It's Hard To Keep A Good Man Down

Last weekend I decided to rest as much as possible, so I could get over my cold.  Saturday I only left the house to go for a walk.  Sunday I rested most of the day and then bought groceries late that afternoon.  After my husband and I bought groceries, we hopped back in the car to head home.  However, my car had different plans for us.  It would not start.

My husband called one of his brothers for advice and he tried a few things that did not work. He then called another brother that lives closer by and asked him to come check my car.  I was not feeling well because my IBS was flaring.  My husband told me to call my daughter to see if she could pick me up.  I immediately picked up the phone and called my daughter.  After all, I didn't want him to change his mind.  I felt so weak, I just wanted to go back home and rest.

I am so thankful my husband cared enough about me to let me leave.  I am also so thankful that my daughter cared enough to come to my rescue.

The next day I felt much better and my Interstitial Cystitis (IC) symptoms were not bothering me much.  I had the brilliant idea that I would take one of my daily walks, in the gym at work, on the treadmill.  It was so cold and windy outside, I didn't want to go out in it again.  Apparently you don't use the same muscles to walk outside as you do on a treadmill.  I was so sore that night, I could barely move.

The next day, I worked all day at the office, instead of my usual half day of working from home.  I was so tired that night that I that I laid down early.  When I tried to go to sleep, I was in so much pain that I couldn't sleep.  I had to take a pain pill to knock me out.

I felt better the next day until about 5:00.  I was so tired when I got home from work that I laid in bed for about 45 minutes.  One of my cats wanted to be petted, so it helped occupy my mind for a few minutes to keep it off of the pain.
Later that night we went and picked up my car after it was repaired.

For most of this week, my husband Alan had to get off work early or go in late, so he could take me to work.  I am so thankful that he cares enough to go out of his way to make sure that I had a ride to work and back home.

I am also eternally grateful that my Heavenly Father cares enough about me and you that he sent His Son Jesus to conquer death so that we might have everlasting life. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him." Mark 16:6
 
After Jesus was crucified and buried, Mary Magdalene  and the other Mary were going to anoint Jesus' body.  This was the custom at the time.   They were expecting to find His body, but the stone was rolled away from the entrance of the tomb instead.  They were told not to be afraid by an angel and that Jesus had risen! It's hard to keep a good man down!!

This is the good news.  Jesus is alive!  He died on the cross for you and me.  He came to earth, so that we could accept Him into our hearts and have eternal life!  Without Christ walking on earth, we would not have access to the Father.  

Easter is a time to remind us of rebirth and renewal.  The joy of Easter is that once we believe then we are forgiven and the gates of heaven are open to us!  We all can have a new life!!

Let's all remember the true meaning of Easter this year.  Whether we are getting together with our families to celebrate or we are preparing Easter baskets for our kids (And yes, I still prepare a basket for my 23 year daughter) let's keep Jesus and His resurrection as the focus of our attention.

 I hope you all have a Happy and Joyous Easter!

 http://www.sharemayflowers.org

Share MayFlowers is a public health and awareness campaign focused primarily on the under-discussed topics of female pelvic and perinatal health, launched by Women's Action Initiative.

To learn more about Interstitial Cystitis:

http://www.ichelp.org

You can follow me on Twitter:

 https://twitter.com/bb65ichope

You can follow me on Pinterest:

  http://pinterest.com/bbbennett65

You can email me:

bbbennett65@gmail.com

 

The Kiss Of Death

Me early in the a.m.

Last Sunday morning, I woke up at 3:45 a.m.   I could not get back to sleep even though I tried for about 2 hours.  I finally decided that I would get up and cook my husband breakfast.  I am not a morning person, so I rarely cook him breakfast.  I thought it would be a nice treat for him.

I desperately wanted to go to church.  After breakfast, I decided to get ready to go to church, instead of trying to fall back asleep.  That was my first mistake....

After church, I went out to eat lunch and then brought groceries.  By 5:00, I was completely worn out.  I laid down to rest, but I fell asleep for about 15 minutes.  I hardly ever take a nap during the day, but this was not a normal day by any means.

The next day at work, I asked a co-worker if he knew that feeling right before you get a cold. He said "yes"  I said "I have that feeling now."  Maybe if I had left work, went straight home and rested and then went to bed early, I would not be sick.  However; instead, I drove for over an hour to go to physical therapy, had my pt session and then met a friend for dinner.  I greatly enjoyed going to pt and meeting my new friend, but I needed to be resting.  Those were the last mistakes I made before I had a full blown cold.

