Tyler Baker6 said:Yeah, that's you right there—exactly who you think you are. Pure ego. But honestly? Is this really "you," or are there actually some valid reasons why you're feeling this way! To me, it feels like this whole thing you're doing has nothing to do with that girl, it's about some other situation you went through that still stings—she's just the one who poked the wound.
thanks for getting back to me... but the pain isn't something new that just got woken up, it's been heavy ever since we had that huge blowout, like two years now, and it's there every single day... I sent her a birthday card and reached out to ask for forgiveness again, but I know her pride won't let her give it to me... so I guess all I can really do is try to forgive myself...
Tyler Baker6 said:Did it ever cross your mind that you could just forgive yourself? Or are you still stuck in this loop of punishing yourself over and over? And honestly—what happens if you actually let it go and the guilt just... disappears?
Yeah, that’s a really good question, but honestly, how am I even supposed to know if I’ve truly forgiven myself? Like, can I just say it out loud and call it a day? I tell myself "I forgive you," but did I actually mean it deep down? Maybe it isn't even about forgiveness at all, maybe it's just that I miss her so much, or I just desperately need to sit down and talk to her about everything that went down between us... Just thinking about it right now has brought it all back and I'm already tearing up again, and I'm just so exhausted from crying over her constantly. Like, if I run into her in downtown Chicago and she won't even look my way... I'll spend the entire rest of the day sobbing and wondering if I really deserved this after 28 years... It's just awful, and I feel like I'm totally lost when it comes to my own emotions?!
btw, her birthday is tomorrow and I've already written this letter that I'm going to send her. I already know I won't get a response, but hey, that's just who I am... I guess I'll just keep humbling myself like this for the rest of my life...
I really messed up with a close friend of mine, and we haven't spoken in two years now. Over those two years, I’ve tried everything to reach out and ask for her forgiveness... I mean, I sent three different letters, recorded videos for her, sent bouquets of flowers, and even some holiday cards... but after two whole years, there hasn't been a single response, which just proves she's NOT forgiving me. I honestly don't get why... She's a super proud person, sure, but she's also a Christian who definitely knows more about the concept of forgiveness than I ever will. I just don't know what else to do anymore, because this guilt and regret are literally eating me alive to the point where I cry almost every single day... I feel absolutely terrible and I can't even move on with my life peacefully. I would give anything in the world just to have her forgive me. Do you guys think I should keep begging for her forgiveness? What kind of person refuses to let things go like this? We're talking about a friendship and a lifelong bond that lasted 28 years... Am I doing something wrong here? I keep obsessing over the idea that I didn't say exactly what she needed to hear in those letters, but I have no clue what that actually is. People keep posting all these quotes about how forgiveness sets you free... but how am I supposed to find any freedom when I'm the one asking for mercy and getting nothing back?
hollowmarlin66 said:Well, you mentioned two different things there... prostate cancer and bone cancer. It really depends on which one it actually is. Basically, metastases happen when those nasty tumor cells travel through the bloodstream or lymph nodes to hit other organs or parts of the body, usually spreading out from where the cancer first started. You should probably do a little Google search, since everything is out there online if you look... Every prognosis is totally different too... just like how the treatment goes and what they decide to do... I am so incredibly sorry about your grandfather, seriously, but honestly, he’s had such a wonderful life, and that doesn't mean this is the end... if it helps at all... cancer tends to move a bit slower in older folks...
Thanks for getting back to me, I heard about my grandfather's illness from two different people, and it's confusing because one person said it's prostate cancer that spread to his spine, while the other person told me it's bone cancer. I honestly have no idea who is telling the truth since the whole family is keeping the actual diagnosis hidden from him. All I know is that he's in a wheelchair now and can't walk. He really did live a full life, but he always used to say he'd make it to a hundred... he has such an amazing will to live and just truly enjoys life. From what I gather, he isn't going to have surgery, and I don't even know what his treatment looks like besides the morphine he's getting. I don't get why our family keeps the diagnosis a secret, because I actually found out from my cousin... I even found out that my other grandfather passed away from lung cancer, and they kept the diagnosis hidden from my grandmother and him, too...🤷
So, I just found out that my grandfather has prostate cancer that's spread to his spine, though I actually heard from someone else in the family that it’s technically bone cancer now... He's 82, and honestly, even the morphine isn't touching the pain anymore. He was always such an incredibly healthy, active guy regardless of how old he got, so this all happened so fast; he ended up in the hospital because his legs were hurting, and he just thought it was some old-age rheumatism or something... To be honest, he doesn't even fully realize what's going on yet, and now he's in a wheelchair because he can't walk at all.
I was wondering if anyone here knows more about this specific diagnosis. How long could he have actually been carrying this around without knowing, and what does "metastasized" actually mean in plain English??? Does a person usually pass away shortly after a diagnosis like this, or is it possible to live with it for a while longer?
