switch flip is give a target minor flu symptoms (mostly stomach aches.) Is far more focused on keeping hostages around her safe. Her own protective mother dragon nature can be used against her (just get away from her. The last guy who tried got reminded of the fact Moontear was a yakuza.)

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acupuncturemelbourne · 1 year

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Get your Mensuration on Time with Lesser Pain Using Treatment for Natural Fertility in Melbourne

When attempting to conceive, whether naturally or with IVF aid, acupuncture, and Chinese medicine can be helpful as a method for natural fertility in Melbourne. To assist you through your therapies, well-trained professionals can collaborate with your gynaecologist. Chinese medicines and acupuncture may increase fecundity and aid in pregnancy by helping the menstruation period in order. It also helps to raise the overall thickness of the uterine membrane and boost blood supply to the uterus. You will experience reduce tension and strengthening of the immune system to help the delivery process.

Experience a Relief in your Persistent Pain

Low back and knee discomfort brought on by osteoarthritis brought on by wear and strain may be lessened by acupuncture for pain relief. Evaluation of non-drug methods to manage low back pain revealed that acupuncture reduced discomfort and enhanced performance right away. Cell phones, bulky backpacks, keyboards, and bad posture are only a few of the causes of the kind of discomfort that disrupts our workweek and keeps us awake at night. Drug-free pain alleviation and a reduction in swelling and irritation are both benefits of acupuncture.

Enhanced Immunity and Reduction in the Sick Days

By enhancing the immune system, acupuncture can aid in the body's defence against infections. Acupuncture therapy can also shorten the length of a cold and ease crippling symptoms that prevent you from working and feeling well.

Patients who receive acupuncture report improved mental acuity and frequently feel an increase in vitality. Acupuncture is used to address sleep problems like insomnia because it also improves slumber.

For those suffering from gastrointestinal issues, acupuncture can successfully control the digestive system. Acupuncture can be very effective at avoiding allergens, but it's also critical to start treatments to fortify your body prior to allergy season.

Less Damage to the Body from Repetitive Strain

One of the most frequent work-related injuries is repetitive stress injury, which can require a lot of time off from work. It also supports lung tissue healing while enhancing calm and the body's natural detoxification processes, all while alleviating nervousness, reducing cravings, and lessening restlessness.

Visit for a free appointment to find out more about our highly regarded acupuncture practice in Melbourne or to ask questions about the business wellness programmes.

Source

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anzenviroasbestosremoval · 2 years

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Who Is The Most Affected By Refusing Decontamination?

Contrary to expectations, even in daily living, the risks of infection are increasing rather than decreasing. Who can tell the difference between cleanliness and hygiene, after all? The fact that there are more and more people who are prone to illnesses only makes the issue worse.

Public support must be sought if infectious disease control is to be done consistently and inexpensively. In return, the general public has a right to be properly and responsibly informed. It is necessary to emphasize the distinction between "dirt" and "contamination" once more.

In adhering to this issue, it is also important to know who is the most affected by the refusal of decontamination and the underlying risks accompanying it. Here are the following:

1. Workers - If the refusal of decontamination is protruded, many of these personnel pass away from terrible illnesses, malignancies, and poisonings, or suffer fatal injuries as a result of fires or explosions. We must also take into account the additional burden that non-fatal injuries, crippling chronic diseases, and other health complications place on employees and their families, consequences that, sadly, frequently go unnoticed. These infections, injuries, and fatalities may all have been avoided if decontamination is at utmost priority.

Unborn babies - Their amount of activity in the surroundings and stage of development are two elements that influence vulnerability. The fetus is especially vulnerable since its developing organs could sustain long-term harm. As a result, modifications may, for instance, alter bodily organs, preventing their correct growth into adult organs. Decontamination is as important as every human being's life and it should not be taken for granted.

Children - Children, especially those between the ages of one and six, are also in an era of rapid development. Due to their relatively small bodies, amount of activity, and body chemistry, children may absorb more chemicals at this time. Chemicals can change numerous processes necessary for healthy cell formation in children as they mature.

Teenagers - Due to their increased physical activity and natural curiosity, adolescents may also be at risk.

