4549 posts shown.
Ethan Garcia8 said:Did I ever actually claim homosexuality is tied to testosterone levels? Or suggest that stylists are all gay? No. My point was about being feminized; I wasn't making a judgment call on their sexual orientation. It’s a simple observation: they tend to be feminized. Whether they happen to be mostly gay is something I can't verify, because you can visually identify feminization much more easily than you can guess someone's private attractions.
I think your implication was pretty obvious, drawing that direct line between men acting feminine and having homosexual inclinations, for the most part😉.
Ethan Garcia8 said:Notice how they used the word 'mostly.' It’s just pure statistics at this point.
😕 Is there actually any official data to back that up?
I honestly think that "mostly" is just a common misconception held by people in homophobic circles—and frankly, it's wrong, much like the homophobia itself.
Scientific studies have already proven that homosexuality has nothing to do with testosterone levels.😳
Ethan Garcia8 said:Oh, really? It wasn’t just you—it was the male stylists and designers who tend to be more effeminate than most women.😁
Stop generalizing🙄. This whole thing is driven by special interest lobbies, but that’s a completely different conversation.
Anyway, I'm hoping this "testosterone" narrative is just some byproduct of frustration over a bad opening move and that it passes quickly.
Ethan Garcia8 said:Basically, they're acting like some high-end fashion stylist or designer. 😬
😁 I can't tell if it's just me talking, since this is literally my line of work,😬 but honestly, I am perfectly content with my curves and my sex drive.😍
@Redeemerare you shaving yourself out of some religious fervor or a vow of celibacy?
If so, the whole point is supposed to be living with that intense desire and just powering through it. It’s like the core of Christianity—you take up your cross and carry it, accepting whatever divine will comes your way.
mistyseal11 said:hey
here's the bottom line:
I don't want to spend the rest of my life feeling constantly turned on.
for the bad actors out there: castration isn't the answer.
Go see a psychiatrist or a therapist🙄 No offense intended, but this post makes it clear that your issue isn't about testosterone levels. You need to learn how to accept yourself for who you are. If you strip away your testosterone, you're basically turning yourself into someone who's half-functional.
Kevin Brooks11 said:Can anyone give me some insight here? I got injured back in December and had an MRI done. The doctor told me I needed to rest up, but since I didn't really take my recovery seriously, I'm still feeling the effects. I went back to see the doctor this summer and was told the exact same thing. I haven't pushed myself at all for a month now, yet I can still feel the pain whenever I walk.
And why are you surprised?😕 😠 The guy gave you straightforward advice for what was likely a very good reason—he's a doctor, after all, he knows his stuff—but you just didn't listen to him. Go back, get a proper follow-up, and let a professional figure out your treatment plan.
Oh, Kevin Brooks11...🙂
Linda Campbell said:GOD BLESS THE KINDHEARTED!
I’m jumping in here because I’m just as desperate with my own struggles. Reading your posts honestly makes my skin crawl.
Look, dear Ivanica, no one can truly grasp what you're going through unless they’ve been in the trenches caring for a sick parent—especially when you're that deeply bonded. I have a wonderful husband who works in medicine; he’s incredibly attentive to our whole family, especially my mom. He’s been my rock through all of this, ever since my dad was battling lung cancer about seven years ago. But even he gets under my skin sometimes, sending me those "common sense" medical tips that I just can't stomach right now. My heart is breaking, and his perspective just isn't mine. His parents are both healthy and active, thankfully. He hasn't personally lived through this nightmare, so if he had, he’d probably realize just how much it hurts and how much you feel like you're falling apart. It's the same with your boyfriend. The other day, I was with my mom and she was sobbing hysterically; it felt like my own heart was shattering into a million pieces. Then I have to leave her at the house and rush back to my kids, my husband, my job, and my life—but my head is stuck on my mother crying, from the moment I wake up until I close my eyes at night. My nerves are frayed to the breaking point. It is so incredibly hard to endure, and believe me, I pray to God every single day for the strength to keep going. I’m sitting here writing this and weeping like a child. It’s overwhelming, but we have to push forward. We have to. I’m heading to the coast for 14 days this Saturday with my husband and kid, leaving Mom in the care of my brother and sister-in-law. Just thinking about it is making my stomach knot up. I can’t relax, and I don't even want to go. I am completely consumed by worry. I just pray to God that everyone recovers and stops suffering. Yesterday, my mom told me she doesn't want to do any more chemo. She only has one cycle left. I don't even know if she weighs 50 kilos anymore. She's thin as a toothpick, pale, and her hair is gone. It's devastating.