Honestly, what drove me absolutely crazy during my pregnancy was all the constant chatter about how I wouldn’t be able to breastfeed, or how much it would hurt, or how I’d definitely end up with mastitis, or how I’d just give up way too soon... It seriously got under my skin so much that I actually found myself tearing up... like, seriously? I kept wondering, how on earth can something so incredibly natural be made out to be such an impossible struggle... but then I started actually doing my own research on breastfeeding and realized it isn't nearly as nightmareish as everyone makes it sound, because those ladies who were trying to scare the life out of me were basically just totally uninformed, and looking back, it wasn't cool of them to try and wreck my confidence like that. I'm successfully nursing now thanks to the amazing women over on Reddit! I just stuck to all the advice and stayed patient...
It honestly drives me absolutely insane how much misinformation about breastfeeding I have to deal with constantly from everyone around me—friends, family, and just random people in general... and the worst part is you can't even try to set them straight because they're so dead set on believing every single myth passed around like gospel, so when you actually try to bring up the facts, suddenly I'm the one who sounds clueless while they think they've got it all figured out!
So, two of my girlfriends actually had this brownish spotting as an early sign they were pregnant, and I've been seeing people talk about it on all the pregnancy forums too... it's usually just old blood leaving the system. Honestly, I really think you might be expecting, you should definitely go grab a test and find out!
What’s actually driving me crazy? First off, I’ve picked up so much useful info on this forum, and honestly, after devouring tons of American parenting magazines and books, I feel like I really know my stuff... but then what happens? Every single one of my girlfriends, acquaintances, even my relatives, are still stuck on all those old wives' tales that just get passed down forever, and whenever I try to explain the actual facts to them, suddenly *I'm* the one who sounds clueless... like I'm just being a know-it-all instead of them realizing they're wrong, which makes it impossible to have a normal conversation or share anything cool I've learned here. It seriously gets under my skin, which is exactly why I need to hang out here with you guys!☕🙂
Edward Wells said:I don’t know about all of you, but the whole ordeal of putting on underwear is enough to drive me up the wall... Honestly—between being unable to bend over properly, the constant pinching, and feeling like I can't even catch my breath—it's just a disaster. One leg gets stuck, then the other starts bunching up, and suddenly everything is a mess. Wouldn't the simplest, most efficient solution be to just "NOT WEAR THEM" at all?🤷😂
😂😂 Oh my god, tell me about it... I seriously struggle with underwear too... my husband basically has to pull them on me like I'm a toddler and then help me get my shoes on...😂
placidgull54 said:My boyfriend and I have always been careful. We never have unprotected sex; we always double-check the condoms before anything happens to make sure they aren't damaged. One time a condom did break, but I got my period normally right after that. Our last few times were around June 20th and June 30th, and everything was fine—no breaks. Now, my period is a week late, and I’ve been running a slight fever (it keeps fluctuating between 98°F and 99.5°F). I took a cheap drugstore test yesterday afternoon, four days after I expected my period, and it came back negative. How reliable are those things? Could this actually be pregnancy? Usually, my period is only about four days late at most.😕
Honestly, I don't think you're pregnant... if your ovulation was around June 26th and you said everything went smoothly with the condom protection, then you should be okay...
Tyler Campbell59 said:I had unprotected sex on July 2nd and July 5th—withdrawal method. My last period started on June 20th. But for about a week now, I’ve been dealing with constant headaches, and for the last couple of days, the dizziness has kicked in. My breasts feel heavy and swollen; they don't ache, but my nipples are incredibly sensitive to touch. On top of that, I'm running a fever every single night. This isn't how PMS usually hits me. Since last night, I’ve had these intense abdominal cramps like my period is coming, but nothing has happened. My cycles are extremely regular, and I was actually due today. I realize I technically have two days left, but these symptoms are throwing me off. Oh, and I’ve been craving eggs every single day 🤷 Any advice would be appreciated, thanks 👍
Look, if you were expecting your period on July 18th, then you probably ovulated right around July 5th... and since you mentioned having sex on that day, even with withdrawal, there's a real chance you could be pregnant... if your ovulation happened earlier than that, I'd tell you not to worry, but based on what you said, I'm definitely a little skeptical...
And yeah, since you say your cycles are totally regular, you should be able to track your ovulation pretty easily so you can just avoid sex on those specific days... just mark your calendar for when your period is due and count back 14 days—that's usually your ovulation window, so just skip the sex if you aren't trying to start a family!
Jose Flores24 said:Old thread, I know, but whatever. I'll give it a shot. Does anyone actually find that tea tree oil works for preventing ingrown hairs? I read somewhere that it helps, and plenty of you claim it heals skin irritations and keeps things soft. I'm dealing with ingrowns in my bikini area, so I’m thinking about trying it. Anyone got any advice?
Ugh, tell me about it, I deal with the whole ingrown hair struggle too... honestly, the only way I can manage is by playing surgeon with tweezers and needles, or better yet, just staying far away from razors altogether. I don't even bother shaving anymore, though if I'm heading to the beach for vacation, I'll just stick to waxing the bikini line... there's really no other way when you're dealing with thick hair like ours... lucky blondes, right? lol...🙂
Casey Palmer5 said:I just picked up a little bottle of homemade St. John's Wort oil recently. I've heard it’s actually pretty amazing for health and wellness, but I'm not entirely sure what all the best uses are... any ideas?