The elderly - are more likely to become contaminated because as people get older, their organs and immune systems become less capable of identifying and eliminating dangerous pathogens.

Immune system deficient - People whose immune systems are compromised by conditions like diabetes, liver or kidney illness, alcoholism, HIV/AIDS, or those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy are less able to fight off germs and diseases.

Pregnant women - Pregnant women's immune systems alter, increasing the risk of foodborne illness for the mothers, their unborn children, and their infants. These conditions may worsen during pregnancy and increase the risk of miscarriage or early birth.

These individuals need the right amount of support to fight against the possibilities of contamination. That is why awareness must spread about responsible decontamination.

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foundhealth · 2 years

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Fighting Leukemia: A Survivor Tells Her Winning Story of Integrative Medicine

A Grateful Cancer Survivor tells how she fought leukemia, survived, and reached remission through a combination of chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, acupuncture and further integrative medicine. Her powerful story of the successful integrative approach is very important. Cancer researchers, doctors, and patients will all benefit from understanding integrative medicine success stories in the battles against cancer.

In my intense battle with a very aggressive form of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), I believe acupuncture and naturopathy made a critical difference in helping me not only to survive, but to actually thrive as my good health has gradually returned to me.

. Like most cancer patients, my cancer diagnosis catapulted me into the high end of medical intervention: biopsies, scans, innumerable blood tests, and frightening meetings with world-caliber specialists. The consensus opinion was that I had a battle on my hands, and bombarding my disease with the most caustic of treatments was the best possible solution. Traditional medicine was now at war in my body, and I was clearly just along for the ride.

. For my first treatment round, I was part of a clinical trial that world-wide had shown tremendous promise in putting difficult forms of leukemia like mine into remission. Thirteen of us began this trial. At its end, I was the sole survivor.

. The side effects of the drugs I took were excruciating in the extreme. Months on the drugs left me with a devastated immune symptom, crippling joint pain that eventually made it impossible for me to sleep at night, and serious inflammation of my gastro- intestinal tract that prevented me from retaining much of what I ate. I was also repeatedly in and out of the hospital for fevers and infections. My body kept trying valiantly to fight back, but the toxicity of the drugs I was taking had seriously eroded my natural physical capacity for health and balance. I finally understood that something had to change when my liver counts became dangerously elevated. Before this life-threatening complication, I had asked my doctors many times about what I could do to protect and strengthen my body from what I began calling “the bomb” they were dropping in me. It seemed only logical to me that, as my cancer was being destroyed and along with it, much of my immune system, my body also needed to be continually fortified to keep it strong, resilient, and ever ready to heal and repair.

Visit here for more about Fighting Leukemia: A Survivor Tells Her Winning Story of Integrative Medicine

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bpod-bpod · 2 years

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Hide and Sneak

When a virus enters a cell and starts taking over the machinery, an immune protein called major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I goes into action. The complex collects pieces of viral proteins and displays them on the cell surface alerting other immune cells to the presence of the invader and directing the cells to attack. But some viruses are crafty and, by crippling the MHC class I pathway, can hide from the host immune system at least to some extent. Among these evasive viruses is SARS-CoV-2, which recent research shows turns off a key MHC class I-activating protein called NLRC5. An infected cell is shown here, coloured green, surrounded by uninfected cells that still express NLRC5 (reddish purple). Figuring out the mechanics of SARS-CoV-2’s immune evading tactics may inform the design of novel therapeutics that, if applied early during infection, could boost the host response and shorten the illness.

Written by Ruth Williams

Image by Koichi Kobayashi, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan

and Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA

Image copyright held by Koichi Kobayashi

Research by Ji-Seung Yoo et al, published in Nature Communications, November 2021

You can also follow BPoD on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

#science #biomedicine #viral infection #virus #mhc #mhc class I #sars-cov-2 #covid_19 #immune system #immune evasion #immunofluorescence

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softieskywalker · 3 years

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Vader sat on a tiny wooden chair, crouching his massive body close to the floor as he observed the small toys floating around the room. The TIE fighter plastic model, the plush tooka doll, and the clone trooper action figures danced around in circles. In the middle of them sat a blonde baby of around two years of age, laughing delightfully as he shook his short arms up and down, making the toys clash with each other in the air.

