My New Life: August 2013

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Peace

I see more than one doctor to treat my Interstitial Cystitis (IC). I think it is a good idea to have more than one doctor's opinion for my treatment plans. A second pair of eyes to offer ideas for treatment, medication and advice.

My husband always drives me to see my Urologist. He is not conveniently located, as a matter of fact, he is about an hour and a half away from where I live. My husband has to take time off from work and so do I. However, we try make the best of it and eat a nice meal on the way home.

I made a visit to see my Urologist this week. He is the one that suggested I try Elmiron again to try to rebuild my bladder lining. Elmiron is the only oral drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of pain and discomfort for IC.

I tried it for 7 months, but I decided that the quality of life that I had from the side effects were not worth it for me to take it any longer. I was nauseated all the time! Every day was a struggle because I was nauseated. I was so nauseated that I didn't feel like eating much, so I was also very weak.

During my visit, I told him that I quit taking Elmiron. I thought he would be disappointed, but he seemed to really understand my reasons for not wanting to take it anymore. He is not only my doctor, but I feel like he is a friend too. Not a friend that I hang out with, but he seems to genuinely care about me as a person.

He broke the news to me that he will be leaving and moving far, far away to New York to start his own practice. What??!!! What about ME??!! While I am happy that he is able to pursue his dream of having his own practice, forget all that! What about ME?? I left his office discouraged.

He is going to refer me to another doctor in the same office that treats IC patients. All the way home I thought about the possibility that the new doctor won't understand IC as well as he does. I am usually a very calm person, but I seem to be more anxious in general, now that I have IC and all the other related conditions.

I was quiet all the way home because I was thinking about having to "break in" a new doctor. I knew that I was stressing myself and that I shouldn't be, but the thought of any kind of change in my life seems staggering to me right now.

We were almost home and we were riding across a bridge over a lake in my hometown. I looked up in the sky and saw the most amazing sunset that I have ever seen. It was filled with blues and purples and a brilliant orange...stunning!

Not the actual sunset I saw, but the colors were similar.

As I saw this beautiful display of God's works, I felt a sense of peace. I felt like that sunset was just for me. That is was my heavenly Father's way of telling me that He is always beside me,all the time...even when have to find another doctor to treat my battle with IC.

We are always going to have troubles and concerns in our life, but God promises us the strength and peace to make it through anything. "Just the time I need him he's always there."

How does God give you peace? Let me know your thoughts below.

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Monday, August 19, 2013

Peaches

Earlier in the week, my husband and I went for a late afternoon stroll. Alan has a hunting dog and she went with us too. As soon as we were past our driveway and before our neighbor's drive, his dog started sneaking up on something. From where we were, we thought it was just a box. Well that box was about to change our lives.

We were laughing at the dog for slowly creeping up on just a box. Then we saw the reason for her concern. It was a puppy!! A cute, little pup, pup. Who does that??!! Who puts a little innocent puppy on the side of the road??!!

I immediately picked her up and held her. It broke my heart to think that someone would do that to her. We took her home and feed her and gave her a bath. She slept in a large dog carrier beside the bed. Alan said she would whine once during the night and he would tell her to hush and she did!

The next day, she slept until I woke up. I took her outside several times, played with her and picked her up many times during the day. Then I went work and to church later that night. I enjoyed her company and wanted to keep her. Alan asked me what I wanted to name her. He suggested Patches. I decided on Peaches.

As much as I loved Peaches and wanted to keep her, I knew she was using up too much of the limited energy that I have each day. I wanted to tell Alan that I didn't want to keep her, but he enjoyed her as much as I did. So I decided to think about it for another day.

This is Peaches on the day we found her.

When Alan came home, the next day. He asked me if I really wanted to keep her and I told him that I didn't. He said a guy from work might be interested in taking her. A few minutes later, the guy showed up at our house. As it turned out, it was someone that went to school with us and we had been over to his house a couple of years ago for a Super Bowl Party.

He is a nice guy and he has um...many children. I think it is 9!! I was so relieved that my wonderful husband had found a good home for Peaches. She was the most well behaved puppy we have ever had. We both miss her, but we know that she is enjoying all the attention she is receiving in her new home.

I think a dog can be a great motivator to encourage you to walk and exercise daily. However, I know a puppy is too much for me to take care of now. Some days, I can barely take care of myself! So I know a puppy would be a responsibility that I don't need now.

If you have Interstitial Cystitis (IC) and other related conditions like I do or go through any difficult times (I think that covers all of us), there may be many things you want to do, but we have to learn to give things up. Some things are just not worth the energy that we have to use to have them in our life.

It can be difficult, even heart breaking at times, to give up certain things in our life. But instead of concentrating on what we can't do or have in our lives. We should be thankful for all the things that we still can do and that we are still blessed with to have in our life.

I'm not saying it's always rainbows or butterflies for me...oh no,far from it...I'm just saying for the most part I try to concentrate on the good things. I still have my family, I still have my friends. I still have blessings in my life and I am thankful for many things. I am also thankful to have met and rescued Peaches or as I called her Peeea-chez!

This is Peaches taking a break

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Sunday, August 11, 2013

2,2,2

A unique wedding dress, but not the one my daughter picked!

In 2 months, 2 weeks and 2 days, my daughter will be married! I can hardly believe how fast time is going by now.

