Prednisone befor weight loss surgery

Weight Loss Surgery

2010.09.29 05:48 cdharrison Weight Loss Surgery

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2014.03.06 01:52 milqi Bariatric Surgery: A Community for Weight Loss Surgery

There are a lot of threads for losing weight, dieting and being fat. But nothing for those of us having surgery for it.
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2018.12.12 15:56 HelenHerriot Weight Loss Surgery Graduates

A subreddit to serve the needs of people who are at least one year out from any type of Weight Loss Surgery and have passed the pre-op and immediate post-op periods.
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2024.05.14 01:30 AstronautDue2395 My Experience

My Experience
TW for gross looking eye pictures but this is the reality of the surgery
Hi, so I have kind of a unique story but maybe it can help anyone like me who’s been scouring the internet for something relatable. Long read, but would’ve been comforting for me during my search. Feel free to skip to the ***** area for the surgery/recovery details.
Fairly new here (26F), been observing posts and taking in stories for a few months now. I was born blind in my left eye due to optic nerve hypoplasia (my right eye is also nearsighted as a mf). My eyes have never tracked together well, it was visible at a few months old, and that’s how I got my initial diagnosis. It was somewhat correctable for the sake of school pictures and family pictures for the first portion of my life (closing eyes, changing position, looking away and back right before the snap, etc). Around middle school I had friends and strangers start to mention occasionally that they couldn’t tell what I was looking at or they’d ask me what was wrong with my eye. Since then I’ve been insanely self conscious and uncomfortable in my own skin, refusing to make eye contact, take pictures, FaceTime, zoom call, etc. I learned about strabismus surgery a few years back, and researched into it for a while, ultimately deciding that I wouldn’t pursue it because of the high possibility of the surgery failing, either immediately, or somewhat soon after.
Some things have happened with my health and body over the last few years, and my esotropia had become more and more noticeable, and my eyelid was dropping heavily with it. When I was tired, it would barely appear open if I didn’t force it.
I finally got fed up with hating my own face and I wanted to consult with a new doctor and see what my options were, if I had any. He never made me feel uncomfortable, or like there was something wrong with me. He did mention the possibility of failure, specifically because of the blindness and inability to focus that eye, but at this point I was willing to take the risk (how much worse could it get if I was already disappointed in my own appearance and hiding from life).
************ Surgery Details In my case, because my turn was so severe, he had to operate on 4 of the 6 muscles in my eye. Along with that came a decent amount of trauma to my eye (more than the average surgery would cause). He corrected mine on an adjustable suture, had me meet back at his office a few hours later, did an exam, and adjusted my stitches while sitting in a chair in his exam room. I spent from about 6am until about 6pm with him in one way or another before I made it home. The following days I was mostly just sore and swollen and so so tired. I kept my eyes closed for the first day and a half, because moving my right eye also moved my left eye and caused me a decent amount of pain. My operation was a Tuesday, Saturday was my absolute peak day of pain. I was prescribed a narcotic that I used for the first 3 days I believe, I also didn’t take my adhd meds those early days, because I wanted to be able to sleep and relax. I took one week off work (I work thurs-sun) and went back the next Thursday. I took things easy at work for that week, and started my normal duties again about two weeks after surgery. My work is pretty physical, so even after two weeks of chilling, that first night of my normal shift had me sore again the next day. Never underestimate how involved your eye muscles are in things that you wouldn’t normally think would affect them.
I’m now 3.5 weeks post op, I just recently had my follow up with my surgeon, he snipped one of my sutures that had surfaced and was rubbing my eyelid inside and keeping it irritated and swollen. The next day my eyelid looked a lot better and my eye was a lot less itchy. I’ve been back on tobradex drops (iykyk) and it seems to be helping with my redness as well (it’s also causing a bit of pulsatile tinnitus, which is something I didn’t expect). When looking at a point on the wall about 15 feet in front of me, my eyes track perfectly, at this moment in time. When I look at things close to me, my eye still starts to turn, and I find myself getting tired eyes quicker from being on my phone than I had before. My eye is still dropping a bit low when I look towards my right, and it raises a bit when I look to my left. I also feel (and see) some resistance when looking upwards. He mentioned that depending on how things look at my 3 month appointment in July, I could need one more surgery to correct the muscle that’s causing those issues, or I could decide to let it ride. Normally people’s redness and swelling are pretty gone by 3.5 weeks out, but the amount of work that my eye needed has left me still pretty red now, and still somewhat swollen in my eyelid. My actual pupils seem to track straight almost all of the time, and I’m already finding myself wanting to make eye contact with people more, which alone gives me so much more confidence than I’ve ever experienced. I’ve had some friends and family just look at my eyes and say things like “wow your eye looks really good.” My only regret is not doing it sooner. I thought I had done the research and made the best call for myself, but I should’ve sought out a professional so much sooner. Even if it fails at some point down the line, I’m grateful for the relief I’ve gotten for this time period and I would probably seek it out again.
My eyelid still droops a bit, even outside of the hit of swelling I have; ptosis am I right? 😅 I may seek out a plastic surgeon to have that corrected after a potential second surgery or deciding against one. I’ve also been looking into Botox injections to potentially correct it as well.
For anyone interested in more of the surfacey surgery details; mine was performed at a hospital under general anesthesia and took about 2.5 hours to complete. My surgeon/ophthalmologist is located in SW Ohio, and I fully trust him with my vision and my appearance at this point. The surgery totaled just over $26,000 and insurance covered just under $24,000, leaving me to pay around $2,600 out of pocket. Anyone interested/located in that area, please feel free to ask for his info and I’ll send it right over. In my opinion, the surgery is worth the risk, because (to me) the worst thing that can happen (barring actual medical emergencies) is that you end up unhappy with your eyes positioning (which is probably why you’re getting the surgery anyway)
I’m going to attach pics that will show: my eye turn beforehand (pretty severe esotropia and browns syndrome); the way I left the hospital with my adjustable sutures in; right after I left the adjustment; the healing process for a few days; what I believe is my current final eye positioning; and what it’s looking like today, a couple days after having one suture removed, a few days on steroid drops, with at least 4 barely visible sutures still waiting to dissolve.
submitted by AstronautDue2395 to Strabismus [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:29 Frosty-Reserve9123 PSYCHOGENIC PAIIN.

My family doc retires. New doctor at practice. On his report calls my pain "Psychogenic"
My olecronon was pulverized into a hundred pieces when I was seven. I grew up with an arm that only half moved. Have had a few surgeries to clean out missed pieces. At 52 years old I finnaly met an ortho who looked past the elbow. She said before the x-ray that my wrist movement problem was not caused by the elbow. She discovered that all the Orthos I had seen in my life were lazy. I had broken the ulna and all the Metacarpal bones in my hand. She was so apologetic that it was not diagnosed when I was a child because they could have done some things before I grew. There is a lot of arthritis that I have lived with. Now though, I guess it's just Psychogenic.
submitted by Frosty-Reserve9123 to ChronicPain [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:29 ptown_mannequin Breast reduction or wait and do a tummy tuck at the same time?

I'm interested in having a breast reduction. I've also been losing weight but I'm still over the minimum BMI index to have a tummy tuck done. I'm losing weight and I'm down about 20 lb. But I have at least 50 more to go. Having a breast reduction would help back and neck pain, but I'm wondering if it would just be better to have both surgeries done at once to minimize recovery times and not have to go under anesthesia twice. Has anybody done one and then the other at a later date? Would you do it again? Or would you do one at a time? Or for those who have done both at the same time, do you wish you had done them one at a time?
submitted by ptown_mannequin to PlasticSurgery [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:29 Old_Middle9639 Getting funds

I’m getting super nervous about not getting my superannuation released in time! So I was ballsy enough to book my Top Surgery 2 months after my initial consultation (cause why tf not) and getting early release of my super on compassionate grounds. I managed to score an appointment with a Psychiatrist 12 days later and got my letter the same day. Now, I went online STRAIGHT AWAY and got all my paperwork together and claimed through ATO for early release on the 1/5, DONE…
It’s now 10 DAYS till I have to pay my surgeon (2 weeks before surgery date) and I’m nervous I won’t hear back from the ATO in time to claim to my super fund (13 days ago). I know that super releases funds in around 5 days which means I have until tomorrow or MAX Thursday to hear back from the ATO.
Was I stupid to book that soon or do you think I might be lucky to get it in time?
Please I’m freaking out! LOL send help.
submitted by Old_Middle9639 to TopSurgery [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:28 Plastic_Weight_9791 Excess belly skin/chafing - anyone have tips?

