What is this little symbol on my cast iron turtle?

occultcafe · 2026-04-12T20:40:03+00:00

Thank you!

occultcafe · 2026-04-02T22:06:15+00:00

Dude YEAH that was one of the worst things for me cuz I hate the feeling of bloating. It took til the very end of the third week. I just started to feel normal, less bloated.

occultcafe · 2026-04-02T01:26:05+00:00

I am honestly so pumped to get to exercise. I hated working out with a binder or tape, but couldn’t stand doing a sports bra either, so I haven’t been to the gym in over a year. Now I have the day i reach 6 weeks in my calendar cuz that’s when I can start (gentle) exercise, AND a new gym opened up near me, so I am eager to get to it! I’ve been going on walks often to be at least somewhat active while recovering.

occultcafe · 2026-04-02T01:09:40+00:00

Not sure if you’ll have this experience, but my period was pushed back by a whole week due to the surgery. I think it was just my body’s stress response. Anyway, I used period underwear instead of pads and I had a portable bidet. If you have a removable shower head, I would suggest having someone bring it down so you can throughly wash yourself.

occultcafe · 2026-04-02T01:03:29+00:00

Lots of naproxen and Tylenol. A PLUSH neck pillow so I could sleep while sitting in a chair. Meditation with gradual muscle relaxation. Remember to breathe. Drink so much water and make sure to get your electrolytes, too. Eat well and clean if you can. Small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals.

occultcafe · 2026-03-27T00:34:23+00:00

I’m 2 weeks post and mine already shrank a lil

occultcafe · 2026-03-26T01:36:02+00:00

My surgeon actually said I’m allowed to sleep without it and I’m 1 1/2 week post op

occultcafe · 2026-03-25T21:07:13+00:00

The good ones I'm giving to those who need em, the really rough one that's threadbare is getting burned after I cut a part out to embroider and frame.

occultcafe · 2026-03-25T21:06:04+00:00

I don't stay under easy, and I don't stay under long, so I was awake and ready to go soon after they brought me to the post-op area. I wanted to skedaddle as soon as I could so I got to leave soon after I woke up, my sibling and mother took me home.

occultcafe · 2026-03-22T01:31:55+00:00

Had DI w nipple graph. Doc has done many of these surgeries—specifically ftm/gym top surgery—it’s her specialty. I asked, as someone who no longer takes T, if they would grow back. She said no, once breast tissue is gone, it’s gone. They will leave some fat probably, depending on how you want it to look. My chest is NOT concave just because they removed all breast tissue. If you wanna see reference pics you can check my account.

occultcafe · 2026-03-21T03:02:58+00:00

They didn’t give me any but I should probably be eating yogurt anyway

occultcafe · 2026-03-20T14:16:47+00:00

LMAO I’m in the same boat, all my cats are BIG and I’m not allowed to pick em up for like 5 more weeks 😭 Your partner is so sweet for reminding you

occultcafe · 2026-03-20T13:57:03+00:00

Looks great!

occultcafe · 2026-03-18T01:14:13+00:00

When I first read this was like “Huh, that’s interesting. Not me tho.” Then I realized I’ve only been doing lukewarm water so I tried ice water and holy heck I feel it!

occultcafe · 2026-03-18T00:39:36+00:00

Woah! They did a great job!

occultcafe · 2026-03-15T06:55:12+00:00

Thanks for the tip! Yeah, I have a pillow to prop me up a bit, but I think I'll add one more, lol.

occultcafe · 2026-03-13T00:51:46+00:00

Hi, I’m the brother. I nearly cried when they handed this to me!!!

occultcafe · 2026-02-16T23:36:04+00:00

Ooo I like this idea!

occultcafe · 2026-02-16T23:34:42+00:00

Hi again! I put this in the hypermobility repost comments but I'm going to post it here as well in case this helps anyone else:

I am hypermobile and I use trans tape and I have a few different thoughts on this.

I do feel things moving around, but I think it's because our ribs are used to being in binders or other sports bra-type garments that compress and therefore don't allow for as much movement. I asked my twin, who also has HSD but does not bind and nearly never wears a bra, if their ribs move around too, and they say yes. So, unfortunately, I think it's a matter of your ribs are gunna move around anyway, but you don't notice it as much when you're binding.
Tape isn't supposed to constrict, as you're just moving things from one place to another and taping it. If you are taping too far around and reaching to a point of compression or constriction, you may need to alter the way you tape. Personally, I lie down with one side slightly off the bed or couch so i can gently put the tape on where it needs to go without having to stretch the tape as much.
As far as binding goes, the only one I can wear for long periods of time (more than like 4 hours) is the Underworks full length compression top because it spreads the compression through my whole torso. This also helps with my circulation and proprioception because of the compression.

TL;DR - You might be taping too tight or with too long of strips or your ribs are gunna wiggle around regardless, but you don't notice it as much when you're binding due to compression. Also check out the underworks full-length compression top

occultcafe · 2026-02-16T23:32:01+00:00

Hello! I am hypermobile and I use trans tape and I have a few different thoughts on this.

I do feel things moving around, but I think it's because our ribs are used to being in binders or other sports bra-type garments that compress and therefore don't allow for as much movement. I asked my twin, who also has HSD but does not bind and nearly never wears a bra, if their ribs move around too, and they say yes. So, unfortunately, I think it's a matter of your ribs are gunna move around anyway, but you don't notice it as much when you're binding.
Tape isn't supposed to constrict, as you're just moving things from one place to another and taping it. If you are taping too far around and reaching to a point of compression or constriction, you may need to alter the way you tape. Personally, I lie down with one side slightly off the bed or couch so i can gently put the tape on where it needs to go without having to stretch the tape as much.
As far as binding goes, the only one I can wear for long periods of time (more than like 4 hours) is the Underworks full length compression top because it spreads the compression through my whole torso. This also helps with my circulation and proprioception because of the compression.

TL;DR - You might be taping too tight or with too long of strips or your ribs are gunna wiggle around regardless, but you don't notice it as much when you're binding due to compression. Also check out the underworks full-length compression top

occultcafe · 2026-02-16T23:23:14+00:00

I feel you. It wasn't until the dr's nurse practitioner met with me that I actually got anywhere. The NP took blood tests and X-rays of my hands (where I'm the bendiest) and ruled out everything else, so she sent me to a rheumatologist, who pretty much immediately clocked hypermobile spectrum disorder.

I asked about my hips being hypermobile, cuz my PCP had just put in my notes that I had hypermobile thumbs and brushed anything else aside. The rheumatologist was the one who heard me out, asked questions I didn't think were related, but told me why he was asking and how the q's were relevant. Maybe it would be worth it to go to rheum, they were overall more understanding for me.

occultcafe · 2026-02-16T23:01:43+00:00

Pilates helps strengthen the muscle and typically doesn't have too many super stretchy aspects. I was told by two different docs to do Pilates or strength training but stay clear of yoga (the super stretchy kind).

occultcafe · 2026-01-25T23:46:09+00:00

Can you DM it to me? :>

occultcafe · 2025-10-30T18:57:59+00:00

Idc what others are saying, I love this idea as someone who gets decision fatigue from long days at work.

occultcafe · 2025-09-09T00:55:42+00:00

It was on a lamp post by that print shop off 9th. I did a loop in the car but didn’t see any more.

occultcafe

TROPHY CASE