My daughter, Miranda, and I went for her wedding dress fitting on Saturday. As Miranda walked out in that beautiful dress, it made me proud of the dress that she chose to purchase.

As the cute, young girl that was going to be making the alterations, began placing her pins in the dress, she said the the dress "has no rules." I said "that describes Miranda so well." Not that she is a rebel or a radical, but that she is very special and unique.

God has made all of us to be different. We all have our unique talents and gifts to share with others. When you have Interstitial Cystitis (IC), fibromyalgia or other chronic conditions, you may find that you have to make changes in what you thought were your gifts to share with others.

I know that my plans have changed. I used to teach Sunday School, but I had to give it up when I first got sick. Now I believe the talent I need to use is exhortation or comfort to others.

When we were at David's Bridal, a saleslady told me that she had a migraine. Well I have never had a migraine, but I have had pain and disrupted sleep just as she described to me. I told her that I was sorry and that I hope she felt better. I hope that I was an encouragement to her.

Think about the things that you are good at, things that come naturally to you. My husband has the gift of serving. He thinks nothing of helping a family member or neighbor with yard work or minor home repairs.

You never know what random opportunity you may have to share your talents of giving, sharing, teaching or encouragement. You will also feel a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in helping others. Helping others is an excellent way to take your mind of your pain, problems or trials.

Make an effort to help others in the special way that only you can. Make up your mind that you are going to make a difference in the life of someone else. I'm sure it will make you feel better.

Romans 12:6-9We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

What do you think are your special gifts that you can share with others? Leave your comments below.

You can email me:

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Sunday, August 4, 2013

gOOD CleAN? FuN!

This past week, I went to a baby shower and had a...um, how shall I say it...very unique experience. My niece had a shower on Sunday. Miranda, my daughter and I decided to meet each other there about 4:00.

I had to push myself, but I had several good days is in a row, so I made up my mind that I wanted to go. I made Alan go with me on Friday night to pick out some baby outfits, as my gift. We went into a store, headed straight for the baby clothes and picked out some of the cutest little boy outfits you have ever seen.

As we arrived, the party was already in full swing. Just so you guys know, this is what we do at baby showers: We all bring gifts to "shower" the special lady. We play games, talk and eat. There's lots of talking and laughing... just good clean fun! I guess that's why they call it a shower. ha, ha

As the party was winding down, Miranda and I were talking to my sister in law and her oldest daughter. Her oldest daughter was married in May. We were quizzing them on everything from where they bought their invitations to who did their alternations.

I was standing closest to the front door, while we were talking. Someone knocked and I opened the door and asked the lady to come. Like it was my own house or something. It was then that I heard someone from the larger crowd from the living room say the "M" word...you know, MOUSE!!!

I was making my way closer to the front door, just hearing that scary word. Then the hostess mentions that they have pet RATS!!. She proceeds to a room where the door had been shut. She comes back out with a rrr...you know, RAT!!!

I darted across the living room of this house I had never been in, surrounded by people I had just met and was making my way to the deck outside to go cry. As I paused for a moment to try to gather my coolness...what do you know, coolness is a word...I heard the calm voice of a young lad who happen to be the daughter of the hostess. I was in her house and I just met her, as I was trying to make my escape, from what turned out to be one of the two pet RATS that her family loves...and I use the word love very loosely.

How could I even express to this sweet, pretty young lady my disgust for mice and rats in general?? I think they are nasty, disease carry, repulsive little critters. I was beginning to really get stressed out about the whole situation. My hands were shaking and I wanted to cry, as others passed the varmints around the room, petting them like they were, were can you believe actual pets??!!

Instead of being the crazy lady who bolted outside and cried, I focused my attention on what the young lady was telling me. She said that her Mom is a school teacher and takes them to the classroom. She said they usually let them run loose in the living room. WHAT??!!

As you may have figured out, I have Musophobia, or the fear of mice. My natural reaction is to run and cry. I was able to calm my fear, by concentrating on the words of the pet owner. I was concentrating on something other than what I perceived, as my actual problem.

My point is this. If you are in pain and you stay in the bed all day and do nothing, but concentrate on your pain, then the pain is all your brain can think about. If you are stressed about work on some family issue and all you do is think about the problem, then your mind becomes consumed by these thoughts and they can ruin your life.

If you are in a situation that has you stressed, focus on someone else talking or listen to some calming music or watch a funny video. I saw a good idea on one of my Support pages. You can write a letter to yourself when you are having a good day and label it "Pain Pep Letter." Write some truths about pain, such as pain is temporary. I think we all have some days that are better than others. When we are having a bad day, we can read the letter we wrote to ourselves. Call or text your best friend and find out what they are doing. Take a walk in your neighborhood or in a park. Concentrate on the beauty of God's creation. Pray to God as you walk.

For those of you who know me well, you may not believe it, but I have been waking up early most mornings to read my Bible and then walk and pray. (I am not known for waking up early!!) But I really feel a closeness to God in those early morning, quiet walks. It takes the focus off of my aches and pains. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" James 1:2-4

We all need our "go to" hobbies, crafts, people or music that is our escape. I'm not saying to totally ignore all of your problems. No, no my friends, I'm saying don't let them be the main focus of your life or let them destroy your life or don't let them ruin your fun at a baby shower!

I'm going to provide a link a video that is so funny. It is about a talented ventriloquist and it is good clean fun!

http://vimeo.com/61886386