Hang in there, everyone. I love you all.
Things have calmed down a bit regarding my boyfriend, but everything still feels so unsettled. I'm deeply hurt.
Listen, honey, I know a beach trip is the last thing on your mind right now. You might even feel guilty, like it's wrong to be enjoying the ocean while your mom is home suffering like this. But don't forget: you are healthy, and you need to live life to the fullest right now. You have children who need you by their side, just as much as you need your mother—and even more so because they are little. Some of my most cherished childhood memories are the times spent at the beach with my mom. Try to take advantage of these 15 days and the fact that your brother is stepping up so you can finally breathe and regroup. A change of scenery will do you wonders. Your mom isn't alone; her son is there with her. Don't worry, I really don't think she'll give up on chemo now, especially with only one round left. She's likely just exhausted and overwhelmed, but I'm certain she won't quit now.
It's going to get better.
Stay strong, and thank you again—to you and everyone else providing support here.
Sometimes I feel ashamed, like I'm just being the biggest crybaby on this forum...🙈
mistyranger4 said:Ivanica, hang in there... you are such a huge source of comfort and strength for all of us. I honestly wish I knew how to return the favor, how to soothe you or take away even a fraction of this pain and disappointment. Stay strong!
Thanks for the support. Just know that this forum means the world to me. Sometimes, it feels like the only thing in my life that actually makes sense.
Nancy Sullivan78 said:I know it sounds a little ridiculous, but I’ve got this irrational phobia of doctors—and honestly? It's less about the white coats and more about the terrifying weight of their diagnoses. 😳
Look, black or white, you've already got your hand on the cards... just try thinking that way for a second. You need to pull yourself up, look at this problem rationally, and actually start SOLVING it, because it isn't going to fix itself. Taking charge like that is what being mature and responsible looks like—not just for your own sake, but for the people who mean absolutely everything to you.
Look, you aren't the only one feeling this anxiety, so stop isolating yourself. Grab a friend or someone you trust to walk through this with you—having that support system makes a world of difference. Just start tackling the issue head-on. I guarantee you’ll feel an immediate sense of relief once you stop stalling. Don't sit around waiting for things to spiral out of control. If you're worried about something "dark" lurking under the surface, it’s always better to shine a light on it immediately rather than letting it fester. Personally, I don't think you're dealing with anything sinister; it sounds more like you've been fighting a lingering inflammation for two months now. But let's be clear: there's a massive gap between my gut feelings and what your actual lab results will show. Get those blood tests done, get the facts, and then come back here so we can actually talk about the reality of the situation.
Stay brave and get in the fight. 😘
Nancy Sullivan78 said:This whole thing lasts about two months.
What is wrong with me??!
😲😱 Go see a doctor right now!!!!
Good grief, I honestly cannot wrap my head around some people no matter how hard I try.🙄
You endure something for two months, it doesn't clear up after two months, and then you show up on a forum expecting us to tell you everything is fine...
Look, if something is actually wrong, you have to ask a doctor.
Ryan Fisher64 said:I’m checking in too; I haven't been around for a while—actually, not since things started taking a turn for my mom. Her hemoglobin was bottoming out, sitting around 50, so we took her in for a transfusion. She got it, but now the doctors are scratching their heads because her platelets have plummeted to barely 40. We brought her home, and she seems a bit better for now. Mostly, she’ll only touch soft foods or liquids. Her eyes stay closed most of the time; she sleeps constantly, which is why I’m responding specifically to your comment—the symptoms, especially this heavy sleeping, are identical. We started giving her that BioBran we picked up in Washington, D.C., from that macrobiotic specialist over on Fifth Avenue—it was about 10 bucks for a pack of 10, so do the math. We'll just have to wait and see. Last night she was moaning in pain, so we gave her what the doctors prescribed, the Trodon. I don't know if she's drifting closer to a coma, but when I was massaging her and talking about all the things we’re going to do once she wakes up and "gets better," she suddenly popped her eyes wide open, and I swear it looked like a smile. Finally, I sang some songs from her era, and she drifted back off. Ufffffff, I feel like I'm about to snap!