Hey everyone
I am a pretty big guy at 6 ft, haven’t weighed myself for roughly 2 years but I know I have stepped slightly over the 300 lbs mark.
I started my weight loss journey 3 months ago.
Cut a lot of bread from my intake (I’d say I removed at least 6 slices of white bread a day) and have done lower calories breakfast and lunch and slightly reducing my dinner portions. Also put a firm rule not to eat anything after 8pm which I used to do a lot. We have kids and dine very early so I used to get very hungry by 10pm and eat. That has been the toughest part to remove.
I have also started working out at my local gym 2 times a week with the following current routine
1,5km walk on treadmill at 5kmph and 3% grade Lat pull downs 3x10 currently at 180lbs 2x15min on rowing machine for 6000 metres Bicep curls 3x10 currently at 35lbs Trying to fit in barbell squats 3x10 about once a week
Now I still do not weigh myself yet, but I have seen visible result both in my visible shape and pants size which are getting much looser. I wish to keep on in my journey and hope to weigh myself by my birthday mid-July. I’m working for the long run here trying to lose weight slowly but steadily.
However, I am starting to feel my belly getting looser and hanging more, causing a small flap which does not breathe enough. It tends to cause some chafing, and I have to remember every time I shower to rince it thoroughly as soap tends to stay there. Same goes for humidity.
Do you guys have any advice about that? Is there a specific exercise that you tried that felt like it toned the belly and reduces the loose part?
TLDR: I lost weight, got loose belly skin that causes chafing. Looking for tips to try to tone my belly and reduce the flap it causes
submitted by Plastic_Weight_9791 to WeightLossAdvice [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:27 Certain-Woodpecker63 Breaking Through the Simp Phase: The Good, the Bad, and the Lovely

29M - USA - 2.5 Months
One concern that I had with the idea of SR when I first began contemplating the topic was that once "charged up" I would begin to behave foolishly concerning my dating prospects, and that the buildup of sexual energy would cause me to simp after women more heavily than if I was depleted, where I perceived I would be able to "play it cool" with girls. This was certainly the case to a significant extent during my initial streaks, and these types of outcomes were an impediment for me to realizing the advantages of SR in my early twenties.
The reason this was initially an issue for me is that the beginning of the beginning, as in, before any streaks longer than a month were accomplished my brain was highly sexualized causing me to behave in a deranged way once the buildup began. This still occurs, and is why in my opinion SR can be detrimental to a successful dating life because it oftentimes pedestalizes the act of sex, which can create a loop of Oxytocin deficiency which I believe is what causes people to enter their 'loner' phase.
I believe the cure for this is to break through successfully in personal endeavors unrelated to sex, which creates positive dopamine associated with elements outside of scoring with the opposite gender. My current realization is that before you're able to see improvements in behavior, there's going to be a dip and your behavior is actually going to get worse in many cases. This is of course referred to as a flatline, the longer you're able to go without O, the less extended flatlines will become with each subsequent streak. I also believe in the elasticity of streaks, for several years ago when I first began this journey I accomplished a 5 month streak, and my overall demeanor became pretty negative. That first 5 month streak was probably the most depressive period of my life, but it was a culmination of reaping what I had sewed for upwards of 10 years prior to that. Therefore, I can't blame the streak itself for this depressive time.
However, it did create some antisocial behaviors that I'm still unlearning and that I didn't have an issue with as much prior to that great streak. For one thing, my internet behavior became far more anonymous, and to this day my social media habits have shifted from representing my real identity through instagram/facebook, to browsing anonymously through reddit, youtube. This shift I believe created a psychological dissociation from my real world social media profiles, and now I have a l higher evel of anxiety about going on Instagram as myself that I consider to be an impediment. Of course, Social Media is generally considered harmful overall, but if the reason I'm not going on it is because of an anxiety, I consider that just as harmful. So that's something I'm working on.
When one goes 'monk mode' for too long, one may begin to cultivate the desire to begin forming attachments to girls again in the future, but find it more challenging to ride that bicycle compared to if they had not allowed the muscle of PUA to atrophy. That being said, re-integrating socially is definitely possible after a long SR streak, and in doing so you'll still possess any SR benefits that you cultivated during a lonersome period. Overall, I'd say the effort to change behaviors and re-invent yourself is more valuable than the loss of social calibration that can occur. I'm speaking on this topic from the experience of being unemployed for 8 months and then being thrust back into a job that required a high volume of person-to-person interactions.
Benefits on this streak:
The only downsides I've seen are that I have increased cravings for weed, although I've been able to take upwards of 5 days - 2 weeks at a time off. The issue is that with SR I'm able to handle THC and still function in a way I simply wouldn't be able to if I wasn't on a decent streak. I Haven't been as successful with quitting weed as I have with SR yet because I've been dreading the dip in performance that comes with quitting any substance, but I still do find the therapeutic benefits of use to be a silver lining and I feel the discipline I'm cultivating with SR will allow me to effectively quit in the future.
So far, this streak I've been mainly focused on interpersonal dynamics, but today for the first time in a while I was able to go deeper into my own world once again. I grabbed that bull by the horns & wrote this post, and focused on a side hustle.
submitted by Certain-Woodpecker63 to Semenretention [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:26 psychedelicfish7 I just started meditating and my life got turned upside down. Can anyone relate?

I’ve always been quite sensitive to other people but, now I’m extremely sensitive to the world around me and find spending my time alone meditating best. I’m currently in the process of getting rid of all my belongings so I can go and live in nature away from the world to figure out what’s going on, grow and know. I have no interest in friendships or family or anything else this material world has to offer and I am totally content with this.
For the past six weeks I’ve been feeling ‘out of this world’ sensations in my head and hands, but I also feel energy moving all throughout my body (although this part is nothing new to me).
The sensation in or above my head is always there from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to sleep. These feelings vary a lot… it used to be just intense pressure like the weight of another person sitting on my head, if the direction of the feeling was directed upwards (once it felt like my head might actually pop off and shoot upwards). Now it’s usually just a feeling of presence or a sucking feeling pulling up through the top of my head.. Once or twice it felt like a very pleasurable cool breeze, it felt great. Often my whole head feels like it’s vibrating with energy, I feel every cell tingling, out of my physical head even, sometimes my head feels massive, other times my head feels like it’s dimensionally stuck into that position, perfectly frozen still (just writing this my head is popping with energies 🙂). Other times my whole head is weightless. These feeling really do vary a lot, strange strange things are happening inside my head.
I feel pressure between my eyes when someone walks past me. Almost like I can feel their attention is on me. This pressure feels like pushing your thumb into your head. Other times I feel this randomly when nobody is around.
I cannot feel my body when I meditate. Sometimes it feels like I’m a bundle of pure energy growing bigger than my physical body. Sometimes it’s like I’m floating. I know what it feels like be totally empty, to let go of this physical body cell by cell. However I’m sure if I continue to let go something crazy might happen as I start to become something else. It does take me a couple hours before I can begin exploring these feelings. I like to meditate as much as I can handle but I do have my limits. Usually a couple hours from the moment I wake up, couple hours in the day and a couple hours before sleep.
I’ve been having all these kool ideas for years which I would later read or learn about elsewhere. It’s like I know things I shouldn’t know and I don’t know how. Unforgettable dreams which I documented about a year ago have been happening in my life recently! Happening exactly. Not just the audio or visuals but more importantly the feelings deep inside my spirit which I distinctively remember from my dreams (I couldn’t stop thinking about these dreams for weeks after I experienced them). It’s like we have a communication of emotions through our spirits which words cannot describe. These words do not exist and this language of the spirit is way too profound.
A lot of other weird ‘out of this world’ things have been happening too that I don’t feel comfortable sharing as everyone seems to think I’m crazy!!
I am now aware that we are not actually in control of our own minds/thoughts. There are many other forces outside of this physical dimension in play and a lot of information/conditioning we’ve been marinating in our whole life’s which is a lie.
These are very distinctive strong experiences/feelings that simply cannot be mistaken for anything else I’ve ever experienced or heard exists in my lifetime. And I can assure you I’m not crazy like what people keep telling me.. If anyone has any information or insight on what might be happening to me, please do get in touch!! Many thanks!
P.S I am aware I need a ‘proper guru’ however, I don’t have one so until one randomly appears to me I will have to sort through the minefield of information the internet has to offer.
May you have a joy filled, productive and creative day!
submitted by psychedelicfish7 to Awakening [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:26 Bails147 Some counterpoints for Kenzie for fun since shes everyones consensus pick

