u/GlitteringAd7799

I have a complicated relationship with my mother. I moved out of state five years, and left a large bag of items at my mothers house (where I was moving to was a small college living situation). One of those items were very old medical records. I needed my shot records as I'm considering further my education. I texted my mom and told her to look in the bag for a manila envelope. I specifically said to look for a blue piece of paper (official state issued shot record). She knows exactly what it looks like. Basically, all she had to do was open the envelope and quickly skim for a blue paper.

I went on about my day yesterday, and I randomly get a text containing pictures of the copied version of my shot record ( think I made copies years ago), as well as two pages of sensitive STI testing results from 18 years ago. Her text said, "will this help?" My heart dropped immediately! I felt like my world was crashing. There are about 100-200 pages of my medical records in the manila envelope (white papers). She literally rummaged through several pages of my medical records, on the hunt to find anything to backstab me--this is an invasion of my privacy. For context, my mother worked as a medical assistant (MA) for 15+ years and knows the consequences of HIPAA violations. My mother has always been emotionally negligent and cold. Earlier this week, she shared on her Facebook page without my consent that I'll be having surgery with my meal train link (the meal train contains all of my personal info--address, location of surgery, type of surgery, etc.). I found out because a family member texted me that she posted it. I called my mom immediately and demanded that she delete the post; she did. Then two days later, she does this crap. I called her about the shot records, and tried to make light of the STI records (for now). I then texted her and told her to delete the pictures she took off her phone, to please mail my medical records certified ASAP, and I'll pay the cost of shipping.

For now, I need to remain calm until my records are in my hands as I feel nervous about her "accidentally" posting my old STI results on her FB page/text like she did earlier this week. I told my friend, that this HIIPAA violation offense is so severe (and hurtful) to me that I would take her to court if she leaked my private information. This is something I definitely don't want to do, but she needs to be held accountable for the breach of confidentiality. I don't know who she'll tell. There was no reason for her to fish through several pages after I specifically told her to look for a blue paper because I knew these sensitive records were in the manila envelope. I truly didn't think my own mother would betray my trust & boundaries like this. Is this a HIPAA violation? What steps should I take next? Thanks for reading and any advice.

TLDR: Very old medical records were at my mom's house. I asked her to get a blue piece of paper out of the envelope, instead she fishes through hundreds of papers to find my STD records, takes a picture of it, and texted the pictures to me as a way to say, "I know now." Is this a HIPAA violation?

I am attempting to schedule a professional exam at a testing center. Months ago I submitted an ADA request form provided by my doctor. I need flexible breaks with a two hour exam extension to stand up, stretch, take meds, etc. because of RA and chronic fatigue. The typical exam length is 8.5 hours which includes the check-in process and a one hour lunch break. The extended exam time will run about 11 hours total. My testing accommodation advocate informed me that extended exam times are a common request. My accommodation was approved, but the testing vendor had to contact my local testing center location for the final approval.

The testing center informed me yesterday that I have to arrive at 5:30am (exam start at 6am) to accommodate my request "due to staffing limitations." 5:30am?! So, instead of *extending* my test time they are trying to force me with chronic fatigue and severe RA to wake up at 4am, get dressed, eat, drive to the testing location and be coherent enough to take a 300 question exam?! This is exacerbating my RA symptoms and creating an unfair disadvantage to succeed on the exam. I have attempted to escalate this issue several times at two locations to get a reasonable accommodation during standard business hours, and haven't been successful.

Anyone have experience with getting ADA accommodations? Seems like a violation. For reference, this is my second attempt taking this exam (failed by just 3pts). On my first attempt at a different testing location, I arrived at 7:15am which was really early for me tbh, but at least it was their regular opening time. The staff didn't need to stay late as I completed my exam at the 7 hour mark which included the 2 hour flexible breaks. Unfortunately, I'm having issues at both sites forcing a 5:30am arrival time. I don't know what to do! I'm so exhausted & stressed before even taking the exam, plus trying to manage pain. Beyond exhausted with all of this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

TLDR: Testing center is trying to force me to arrive at 5:30am to take a 300 question, although my ADA accommodation was approved due to "staffing limitations."

My dear cousin passed away on Friday at just 41 years old. He had lupus (SLE) and was on the transplant list. He finally got the lungs he needed for a double lung transplant last Sunday (he was on oxygen 24/7). I talked to him twice the day of his surgery and prayed with him before he went into surgery. I don't know all the details as his wife didn't inform the family until the last minute. So angry about this! Sadly, his lungs were full of clots which caused a brain clot.

My cousin and I grew up together. I'm just devastated. Of course the emotional pain is affecting my physical health. My fatigue has been so severe from crying, reading through all of our previous text messages and all the memories are flooding my mind. In the past two years we bonded over our autoimmune diagnoses after living such a healthy life. I'm learning that I'm the last family member he spoke to before going into surgery ❤️😭

I've been thinking about his funeral service. I want to support my family and show my respects. I'm not in the state so the flight will be about 6 hours. My challenge is I'm on a fixed income and can't afford an expensive flight plus food, etc. while I'm there for a few days. I could potentially reach out to friends for support, but they've already done way too much for me as I'm battling debilitating RA. If I don't get support for the flight, I won't be able to attend the funeral. I also know traveling will trigger a flareup. On one hand, I feel deep peace because of our bond and being the last person he spoke to before he passed so I already have a sense of "closure." On the other hand, I'd like to be with my family during this time. His wife's secrecy and lack of respect to even "allow" us to support him at the hospital in preparation for his surgery has upset our entire family. I'm using a cane now and really don't need the questions/disapproval from my family about my health. Curious if anyone has foregone funerals because of RA? I feel so conflicted. I'll be meeting with my therapist soon. I greatly appreciate any advice 💜