It was amazing to see how natural it was for Luke to reach out with the Force. Children in the crèche took years to master what seemed an afterthought for Vader's little boy. Luke had taken a while to learn to talk, having spent his entire first year of life communicating his needs and desires through their bond. It was almost like the Living Force was his true language, and Luke had to translate everything to basic before speaking.

Vader wondered if he would have been as naturally gifted if his mother hadn't spent his early years suppressing every sign of him being different, terrified of the consequences. He didn't blame her, she had only been looking out for their safety.

“Be careful, Luke,” warned Vader in the gentlest voice he could get out through his vocal recorder, when one of the action figures floated too close to the baby’s forehead.

Luke turned his attention to his father, his huge crystal blue eyes shining with joy, and extended his chubby arms in his direction.

“Up, Daddy, up!” he demanded, and the toys fell to the ground as Luke lost interest in them.

Hating having to deny anything to his son, Vader shook his head slowly.

“You know I can’t, little one.”

Luke’s lower lip started to tremble, and Vader panicked at the perspective of tears. He picked up another plush doll from the ground, a bantha that showed to be very well loved by his owner, and waved it in the air.

His son wasn’t so easily distracted. Luke crawled the distance between them and used his father's legs as support to stand up.

"Up!" he insisted, more firmly this time. Vader was proud his son was confident when demanding what he wanted, but his heart broke every time he had to deny him of something as simple as being held.

"You've been sick the past few days, Luke," he reminded him, knowing full well the baby could barely understand what it meant. "It's too risky for my health."

Even if he didn't understand the reasons, Luke shared his father's uncanny abilities to read what feeling others projected. He couldn't understand what a compromised immune system was, but he could feel his father was sad.

Vader watched with fondness as Luke frowned his little eyebrows together. Then he extended his little arms above his head.

"Hug!"

Vader smiled behind his mask. A hug would be as bad as holding him up, but Luke had found an alternative, and Vader didn't have the strength to deny his little angel any longer.

He kneeled on the ground and hugged his baby boy close to his chestplate, relinquishing on the warmth that Luke's presence irradiated. His son was too small to return the hug fully, and grabbed his cape by the edges with his clumsy hands.

The consecutive weeks spent inside his hyperbaric chamber fighting off a cold with what was left of his crippled lungs were worth the precious seconds Vader got to enjoy holding his son between his arms.

(small extract from wandering stars.)

#thought this part was cute :)#luke skywalker #darth vader #dad vader #star wars #star wars fanfiction #my fics #wandering stars #someday i'll finish chapter 7 lol #palabritas

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comrade-meow · 3 years

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'Puberty Blockers' and the Medical Abuse of Women

On Friday, September 17, the UK Court of Appeal overturned a judgement ruling that children under the age of 16 are unable to consent to taking drugs euphemistically referred to as ‘puberty blockers’, which halt a child’s natural growth process. The decision was made in favor of the Tavistock and Portman NHS foundation trust, which runs England’s only gender identity development service (GIDS) for children, and was brought forward last year by Keira Bell, who was prescribed puberty blocking drugs at the age of 16 and has since detransitioned.

Bell describes in detail how she suffered from depression as a teenager, and how she “had never had a positive association with the term ‘lesbian’ or the idea that two girls could be in a relationship,” leading to her confusion about her body that led her towards transitioning. At 15, she was referred to the Gender Identity Development Service, at the Tavistock, and after a few conversations was placed on ‘puberty blockers’ when she was 16.

These drugs called ‘puberty blockers’ are technically better described as endocrine disruptors, and there is little evidence to support activists’ claims that they are not only safe and reversible but also ‘life-saving’, as they are frequently described by media outlets and lobbying organisations; however, there is ample evidence to the contrary.