I would like to preface this with the fact that i DO think Kenzie is winning. Before yall come for me! Bc i realise any opinion thats not backing up Kenzie winning or supports anyone else winning is “bad edgic” according to yall. But anyways
I wanna explore more of Kenzies flaws and red flags! Just because we only see constant posts about how she is obviously the winner etc etc.
More OTT mean girl vibes than Dee imo in the premerge with Bhanu Jess and Jelinsky. Sloppy obvious social game seen by Q and Tiff (showcased in a neg light by the edit as they highlight them all seeing thru her and it makes her a target). Also even Bhanu sorta gives low-key NSPV - but Bhanu is all over the place i get it. And he does crown her the mermaid dragon of the season.
What are yall talking about? Montage with dodo music and clowns her (literally not needed to be included at all. The edit goes out of its way to dunk on her)
“One of you cant win, you will not get the votes at the end” in jeffs speech. When he says these words it pans on to kenzie. I saw someone spin this as to alluding to her winning.. but like if u watch that scene IMO its actually showing why kenzie wont win and get votes at the end and will lose to a siga member. As siga gets pans of gelling. If she wins i think this was more of a throw us off the scent thing rather than tryin to hint she WINS.
Yanu and their consistant theme of being Losers + tiffany in ep 2. “We are LOSERS” with an immediate pan to kenzie struggle to make a fire
Kenzie saying she needs to blindside tiff for her resume - then NOT getting to do that and losing credit.
Kenzie saying she wants Q out and hes still there
Kenzie saying Venus is my new number 1 and that the boys (ben and charlie) dont wanna boot Q bc they may become bigger targets, but she doesnt wanna boot venus bc thatd apply to her- then proceeds to boot Venus despite the edit suggesting shed vote Q.
Kenzie talking about how Charlie is Marias jester and underestimating him (whilst the edit explicitly backs up and tells us that Charlie is NOT marias jester, in fact the edit highlights all season how if anything Charlie is equals or making the decisions, and also the edit props up charlie and goes out of its way to highlights how he isnt her jester and that he is intentional in his gameplay and wants maria to get sole credit so shes a target etc etc. ). Whether thats good or bad for charlie is another story, but its still not great for Kenzie to be shown to be so wrong on her read of charlies game and its a theme she has in multiple different eps. She is plain wrong and the edit doesnt hide that fact. In fact it has her being wrong directly after we see scenes contradicting her statements. So the viewer is thinking shes getting played.
Kenzie getting DODO music whilst talking about how poor Venus is at idol searching (a scene coming directly after V finds the idol and says shes pretending to look- therefore highlighting her fooling/outplaying Kenzie) - people say kenzie is redeemed by saying “i guess she may have already found the idol and is bamboozling us all”. - but she contradicts that save immediately by saying “but i think shes just waiting for someone whos close to her to find it”. So she is definitely being bamboozled.
Kenzie also doesnt really have her relationships with Hunter established we are just told shes apparently his number 1 last minute.
The big 6 alliance- we hear kenzie find out about it from Q (she doesnt comment on it) she says “yeh i heard about the 6” implying she found out already about it, yet we still got no mention on the 6 and how she felt about it and being left out, if she was concerned or not about it, etc etc… Charlie we did hear talk about it and accurately immediately call it out for what it was. And yes he was sorta being inducted but it was clearly over by the time that happened really.
Kenzie has no backstory package, not even 1 single outside of the game photo (shes the ONLY player left (in thef10 even) not to and this is despite having had chances already to put it in too) - the emotional blue eye scene, her opening confessional , any time she mentioned her career, her ben panic attack scene. - Charlie and Q had photos. Liz maria and Ben all had full on backstorys. -
When compared to other woman winners - shes insanely overexposed in the edit.
When u look at her game- she actually hasnt gotten THAT much better of a resume or game than Ben or Liz. Its worse than Q Charlie and Maria on paper (outside of pure social) And shes missed the chance for a big move and instead lost numbers in 3 consecutive tribals. Kenzie herself has stated that you need to make a big move - which she keeps failing to do alike jake owen. She wanted Q but begrudgingly accepted Hunter vote, she wanted Q but got blindsided and it was Tiff, she wanted Maria-> then Q but begrudgingly voted Venus. All 3 were numbers that were loyal to her, and she didnt really want out but got them out, having no agency 3 straight votes. And wasnt in the 6 which was the main storyline for the early merge votes.
She has a eerily similar to Jake Owen and Carolyn edit when u really think about it - who all got underdog themes.
also Kenzie is plain wrong a lot… i just rewatched ep 3 and found yet another time shes straight up wrong.. when Bhanu gets back to camp after the journey, he lies to Yanu and says “i chose the white rock” - this is then immediately followed by a confessional of Kenzie falling for his lie saying “of course in typical yanu fashion he gets nothing (correct ik) which works for us because we didnt want him to have anything, he drew the white rock (false, kenzie has fallen for the lie) he doesnt have anything, great for the plan but it is also just hilarious that once again yanu loses another thing (okay sorta correct) and gives something else to the other tribes (false and wrong again). This is yet another really small thing but damn these sorts of wrong things are really adding up. Why gove kenzie that confessional? Contrast that with Tiff basically saying the more on point thing of “the real tea is what did he give up, bc i know damn sure he was over there spilling the tea” and she doesnt have anything falling for his Lie, And then Q doesn't comment on it in confessional, but has a scene where he questions Bhanu if he got the white rock and Bhanu reveals no he didnt and indeed he lost his vote. It again put right after we show bhanu not getting the white rock and the other tribes not getting anything - so even though logically kenzie is just narrating from what she knows, and technically yanu person did lose out, shes still completely wrong about what happened and as a viewer ur inclined to think “thats not what happened” as shes talking. Just this actually has happened quite a lot.
I sound like a Kenzie hater. but end of the day i can still see all of Kenzies upside and Charlies downside and marias danger. I know that a lot of these flaws can be possibly justified or overlooked with all the good stuff - but they still are possible red flags and theres quite a few of them still.. so i think its still worth noting and keeping in mind. Since everyone is constantly pointing out the smaller red flags for a Charlie and a Maria. Just food for thought. Bc if anyone thinks kenzie could be set up for a FTC loss they get roasted on here. I personally do lean towards her winning ftc but the set up is there for both.
I think she takes out Q at least bc the setup for both her (threat mermaid dragon etc) and Charlie (i need to get Q out, Q needs to go asap) has been made. Plus Maria slipped in Q for one more vote, Ben and Liz both have setup for wanting Q gone. Its gotta happen soon! But its entirely possible thats what the mermaid dragon and shes a dangerous threat story arc was leading to.. her being part of tiffany and Q going (her idea the tiff blindside, her making moves on Q). Rather than her necessarily winning.
Ill also point out for those who believe that Charlie wasnt as relevent early on and that he has a poor social game - i just rewatched ep 1-5, skipping thru the nami tribe scenes and challenges and unimportant confessionals (BHANU drama) and BOY do Charlie and Kenzie both get sooo much attention. We hear from both so much. Its kinda clear that kenzie is the main Yanu (sorry Q) and Charlie is the main siga (sorry maria and Ben). But charlie gets so many social related scenes which highlight his social bonds and has the edit backing it up with positive SPV about him from other players. Jeff always talks to charlie and the camera pans are always panning to both Charlie and Kenzie throughout the premerge. Just a little fun thing i noticed.
submitted by Bails147 to Edgic [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:25 DeBlasioDeBlowMe Colorectal cancer incidence climbed 500% from 1999 to 2020 among children aged 10 to 14 years, and 333% among those 15 to 19

These are very small numbers, and widespread screening of younger patients is NOT recommended. Also, this is just one study based on retrospective review of CDC information. Why is this important? Consider that 25 years ago, electronic reporting of health conditions to the CDC was practically unheard of, so there may be a considerable reporting bias. Still, it's worth discussing any concerning symptoms with your provider. Warning signs are: significant change in bowels, weight loss, or unexplained blood in the stool. Concerning factors also include a personal history of polyps, personal history of IBD, family history of polyps, or family history of colon cancer (especially multiple or young family). Anxiety-related or situation symptoms, like stress-related diarrhea, are generally not concerning, The longer your symptoms, the less likely they are to be something ominous (cancers are not slow and indolent).
submitted by DeBlasioDeBlowMe to colonoscopy [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:25 SargentReader Discussion about Watashitachi wa Moto Joshi desu (We are Former Girls) Chapter 10

A manga that I've been reading recently suddendly got a very bad take that I really want to share with some people online
For those who already know, the chapter was based around Claudia (Riko's mother) discussion about the topic that her girl is now a boy and her rejection to Riko's hrt for her sex reasignement... why? Because she thinks that Riko is not doing it by herself cause she is currently in love for a boy and her decissions must be affected by her teenager hearth...
Does this has the slightest sense? Riko lived her life entirelly has a girl, grow up as one and now her decision to go back to her normal self is being doubted by her mother (a mother that didnt saw her daughter in years) just because she is currently... in love? Sure she doesnt want to go back to a girl because it was part of her identity for her entire life, she just want to go back beacause she is in love... sure Claudia, sure...
Some people said that Claudia is doing this cause Riko wont be the same ever again... wich is a very weird way to manage WB, I mean, in this world you can instantaneously become in the oposite sex but the way to go back is the classic HRT and surgerys? No problem with that but in any case, even if its "not the same" thats shouldnt be a fundamental reason to deny the entire treatmemt, its more like a secondary effect in exchange for still being the you that you like and want
Not mentioning the VERY QUESTIONABLE sentences that Claudia said about transexualitty, describing it as basically, an artificial way to being a woman, it was very obvious that the author wanted to make her look as good as possible after those horrendous ways to treat her child (sayed by the own Riko) so he tried to fix the sitiation and make her being "more nice" with everyone in her famillu and added a melancolycal ending for her, which do not erase all the bad things she said before
Riko doesnt need more time to know, she already hated her body a lot, she wants to go to the swimmingpool with a bikini, she wants her old body back and she feels alienated with her own body as she showed us in the previous chapters, for me this was just a cheap way to make the narrative longer.... as a Trans Girl, I trully want that Riko go back to her normal self cause this will means that, despite the nature and society, she is the one who really decides about herself!
submitted by SargentReader to mangadex [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:25 clownremains Cashier told by employer to pay for shoplifted items.

