u/SlideConstant9677

Hello yall! I'm new to the community, and I am doing a fair amount of training in histology in the lab I work in. Im not a credentialed HT/Prep Tech/MLT, but I am hoping to work towards my HT, and eventually my HTL. Im a general duty military medical professional working in the laboratory (originally core lab/processing), but they moved me around over to pathology/mailouts because they discovered I was color blind. I am training under the HTs now while working as the pathology secretary (roughly 2 hours of work/6 hours OJT ratio on a day to day).

I was curious if there are any tips tricks for color vision deficient histo techs. I am not totally colorblind if that helps. Do stains impact structures at all? Are there more physical shape indicators or darker/lighter patterns i can associate with different stains as I learn what they look like?

Im also being provided many study materials by my mentors, ranging from a military histology manual all the way to Frieda Carsons 5th edition. Are there color blind specific guides for histology?

I originally posted this in r/corpsmanup a few days ago, and decided to drop it here as well. Perhaps a career counselor or someone can weigh in.

Question about L30A NEC (Histo tech)

So I am a junior corpsman assigned to a hospital, and happen to work closely with pathology/histology. I am a quad zero, with an intrest with in the histopathology NEC. Because of my work with histopathology, and current progress towards getting a degree in health sciences, I should be able to get my Histopathologist technician certification next year, using the 60 college credits + 12 months lab experiance route the ASCP offers. This is the same credential that Histology C school offers. I have been working with the Histopathology Techs in my workspace, and they have been nothing short of wonderful in teaching me what they do.

I do happen to be colorblind, and am soon putting on E4 through AAP. I have been at my command for 7-8 ish months now, and hit 2 years TIS on Wednesday.

Now, with background information outta the way, here's my questions:

If I get my certification, can I convert that into the NEC without C-school?

If not, would it make it easier for me to apply to the c school with a color vision waiver?

I understand there are color vision requirements supposedly (I didn't see any on CANTRAC, but I may have missed it)

I am operating on the premise that I'll have a fighting chance if I can get certified prior to asking for the c school/NEC. (Ie proof i can do the job/navy isnt going to 'waste money' on my education) Im largely just also curious as to how I would ask for a color vision waiver as I apply to the school.

So I am a junior corpsman assigned to a hospital, and happen to work closely with pathology/histology. I am a quad zero, with an intrest with in the histopathology NEC. Because of my work with histopathology, and current progress towards getting a degree in health sciences, I should be able to get my Histopathologist technician certification next year, using the 60 college credits + 12 months lab experiance route the ASCP offers. This is the same credential that Histology C school offers. I have been working with the Histopathology Techs in my workspace, and they have been nothing short of wonderful in teaching me what they do.

I do happen to be colorblind, and am soon putting on E4 through AAP. I have been at my command for 7-8 ish months now, and hit 2 years TIS on Wednesday.

Now, with background information outta the way, here's my questions:

If I get my certification, can I convert that into the NEC without C-school?

If not, would it make it easier for me to apply to the c school with a color vision waiver?

I understand there are color vision requirements supposedly (I didn't see any on CANTRAC, but I may have missed it)

Hey yall, I just wanted to share that i finally got out of surgery for my sacral neuromodulator! Im sore as heck, but the experience wasn't bad. I was under twilight anesthesia, so i felt some of the procedure, but it wasn't traumatizing. Im so very tired, but the modulator is already helping with my pelvic floor dysfunction. (Had a pee without a struggle- first one in my living memory like that!) This sounds weird, but after being told ill need to relearn how to function because whatever tf im doing isnt working, im happy to see solid progress.

For those kings/queens/in-betweens who saw my post about asking for braces, that appointment went well mostly. My PCM is an independent duty corpsman (basically a super duper well trained enlisted medical professional in the navy for those that aren't in the know), so he didn't know right off the bat what to do. He was interested, and engaged in finding me answers which is all I can ask. Im awaiting what his consult with PT will tell him, and have a referal to podiatry.

The world looks a lot brighter once people start listening to you. For those still struggling; dont lose hope. There is someone out there who will listen to you. Just keep being you, and do what you need to do to take care of yourself.

Message to the mods: im sorry if im incoherent and if I broke any rules. Im still a little loopy from anesthesia. If I broke anything ill fix it ASAP.

Anyways, until next time frens!

I posted recently about my Ortho sending me to get screened for hEDS, and the referral is officially placed. (Its gonna take a fat minute because he is sending me to a civilian doctor, and that dosent mesh easily with military medicine/insurance)

My ortho told me if I wanted joint braces to limit future injury, I needed to talk to my PCM. I scheduled the appointment, but part of me feels weird. I know i have the pain/instability that takes me out of so many things I want to/would normally do. I feel frustrated that part of me feels weak for asking for them. Im scared of being "that guy" or seen as different. I also want to improve my QOL though. Any advice?

Im sorry if I offend anyone with my statement...I have been gaslit for so long that im fine, so now I am getting actual answers with potential solutions is throwing me for a loop.