How’s everyone doing? Hope things are looking up for you guys.
Have you guys run any more tests yet?
I am so incredibly sorry. I’m having a terrible day myself; I'm miserable and can't stop crying. On top of everything with my mom, my boyfriend and I are going through a nightmare. I honestly cannot believe how much I misjudged him.🙂 Out of everyone who turned their back on me, even my own father, he was the one standing by my side—and now it feels like I was wrong about him, too.
brisklynx13 said:Google 😬
I’m guessing they’re doing blood work during ovulation to check hormone levels.
I don't know for sure, though—that's just my best guess.
Elizabeth Collins60 said:I feel so bad for you, but please know there are people here thinking of you and wishing you all the strength in the world... my dad is getting worse every single day too... the headaches won't stop... he’s starting to forget things again, which actually started about three weeks ago when he fell into a near-coma state... he wouldn't recognize anyone at all.
I wanted to mention—and you probably already know this if your mother is struggling to eat—that there are liquid supplements designed to act as full meal replacements. They come in those little 250ml cartons and pack in all the essential nutrients; brands like Ensure Plus, Glucerna, and several others. You can even get them via prescription. It’s not a magic fix, but it does help them get some much-needed calories in.
Thinking of you and sending a huge hug of strength!
Thanks😘 for the support.
I’m aware of Ensure, but I’m trying my hardest to keep her on real food for as long as possible. She still manages to eat some of it, but it’s an agonizingly slow process and requires constant supervision. My biggest fear is that she'll end up needing a feeding tube. That's my absolute worst nightmare. She was actually in that position once before, and she told me later how much she hated it—how horrible it felt. During that semi-comatose stretch, she couldn't remember anything else, so you can imagine how heavy that weight feels.😱
brightangler8 said:So, here I am, just trying to have a conversation with these girls, and they turn around and start attacking me over some thread about CIN and HPV!
Look, that advice was given with good intentions. Don't get worked up; you and I both know exactly how much this matters to us. Other people are entitled to their own opinions.😉
Melissa Scott said:That’s exactly my point: if you need it to cover other specialist appointments, it’s absolutely worth the investment. Dealing with the public healthcare system is a nightmare—you have to book a gynecologist a month in advance through Blue Cross, and God forbid you actually have an emergency... 👎 I gave up on that route a long time ago.
And listen—I'm already paying $200 into a third tier of retirement and life insurance every single month, plus this... but if I ever end up in the same boat as your dad, I’ll snap up a policy in a heartbeat.🙂
Like I said, if you can swing the extra cash $33 every month, just do it.
Everyone knows what works best for their own situation.
For me, this is a lifesaver because I'm currently unemployed and caring for a critically ill, immobile family member who can't be left alone for long. Trying to coordinate three different specialist appointments through the standard state system means dealing with random windows of time that almost never align with my schedule. Honestly, I think anyone with a 9-to-5 would love this too—being able to pick a time outside of work hours and knock out all your check-ups in one go.
Melissa Scott said:I paid for all of that through my OBGYN$167... basically twice a year = $333... I don't need other specialist visits (and I hope I won't need them anytime soon 🙂), so paying $100 more per year just for two gynecologist appointments doesn't make sense to me. I absolutely adore my doctor because she’s patient and professional, but she also knows how to put you at ease. My swabs and Pap smears are always ready within a week, and she actually calls me personally at home to give me the results. Her office, waiting room, and restroom are set up pretty much like what you described, and I've never waited more than 15 minutes..
I have nothing against supplemental health insurance, but if you ask me, it isn't worth getting just to see a gynecologist..
Consider yourself lucky, because things are nothing like that at my local community health center. It is absolute chaos here, and looking at these forums, I see plenty of women are stuck in the exact same mess I am.