I work for a small chain store as a cashier, and got written up for, and am being told to pay for items that a customer shoplifted. I was written up for being “irresponsible” by a manager who was not in the building, and hasn’t talked to me about it at all. This is the second time that they have tried to make me pay for items a customer stole. I told the couple multiple times that the items were not paid for. I told the supervisor and manager on duty as soon as it happened. I asked for help during the transaction and was ignored. The manager who wrote me up is stating in the write up that the cameras showed carelessness, but another manager told me they don’t have audio, and have very poor quality video. I did not physically stand in the way of the couple because I am disabled, have no self defense skills, and have no loss prevention training. I am only trained as a cashier. They have tried to write me up for leaving the store in an ambulance before and refused to provide reasonable accommodations because “It would make the customers and coworkers uncomfortable.” I have a fainting disorder, two letters from specialists, and brought in my own stool. Can my employer fire me for not paying for shoplifted items? Can my employer force me to physically intervene shoplifting? What can I do to protect myself?
submitted by clownremains to legaladvice [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:24 HuffPuff87 Frustrated, out of options and can't see a specialist for 2 months.

Apologies for the long post but I'm pretty much over medical personnel at the moment and I'm frustrated. I've had a severe cough that began in December. I've had it at least once a month since then. By severe I mean I have random coughing fits that result in me either urinating on myself or vomiting on myself. Lately it's been both. Seems to be brought on by the slightest cold. I have a daughter in daycare so while illness is not uncommon, this is a bit extreme. It's normally coupled with a sinus infection.
I went to urgent care in December and was told to ride it out and given an updated inhaler script. I eventually got better.
It came back in February and to urgent care I went again. My primary has retired and I didn't have another lined up so Urgent Care seemed an ok choic. Left with a script for promethazine. Nearly finished the bottle before I got better.
It came back in March to which I called my doctor's office and got the first available doctor for a consult since I knew urgent care wasn't gonna do anything for me. We spoke over the phone and he said I likey had pertussis so he prescribed a steroid and antibiotic. Worked within a day. I was much better instantly so I finished the round and figured we were good to go.
April was a let down as the cough returned. I quickly emailed the doctor and requested the same treatment. I had refills for the steroid so I just refilled but I needed him to prescribe the antibiotic. He refused. He said he can't prescribe it when the symptoms haven't been present that long. Uhm, what do you mean?! You knew my history already? He repeatedly told me there was nothing we could do, that I could try the steroid alone but it probably wouldn't do anything. I told him I refused to believe that there was nothing we could do and there had to be something, especially considering the antibiotic worked so quickly last time. He REFUSED to assist further and suggested if my symptoms were that bad to go to the ER for a chest X-ray. Fine.
Went to the ER and got a chest X-ray. Was there for literally 1.5 hours and walked away with a $2500 bill, a clear X-ray and a script for Tessalon Perles, a recommendation for Mucinex D, and oh look, the SAME ANTIBIOTICS I ASKED THE PRIMARY FOR, WHO SAID HE COULDN'T GIVE THEM TO ME. They knew my script history and had zero problem giving me the antibiotic. The ER doctor even laughed when I told him the primary said I had pertussis. His diagnosis- bronchitis. Told me to follow up with said doctor. No thank you.
The cocktail of antibiotics, Mucinex D and Tessalon Perles seemed to do the trick. For a while.
It's now May and the cough is back full force and more violent than ever. But instead of multiple coughing fits throughout the day, I get a few really violent ones with both vomiting and peeing. So I got that going for me, which is nice.
I called a pulmonologist today to get an appointment. I figured I'd start there. When the medical assistant asked me why I'm seeing the doctor, I ran down a TLDR of the above and was so very delighted to hear her response of, “So a cough?” Yeah girl. Put down a cough. I corrected her- “A severe cough.” I doubt she added the adjective. The next available isn't for 2 months.
So here I sit, being asked to ride it out and ingesting a cocktail of Mucinex D and ibuprofen with a little snack of Tessalon Perles during bed time. I'm almost positive this is gonna cause some long term repercussions but I have a 1 year old, a husband and a job to think of today. I'm still blown away that when I brought this up to the primary, that he's telling me there nothing he can do when I'm telling him I get random coughing fits in the car while driving my toddler around, I get a “Sorry. Try the ER.”
As you can probably tell, I'm at a loss on what to do. When I think my cocktail is working, I'm reminded it's not. Any suggestions other than, see a pulmonologist, would be greatly appreciated. Any reassurance that the primary isn't a complete moron, also appreciated. I would hate to think that a doctor would be that careless for no reason.
TLDR: Intermittent (monthly) sever cough since December, accompanied by sinusitis, vomiting and incontinence. Antibiotics helps but Dr. won't prescribe more than one round. Currently taking Mucinex D, 400 ibuprofen and Tessalon Perles at night for sleep. Appt with pulmonologist in 2 months but what to do until then?
Thanks for reading.
submitted by HuffPuff87 to Pulmonology [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:23 gsn714 Trouble walking

I’ve had significant discomfort walking for the last two weeks.
12 months post op. My recovery has been slow, but the last two months had significant progress. LSI is around 85%, mid-stage plyo work. Lifting pretty heavy (225+ deadlift, 185+ squats @ 160lbs body weight). Not cleared for sport, but felt like I was getting close. Can do all of my activities and exercises pain free.
Have rested for a full week and still feel like my quad, hamstring, and calf are not firing at all. There’s no pain or loss of ROM… everything just feels off muscularly.
At a loss for what could be wrong. Anyone experience something similar?
submitted by gsn714 to ACL [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:23 Aktoruk Aizen vs Kaden (Bleach vs Guardian Tales) ‘To Strike Down Those Above’. UPDATED/IMPROVED CONNECTIONS + update on Aktoruks future

Aizen vs Kaden (Bleach vs Guardian Tales) ‘To Strike Down Those Above’. UPDATED/IMPROVED CONNECTIONS + update on Aktoruks future

Real Talk, it’s a bit rough, so no shame in scrolling past. Go past the Spoiler warning for the stuff related to the MU.

I’ve kept a lot hidden from my online persona, but I’ll be honest for a moment. Currently, in a separate province, my mom is going for scans. There’s a very real chance that she has cancer, and the thought frankly destroys me.
I’ve decided that I’ll be taking a ‘break’ after this post. I truly do adore this community, but personal things are just not doing great. I wish to avoid the risk of high emotions I am currently susceptible to. I’ll probably be sticking around to lurk at times, but it’ll be low key.
I wished to make something more, and decided that making things smoother for the MU I’m most proud of is a good way to leave things. When I return, I have many more projects planned. Scripts, MU’s, and even Scaling Scans. Look forward to that, while I do the opposite (of looking forward in general, I’m excited for the projects).
Depending on the speed of things, I may know how things go at the end of this week. There are two cases. In the best case, I will be back shortly after this news. In the worst case, it may be multiple months before I return, should I return.
Thank you all in advance for reading, and thank you all for being cool people. It’s been really helpful being able to take my mind off things, and I hope I can continue to make a fool of myself in all the best ways.

Absolutely massive spoilers for both Bleach and Guardian Tales. Only read if you are fine with that.