The Tavistock released information from a report at the beginning of 2021 which concluded that “puberty blockers do not alleviate negative thoughts in children with dysphoria”. Children aged 12 - 15 who were administered the drugs as a treatment for severe and persistent gender dysphoria experienced no significant improvement in their psychological function, thoughts of self-harm, or body image. However, the children did experience decreased bone strength by the age of 16, and data showed that some of the children taking the drugs reported an increase in thoughts of suicide and self-harm.

In addition, a Swedish study showed that after transition, patients had a 19x higher rate of suicide than matched controls: “The overall mortality for sex-reassigned persons was higher during follow-up than for controls of the same birth sex, particularly death from suicide. Sex-reassigned persons also had an increased risk for suicide attempts and psychiatric inpatient care.”

Endocrinologist Dr. Will Malone, who is one of several doctors raising the alarm on this issue, said, “It is misleading to state as fact that ‘puberty blockers are reversible’. No one knows if the physical and psychological impacts of halting normal puberty are reversible.”

Research conducted by Dr. Malone and Dr. Michael Laidlaw found that after two years of pubertal suppression, up to a third of children aged 12 - 15 years old were found to have abnormally low bone density. Moreover, further research conducted by Dr. Michael Biggs found that after two years of ‘puberty blocking’ medications, bone density in a significant number of children “declined to a level that should trigger clinical concern”. In the study, Biggs cites an example of a patient at the Tavistock clinic who began taking endocrine disruptors at the age of 12 and experienced four broken bones by the age of 16.

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‘Puberty Blockers’ and Women’s Health

One of the drugs most commonly prescribed as a ‘puberty blocker’ is Lupron, manufactured by AbbVie (formerly Takeda-Abbott Pharmaceuticals, or TAP). Lupron was developed for the treatment of prostate cancer in men and the US FDA approved it for this use in 1985. In 1990, the FDA approved Lupron for the treatment of endometriosis in women.

However, the drug is “so toxic it is not recommended for more than 12 months in a lifetime,” according to a 2019 investigation by KTNV News, which reported on complaints made by women who had been prescribed Lupron for endometriosis. “The FDA currently has over 25,000 adverse event reports for Lupron products including more than 1500 deaths. Reactions include suicidal thoughts, stroke, muscle atrophy and debilitating bone and joint pain,” the investigation found, and women reported that they were not properly warned of its risks and side effects.

youtube

The investigation was a follow-up to a previous news report by KTNV conducted nearly a decade earlier, in 2010, after which Lupron’s warning label was updated to include risks of thromboembolism, convulsions, and loss of bone density. In 2009, Lupron’s manufacturers were reprimanded by the FDA, saying that the company’s promotional materials for an HIV drug “minimize the serious risks… while overstating its efficacy and including unsubstantiated claims.”

In 2001, Lupron manufacturer TAP settled for a then-record £639 million for fraud. The lawsuit found that high-level employees, including TAP’s president, were bribing doctors to prescribe Lupron by providing kickbacks, including vacation trips, medical equipment and money offered in the form of educational grants.

youtube

A similar local news report from WXYZ-TV Detroit documented the testimonies of women who consider themselves Lupron victims, including Georgia woman Terry Paulsen, who filed a federal lawsuit claiming the pharmaceutical company failed to warn her and other women about its crippling side effects. “Her immune system began to attack her own bones. She got osteopenia and osteoporosis and now she’s got terrible osteoporosis,” said Dr. Alan Levin, an immunologist and Paulsen’s attorney. Of the 24,000 reports of adverse reactions filed with the FDA, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 60 percent of those were filed by women, and more than half of them were deemed to be serious cases.

“Lupron lawyers convinced a federal judge to seal the results from several clinical trials, but not before an expert witness disclosed evidence that even after a year off the drug, 62 percent of women did not regain normal estrogen levels. AbbVie refused to comment on the studies or on Terry Paulsen.”

youtube

Women who were given Lupron for ‘precocious puberty’ have also spoken out, detailing horrific and ongoing side effects. “It feels like I have 80-year-old bones,” said 22-year-old Brooklyn Harbin, one of the women who has filed an adverse reaction report. Harbin was prescribed Lupron at 10 years old, to pause the onset of her menstrual cycle. “The back pain became very, very severe. It got very, very depressing having to be in a wheelchair in the fifth grade,” Harbin told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

In 2017, PBS interviewed women who had been treated with Lupron for precocious puberty, and found, “A 20-year-old from South Carolina was diagnosed with osteopenia, a thinning of the bones, while a 25 year-old from Pennsylvania has osteoporosis and a cracked spine. A 26 year-old in Massachusetts needed a total hip replacement. A 25-year-old in Wisconsin… has chronic pain and degenerative disc disease.”