Everyone has colds, but when you have a cold AND Interstitial Cystitis (IC), it makes for a miserable combination.  I'm sure I caught the cold from my husband.  It told me he was sick with one and later that night he kissed me goodnight...the kiss of death!  I later thought about it and said to myself "Oh no, he kissed me and he is sick!"

I have really tried to avoid anyone who has been sick.  When my husband had a stomach virus a couple of weeks ago, I avoided him like the plague.  I thought that a virus AND IC might put me on my deathbed or at least make me wish I could die.

This time I did not do what my body was telling me to do.  Which was to rest,rest, rest.  I pushed my body to limits that I normally wouldn't do even when I feel good.  I am paying the price for it now.  I have a cold and I am miserable. 

My husband felt really bad with his cold for a couple of days and then he felt much better.  I have had mine for 6 days now.  I have felt lousy for several days now already.  But my colds have always been very bad.  I can remember being is school and I would be congested and my throat would be so dry that I would get choked and start coughing so much that I would have to leave the room and get some water.

I have tried to figure out why I am sick now.  I have a lot of stress at work and we all know that stress makes our bodies weak.  Stress can even trigger an IC flare.  Stress alone can make you sick.  But what I am supposed to learn from being sick? 

I have learned that my husband will take care of me when I feel my worst.  I have learned that friends and strangers will tell you that they hope you feel better when you have a cold.  I have learned that I need to always lean on God to help me when I am not strong enough.  When I am not healthy God is there for me.

We all are spiritually unhealthy.  We are all so sick that we cannot make ourselves well.   So like Paul, we will cry out "Who  will rescue me from this body of death?" Romans 7:24.  Our body of death is our sins.  We all need to repent of our sins on a daily basis.  But if you are like me, you think,  I have confessed my sins, I am a Christian.  When Jesus calls us to repent, he is saying that we all think and behave badly on a daily basis. “The time has come,the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15.

"Ouch!" that is a hard one.  You mean that try, try as I might that I still sin?  Yep, we all sin everyday.  We are supposed to confess our sins on a daily basis.  If we examine our lives and actions, it is not that hard to see that we all have sin in our lives.  Whether we don't treat others with compassion and love or we overlook a chance to witness to others or we are quick to anger, just to name a few, we all have daily sins.

I thought we could all use a reminder to confess our sins daily, so that God can use us to our full potential.  I also thought I would share this song with you.  It is about having so much on you that you think you can't handle it.  It's true, we can't handle it alone, we need God to give us a hand.  Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom before we start looking up to God and reaching out to Him.

We're not strong enough to be everything that we are supposed to be without God.  We need to repent of our sins daily and ask God to help us when we feel like we just can't take it anymore, so that we can be everything that He wants us to be.

I would love for you to leave your comments below!

To learn more about Interstitial Cystitis:

http://www.ichelp.org

You can follow me on Twitter:

  https://twitter.com/bb65ichope

You can follow me on Pinterest:

  http://pinterest.com/bbbennett65

You can email me:

bbbennett65@gmail.com

 

What Is God Up To?

Last Sunday my bladder was not happy.  I felt so much pain and pressure in my pelvic area that it was hard to catch my breath enough to be able to walk at times. That night my bladder felt like it was on fire and my back felt like it had knives sticking in it.
  
I tried a more natural approach to soothe my bladder at first.  I took several long, diaphragmatic breaths and drank some chamomile tea.  I felt sure I was going into a flare.  As I tried to sleep that night, I was in so much pain I had to get up and take a pain pill.  I was able to fall asleep and slept 4 straight hours.  When I woke up the next day, I wasn't in a flare. 

I feel so blessed to have avoided a flare!!  I am also taking Elmiron, the only oral medication that's FDA approved to treat the pain or discomfort associated with Interstitial Cystitis (IC). I am hoping that is why I avoided a flare and why I have been feeling so good lately.  It is a welcomed change.  I'm not going to get overly excited though because I have thought I was on the road to recovery many times only for IC to rear its' ugly head and knock me off my feet.

As I look outside my window today, I see change.  Trees are starting to produce new leaves or blooms.  Flowers are starting to bloom.  People are spending more time outside.  

Most of the time, I don't like change.  However, Spring is one change I dearly look forward to each year.  More greenery, more flowers, more birds and more sunshine.  That is the refreshing change I am eagerly awaiting.

My sweet husband went to physical therapy this week with me.  He learned how to do some of the stretching and trigger point release techniques that my therapist has been doing on me.  It made me feel special that he cared enough to do that for me.

