ShanetheArtist, you are not a horrible person. It's more like you are or were a sick person needing some help. You stayed home from school because you were really and truly sick. Constipation is miserable. Stool softeners and laxatives help even if they do cause cramps because they get rid of the problem. A gentler laxative to take is miralax or its generic equivalent. The only problem is it takes a few days to start working. You take it everyday until you get regulated. I have had this problem a little too much so I know what it feels like. I am sorry your mom was not very supportive. We all need people to care when we're not feeling well, especially mom. I send you love and hugs.