One woman who agreed to go on the record, Sharissa Derricott, said that at the age of 21, a surgeon had to replace her deteriorated jaw joint. In addition to being diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, her teeth were breaking apart in her mouth.

“It just feels like I’m being punished for basically being experimented on when I was a child,” Derricott told PBS. “I’d hate for a child to be put on Lupron, get to my age and go through the things I have been through.”

So often in the debate over drugs referred to as ‘puberty blockers’, advocates and critics alike neglect to mention that before these drugs were marketed to gender non-conforming children, it was women who suffered, and continue to suffer, from their intense side effects. These women are the canaries in the coal mine, whose voices are continuously sidelined and ignored, despite the impact on their health so closely mirroring the reports implicating loss of bone density in children who are given endrocrine disruptors as a purported ‘treatment’ for body dysmorphia.

There is no reason to turn a healthy child or adolescent into a perpetual patient, dependent for a lifetime on surgeries and wrong-sex hormones. We ignore the harms inflicted on women’s health by leading ‘puberty-blocker’ Lupron at our own peril. These women, Keira Bell, and all detransitioners deserve better. Children ought to be protected from those who seek to exploit their distress for profit while damaging their health in the process.

#Anglo.txt

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carnegiemuseumnaturalhistory · 3 years

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Herd Immunity and the Anthropocene

When is getting an infection actually a good or a bad thing? Let’s start by talking about herd immunity. What exactly is it, and why have we been hearing about it so much during the Covid-19 pandemic?

Herd immunity, as described by the CDC, is a situation in which a sufficient proportion of a population is immune to an infectious disease (through vaccination and/or prior illness) to make its spread from person to person unlikely. When a group has a high enough percentage of immunity in its population, transmission becomes increasingly difficult for a disease to spread to even the more immunocompromised members of the community.

Although, herd immunity is obtained at different levels of community immunity depending on the disease. Some highly infectious diseases, such as measles, require about 94% herd immunity to stop community spread. According to the Mayo Clinic, about 70% of the US population would need to have immunity from Covid to stop our current pandemic.

So how do we even get herd immunity? Well, we can achieve herd immunity through two different methods. The first method is infection. Herd immunity can be achieved by having a large amount of the population getting the virus naturally. The downside of this method is that the population has to get sick and recover. Depending on the disease, short or long-term side effects or mortality rate can be very detrimental to the population.

Germs have most likely existed for around 3.5 billion years (the age of the oldest living organisms, bacteria). Modern humans have only been around for about 130,000 years. Humans have only been around for a fraction of the time diseases have, but they are both a part of nature. However, in response to their presence, humans have developed immune systems that have been a part of a back and forth protecting us from harmful germs. Terrestrial vertebrates such as humans have complex immune systems that have evolved to protect them from new immunological dangers. Getting sick is a part of life. Diseases have always been a part of nature, and that is especially true of the current time period, the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene is the current geologic age where humans have a substantial effect on their environment. During this time period, the way we interact with nature through contributing to climate change, deforestation, and urbanized lifestyles has increased the likelihood of pandemic-like illnesses to sweep over our communities. Deforestation causes loss of habitat; and with loss of habitat animals will be forced to come into contact with animals they originally wouldn’t have, including humans. This increases the chance for germs to spread to new hosts. Climate change and urbanization are also causing organisms to live closer together, allowing for diseases to spread more easily through communities. So, while diseases are a part of life and nature, occasionally there is one germ that can come around and have a profound effect on society.