Both my therapist and my husband worked on me Monday.  I was sore afterwards, but I have had so much relief from it all week!  Alan took some time Friday night to do some stretches and trigger point release on me.  Today is Saturday and I feel good.

 Alan asked my therapist, if I should be sitting in the recliner all the time.  My therapist suggested that I need to move around as much as possible and increase my exercise level.  I currently take 2 walks a day for about 7-10 minutes each.  I need to work up to longer walks and increase my stretching exercises and eventually add other exercises.

I have felt good this week, so I have been doing a whole lot better about moving around more and taking longer walks.  That combined with the milder temperatures has made it easier to do. 

He also asked her, if I should be on a heating pad all the time.  She cautioned of over heating the skin and that is never good.  Applying too much heat for too long can cause your muscles to stiffen. Then when you come off the heat you end up wanting more heat because your muscles are stiff and sore.  I told them I would fight them both over my heating pads.  They are not going to take them away from me!

I will try to not be on one as much, but I'm not giving them up yet.  Heat has always been a source of comfort for me.  Warm baths, sunshine and my heating pads all seem to bring a sensation of healing to me.

For many of us with IC or other chronic illnesses, our lives have changed completely.  Some of them are good changes some of them are not.  None the less, they are all changes and people don't like change.

We like to stay in our comfort zone and not step out of the box for any challenges.  But our lives come along and make changes all the time.  Whether it is financial changes, job changes, additions to the family, spiritual changes and the list goes on and on.

Sometime we don't have a choice in the change.  Things change and we must make our adjustments.  Sometimes it is not fun, but it is what is necessary.  I believe our attitude toward change can make a huge difference.  You can either be mad, frustrated and upset or you can embrace the change and make the best of it. Ah! Easier said than done my friend.  Of course it is!! But if you start with a positive mindset and accept the change it will make your journey easier.
 
God brings change in our lives to help us grow and learn.  I think each of us has to figure out for ourselves why we are going through difficult times.  Even Jesus went through trying times.

^{Mark 1 :13-14}At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Jesus's misery prepared Him for His ministry.  What about us?  What is God preparing us for in our lives.  Some of us live with misery, difficult times and change on a daily basis.  God is preparing us for something. We have to examine our hearts and pray constantly that God will reveal to us what He has in mind for us.  Change is not easy, but if we rely on God and His care He can put His song in our heart.

I stumbled across this video today.  I had never heard this song before, but I think it is a great song.  Colton Dixon sings it and he was recently on American Idol.  He is also one of the writers of this song.

You are welcome to leave your comments below.  

To learn more about Interstitial Cystitis:

http://www.ichelp.org

You can follow me on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/bb65ichope

You can follow me on Pinterest:

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You can email me:

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I'll Drink To That

I had a good week. I am so grateful I had six good days in a row!! A good day for me now is one where I didn't wake up exhausted, depressed or in a lot of pain.

I went to physical therapy on Monday afternoon. I told my therapist that I was not sure how much longer I would be able to continue therapy. It is draining to drive back and forth.  It is also draining on my finances.  It is not that I don't want to continue to go, but I am trying to be realistic.  She says I know that we are going to have to "break up" one day.  That is pt talk for not seeing a patient anymore.  She is so funny!

I look forward to going to therapy. Not only for the physical therapy, but for the mental therapy.  I look forward to seeing my therapist.  She gives me positive energy!  Why would I ever really want to stop??!!

We first talked and she went over my food diary with me.  She noticed that I drink 7 Up or Sprite when I am nauseated.  Since I had been nauseated a lot when I did the diary, she mentioned again that the stomach likes it, but it is an irritant for the bladder.  Water is the best choice for the bladder....water is just the best choice all around for anyone! 

This week she continued to do skin rolling on the back on my left leg and bottom. She also did some pressure point releasing on my legs. It hurt so bad that I literally came off of the table a couple of times. However, I know the reward will be pain relief!  When she finished she asked "How do you feel?"  I said "I am sore already!" 

It usually takes about 30-45 minutes before I feel the soreness, but not this time.  She asked if I wanted an ice pack.  I said "Not really, but I guess I will try it."  I do not like ice packs.  I am a heating pack or heating pad kinda girl.

She gave me the ice pack and suggested that I sit in one of the massage chairs.  The fun part about it was that she joined me.  She sat in one of the massage chairs too and we chatted for a few minutes.  She spent extra time with me that not only made my body better, it touched my heart.  She is a special lady to me.

