Support

This week I talked to a real, live person who has Interstitial Cystitis (IC)!!!  I talked with a member of an IC support group that meets about an hour away from where I live.  It was great to talk to a person who understands what I am going through, because they are going through some of the same things.

Of course, I have talked to people with IC on my Facebook support pages.  I have talked with people from all over the world.  They have helped me so much and I am very grateful for them all.  Some days I'm not sure what I would do without their support and encouragement!!!

But it was soooo nice to hear a real, live voice on the other end.  I think we could have talked for hours about about the things we go through because of IC, the treatments we have tried because of IC and how much it has changed our lives.

I look forward to meeting with their support group soon.  I have finally decided that I need to meet with others who know exactly how hard it is some days just to make the decision to get out out of bed, because you feel so tired.  They can relate to what a struggle it can be some days just to get dressed and ready to go to work or church.  People who live with pain on a daily basis...just like me.

I think it is helpful to be around people who have things in common with you.  My church family is also very important to me.  I can hardly describe how wonderful it is to me to be having a good day and feel good enough to go to church and spend time with my church family.  This is what the psalmist said in Psalms 84:1-2 "How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God."

I was blessed to have a good day on Wednesday.  I went to church that night.  We were not able to meet in our regular room.  There was a problem with the air conditioning.  So we met in a small room that is used for the 2 year old children in our church's Daycare.  It was not at all what we were used to and we were all closer together than usual...for some reason God is bringing our church family out of their comfort zone and bringing us physically closer together.

For a few months now the air conditioning has been out in our sanctuary.  We have been meeting on Sunday in our Fellowship Hall.  Again, this is different and out of the ordinary and the seats are closer together....hmm, I think God is trying to tell us something. 

Maybe God is trying to get my church family closer together, so that we all build relationships with each other and really get to know each other.  Maybe it is just me that needs this lesson.  What do y'all think??!!

I think we need to be around others who we can bond with and we can also hold each other accountable.  It is good to be in a caring, drama free, judgement free atmosphere.  It is also comforting to spend time with the Lord to feel His peace and love.  When you spend time with your church family, you can feel refreshed and strengthened for the struggles that may be ahead.

If you have any kind of chronic pain, care for a loved one with an illness, or if you are a Mom was has a chronic illness or maybe you just feel lonely or need your spirit lifted; you should reach out for support.

I want to encourage all of you to find a support group that best fits your needs. We all need help, we all need encouragement.  I hope that you will be proactive and seek help through a support group or church family.

If you need any help or have any questions, I will try to help you as much as I possible.  If I don't know the answer, I will research it and find an answer. Please click on the video below for a personal message from yours truly.  Let me know your thoughts below.

A Support Group for Moms:

Created for all mommas who are challenged medically to share funny stories, vent or get advice from each other!!!

https://www.facebook.com/mommyland.ic

 

Some additional tips for IC Patients:

http://proaxispelvicpt.wordpress.com/

For more information on Interstitial Cystitis please visit the ICA Website

http://www.ichelp.org/

You can email me:

bbbennett65@gmail.com

You can follow me on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/bb65ichope 

 

You can follow me on Pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/bbbennett65

 

Slow Down

I had a couple of good days this week. My physical therapy appointment was on Friday.  After my session, my therapist and I planned to go to dinner.  It is very difficult for me to make plans now, because I never know, if I will feel good enough to keep them.  Since my Interstitial Cystitis (IC) diagnosis, I have had to slow down on everything. I am thankful that I did feel good enough, on that particular day, to go eat with her.

I told her that she still acts like such a “newlywed.” She has been married for a couple of years already. She told me how she longs to keep that "newlywed" feeling. But as we all know, people change. However; we talked about how marriage is a commitment and our love should grow stronger over the years. She inspired me to do things that will help the bond in my own marriage. I enjoyed my time with her so much. I am so thankful for my good days!

Earlier in the week, I went to the doctor. On my way home, I stopped by the pharmacy. I happen to be walking in at the same time this dear, sweet couple from my church. I said “hello” to them and she said “hello” back to me. She was not overly friendly, but I thought maybe she may not recognize me. After all, I had on my shorts and running shoes (purely for comfort...not running, lol.) and not my dressy clothes.

They were also picking up a prescription, but they had to wait a bit. As I turned to leave, I wanted to tell them “bye.” She said “Barbara, I want to apologize to you for being mean.” I didn't think she had been mean at all!

Just from his actions, I have known that her husband has Alzheimer's disease. No one has ever told me for certain, but I recognize the behavior. My Dad had Alzheimer's and I have had a small glimpse of what the primary caregiver goes through and it is not easy!!!

I told her that everyone has bad days. It broke my heart to think of the struggles that she might be going through. I sat down and talked with her a few minutes, because I know she needs encouragement. As we finished our conversation and I walked away, I thought about how all my troubles seem so small compared to what some people are going through!

This couple has been going to my church, since I was a young girl. They seem like such a sweet and thoughtful couple. They walk hand in hand as they leave the church...oh, so sweet!

It really amazed me that she cared enough to want to apologize to me. After all, I can only imagine what she is going through on a daily basis. I felt her love and compassion. She is always with her husband to hold his hand and to guide him. I believe God was showing me through this woman that He is always beside me to guide me no matter what.

The song below is about finding faith in every day life. If we don't feel Jesus beside us, then we have moved. He isn't always found in the obvious...oh no my friend.!  Sometimes we have to lift our eyes up and focus on Him. Sometimes that means we need to slow down our busy lives and have the faith to trust in Him. He is always there for us and will always be there for us, if we only take the time and look for Him.