immediate Basic Core connections
-Villains -Villainous allies -Both From Asian (east) countries -Ancient beings in comparison to human lifespan, but not particularly for their species. -Yes, ‘en’ is the final part of their five-letter names. This is not something that should sell you on the matchup.
In Depth/Actually Good Connections
-Long-term threats in their respective series. Constant presences which utilize the protagonists as tests.
-While among the most powerful characters in their verse, intelligence is what makes them terrifying. Capable of manipulating their way into power, influence, and secrecy.
-Prior to a massive reveal, both are thought to be allies to the ‘good side’ (Captain Aizen and Kaden the Hero), with the few who knew being ancient scientists that got locked away to prevent word from spreading.
-Their major goals involve utilizing an unknown power (Labose and the Hogyoku) which is made via mass sacrifice. Both would seemingly succeed in mastering this power, though it is purposefully left vague if they hold complete control.
-During the process of obtaining this power, both would infect others with a primary ‘disease’ of the series (Hollowfication and L-Bacteria). This includes characters of high power (Several Captains and Lieutenants and A Hero of the Champions Sword + A Dragon).
-Both have purposes for these actions which seem good in a skewed lens (Ending the existence of the Soul King and Preventing the Loop from Continuing). These events both involve a higher power (Potentially the highest in the series).
-But through a regular lens, these plans are fucked ways to handle the issues. This is due to issues with both characters mentality (Aizen was incapable of seeing others as equal to him and Kaden was burdened with hundreds-thousands of his past timelines).
-Their eventual ascension would first turn them into monstrous beings due to their views of power, but would both return to forms close to original at their strongest.
-Similarity in armies. Lorraine and Gin are both ‘right-hands’ with closed eyes, who would eventually attempt to overthrow when the ascension had already begun.
The Arracnars and L-Monsters are beings from the series that were manipulated by the characters. They would accept ‘power’ which allowed them to be either pawns or tests.
-Opposites of their main/orginal world (SS and The Otherside) would be where their plans of action took place.
-Both utilize dimensional rifts to travel.
-They would be defeated by the ‘experimental’ protagonists (Ichigo and The Guardian) which they had kept an eye on with interest to their plans.
-Both would end up aiding the protagonist against a further threat (Ywach and *The Fairies). While it is questionable whether this was simply due to shared interest or a show of empathy, both were ultimately good actions which saved the lives of many. *The Fairies do not currently have an official title.
Contrasts:
-Bisecting/Permanently crippling others was used against Kaden (via Clara), while Aizen used it for his plan (Taking a SK piece from Rangiku when attempting to create a Hogyoku).
-Kaden truly believes himself to be doing a noble thing, while Aizen is aware that what he does is wrong (he just doesn’t care).
-Kaden shows genuine struggle to kill his old allies (Such as Erina), while Aizen has no issues harming his fellow captains and his Squads lieutenant.
Animation Potential:
Kaden holds this back due to GT being incredibly niche. Aizen has a wide variety of both sprite and 2d models to work with (DB has already used a sprite for him). While Kaden only has his ingame sprite, which does not fit Aizen’s.
In their simplest forms, both are not easy draws. In their monstrous forms, Aizen is a little more difficult and Kaden is horrid.
Kaden does have some stuff to work with for creation of a model (plenty of ingame art), but that’s the issue, it would have to be fan-made.
Fight Potential:
-Army fight potential with Arrancars vs L-Monsters.
-End of army battle with Espada vs Laura, Morrian, and the L-Titans.
-Begin in base forms, simple sword fight. Kaden has his staff Repentance and Aizen has his Zanpakuto Kyoka Suigetsu. Both are capable in close-quarters combat.
Aizen will Utilize his Kido for an Advantage vs Kaden’s usage of Ice and Chains.
Kaden takes the upper hand, stabbing Aizen with Repentance. Only for it to be revealed that he was under Kyoka Suigetsu, and killed Clara (or an image of her, at least)
-First evolution: Cocoon Aizen vs First Phase Infected Kaden. Similar fighting style, Kaden focusing more on Chains, L-Flowers, and ice than before.
Honestly, the least interesting part of the fight, as both are similar to the first forms.
The one thing I’ll give this is Gin and Lorraine both attempting to take them out would be best fit here. Gin vs Kaden and Lorraine vs Aizen. They’ll lose, but it gives a path to the next part.
-Second Evolution: Butterfly Aizen vs Second Phase Infected.
At this point both utilize a lot more of their ranged attacks. It’s very much similar to the other evolutions though, just with more monstrous canvas’s.
At this point Kaden has a Labose realm that he utilizes, which can serve as a counter of some degree to Kyoka Suigetsu. Though it has an obvious weakness with the crystals, so Aizen has an actual out.
-Final Evolution: ‘Sealed’ Aizen vs Final Phase Kaden.
Both back to Human forms. Aizen being fused with his Zanpakuto means that it’s now fists vs Sword (Kaden is using the Disgraced Heroes Blade).
Both utilize ranged attacks. Kaden’s storms vs Aizens Kido.
While I’m not sure whether it would technically work, Kaden using a dimension slash to break free of Kyoka Suigetsu would be sick.
-Death: Two ways.
Reaching the end of the fight, both combatants stand to look at each other. For a brief moment, they flash to their ‘good’ forms. Captain Aizen and Kaden the Hero. Perhaps things could be different had their minds been in better spots.
Regardless, should Kaden win, he erases Aizen via Labose. Should Aizen win, he destroys Kaden with a Cero.

Debate:

Note: One thing I wish to do once I return is make a proper and studied look into uni Bleach. I do not think my speed debating did justice to what I’m still certain one. But I need to ensure I’m not on a path without bearing.
This was created with Uni Aizen in mind, and I know it a slippery slope, but this current debate is using that for the sake of storytelling a close fight. I understand that it’s flawed until/unless I come with the proof, but I’ve opted to make this choice.
I will also be using the lower interpretation of Kaden (Universal rather than Mutli or higher). As the debate has an obvious winner in this case, regardless of where Aizen gets scaled.
Win Cons: Unlike a lot of Aizen Matchups, he actually has a loss condition that doesn’t rely on being stat-stomped. Labose has erasure capabilities, proving capable of wiping timelines completely. Kaden will need to weaken/overpower Aizen to manage this, but just in the same way someone would need to for a regular kill.
Kaden is limited in his rebirth, and unlike Aizen, is capable of dying once he reaches his peak. The longer the fight goes on, the better chance Aizen has of landing a killing blow.
I will not be considering the memories stored within the champions sword. While it would be a restoration of the Kaden that fought Aizen, it is reliant on a continuing loop (an outside force). If Aizen kills the body of the current timeline, that is absolutely close enough to be called a victory.
Strength: Aizen takes this due to affecting the three realms (3 Universes) while Kaden only affects 2. It’s close, but Aizen just has a larger showing.
Durability: Same as Strength, as it’s a showing of 3 Universes to 2.
Speed: Likewise, the ability to nearly instantly affect 3 universes is higher than affecting 2, which means Aizen is presumably faster. Both have similar capabilities with dimensional travel and teleportation, so this is actually a close stat.
Experience: Both are centuries old at least, with all being dedicated to fighting or research. But Kaden has hundreds, if not thousands, of loops worth of memories as well. This is a wash for Kaden.
Intelligence: Tie, both not only show incredibly similar cognitive capability, but they both focus on manipulation. There’s nothing to show that either has a notable advantage.
Skill: For use of extended abilities, Aizen’s Kido and Kyoka Suigetsu is far more impressive than Kaden’s ice, chains, and Labose attacks. Kaden is far more impressive than Aizen, due to being a long-term swordsman primarily, and capable of beating primordial sword fighters. I give it a tie, but unlike for intel as it’s because they have a roughly equal amount of advantages, rather than being equal in everything.
Powers: Even with Labose having the potential to counter it, Aizen still has immortality. Kaden also has no good counters to mind fucks. Aizen takes this.
Weapons: I’m treating this as ‘army’, as it’s unfair to include the more power-like Kyoka Sugetsu. Likewise a tie, because Aizen has a more impressive variety of Arrancars, but Kaden utilizes his forces far more effectively. Aizen has no issue killing of valuable allies, but Kaden knows how to make only necessary sacrifices.
Winner: Should we utilize the prior sackings, Aizen wins. He’ll need to be wary of Labose, a power that proves to be a risk to his immortality, but Kaden can’t take advantage of that unless he can get through Aizen’s incredible variety and Kyoka Suigetsu.
All Aizen needs to do is continue forcing Kaden on the back foot, eventually his evolution will peak and a kill becomes possible. Kaden won’t be able to find a victory in 9/10 cases.
With mid-dif (due to Kaden having very possibly chances at victory), Aizen is the winner.
submitted by Aktoruk to DeathBattleMatchups [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:23 xgaurav Looking for a Partner in Productivity: Join the Quest for Achievement!

Hey there! I'm a 28-year-old guy with a passion for building businesses, particularly in the marketing realm. I've had some ventures before, but this time around, I'm flying solo and feeling the weight of that independence. It can be tough to stay motivated without a partner in crime, you know?
So, here's the deal: I'm on the hunt for an accountability partner who shares my enthusiasm for early mornings and hustling towards goals. Whether you're in my time zone or halfway across the globe in the USA or UK, if you're ready to rise and grind at the same time, let's connect.
Here's what I bring to the table:
And what I'm looking from you:
If you're ready to team up and tackle our goals together, shoot me a message.
submitted by xgaurav to GetMotivatedBuddies [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:21 General-Avokito My family forgot to invite me to mother's day on my first mother's day

