tmragain, God bless you. I know that people mean well. Sometimes they say things before they think. I apologize on behalf of whomever it was that criticized or lectured you. I have used qtips all my life and I thank you for posting this. I think you helped some people to be honest out of the goodness of your heart. I am still praying for you to get better. This has got to be so miserable and discouraging.