I have not been as nauseated this week and I have made a conscious effort to drink more water.  I have also been thinking about water often throughout the week.

My Mama has been suffering from her diverticulitis for a couple of weeks.  I told her I would print some information about it for her.  When I looked it up, it said that to prevent it: eat a high fiber diet, drink plenty of water and exercise regularly.

Oh there it is again, water, water, water.  As you may know I am a huge fan of water (see blog post "On The Lighter Side" http://bb65ichope.blogspot.com/2012/10/on-lighter-side.html)  Soaking in a warm tub with Epsom salt is almost a daily ritual for me.  It relieves pain and provides stress relief.  It is also a quiet time that I use for prayer and to just think.

Proper hydration with water plays a critical role in your health and well being.  But what about The Living Water? Water is a symbol of our Lord Jesus Christ and His teachings. As water is essential to sustain physical life, the Savior and His teachings (living water) are essential for eternal life.

    

I am going to continue to drink more water and I hope you will too. As an Interstitial Cystitis (IC) patient, it is the best thing to drink for your bladder.  As a human water is the best thing to drink. Choosing The Living Water is the most important decision you will make in your life.  I look forward to meeting The Living Water one day and I can only imagine what it will be like.  I hope you too will choose The Living Water as the one to guide your life.

To learn more about Interstitial Cystitis:

http://www.ichelp.org

You can follow me on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/bb65ichope

You can follow me on Pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/bbbennett65

You can email me:

bbbennett65@gmail.com 

Move That Mountain

I have to admit that I have been so depressed lately that it has been hard for me to write and try to encourage others.  I have been thinking so much about ME and MY life and how it is not going how I had it planned because of my Interstitial Cystitis (IC).  But part of life is learning and growing from the changes that happen to you.

My beautiful daughter,Miranda, (see blog post entitled A Gift from God http://bb65ichope.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-gift-from-god.html) turned 23 this week.  My husband and I met her and her boyfriend at her favorite Chinese restaurant to celebrate.  On the way in she said "You better not be planning on them singing Happy Birthday to me."   My husband brought in a couple of gift bags and handed them to Miranda.  The waitress noticed the bags and said "Ah, it's your birthday." to Miranda.  We didn't think anymore about it and certainly did not request them to sing.

Towards the end of our meal, we heard singing over their entire sound system!! Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you...you know the song. It was a recording of the famous song and it sounded so cute.  They brought out a piece of cake with one candle and they had fruit all around the cake in the the shape of little animals. I was very impressed with their whole presentation.

I think my daughter was more embarrassed than impressed.  But she handled it very well and continued to enjoy her birthday celebration.  Maybe it was not what we had planned, but we all made the best of it and laughed about it.

Our lives do not always go in the direction we had planned.  Things happen beyond our control and we have to make the best of it.  Sickness, pain, unexpected bills, career changes are just some of the things that may modify our lives. That is when we need to have faith that everything will work out.

Matthew 17:20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Our faith should not be affected by the circumstances in our life. But I always have to be reminded that I need to trust God and that everything will be alright.  I have heard this song several times and liked it. Jason Castro sings it.  You might remember him from American Idol and couple of years ago. It is a simple song, but the meaning is very powerful.  I encourage you to pay close attention to the lyrics.

I have mountains (problems) in my life and so do you. We all have problems, but just think of how small your problems are compared to God. God can make even a mountain seem small.  Look at the latter part of the verse. " Nothing will be impossible for you."  How awesome is that?  Our possibilities are endless and all we have to do is have faith!!  So let's remember that when things don't go as we planned, to have faith and believe that God will always take care of us!!


To learn more about Interstitial Cystitis:
http://www.ichelp.org

You can follow me on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/bb65ichope

You can follow me on Pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/bbbennett65

You can email me:
bbbennett65@gmail.com 

IC Can Make You Think You Are Crazy!

My theory was wrong.  I didn't have an UTI after all.  My urine culture came back negative.  So that means I had an unexplained fever for over 2 weeks.  I could chalk it up to a virus.  My Urologist suggested a CT scan to see if something else is going on.

I like the idea of a CT scan because my problems could be something other than Interstitial Cysitis (IC). Right??!!  I was thinking the same thing before I went to my Urologist.  It takes me over an hour to get to his office and I was thinking on the way.  How about taking IC away from the equation?  Then tell me what is wrong with me.  

As an IC patient I have been told that a lot of my symptoms  and or problems are related to my IC.  Although I do believe that most of my major problems are related to IC.  I am human and I had other problems before IC.

