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Before you tell your parents, it might be helpful to meet with your teacher to discuss where you have gone wrong with the material and if there is any way to improve your score. If there isn't, ask your teacher for advice on how to improve your performance in the future.  Simply approach your teacher after class, and say something like: “Hi, Ms. Guardiola, can I talk to you about my last exam?” Also, inquire about the possibility of doing extra credit to make up for your poor score. Having this feedback from your teacher will help you explain the situation to your parents and offer you possible ways to address the situation. Besides figuring out how to tell your parents about your score, you should figure out what you are going to do to address it. Speaking with your teacher is good preparation for this since they can help you identify what options you have and steer you on the right path for the future.  For instance, you can plan to earn a few points back through extra credit work and attend the after-school review sessions hosted by the English Club. To make a good plan, you should know what exactly went wrong. Was it simply that you didn’t understand a particular formula? Were you distracted by a personal issue or competing obligation? Did you not study as much as you should have? Take some time to reflect so that you can be sure your strategies will fix it. If you’re worried about how to tell your parents about your score, take time to practice first. You can confide in a stuffed animal or talk to yourself in front of the mirror. Either way, having some sense of what you will say and how you will say it ahead of time can be very helpful in the moment. For example, you might try out ways to broach the subject, such as: “Mom, I’ve been struggling a lot lately in Biology, and I failed the unit test we had last week,” or, “I got a D on my Trigonometry exam...I’ve already talked to Mr. Williams about it, and he recommended a tutor and agreed to let me do enough extra credit to bring up my score by one letter grade.”

summary: Talk to your teacher. Take steps to address the issue before speaking to your parents. Practice what you will say.


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If tests reveal canine stroke, your doctor will discuss with you the causes that led to the condition. There are no specific treatments for a stroke except for targeting the underlying cause of the condition.  An ischemic stroke is associated with such conditions as diabetes, improper functioning thyroid glands, heart or kidney disease and hypertension.  A hemorrhagic stroke is often due to a blood clot, hypertension, rat poisoning and compromised blood vessels. Other causes of stroke include brain tumors and head trauma. Once the condition is diagnosed as a canine stroke and the underlying cause is identified, your vet can implement a treatment plan. Most cases of canine stroke can be managed at home, once the vet has made a diagnosis. Your vet may prescribe medications, and they will also explain how to care for your dog and monitor its condition at home. Your dog may feel disoriented and have difficulty walking. Home nursing for your dog may involve:  Making sure your dog has a comfortable bed. Carrying your dog outside so it can go to the bathroom. Placing food and water within easy reach near your dog’s bed. Giving your dog any medication prescribed by your vet. You can also give your dog a daily massage to increase its ability to move around. Use the palm of your hand to rub its entire body. For severe strokes or strokes caused by trauma, the vet may wish to keep your dog in the hospital for observation and treatment. If the cause of the stroke is trauma, the first step will be to decrease any swelling within the brain and to keep re-hydrating your dog.  Your dog will be given an IV of fluids so that he can get hydrated.  Medications such as Amlodipine may be administered to control high blood pressure, if the stroke was caused by hypertension. Other medications may also be given, including an anti-inflammatory such as an NSAID if swelling is evident, antibiotics for a diagnosis of infection, a sedative for ataxia and disorientation, an antiemetic for vomiting and stomach distress, and anticonvulsants to control seizures. Your dog will be placed in a soft, comfortable position during treatment so that his head is not laying below the rest of his body. This position will help to promote proper blood flow. At-home care involves constant monitoring of your pet during recovery. You may need to employ the assistance of others, such as having your neighbor look in on your dog if you have to leave the house. You could also hire a pet sitter to keep an eye on your dog when you are away. Consider taking long lunch breaks to go and check on your dog, or work from home if you are able to. You could also ask if you can bring your dog to work. Medications may also be prescribed to help your dog fully recover from a stroke and possibly prevent further attacks. Dogs with symptoms of ataxia and disorientation may be given a sedative. Other medications may include:  An antiemetic for vomiting issues. An anti-inflammatory for swelling symptoms. Antibiotics for infections. Anticonvulsants to control seizures and prevent future strokes. Antiplatelet drugs similar to Plavix, an anticoagulant for long-term therapy for the prevention of blood clots. Drugs that increase the supply of blood oxygen to the brain, such propentofylline (Vivitonin). How quickly your dog recovers depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of the stroke and any underlying health problems. Severe strokes may lead to permanent disability. However, with proper treatment, you can maximize your dog’s quality of life and help it adjust to problems such as poor balance. Your vet may recommend physical therapy to help your dog regain functionality and learn to compensate for permanent physical symptoms.

summary: Begin treating the underlying cause of the stroke. Follow your vet’s instructions for home care. Allow your dog to be hospitalized, if your vet recommends it. Make sure your dog is monitored at all times during recovery. Give your dog any medications prescribed by the vet. Discuss your dog’s prognosis with your vet.


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When you wake up from a nightmare, chances are you will be in somewhat of a panic. Take the following steps quickly to help you break this panic and start to ground yourself:  Sit up quickly after awaking from your nightmare. Sit on the edge of the bed, with your feet on the floor. Focus on your surroundings. Start naming the things in your room. Calmly reassure yourself. Tell yourself you are safe and fully awake. Try to sleep again. If you can't after fifteen minutes, do something relaxing until tired. While you can reassure your mind that you are awake and safe, it is also important to reassure your senses and body as well. Ground each sense by taking the following steps:  Taste. Try eating something strong, like a mint. Avoid sugar as it will affect sleep. Touch. Touch something with a rough texture or cold temperature like an ice cube. Smell. Keep a comforting and strong smell next to your bed such as coffee or cloves. Sound. Choose a comforting sound or listen to gentle music. Calm breathing can help lower heart rate and reduce any state of panic or stress that a nightmare can have on you. By following the steps of this technique, you can greatly improve the speed at which you recover after a nightmare:  Breathe in through your nose, with mouth closed, and hold for five seconds. Exhale slowly. Mentally think of a word such as “relax” or “calm” as you exhale. Hold for five seconds and then inhale again. Practice this breathing throughout the day, before bed, and after any nightmare. Right after you wake up from a nightmare, try not to think about what it was you experienced. Sitting in bed dwelling on the nightmare will only increase anxiety, which will make it difficult to fall back asleep, as well as increase the likelihood of another nightmare.  Wait until the morning to analyze and examine your nightmares. Get out of bed and ground yourself immediately. Try making a cup of tea and reading a calming book in low, soothing lighting. Reassure yourself that you are safe, check that the doors and windows of your house are locked. Remind yourself that although frightening, the nightmare is over, and it was only a dream.
summary: Calm down quickly. Ground your senses. Learn how to breathe calmly. Don't dwell on your nightmares.