As for you saying you don't need other specialists and hoping you never will... look, hope is a great thing, but let me tell you, that extra coverage saved my dad's life when his thyroid suddenly went haywire. He initially tried going through standard public insurance, but it turned out he'd be waiting four months just to see a specialist. So, he called the private insurance line, and they had an appointment scheduled for him by the very next day. Within seven days, he was on medication that practically brought him back from the dead—medication he would have been waiting at least four months to get. His heart was under massive strain; there was a real question of whether he could even hold out that long.
Compared to your figure of $333, I pay for my supplemental insurance $418 via monthly installments, and that includes three specialist visits, checkups, and lab work.
crimsonhound28 said:I've been mulling over getting that supplemental coverage for a while now.
A friend mentioned they have this extra plan where you get three specialist visits per year for free, and then everything else is half off.
The catch is you have to use their specific network of doctors—and honestly, you have no idea if they're actually any good.
That’s the dealbreaker for me. If I'm shelling out cash for a consultation, I want the freedom to pick my own doctor, not be stuck with whoever they assign me.
Mind if I ask which insurance provider you're looking at?
They actually have a massive roster of specialists, so you aren't really boxed in.
I was handed a list featuring 383 different providers; for instance, there are at least 20 different OB-GYNs to choose from.
I can't go around pitching insurance companies publicly, but I'll shoot you a DM with the details.
Chloe Lewis81 said:Is there some kind of list of private providers covered by the insurance?
It’s right there on your insurance policy statement.
So, I finally made it to a private OB-GYN clinic yesterday. Honestly, trying to schedule anything with my regular doctor through my insurance provider has been a total nightmare—between her hectic schedule and the constant back-and-forth just to snag an appointment, I was tired of waiting hours in a crowded lobby. I ended up signing up for a basic supplemental insurance plan through a major provider like Blue Cross. I’m paying $35 a month, and in exchange for that $35, I get three specialist visits a year, plus free check-ups and lab work.
Just to put it in perspective, getting a Pap smear, an ultrasound, and swabs done privately would run me about $300, but with this coverage, I can basically do that twice a year at no extra cost. All in all, I am beyond thrilled. The office felt incredibly upscale—air conditioning, a complimentary coffee station, water, a stack of high-end fashion mags, and a Plasma TV playing Fashion TV. It’s got these really comfy chairs and actually feels like you're being treated like a human being. Even though they ran about 10 minutes behind, it didn't bother me. The doctor was calm, upbeat, and her equipment looked state-of-the-art. The exam room was even stocked with everything you might need: soap in the restroom 😍, paper towels 😍 🙏, toilet paper 👍, sanitary pads 😲, water cups 😁, and you can grab disposable shoe covers 🙏 if you want. Most importantly, she took her time answering all my questions and actually shared some insights that my usual "standard" doctor never bothered to mention.
Bottom line: it is worth every penny. If you can swing an extra hundred bucks a month, I’d highly recommend making the switch.
Oh, and the Pap results should be ready in a week, and they have their own courier to whisk the swabs off to the lab immediately. 🙏 👍
slyseal28 said:I have some wonderful news regarding my husband. 🙂
We finally got the call from the hospital—the CIA scan results are in, and they show absolutely nothing suspicious; there isn't a single red flag to be found. In short, the report is great!
It’s honestly hard to find the right words to describe the relief we’re feeling or just how happy we are. These recent tests, especially this latest scan, really shook us and left us feeling pretty terrified. With most of the testing we did leading up to the PET/CT, we were operating under the assumption that the tumor was still very much present, so we were basically just praying for it to shrink. But the PET/CT actually showed that the Gadget is almost entirely gone. Because of that, the previous scintigraphy and X-ray results had us totally thrown off and feeling like we’d taken a step backward. Regardless, there’s no room for panic or fear anymore. We’re moving forward, feeling lighter and more at peace.
He does still have four cycles of chemo left, which are scheduled to start this Monday, July 23rd. However, we can see the finish line now. We’ll push through, we’ll win this fight against the Gadget, and it won't ever even think about coming back.
Sending love to everyone—I hope you all get some good news soon too!
That is absolutely wonderful news🙂
I truly believe you are an incredibly brave and determined woman—a real fighter through and through—and I suspect your husband is on the road to recovery largely because he has you in his corner. I really hope both of you realize just how much that matters. 😘