Sorry for how long this is, I've got that ADHD trait where everything feels important for context. I'm also still trying to process everything.
So I (30F) just had my first baby six months ago. My dad passed away 12 years ago and I lost ties to his side of the family, partially because most my uncles (he has 4 brothers) live in different states and partially because my dad was the person to plan everything. So, most of my family I'm in contact with is my mom's family.
Typically, if my family invites me to family events or holidays they do so through my mom or my uncle (mom's brother) texts me or calls me. My mom, though, has been struggling with her mental health since my dad passed and the only people she really talks to are me, my brother (who lives with her), my grandma, and my great aunt. She occasionally interacts with her brother and sister. My grandma is your typical bitter, white, racist old lady and is kind of toxic toward my mom (she belittles my mom's feelings, usually places blame on my mom, plays clear favorites with her kids, etc.). So my mom has dealt with anxiety any time she's going to visit my grandma for holidays or to stay with her if she is having health issues or to watch my aunts house (she lives next door). My grandma lives about an hour from us. My mom lives 5 minutes away from me.
So the last few big holidays my mom didn't want to go to her house because of the anxiety, and as I had a newborn and was recovering from a c section (had the baby 11/19 so a week before Thanksgiving) we decided to do small holidays. For Thanksgiving I invited my mom to come over and she offered to cook Enchiladas (rather than a whole feast - which I was fine with). She brought the food over, her and my brother ate, but I wasn't hungry, yet, so I just hung out. She held the baby for a few minutes, then they both just left after the baby started getting a bit fussy. Didn't offer to help clean up, left the food on the stove (which was on) and left. I was still recovering from surgery and my partner had taken the opportunity to get some sleep since he didn't think I'd need help as my mom was there. So, I couldn't put the food away and just leave my crying newborn baby alone. Not to mention I wasn't stable enough on my feet because of where I was in my recovery. I don't remember what we did for Christmas, she did come by on her own (without my brother) and gave us gifts and hung out with the baby. She also came over one other time for a few hours to watch the baby so me and my partner could get some rest. She was at the hospital when I was in labor and after having the baby but didn't really do much to help except get me food and maybe help change a diaper. When we were discharged I told her not to worry about coming to the hospital but she was welcome to come to our house, but she said she didn't want to intrude and let us adjust to having the baby at home.
I text with my mom every few weeks and it's been clear for years that her depression has gotten pretty bad. If she talks about herself it is incredibly negative, or she is angry with everyone around her. I'm really the only one who sure hasn't been angry with. I've spent the past few years essentially being her only support system (next to my grandma and my brother - who is also battling his own mental health). I've also spent the last few years trying to get her to see a mental health professional.
She finally admitted she needed to address the anger she was having with my grandma and her incredibly low sense of self-worth. Over the last year or so I have been working with her to get her into a therapists office. I've found therapists that I think would be a good fit for her and contacted them on her behalf (I started by just sending her their contact info, but she kept coming up with excuses of why she hasn't, like she forgot to stop into the office of one she wanted to go to that was next to her masseuse or she was too anxious to call because she'll sound like an idiot). She didn't hear anergy back from them (but she also probably just didn't see any emails since her email inbox is so full with spam.) She finally asked her primary to see a psychologist and made an appointment. I texted her a week before mothers day just to check in with her to see how it went. Found out she got scammed (not from the psychologist) and it made her feel like she was dumb and couldn't do anything right. I did what I could do balance the line between comfort and trying to challenge her negative thoughts of herself. We didn't discuss mother's day.
Fast forward to the day before mother's day, my MIL's boyfriend invited me, my partner, our baby, my SIL and their grandma to breakfast on Saturday. (I also want to add, my MIL and her boyfriend watch the baby every weekend, they cleaned our house when I was in the hospital, then they helped us when we came home so I could shower and get check ups set up.) I still didn't hear back from my mom, so I texted her at 10am on Saturday asking if she wanted to go to breakfast on mother's day. During breakfast my MIL asked what I was doing and I told her I was planning to go have breakfast with my mom, but my partner had to work in the afternoon and didn't have anything else planned. I didn't hear anything back from my mom still, so when my MIL texted me that night (around 11pm) saying she wanted to see me to get pictures of me and my son on my first mother's day, I gave her my schedule and she told me to let her know a time in the morning. That night my son was up every two hours, so I didn't get any sleep until my partner took over around 4am. I woke up around 9:30ish and just ended up ordering breakfast. While we were eating we made a plan that while he was at work I would go see his mom and when he gets off we'd go thrifting then go roller skating (because mom's skate free on mother's day). I texted his mom times and everything was set. Then my mom finally texted me back saying happy mothers day and assuming I'd received an email inviting me to go to my grandma's house for mother's day. I had not, and told her. She said apparently I was left off the email my uncles fiance had sent (which she also was the first time - so I was left off multiple emails) and she said that it was an accident and that I was welcome, then asked if I had plans. I didn't think my uncle's fiance left me off intentionally, but I already had plans and told her this. Didn't hear anything for a few hours then realized I forgot to say happy mothers day and sent her another text doing so and that I love her.
I still haven't received back any response. I haven't heard anything from the rest of my family (except my brother on my dad's side who lives in another state and is completely unrelated to this). I did not go to the mother's day thing, I wasn't going to cancel the plans I already made and I wouldn't have had enough time to squeeze in a visit since it was an hour away and an hour back and would've been an all day thing. I'm incredibly disappointed and crushed, and really, really miss my dad. It was my first mother's day and the only one who put any kind of thought into it was my mother in law and my own family - my mom included - seems to consider me an after thought. They're supposed to be the ones to provide support and love through all of this. The janitor from my work sent me a happy mothers day, redditors I chat with who don't even know my fucking name wished me a happy mother's day, someone I just started talking to like 2 days ago wished me a happy mothers day, but my own family couldn't even send a text??? Ouch.
Sorry again for how long this is, I'm just kinda fucked up from the whole thing.
submitted by General-Avokito to offmychest [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:20 JamFranz My boyfriend hasn't been the same since we went on vacation

If I hadn’t drunk an entire gallon of tea back at the hotel, maybe none of this would’ve happened.
Well, maybe if we hadn’t gotten kicked out of the hotel, none of this would’ve happened.
It had been just the two of us in the small car, but with the animosity heavy on the air, it felt overcrowded. I don’t know what had been worse, the hour of arguing, the two hours of silence afterwards, or the burgeoning realization that maybe I didn’t know him as well as I thought I did.
I studied him out of the corner of my eye. We'd been together for several months, but the recent experience left me wondering if I had ever even met the real Brian – who he truly was on the inside.
It had been our very first trip together.
We'd saved up for one of those super fancy hotels and had been having a great time – until, of course, Brian decided to attempt a five-finger discount in the jewelry store in the lobby.
He'd told me when we first started dating that he'd had some run-ins with the law in the past – when he was young and that was the only way to put food on the table, and I'd understood.
But this wasn't the same. It wasn't for survival, it was just greed.
We’d both spent the rest of our vacation money and then some, paying for that $1,800 watch so no charges would be pressed.
They still kicked us out. I don’t blame them.
Asking him to stop at the next place we came across was the first thing I'd said to him in hours, and he nodded, solemnly.
My discomfort was escalating to the point where I was considering asking him to pull over on the side of the road – rain be damned – when we saw the dim sign flickering in the distance.
The small store was out of place on the quiet, tree lined mountain road. We’d been deep in a tunnel of trees and hadn’t seen so much of a hint of the lights in the distance – it seemed to just appear into view as we went around the bend. I didn't recall seeing it on the way to the hotel, so it was a pleasant surprise.
I felt a flood of relief wash over me.
It stuck out in the otherwise beautiful mountain landscape – windows so dirty that the light inside barely reached us through them – several letters on the sign lit up in such a way that the only word we could even see was a blood red '- MART' flickering.
Any relief I'd managed to feel was short-lived.
When we walked in, we both froze as we took in the interior.
I instantly wished we’d just stopped by the side of the road after all. I looked at Brian and could tell he felt it too – he was fiddling with his new watch and took off his glasses, cleaned them on his shirt, and put them back on, as if that would make what he was seeing make more sense.
There were no other customers, no employees visible, it was just the two of us.
Ceiling tiles hung askew, and the floor was filthy – we had to step over a drain in the floor with grimy stains circling it, to walk in.
If it weren’t for the lights, gentle hum of the AC, and grinding sounds floating from down the long hallway at the back, I’d have thought the place was abandoned.
It was humid inside, and the smell coming from the old coolers that lined the back walls hit me as soon as we walked in. It reminded me of the summer my dad had decided to dabble in taxidermy in our basement.
The slight hint of rot that lingered on the damp air indicated poorly done taxidermy, at that.
As I darted towards the back towards the restroom sign, a placard dangling off it caught my eye, informed me the restroom was for paying customers only.
I quickly perused the shelves for something to buy. The aisles were tall, nearly to the ceiling, and despite the store being somewhat small, I felt the panicked sense of being cornered and trapped in an endless maze – at risk of becoming lost in there forever. The food on the shelves resembled nothing like the usual chips and candy these types of stores carried – there were rows upon rows of soft looking mystery items in plastic wrap, some of them leaked a red-brown residue down the shelves – none of it looked remotely appealing.
I passed by a section with a stained placard that said ‘handcrafted from local artists’ that was filled with eclectic items, none of which seemed to go together.
There were torn shirts with random logos – nothing related to the town or area we were in, stained with mud, grass, and god knows what else. Dried ropy things formed small and delicate sculptures of animals unlike any I’d seen before. I reached for a bracelet with intricately carved white beads but nearly dropped it when I realized the band was made up of woven human hair. It left a residue on my hand, and I noticed then that the same sour-rot smell was coming from the collection of items, too.
I opted for a flat and lukewarm Dr. Pepper instead, and placed two $2 dollar coins on the glass counter in front of the hand scrawled ‘shoplifters will be processed’ sign near the register.
I figured I misread it, after all it, looked like it had been written by a hand unused to holding a pen.
Brian had grabbed an armful of those unnerving plastic-wrapped packages but hovered at the counter a bit too long. I could hear the scrape of him retrieving the coins on the glass, the sound of him dropping them into his pocket.
He gave me a pointed stare as he did so.
I sighed, so tired of arguing that I just walked away from him and down the hallway. I figured I’d pay (again) after he got back in the car.
No sooner had I closed the door to the women’s room behind me, than I could hear him talking to someone.
His voice rose until he was nearly yelling. Mortified and trying to delay being involved in another incident that day, I splashed water on my face while trying to drown out what appeared to be a one-sided argument.
I kept trying to wash the grimy feeling that had lingered on my hands after picking up the bracelet, but no matter how I scrubbed, I couldn’t get it off – it kept getting worse.
I felt nauseous when I realized the greasy residue was coming from the pale-yellow bar of soap. I decided I’d scrub my hands raw at our next stop, and stepped out into the hall and back to the store.
Brian wasn’t there.
I called out for him, but all I heard in answer was that same vague whirring and drilling sound coming from further down the long hallway.
I double-backed to the car, but found it empty.
I circled the store, my frustration turning to panic as I shouted his name and still got no response.
I called his phone, it just rang, and rang before going to voicemail.
The car was locked and he had the keys, I couldn’t help but feel nervous, standing out there in the rain. We were still in the middle of the deep woods and with clouds obscuring the light of the moon and stars, the area was blanketed in darkness. I reluctantly headed back inside.
Somehow, the smell had managed to become even worse – I gagged when the wet, disgusting air hit my nose again. It was so strong I could nearly taste it, putrid on my tongue.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was always someone just behind me as I walked quickly through the tall aisles, but whenever I looked over my shoulder, there was never anything there.
I called his phone, wondering how I’d managed to lose him in such a small store when I finally heard it ringing – it was echoing from down that long hallway.
As I headed towards it, I heard someone moving on the other side of the floor-to-ceiling aisle, placing something onto the shelf with a sickening wet thud, before weaving lithely through the aisles behind me.
“Brian?” I called out softly, trying to convince myself that everything was fine – trying to disguise my fear.
I knew it wasn’t him – I don’t know how, but I knew it. Have you ever had the feeling that if you look closely enough at something, if you truly see it, you’ll never be able to close your eyes again without it haunting you? That feeling of being in close proximity to something that your fragile mind was never meant to know existed?
I forced myself to turn around anyways.
Once again, whoever or whatever had been there was gone by the time I rounded the aisle, but I heard a gentle clinking sound, and saw a trail of red-pink droplets.
I followed it back to that section – handcrafted from local artists, there was something new hanging from a hook near the shelves – wet, glistening strips dangled from along what looked to be a curved bone with bits of gristle still attached. From one of them hung an expensive men’s wristwatch, another was tied around a shattered, thick glasses lens. Yet another sagged under the weight of car keys. They gently swayed with the motion of having been recently placed. Fluid continued to drip from the still wet viscera and mingled with the mud on my shoes.
Shoplifters will be processed
I didn’t need to see the items down the other aisles to figure out what I was looking at, what must have happened.
I could already tell that we’d never have another argument, ever again.
I heard a door open and close in the back, soft footsteps approaching from down that hallway.
I realized that in my distraction, I'd forgotten to put money back on the counter.
I choked up, but knew there was nothing I could do for him. So, I tossed the first bills I found in my purse onto the floor, frantically untangled the car keys, and in shock, I drove myself the remaining four-hour drive home.
Every so often, along the quiet country roads – those I could've sworn were empty on the drive up – I’d see that grimy building, the sign, '-MART' flashing in the distance.
I didn’t stop once.
I've been home for a week now.
A few nights ago, something triggered a motion alert on my video doorbell, but there was no one there when I checked the footage.
The next morning, I found a cardboard box on my porch – with no stamp or return address.
In it was a torn t-shirt, and several of those now-familiar wrapped packages, putrid fluid leaking out of them through the bottom of the soggy cardboard.
I've received a similar box every night, since.
I don't know if it's meant as a threat, or if due to some sort of twisted interpretation – I’m now a 'paying customer’ – he's slowly being returned to me.
Either way, it turns out that I've gotten to see who Brian was on the inside, after all.
JFR
submitted by JamFranz to Odd_directions [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:20 Yasmin10001 What is going with my hair, why the sudden hair loss in this area