I like his thought process, that it could be something totally unrelated to IC.  He gave me the example of an eighty year old lady who had unexplained frequency and urgency.  He did a CT scan and found out that she had a kidney stone blocking one of her ureters.  Once removed, she did not have the problem anymore. Wow!  What an amazing story.

Although I have frequency and urgency, PAIN is my major problem.  I told him that I use my pain killers sparingly.  I told him that I have a lot of pain and want to take something, but I don't want to be addicted to anything.  I said "I feel like I am being tortured!!!  He said "I know IC can make you feel like you are crazy!"  Very well put, that pretty much sums it up for me!!  I can totally relate to that feeling right now!!!

Friday night I watched 20/20 "Robin Robert's Journey."  It described her battle with cancer.  As I watched it, I cried because I can relate to so much of her pain and her emotional struggles.  But I also longed for what she had, not the cancer, but the platform to raise awareness for her illness.  She was able to take time off from her job and return several months later without any problem.  There was a camera crew documenting her treatments and she had the support of millions of viewers.

 

A short clip from 20/20 Robin Robert's Journey

Are you thinking that IC must make you crazy?? For me to long to be going through what a cancer patient goes through is on the insane side.  Or is it??!!  I can't leave my job and expect to be able to return after several months.  I would have to find another job. I am going to a doctor,physical therapist or both at least once a week.  I am going through different kinds of treatments including bladder installations, bladder stretch and medications. The financial burden of the doctor visits and medications alone are almost too much to handle some days.

Currently I am back on Elmiron (the only oral medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of IC).  The first six weeks I was nauseated 24/7, but I had to just keep going.  Most days I would take a Zofran (which is what they give to chemo patients for nausea) and go to work and try to live a semi-normal life.

I wish I had a camera crew to document my journey, but I do not work for a major news show.  So I will just continue to reach as many people as I possibly can through my blog, my handouts and my personal testimony.

Robin went through some major pain and mental struggles.  She fought so many personal battles over the last year and she has overcome so much.  At one point, she almost died!! But she beat it and hopefully she is on a path to a complete recovery!


I am thankful she shared her story.  Her life reiterates the fact that it is good to have a positive attitude. She said "Being optimistic is like a muscle that gets stronger with use." I'm feeling that quote and I think I am going to start using that one more.  She also said when she looks in the mirror she sees a strong woman.

February 19th marked my one year anniversary for having IC.  Whoo Hoo!  I am frustrated that I am still fighting the battle with this chronic illness. I feel like I have come full circle.  I was very sick, then I was better, now most all my symptoms are back.  I am also determined to keep trying new treatments and to remain positive. 
  
I don't know where my IC journey will take me.  I do know if I trust God to guide me, then it will go where He needs me.  I would rather do something that I am not sure about and have His guidance than to do what I want and not be in His will.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,And lean not on your own understanding;In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He shall direct your paths."  Proverbs 3:5-6

Yes, IC can make you think you are crazy, but I will not let IC make me crazy.  I will keep trying new treatments, medicines, exercises and diets.  I will pray for Godly wisdom in my journey, so that I can try to make decisions based on God's plan for my life.  When I look in the mirror, I want to see a strong woman!

Don't let IC or anything make you think you are crazy. Concentrate on making yourself better. Keep a positive attitude and fight like a girl (or boy)!

To learn more about Interstitial Cystitis:
http://www.ichelp.org

You can follow me on Twitter:
@bb65ichope

You can follow me on Pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/bbbennett65

You can email me:
bbbennett65@gmail.com 

I Am Blessed

After two weeks of feeling miserable, I decided that I might have a UTI.  I bought one of those AZO UTI  tests you can buy at the drugstore.  It was inconclusive, but said that I might have one and I should consult my doctor.  I made an appointment to go to the doctor (AGAIN).  He went ahead and prescribed  Macrobid for me.  Based on my symptoms he was treating me for an UTI.  He said I would feel better in a couple of days of taking the antibiotic, if it was an UTI.

Two days later, I felt better.  Finally!!! I am so thankful!  I'm not thankful that I have an UTI, but that I know what it is and can treat it!  My symptoms were just like a flare.  I had a low grade fever,achy and lower back pain.  That is how all of my flares have felt.  Then my doctor thought I had a virus.  Since my symptoms didn't go away after the period he suggested for a virus and my bladder instillation (medicine inserted directly into the bladder via catheter) didn't make me feel better, I thought it could be a bladder infection.  But Interstitial Cystitis (IC) symptoms are so similar to an UTI, at least for me, that it was difficult to tell the difference. In fact, I couldn't.  I am so thankful to be feeling better now!