Background; 20 AMAB sailor on active duty

So I had a follow-up appointment yesterday in regards to a shoulder dislocation. I show many signs of hEDS, and have a beighton score of 5/9- 7/9 (different providers say different things for some reason). I have a number of other symptoms (mild skin hyper extensibility, piezogenic papules, pelvic floor dysfunction, and potential dysautonomic Tachycardia). Of course theres pain and all that too, including join instability in my shoulder, knees, and hips.

I had to argue with 2 doctors for 30ish minutes (after months of PT and other work ups for urology/neurology) to get the orders for genetic testing to rule out other forms of eds/marfans. They are also finally looking into labral issues instead of osseus issues in my shoulder.

It only took printing out the hEDS criteria from the EDS society and highlighting what I demonstrate for them in the present moment, and then willfully discombobulating my joints and reassembling them in front of them.

I was really worried they would refer me to a medical board/put me out of the service, but since I know how to "self manage" as they put it, ill be able to remain in service if it comes out positive.

I recognize my case is unique in its accelerated time frame, and that I am blessed with access to Healthcare. My heart breaks for those who dont/cant get any of that. I just wanted to share my mini-victory, because its a big deal in my life and a step towards answers. (If anyone happens to be military/vet please share your experience too)

Good morning y'all,

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Background:

Im an HN who is being screened for hEDS (hypermobile elhors danlos) and HSD (hypermobility spectrum disorder), both of which are connective tissue disorders that can result in joint instability, dislocations, and subluxation. hEDS can cause cardiac issues as well. Im being screened as a result of a non-painful posterior dislocation of my shoulder during PT, as well as demonstrated hypermobile joints (beighton score is a 7/10). It does cause some pain, although it is manageable. My shoulders, hips, and knees show signs of instability, although it is relatively mild. I have no significant cardiac issues. I do have resting Tachycardia (between 90 and 110) and mild hypertension. This isnt accompanied by excessive/noticable fatigue, palpitations, or chest pain when exercising.

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About me:

I'm an HM with 22 months in service, and received reccomendation from my A-School to advance to HM3 through the AAP program. I'm working on an associates in health sciences, and have plans to get my BS in health sciences so I can commission through USUHS as an MD. I am the only quad zero in my work center that is qualified through HM PQS, and I have 3 collateral duties (two of which I created to improve work center flow, and has provided tangible results). I do 90% of my work completely unsupervised, something which isnt all to common for e4/below in my work center. Even after my injury, my work has not been hindered, and I am regularly putting myself out there, offering to fill in for other people when needed, and putting in more hours than my peers. In short: I'm not a shitbag, I love what I do, and I want to stay in the navy.

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My question:

I understand that hEDS will trigger an MEB. Will I be able to "beat" the MEB with the information provided, even if I end up needing functional bracing to minimize risk of further injury during PT/work?

If I do beat the MEB, will I be able to advance as I wish? Or will I be locked into a specific career path due to waiver issues?

Will HSD trigger an MEB?

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I understand any answers are highly speculative, subject to change. I'm just a junior sailor that wants to stay in the navy, and have a productive career.

Thanks,

A baby doc

I am a 20 yo person who is active duty in the military, and have known im hypermobile for years although I only recently (last week) got it medically recognized. I have a severely unstable right shoulder, and my ortho ordered me to keep it in a sling until he can further clear me. I dislocated it last week, and needed the er to reduce it. The dislocation/reduction was not painful. Im capable of dislocating my shoulder/fingers/kneecaps at will, and only needed the ER that one time. I meet other criteria for hEDS as well, including all the criteria for HSD, heel bumps (i forget the medical term for them, but they happen when I stand), walkers sign, and mild skin hyperextensibility. I dont know if I meet other criteria, and I strongly suspect my late mother had it as well (she had similar symptoms, including doughy skin, atrophic scarring, and everything i listed above). I also am dealing with an underactive bladder (my urologist just diagnosed it/wants to treat with a sacral neuromodulator), and potentially something off with heart (high resting heart rate sitting at 110)

My questions: Has anyone else presented like this?

How would I work with my ortho to get diagnosed?

Could I request functional bracing to prevent further damage?

For my military peeps:

Will this impact my career?

Im a 20 yo AMAB person who is active duty in the military, and have known im hypermobile for years although I only recently (last week) got it medically recognized. I have a severely unstable right shoulder, and my ortho ordered me to keep it in a sling until he can further clear me. I dislocated it last week, and needed the er to reduce it. The dislocation/reduction was not painful. Im capable of dislocating my shoulder/fingers/kneecaps at will, and only needed the ER that one time. I meet other criteria for hEDS as well, including all the criteria for HSD, heel bumps (i forget the medical term for them, but they happen when I stand), walkers sign, and mild skin hyperextensibility. I dont know if I meet other criteria, and I strongly suspect my late mother had it as well (she had similar symptoms, including doughy skin, atrophic scarring, and everything i listed above). I also am dealing with an underactive bladder (my urologist just diagnosed it/wants to treat with a sacral neuromodulator), and potentially something off with heart (high resting heart rate sitting at 110)

My questions: Has anyone else presented like this?

How would I work with my ortho to get diagnosed?

Could I request functional bracing to prevent further damage?

For my military peeps:

Will this impact my career?