What is going with my hair, why the sudden hair loss in this area
Hi
I often have hard time taking care of my hair myself because of my mental health struggles, so I often go to hairdresser once a month get my hair washed, treated(often with euthupian batter burca) and I get it braided, do wash it in between sometimes with the hair braided, my hair grew and improved from before, at the hight of my struggles, it was mattered and I had to cut them off, in the last year my hair grew and improved, I was in Africa and it was cheaper and easier to get it washed and have simple box braids, but ever sense I come back home I noticed this massive hair loss on top of my head and I can’t explain it. Can anyone help and my hair often has white flecks coming from it when I comb or taking my braids out, and there is some fleck on my head and white stuff.
Also the texture of my hair often changes, the hair you are seeing now has been straightened, my hair is fine but is curly when washed, it’s not thick it’s quite thin.
I want to have thick strong healthy and I feel like my scalp needs some help but I don’t think I can do this alone. Should I do see hair specialist or something?
I’m already dealing with soo much and I now seeing my hair like this. Once again
submitted by Yasmin10001 to Naturalhair [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:20 Unhappy-Life-5019 Radiation side y

Hey folks. I (43f) am 15+ years post radium and the list of side effects is ever growing. I feel like I won the side effects lottery! I had stage 4 cervical, and had pelvic radiation.
Now. I have chronic pain in my hip due to nerve damage and bone loss due to reduced blood flow. Scar tissue wrapped around my colon, which may lead to a stoma at some point. Numbness in my left foot they have attributed to radiation. Latest is a transvaginal fistula which needs surgery and the tube from my left kidney to bladder is totally blocked with scarring and I'm in danger of kidney failure.
I feel a bit defeated, and guilty for feeling like that because I survived a terminal dx. I'm so scared this surgery wont work due to tissue viability issues. I'm scared about needing my kidney removed and will the other one pick up the slack?!
Just.... frustrated, scared and confused, and feeling so guilty about it all too.
Ok, vent over ❤️
submitted by Unhappy-Life-5019 to Cancersurvivors [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:19 Winendinen69 Potential first FET in a few weeks - should I ask for a hysteroscopy beforehand?

Hi!
I go to my RE next Monday to see if we can start the process for my first transfer. I had two hysteroscopies in the summer of 2023 (and had my 4th pregnancy/loss in the first cycle after my second hysteroscopy).
Would it be weird to ask my doctor if it’s possible to do a hysteroscopy before we do the transfer, so my uterus can be as ‘cleaned out’ as possible to help give the embryo as a good of a chance to be successful.
Or will my doctor be just like ‘ummmm no’ if I were to even ask? Lol
submitted by Winendinen69 to IVF [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:19 Responsible-Arm-6588 I (male) is a really bad liar,depressed,really low confidence, and my ex bsf did most of the damage