I remember the news stories when NYC was first getting taken over by Covid. Medical personnel lacking PPE, hospitals overflowing, using ice trucks to store the deceased, and exhausted nurses and doctors. All of that resulted in just 22% herd immunity. At 22% herd immunity most of the population of NYC is still susceptible to Covid. If natural infection was the only way forward, so many more of NYC’s citizens would die or become severely ill. However, because this happened NYC was quick to understand the importance of instituting mitigating measures to slow the spread of the disease. Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, is similar to Rand Paul in that he is in a position that he can implement policies. When Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York, saw what was happening in his state, he used his ability to implement policies to follow scientific guidance surrounding closures, social distancing, masks, etc. As a result, the rates in NYC decreased. Not because of herd immunity, but because of serious measures against Covid. If we look at a different state, such as Florida, that did not take measures against Covid seriously, there were consecutive days in the state where they were having 10,000 to 15,000 new cases a day. This lacking approach to Covid caused thousands of preventable deaths. Even after months of lockdown the US is not close to herd immunity. All of the preventable deaths and long-term health complications that I’m seeing in people are going to continue with the natural spread. This is why the global race for a vaccine is so important.

The second method of reaching herd immunity is through vaccinations. By developing a vaccine for an infectious disease, we are able to reach herd immunity without having to subject our population, community, and families to the side effects and overall awful experience of falling ill. By using widespread vaccinations, we can also protect our most vulnerable members of society, like our loved ones in an older or younger age range, immunocompromised individuals, or those with allergic reactions making them unable to receive vaccines. Herd immunity is a good thing. When we have a disease like Covid, however, natural infection will cause crippling long-term effects in what were healthy people, and hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths. This is why herd immunity is good, but it depends on the method used to obtain it.

Immunity is an important part of preventing diseases in my home. Herd immunity helps me protect my family, friends, and people I come across every day. When paired with vaccines, I am able to protect more people in my community. I have a small child in my home, and older family members who I come into regular contact with. My family (my herd) and I get our vaccines and flu shots every year to help protect those more immunologically vulnerable members of our family. By doing this, my herd is creating a mutually benefiting environment where our personal actions protect those around us. The actions that we take to protect our family also protect the members of our communities and your herd too.

Humans are a part of nature, and so are diseases. Individual actions have a larger inter-connected effect on surrounding environments and society. The same thing could be said about the Covid virus spreading through the country. Society as a whole needs to develop a larger scope of thinking about how the actions of individuals affect the environment and planet. The factors I mentioned earlier, climate change, deforestation, and urbanization, are keeping steady and increasing. If these continue as they are currently, we can expect more pandemic-like diseases in our future. And when it happens, society will have to come together again to figure out the best way of adopting herd immunity to combat the disease.

As for my advice for the rest of this year, think critically, look at scientific data, vaccinations work, and in the words of Mr. Rogers, “Real strength has to do with helping others.”

Hannah Smith is an intern in the Section of Anthropocene Studies. Museum employees are encouraged to blog about their unique experiences and knowledge gained from working at the museum.

Works Cited

Glossary

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS): A medical condition where the immune system cannot function properly and…

www.cdc.gov

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/terms/glossary.html#commimmunity

Herd immunity and COVID-19 (coronavirus): What you need to know

Understand what's known about herd immunity and what it means for coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19). Curious as to…

www.mayoclinic.org

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/herd-immunity-and-coronavirus/art-20486808

Vaccines Protect Your Community

Did you know that when you get vaccinated, you're protecting yourself and your community? This concept is called…

www.vaccines.gov

https://www.vaccines.gov/basics/work/protection

Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.

Dr. Fauci was appointed director of NIAID in 1984. He oversees an extensive portfolio of basic and applied research to…

www.niaid.nih.gov

https://www.niaid.nih.gov/about/anthony-s-fauci-md-bio

https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/26/science/when-humans-became-human.html

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/prehistoric-world/precambrian-time/

https://www.britannica.com/science/immune-system/Evolution-of-the-immune-system

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/c-change/subtopics/coronavirus-and-climate-change/

https://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/45-quotes-from-mr-rogers-that-we-all-need-today.html

#Carnegie Museum of Natural History #Herd immunity #COVID-19 #Pandemic #Public health

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