The first day I started feeling better I was scheduled to go to physical therapy.  I had missed my last appointment because I was sick, so it had been over 2 weeks since I had been. I could not wait to get there.  Ironically I made a wrong turn and got lost on my way, so it took me longer to get there.

I am going to physical therapy (pt) for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (pfd).  I originally was having a problem with chronic pain in my female area (vulvodyndia).  My primary doctor tried to treat it for several months without any relief.  Then he referred me to an Urologist about an hour and a half away.  I suspected I had pfd, after researching the symptoms.  PFD is usually related to the presence of too much tension in the pelvic floor muscles. Unexplained pain in the low back and pelvic region are some of the symptoms of pfd. My main symptoms were pain during intercourse and chronic pain in that area,pain in my lower back and pelvic area.  I asked him to send me to physical therapist that specializes in vulvodyndia and pfd.

It is a very specialized field, so I was delighted when my doctor found a physical therapist only and hour and a half away from my home town.

I called my therapist to ask a few questions before I went for the first time.  I had read some horror stories and I was a little scared.  I hate to admit it, but I veered away from my trusted sites like http://www.ichelp.org and http://www.webmd.com/ and I read some horrible things.  My therapist explained that the first session she would be asking me some questions followed by a physical exam, if I was up to it.  I was not up to the exam, but she gathered enough information to know what needed to be done.

Not Me and Not My Therapist

My pt told me, if I had any questions to email her before my next appointment.  That way she could address as many as possible, therefore, saving more time to do the things that I would come to know as such sweet relief.  She always asks me about my week and about what kind of symptoms are bothering me that day.  We have set some goals and try to reach them only for my IC to flare and we have treat the symptom that is screaming the loudest that day.

As I have mentioned before, she does skin rolling as treatment for me.  It hurts like crazy when she is doing it, but it gives me relief from the pain in my legs.  I want her to keep doing the skin rolling to relieve the pain in my legs and eventually my bottom and back.  Then she will start working on my pfd.  I have so many problems that we have not even started on the main problem I originally started going to pt in the first place.  We decided this week that I will continue to go to physical therapy for the rest of my life and she and I can be best friends forever.  LOL  Of course, the ultimate goal is for me to get better and to not need pt, but we can still be friends!


I have learned so much from my physical therapist!  Sometimes she speaks a language that is way over my head, but I am slowly learning.  I have learned that most of my pain is muscle pain .  My body has been in so much pain that my muscles have tensed up in response to that pain.  I can see now that many of my daily aches and pains are muscle related.  You don't have to have IC to experience muscle pain.  I have learned that I can do things that make a difference in my treatment process.  I have learned that I can do controlled breathing and gentle stretches every day that make a difference. 

I have learned that what you eat ,how you breathe and how you void (I'm not going to go there) make a difference in how your body feels.  She makes me keep a "Food and Bowel Dairy" for Pete's sake.  It forces me to look at my eating, etc. habits.  It is right there in black and white and hard to ignore.  I am also accountable to her every week.  I think that makes a huge difference.  It is one thing to read about something and say to yourself  "yeah I need to do that."  But it is another thing to have someone tell you that you need to do something and hold you accountable for it the next week.

I remember when I first meet my physical therapist.  I thought to myself that I am blessed.  My therapist understands more about IC than anyone I have met that doesn't have IC.  She understands the pain IC causes and the mental toll it takes on your body.  She lets me do most of the talking and really listens to what I say no matter if it is about IC, therapy, my daughter or whatever, she listens!  She always says "In a perfect world, you could come twice a week for therapy."  But it is not a a perfect world, so I only see her once a week which really slows down the healing process.

I am blessed with a spirited, therapist who is passionate about her job. She makes me want to do good things for my body.  But she is also a Christian who is not ashamed of it and has compassion for others.

Mark 8:38  For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

I feel more in control of my treatment now more than ever.  Many of you reading this can benefit from physical therapy too.  If you have urinary frequency, urgency or a lot of low back, pelvic region and genital area pain that is ruining your life, physical therapy may be the life line that you need.  If you have tried pt in the past and it did not work for you, it may be time to give it another try.  I know that I am blessed with the best therapist in the world, but I believe anyone can reap the benefits of physical therapy.

I would love to know what your experience with physical therapy have been. Or if you have suggestions for stretches etc. Please leave your comments below.

To learn more about Interstitial Cystitis:
http://www.ichelp.org

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