This probably isn’t the right subreddit but I got banned from vent for some reason. The title didn’t mean I’m just like a dick that spreads misinformation I meant I lie about myself. So I’m going to explain when I first noticed I physically can’t tell the whole truth about myself and my whole thing so this is going to be so long. So in 5th grade I hated school and I would cry to my mom begging not to go and eventually my attendance was so bad they threatened to take my parents to court. The school got me a counselor I would see once a week to talk about my problems and help my attendance, it did help my attendance but still lots of hours missed. When I first had my counselor I would tell them the truth that I was afraid of school and wanted friends and all my problems with school. I had this counselor in the summer and 6th grade. At first 6th grade was hard for me and my attendance became pretty bad again even with the counselor. I was able to bring my attendance and grades up a little bit and my anxiety started to go away once I made my first friend that year towards the end of 6th grade. Me and my friend hung out at his house and eventually we made a group of friends and we were all chill and I was pretty happy. That summer we went to carnival together and we had a couple sleepovers, there was no beef and it was pretty nice. The end of the summer I still had my counselor and the next school year started, 7th grade. I remember being really nervous because I everyone I knew said that 7th grade was the worst year of their life’s and the school year was gonna suck. The year started out pretty good we were all still friends and so far it wasn’t as bad as everyone said. By November me and one of the guys in the group got really close we were homies. We would call everyday after school and play Xbox and shit. I remember towards the end of November I started liking this girl in one of my classes. I never really had friends when I had crushes before this so I would just look at them in class never talk to them,get their number, etc. my friends started to notice that I liked someone and kept trying to get it out of me. The one guy that I got really good friends with in the group told me that he liked a girl to and we should tell eachother. I eventually gave in and told him on Snapchat. I told him and he told me. I thought it would some quick thing and we would move on. The next day at school all he did would tease me about it and act like he would tell her. I know that it is normal so I was fine with it because I thought he would tease me for a couple days and that’s it. He ended up teasing me for the rest of November and December and I didn’t do anything about it. We went into winter break and I got the girls snap (not by asking her just finding her on my quick add.). Me and my best friend from the group would continue playing Xbox all day and hanging out over winter break. At the time (December 2022) I had pretty low confidence in my hair because it was just some flat straight side part and I got some sea salt spray for Christmas that made my hair the fluffy hair i always wanted and I got a confidence booster even though I was still fat and ugly. I came back to school with my hair looking really good and got some compliments and I was pretty happy. My best friend that would tease me about my crush would start taking really bad pictures of me and horrible ss of my face on FaceTime and would post it on his story where my crush was added on his account. Obviously he was doing this to be a dick and lower my self esteem. I started to notice around February that my best friend was a complete dick but I thought it was funny and kept being friends with him. In February i started to get a little popular and people had a nickname for me and I knew that they didn’t actually like me and it was like a joke. Also at this time my best friend convinced the rest of the group to sit at the table next to his crush. We did and my crush happened to sit a couple tables away from us and Im not sure if he made us sit there because of that or because his actual crush. Also around this time my best friend convinced me to unfriend someone from the group and I did. I felt really bad for him and I still talked to him. When the best friend found this out he basically said over text when we were on the bus that I feel betrayed and we are done being friends. I was so upset and while I was on the bus I looked at his story and it’s him exposing all my secrets. Everything I told him was on his story. My crushes name, my dark secrets, everything. He also posted most of the bad pictures and apparently when I told him crushes name in November he was doing some glitch where he could ss and not tell me. I just turned off my phone and was holding back tears on the bus full of people, when the bus got to my stop I just quickly and quietly walked off the bus and walked to my house. I was mortified and just went to my room and cried, the hardest I cried since 5th grade. I thought my life was ruined. He called me and said he deleted the stories before anyone saw them and I became his friend again🤦‍♂️. I was scared because he had the other horrible photos of me. Shortly after i just forgot about the story and me and him and his crush and her friend hung out. We just got ice cream and went to a playground.his crush handed me a vape and told me to hit it. I don’t want to seem like a pussy so i did. I didn’t inhale it and apparently she was recording and sent it to my best friend. Later that night I saw the video on his story and was mortified and told him to delete it and he refused and the next day at school everyone was making fun of me for a month. It was so embarrassing. The thing that pissed me off the most about it was the fact that half of the school vapes and no one made fun of them. I never told my counselor about it and she thought I was doing good enough to end her being my counselor. That is when I truly noticed that I’m a really bad liar. She thought I was doing my best even though I was at my worst. The rest of the school year went okay but since I was kinda popular I started to get bullied more and more about my weight. All my best friend did was make fun of me even though he was fat too. People started to take pictures of me in class and sent to their story and me to make fun of me. I started to go to the gym and some kid would help me out With my diet and at the gym. Me and him started to become friends and he convinced me to join the football team the following school year. So I got a physical at the end of 7th grade and was determined to join the football team. I wanted to gain respect,become more confident, lose weight, become stronger,faster,etc.so at the end of the school year I became kind of happy again. My family was praising me because I would go to the gym. I wanted to lose like 30 pounds in like 2 months or something crazy like that. The start of the summer was good, i would work out a few times a week. In late June my whole dad’s side of the family pays for a week in a really good and big air b&b and it’s really fun. My best friend and I didn’t talk much during the first half of the summer and he kept trying to call me when I was swimming, fishing, talking with my whole family,etc. and I got pissed and texted him something along the lines of “can you fuck off im on vacation get off my dick.” And he left me on opened and really didn’t talk for the rest of the summer. I realized my gym partner was a dick along too and wasn’t trying to help me at all. Long story short I lost a few pounds by the start of football season. The first practices were really hard and I hated it. But by a couple weeks in I started to get more stamina and strength. By a month into footballl season my ankles were really fucked up because the only cardio I did during that summer was jog a mile or something but in practice we run so much in heavy pads and uncomfortable cleats. I was never good I was always a back up. I had practice every single day after school was so tired but couldn’t quit. My best friend who was a dick that me and him started to drift away from each other thought we were still homies the next school year and I didn’t want to tell him that we aren’t cool any more so I just acted like we were chill and then was at practice for 2 hours after school then went home and had to do homework and repeat the next day. I hated my life at this point so much. I didn’t enjoy playing football, I sucked at it and was made fun of for it, etc. towards the end of the football season I got hit really hard and went to a head doctor appointment a couple days later and had a concussion. So I basically just quit the football team. Everyone on the team called me a pussy and said I quit even when I told them I had a concussion. I would go home after school in the first time in months. I realized I was so depressed and how I have no one I can trust. There was no classes with any friends, either my class was complete assholes or weirdos. Lunch was awkward because of my “best friend” thinking we were still locked in. There was no good part of the day for me I hated the way I felt but I would lie if someone asked if I was good. At this point it was October and I was in the verge of suicide. There was no good part of the day, I go home get yelled at for my grades eat and cry myself to sleep. I realized I was going to end my life if I didn’t get out of my school. I found an online school and started to beg my parents to put me in online school. They immediately refused but after a month and half of begging they agreed. I started the school by end November and was really happy for a couple of weeks then started to become depressed again by end of December. Now in may im more depressed than I ever was, I’m not suicidal but I have no friends and not going to talk to my parents about what im going through . I feel so alone I have full on conversations with myself and my lying is so bad I lie to myself went I’m venting to myself. I hate myself so much that I can’t even tell the truth to myself and it’s so bad. I make the situation sound better in my head but it’s not. I think online school was a mistake but if I stayed in the school I was in I probably would have taken my own life by now. I can only think my best friend was just praying on my downfall and he won. I am moving to a new town later this summer and I’m hoping I can start a new life there and not be such a pushover. I’m sorry that this is so long and bad grammar. This is more than just low confidence and lying but I need to talk about myself. If you read this thank you
submitted by Responsible-Arm-6588 to Advice [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 01:18 BeefstewSA [SPOILERS] Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: A World Beyond Anger

https://planckstorytime.wordpress.com/ Hello! This is an essay analyzing the themes of FF7 Rebirth through a psychoanalytic lens, while also critiquing the execution of the game's writing. Moreover, it's a personal reflection on my journey with the game, and the complicated feelings that got tangled up with that. Please give it a read if you have the chance.
Previous articles: FF7: Reflections of a Traumatized Generation (2020)
I Need to Talk about Final Fantasy VII Remake or My Head Will Explode (2021)
Excerpt:A confluence of worlds… and emotions. Loss, chief among them. It engulfs fleeting moments of joy, transforming them into rage, sadness, hatred.”
– Sephiroth, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024), speaking to me, specifically
*The following contains spoilers*
I. Memoirs of a Neurotic Fan
Hoo boy.
It’s been a long four years since Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020) released, and I don’t think I have ever before devoted so much emotional energy to deciphering how I truly feel about a piece of media. Initially, I enjoyed my return to a reimagined world of lovable characters, but unfavorable writing choices and a mind-boggling finale left me feeling torn. Despite striving to maintain an optimistic outlook at the end of my previous essay, my perspective on the game only darkened as the years wore on. Developer interviews constantly oscillated back and forth as to whether they would remain faithful to the original FF7 (1997), or, as the ending of Remake indicated, strike out on a brand new “unknown journey.” That’s not to mention the downright radioactive discourse among fans, combined with the litany of harassing messages I received for the most tepid criticisms.
Eventually, I grew to despise Remake. The positive emotions and ecstatic love I had for parts of the game sunk beneath my waves of ire toward its creative divergences – as well as what they represented to me. And I fed that hate. I hated its ponderous navel-gazing about the nature of adaptations. I hated its self-congratulatory insinuation that asinine story decisions like the “Baby’s-First-Metacommentary” Whispers and the resurrection of multiple deceased characters somehow constituted “bold” storytelling. I hated the uncritical portion of certain audiences that fell for this illusion of transgressive storytelling, all the while embracing a game that went out of its way to barrage the player with fanservice and puerile pandering. I hated the frequent argumentation that “it’s not a remake, it’s a sequel” was somehow seen as a mitigating factor, when it actually further aggravated my problems with it. I hated Remake’s emphasis on novelty, its subversion without meaning, its arrogant alienation of new audiences that wanted to experience a classic story, and its implicitly cynical view on thousands of years of storytelling tradition for the sake of “surprise.” To quote director Naoki Hamaguchi:
“When you try to remake a game and make it an entertaining game, having the exact storyline as the original would lack the excitement and surprise. I was looking for an essence to add to the story, and Zack was chosen to be this essence because in the original, there wasn’t much story about Zack, but in Crisis Core, he had a huge character development.”
But that lonely ember of hope persisted; after all, I had loved Remake at one point. I hated that stubborn attachment most of all. By the time Rebirth was fully unveiled, I wanted only one thing from it: to repulse me to my core, to be something so egregiously offensive to my sensibilities that I could never associate the project with anything positive again. “Perhaps if things get stupid enough,” I thought, “others will also see the emperor’s nakedness.” Pain and despair morphed into objects of desire for me. They were my keys to escaping these contradictory feelings of love and hate.
As you can see, I am quite well-adjusted and able to engage with art in a healthy way.
Continue Reading
submitted by BeefstewSA to FF7Rebirth [link] [comments]


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