I was. The girl there actually cleaned up before I even arrived, and she even handed me a fresh towel just in case I needed to dry off after sweating. They've got a shower stall right there in the tanning salon too, so you can get cleaned up beforehand if you want...
Honestly, I was stunned. At the place I used to go, they wouldn't have even bothered saying hello. No clean towels, no prep work... you basically have to do everything yourself. It’s not that it was difficult or anything, but the service yesterday really touched me.
You guys are such an interesting read, especially some of the men in this group. I’m currently on the pill, but let’s be real—no method of birth control is ever 100% foolproof. If I ever found myself in that position, I think I’d choose an abortion.
It breaks my heart to say it, but I don’t think I’d have any other choice. It would likely be the most agonizing decision of my entire life, and honestly, I probably wouldn't be able to forgive myself for it.
And by the way—there are just some situations where it’s better for a mother to have an abortion than to bring a child into a world where they'll grow up abandoned, unwanted, or torn apart.
Forgive me, this subject hits a bit too close to home, so I tend to jump in whenever it comes up, even when it’s probably not the best time. Thanks for sharing this. I was really holding out hope that we’d see a few more positive stories in here.😢
I’m already well aware of the medical side of things, so I don't need a lecture on the science. What I’m really looking for is a glimpse into what life is actually like on a day-to-day basis. How are you all managing? What does your quality of life look like right now? I’m particularly interested in hearing from the younger crowd dealing with this diagnosis. What works for you? How do you tackle the symptoms, and what kind of precautions are you taking to stay safe?
Thanks in advance for sharing.
I'm asking because a family member is going through this.😢
I’ve been sitting here reading through this whole thread, just trying to catch up on everything I missed over the last two weeks.
Kudos to Kenneth Hernandez67🙏
As for Barb, I can only lean on that old saying about it being darkest just before the dawn... I truly believe that everything he’s had to carry inside has to be purged first—all those waves of illness need to wash out to make room for a fresh start.
A friend of mine from college actually has a sister who struggled with early-onset schizophrenia. She’s doing well now; she finished her degree and has a job... she stays on her medication, but she’s stabilized.
It took a long time, a lot of nerves, endless therapy, and quite a bit of money, but they finally got her treatment plan solidified, so she's okay now.
But man, it was a brutal road. There was so much misunderstanding at home, a father who just couldn't bring himself to admit she was sick, stints in psychiatric wards, heavy sedation, and times when she wouldn't even eat on her own. She was hearing voices; she wasn't sleeping.
There were moments where it felt completely hopeless. It was heartbreaking to watch—sometimes she was heavily sedated, other times she just seemed to be losing her grip on reality...
But they pulled through. They fought, and they won. Through all of that, the most vital thing was having someone to lean on. Her mother and sister acted as her compass and her safe harbor, much like you have been for Barb.
Not once did they ever label her as "crazy." They always just said she was ill and that she would get better...
It honestly pains me how small-minded some people can be. In many communities, people care more about appearances than anything else—they want the neighbors to think everything is fine and avoid any gossip, even if it means ignoring the suffering of those closest to them.😢
And that whole mess with the bureaucracy? I have no words.😠 The worst kind of people are those petty individuals who hide behind rulebooks and red tape just to mask their own lack of humanity.
Depression isn't really treated with the old stuff anymore. She should probably just ask her doctor to prescribe something from the newer generations... like Prozac or maybe even Celexa. It’s better to find something that actually lifts your mood and gets you moving again, rather than those heavy hitters that just leave you feeling totally numb and foggy.
I'm just writing this ahead of time since I'm not entirely sure what her official diagnosis is.
Just grab some at the pharmacy. Honestly, I think 5mg would be plenty for you. I only break out the Xanax for those really intense moments, and it works wonders—it helps me sleep through the night without feeling like a zombie the next morning. Just a heads-up though, take it once you're already tucked into bed because it kicks in fast... you don't want to pass out mid-brush while you're in the bathroom.🙂
Ugh, I absolutely loathe big pharma, yet here I am basically acting as their spokesperson.🙂
It’s all well and good, I suppose, but I don't think I could ever let my body go that long without getting some protein in. I truly believe there are plenty of other ways to detox and clear out those toxins from your system.
It’s most likely just a swollen lymph node. Usually, malignant tumors tend to be fixed in place because they've fused with the surrounding tissue. Just keep an eye on it for about a month, but if you're losing sleep over it, there's no harm in rushing to your doctor sooner to get a professional opinion.👋
It’s almost like those old wounds never truly close up all the way, and then some new experience comes along and just rips them wide open again, making everything hurt so much more intensely than it did before.