Well, if you call it St. John's Wort oil, we basically use it as a skin balm before and after hitting the beach, it's amazing for sunburns too, and honestly, I've even used St. John's Wort infused suppositories that cleared up all those pesky inflammations and infections that even my antibiotics couldn't touch...
Betty Fowler21 said:Has anyone actually dealt with this condition before? I’m really curious how it shows up in daily life... My brother just got diagnosed yesterday, but honestly, you wouldn't even know it—he’s totally fine, works a regular job, acts completely normal... I'm just looking to hear from people who either live with this themselves or have a family member going through it right now.
Look, just because someone sees a psychiatrist and gets a diagnosis doesn't mean they aren't "normal" or that they can't hold down a career...
A coworker of mine has bipolar disorder, and honestly, she’s totally fine—she’s got a great career, a boyfriend, a solid life... the only thing is she's been on medication for years. From what I gathered, she ended up in the hospital after a super intense, draining relationship with her ex, especially since her parents were totally against them being together, so she just kind of snapped and started having these hallucinations... at least, that's how she describes it, anyway. That's all I really know about it... but seriously, she's a great person! Honestly, she's more grounded than some people out there who don't even have a diagnosis...
Jeremy Price98 said:Greetings to everyone... I suppose it is time for me to join this ongoing discussion... And perhaps, if anyone is inclined, I might even solicit some advice...
About twelve days ago, I engaged in unprotected intercourse—specifically, we relied on withdrawal. We actually repeated the act twice that same evening, with about a two-hour gap between sessions, and he made sure to wash up in between. Following that, my period arrived, though it showed up four days earlier than usual, which is quite atypical for my cycle. While there was some discomfort, it didn't feel quite like my standard monthly experience, and it lasted for five days. The bleeding itself was dark, and perhaps not quite as heavy as what I usually encounter. Unable to find any peace of mind, I decided to take a pregnancy test this past Saturday using my first urine of the morning, and the result was negative. However, I am still experiencing persistent abdominal pain and significant bloating... To add to the complexity, I have been traveling during this entire window, dealing with heat and stress, and I am also currently battling low blood pressure and a common cold, so I haven't been feeling particularly well myself...
Is it at all plausible that I could be pregnant, or am I perhaps looking at ovulation or some other physiological anomaly?? 🤷
You aren't pregnant! Those tests are super reliable, and you probably just got your period early because of the travel and all that stress...
Sarah Harris5 said:Hey ladies, I could really use some tips from anyone who actually manages to stay chill when things get crazy... because honestly, I’d love to master that, especially since my little one totally picks up on my stress vibes. I swear, I let absolute idiots get under my skin so easily, and then I don't even realize I should've just ignored them until I'm already shaking with rage, and by then, it's too late. My brother constantly pushes my buttons with basically everything, and I fall for his bait every single time.😵 Help me out here... how do you guys just tune everything out and focus solely on your kid???
As for me... I've pretty much gone full hermit mode. My phone has been turned off for months now, and I only pick up the landline for my grandma or one close friend—everyone else just gets ignored. I spend most of my days going on these super long walks with my dog. I'm avoiding people like the plague, too; I make excuses to my husband so we don't have to go to his family's Sunday dinners, telling him I'm just exhausted, and I tell my girlfriends I'm not really up for hanging out because I'm feeling edgy... but the truth is, I actually feel amazing when I'm by myself, whereas being around them just makes me super anxious. I don't go to coffee shops anymore, and I won't touch any movies or shows that have animal cruelty or tons of violence in them. Instead, I'm reading kids' magazines, popping onto the forums, walking, soaking up the sun, and just messing around with my garden... I'm totally isolated from the whole world... I've even backed off a bit with my favorite grandma because her old-school stories just drain me, but she's elderly so I can't exactly explain to her that it's all just outdated nonsense...
Anthony Johnson2 said:In any case... it really does drive you crazy... Oh, and another thing that irritates me—when people start having kids and suddenly act like they have to give away their dog 😕 ....as if that’s even an option.
it's the exact same thing over here....like, what are you even gonna do with a dog once you have a baby? suddenly you won't have time for walks or anything??? honestly, I'll always make time for my dog, that's just how it is... the only people who can't manage that are the irresponsible ones who don't actually care about their pets...
So, since I’ve got a Golden Retriever, people always love to hit me with that classic line: "Oh, once the baby arrives, you won't have any time to walk the dog anymore," which honestly drives me absolutely insane... because I’m actually a responsible person and I'm not just winging it, so I’ll always make time for my pup, especially since he brings me so much joy that he's basically the reason I even managed to get pregnant in the first place... plus, my husband is totally on board to watch the little one while I take the dog out at least once a day. And then there are the people who tell me not to walk him too much now that I'm pregnant... like, hellooo, why wouldn't I???? I am perfectly healthy, my doctor says everything looks great and that I can walk as much as I want, but there's always some smart-aleck out there who'd rather just sit on the couch all day instead of getting some fresh air.... honestly, people irritate me more than anything else, though I was actually surprised that I'm not gaining as much weight as I expected, since I'm usually a total foodie and prone to packing on the pounds... hopefully, I won't jinx myself by saying that out loud!