 "Jesus In Disguise" Brandon Heath

To learn more about Alzheimer's Disease:

http://www.alz.org

Some additional tips for IC Patients:

 http://proaxispelvicpt.wordpress.com/

 

For more information on Interstitial Cystitis please visit the ICA Website

http://www.ichelp.org/

 

You can email me:

bbbennett65@gmail.com

 

You can follow me on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/bb65ichope

  

You can follow me on Pinterest:

 http://pinterest.com/bbbennett65

 

Why Can't Things Just Be Easy?

I am struggling.  This is no doubt about it.  I'm always in pain. I'm not sleeping well and I'm staying nauseated. I sleep for only for a few hours at a time. I feel like it is not enough time for my body to heal itself.  I stay so nauseated that I'm not eating much.  Not eating much only makes me weaker and more tired. Day after day the same cycle. No sleep, pain, nausea, weakness and pure exhaustion! Oh, did I forget to  mention stress?

Thursday, after work, I came home and had a meltdown.  After a long, hot bath I laid in the bed for some rest.  I turned on the radio to drown out the other sounds in the house that were annoying me.

When I heard a particular song I started bawling.  I can relate so much to the lyrics.  I wanted to share the song with you, because I know you may be struggling too.

Later I watched a video for this song and listened to the lyrics again.  I started doubting what the lyrics meant....I should know better.  I thought I had learned that lyrics can have different meanings to different people. But apparently not, so my instincts were to research the meaning of the lyrics.  I found a video from one of the writers of the song.  As it turned out, the desire to research turned into such a blessing!

In his video, he reminded me that I am struggling for a reason.  We all are struggling for a reason.  It is usually not the easy and comfortable times when God is using us.  He says that God is telling us, it is not our circumstances that need to change, but it is us that needs to change!!!

If you have chronic pain, burdens or struggles there is a reason.  Each person has to figure out for themselves why they are going through a particular struggle or difficult times in their lives.  I don't fully know why I am going through this battle.  I do know that every person touches lives in ways that sometimes we don't even realize.

I am reminded of Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  God promises us that if we obey Him, meditate on His Word and Trust Him fully He will make our way prosperous, not matter what is going on in our life.

If you would like to watch the video, I have added a link.  Let me know your thoughts below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGJS5MLgMZc

Some additional tips for IC Patients:

http://proaxispelvicpt.wordpress.com/

For more information on Interstitial Cystitis please visit the ICA Website

http://www.ichelp.org/

You can email me:

bbbennett65@gmail.com

You can follow me on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/bb65ichope 

 

You can follow me on Pinterest:

  http://pinterest.com/bbbennett65

 

 

The One

God then used the rib that he had taken from the Man to make Woman and presented her to the Man.  The Man said, "Finally! Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh! Name her Woman for she was made from Man."  Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife. They become one flesh. Genesis 2:22-24

This week my daughter asked me to go wedding dress shopping with her. It made me feel so special that she wanted me to go and share in this special time with her!! We decided Friday would be a good day to go.

It worked out well because I was having a good day.  My Interstitial Cystitis (IC) symptoms were not screaming at me and I generally felt good. We drove about an hour to the store. I gave her my lecture on the way, about marriage being one of the most important decisions you make in your life.  Second only to your decision to ask Christ to come into your life.  I knew that she had already made up her mind and it didn't matter what I said. I still meant every word and she has already heard that lecture more than once from me.

When we arrived at the store we walked in and there were people everywhere. One of the salesladies said “due you have an appointment?” No, we didn't know that we would need one. I thought to myself oh, no we may not be able to try on dresses today! She said she would try to work us in.

We only waited a few minutes and this nice lady about my age took us to the less congested part of the store. Immediately, Miranda and I felt better. She asked the date of the wedding and if Miranda had some favorite dresses from the catalog. Miranda told her 3 that she liked and the saleslady quickly went to work doing her job.  She was obviously a seasoned professional who was not pushy, but informative, just the perfect person to guide us and not overwhelm us.

"The One" she didn't pick

She tried on her second favorite from the catalog first, simply because it did not require a slip. It was beautiful and looked stunning on her. Then she tried on her favorite. It was gorgeous and very full at the bottom. (see picture to the right) The saleslady handed her a veil to try on and a tiarra. Ah, the perfect touch. However, the dress weighed almost as much as Miranda. Not to mention, it was the priciest one of all. She decided it was not a good match. 

She tried on 4 other dresses. Almost as soon as she put them on, she was ready to take them off they just were not was she had in mind.

She went back to the first dress and tried it on again. We knew that was “The One.” It's like when you date several guys and then you date “The One'” You know he is “The One” because he treats you differently. Or like when you are buying a house and you walk into one and you know it is “The One” because it feels like home. Or when you test drive a car and know “The One” because it fits your personality or your particular needs.

I can't show you or even describe the dress she picked.  I have been sworn to secrecy. I will say she was so excited and it was written all over her face.  It was that magical moment when you know you have found"The One."  It was truly Unforgettable.

I celebrated my 27th wedding anniversary this past Sunday.  I am so thankful that God chose "The One" for me.  I had no idea what a big step marriage when I was first married.  But I now realize now that God was guiding my steps back then and He continues to do so today!!

“God created marriage. No government subcommittee envisioned it. No social organization developed it. Marriage was conceived and born in the mind of God.”  ~ Max Lucado

 The late, great Nat King Cole

Some additional tips for IC Patients:

 http://proaxispelvicpt.wordpress.com/

For more information on Interstitial Cystitis please visit the ICA Website

http://www.ichelp.org/

You can email me:

bbbennett65@gmail.com

You can follow me on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/bb65ichope

 

 

You can follow me on Pinterest:

  http://pinterest.com/bbbennett65