It’s probably not wise to charge straight through the middle of the crowd. Instead, try to get as close to the front as you can by weaving down the side of the crowd, along the perimeter. Once you’ve gotten as close to the front as you can with that method, try shimmying your way into the crowd sideways. People will probably be more willing to let you through when you are coming from the side, rather than rushing them from behind. They’ll likely think you’re finding a new spot, rather than cutting in front of people This is especially important in packed venues, where there is a risk of getting separated and lost from the people you came with. Link hands so you can weave through the crowd as a chain. You won’t be able to walk side by side in a crowd, so just firmly join hands to stay together. If the crowd is more aggressive, there is always a chance that you will get separated from your friends. In these situations, it's important that everyone has cell phones so you can safely find each other. If there is no cell phone service at the venue, make sure you have a designated meeting spot! This is most important for the person at the front of your linked chain. You have to be a little forceful to get around people, but you should still be saying "please" and "thank you." People will be much more inclined to help you if you treat them respectfully.  If someone won’t budge even after you say “please,” then you can get a little sassy. Don't feel shy about speaking up and forcing your way through people. Chances are you'll never see those people again, but you will always remember seeing the artist up close.

Summary: Take the path of least resistance. Link hands with your friends. Be assertive but polite.


Fibroids are rubbery growths that form on the walls of the uterus. They occur most frequently in women of reproductive age, especially after age 35. In most cases these benign growths remain small, and they almost never lead to cancer. However, for some women, fibroids can significantly affect their quality of life. Fibroids are usually categorized into three groups. Submucosal fibroids grow in the uterine cavity. Intramural fibroids grow in the wall of the uterus. Subserosal fibroids grow on the outside of the uterus. Many women may have fibroids and not even be aware of their condition. For many women, fibroids do not cause any symptoms, discomfort, or health issues. However, fibroids can cause some painful or even debilitating symptoms in some women. If you experience any of the following symptoms, see your doctor:   Heavy and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding. Fibroids cause the uterine wall to become thicker than normal during the menstruation cycle, causing much heavier bleeding than usual. In some cases, bleeding is severe enough to cause anemia.   Significant change in menstruation patterns (e.g., sharply increased pain, much heavier bleeding).  Pelvic pain, or feelings of “heaviness” or “fullness” in the pelvic area. Fibroids can range in size from very small (smaller than a seed) to very large (grapefruit-sized). Large fibroids may even cause your abdomen to look distended as with pregnancy. Pain during sexual intercourse. Frequent and/or difficult urination.  Constipation. Fibroids may expand and cause the uterus to press against your bladder or bowels, causing constipation. Backache  Infertility. This is very rare, but in some cases fibroids can reduce implantation rates, leading to infertility. While scientists are not definitely sure what causes fibroids, a few factors seem to be at play. Knowing more about these may help you determine what course of treatment is right for you.  It is possible that abnormalities in a woman's uterine blood vessels may cause fibroids to occur. Genes that cause uterine muscle cells to grow at an accelerated rate may be a cause. Fibroids seem to be related to a woman's reproductive cycle, rarely occurring before the first menstrual period and often accelerating during pregnancy. Some scientists suggest that the hormones estrogen and progesterone may be involved.

Summary: Understand what fibroids are. Recognize the symptoms of fibroids. Learn what causes fibroids.


Depending on numerous factor, this might be a stressful process. Regardless of whether or not you plan to proceed with the pregnancy, your health is in a sensitive state. You need to take care of yourself. After you speak with him, take some time and space to process your thoughts and manage your stress.  Do some self-care activities, like getting a massage, taking a bath, journaling, or treating yourself to a snack. Talk to someone like a friend, trusted family member, or a therapist. Get plenty of rest. After you’ve spoken to him and done some reflecting, you might be ready to make a decision. Maybe you’ve known all along what you wanted to do, or perhaps you haven’t been sure. Think about the realities of having a child and whether or not you have the desire and/or means to do so. Additionally, consider your personal beliefs and emotions. In general, you have four options to choose from. You may:  Choose to terminate the pregnancy. Choose to put the child up for adoption. Choose to continue with the pregnancy and co-parent with the father. Choose to continue with the pregnancy and raise the child on your own or with your family’s help. Once you know how you plan to proceed, consult with a doctor. Whether you are continuing with the pregnancy or not, a doctor can provide you with valuable resources and advice. Make an appointment with an OBGYN for a consultation, and take it from there.

Summary: Manage your stress. Make a decision. Consult a doctor.


Put a new speculum, or pointed end, onto your otoscope before each patient. Select the largest possible speculum that your patient’s ear will accommodate. When inserted, the speculum should fit snugly into the outer third of the ear canal. Speculums that are too small can cause discomfort and reduce how much of the ear you can examine. Use the following guidelines for speculum size:  Adults: 4 to 6 millimeters Children: 3 to 4 millimeters Infants: as small as 2 millimeters Without using the otoscope, take a look at the person’s external ear and notice any redness, discharge or swelling. Manipulate the ear gently and ask the patient if there is any pain. With Swimmer’s ear there is often pain, swelling, redness, and discharge that can be observed before even using the otoscope. Place the otoscope at your patients ear, not in it. Look into your otoscope and then slowly insert the pointed end of it into the ear canal. Steady your hand on the side of the individuals face if necessary. Slow and gentle insertion can prevent unwanted movement in your patient. It also keeps your hand and scope in line with the ear and minimizes the risk of injury. Avoid putting too much pressure on the otoscope, which can bump the inner canal wall, causing the patient discomfort. Avoid ramming the speculum into the ear canal. Insert it at most 1 to 2 centimeters and then use the light to view beyond the tip of the speculum. Stop the examination immediately if the patient expresses any pain or discomfort. Examine the middle ear and eardrum. Angle the tip of the otoscope towards the person’s nose. This follows the normal angle of the ear canal. From here, move the otoscope gently at different angles. This allows you to view the person’s eardrum and canal walls. Stop the exam at any sign of increased pain or discomfort. Return the otoscope back to your starting position. As you watch through the speculum, gentle take the speculum and scope out of the person’s ear canal and outer ear. Release the person’s ear from your grasp. Remove the speculum from the otoscope. Throw it away in a certified medical waste container to minimize the spread of disease or infection to other patients. If you don’t have disposable speculums, scrub each tip with hot water to remove excess wax. Then soak the speculum in a covered dish of rubbing alcohol for 10 minutes.
Summary: Choose the right speculum size. Examine the external ear first. Insert the otoscope slowly into the ear canal. Push the speculum 1 to 2 centimeters into the canal. Angle the otoscope. Remove the otoscope. Throw away the speculum.