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Hi Ladies,
I have a question for you...... I am in my eighth month of treatment and doing well. However, I have hit a rough patch a couple of days ago (although not nearly as bad as they used to be). I have had two absolutely fabulous months so I am being patient, but I am trying to make the decision whether or not to go back to teaching.... where I can never leave the classroom to pee;)
For those of you further along in treatment.... how far were you into treatment before you could depend on your body to handle the ups and downs of ovulation, period stuff etc with more resiliance? I understand that we are all very different, but I had not experienced a flare in a few months, now I have been in one for four days and wondering when the long lasting flares will subside.
Any thoughts?
Thanks;)
Katie
flares
Hi Katie -
I hope that you're feeling better. This flare thing is so wierd. I was a bit scared last month when I spent two days rather uncomfortable - it had been MONTHS. I was afraid that it wouldn't end. Then it did - a bunch of yellow gunk was discharged and I felt good again. Now, my flairs seem to come in the form of mental anxiety. It had been calm for months and now I am so scared and paranoid - I'm trying to remember that it will get better. It will get better for both of us. As you know, it's so disheartening to slide backwards.
All my best.
To Teach or not to Teach!!
Hi katie
Im also a teacher having had to give up my acting career when I got so I'll. I'm off work on disability and in my 13th month of treatment and personally I can't imagine trying to teach just yet. However I have a lot if fatigue and additional symptoms and I managed to keep teaching for three years before I finally gave in and stopped so you ve probably done things a better way around!!
It may I suppose depend on whether you can do part time or survive without until you are more stable and not noticing period, ovulation etc quite so much. I also think that working can provide some sense of normality and teaching is so absorbing that it's a great distraction. I thi I I might have kept working part time if I hadn't got the severe fatigue. Also I found the commute too much on top of a busy day .
I also found not being able to pee except when the bell said I could really tough at times!! I think I Will stay off until I'm really sure im stronger as you said but it is difficult financially.
I wish you luck making your decision.. Let us know!!!
Julia x x x
Flares
Also meant to say I'm still having a pretty rough time although my period flares are getting better so I feel like I'm In one big flare. I still haven't managed to work out particular foods etc that upset my bladder.
I guess it's so different for everyone but I had very little time off due to bladder when I was working. I was just exhausted with the effort and trying to keep up the facade every day was also tiring !!
Hope you feel better really soon
Xx
Bagpuss and Denise-
Thanks so much for weighing in with your honest input. I have decided to return to teaching. I sent the letter in requesting my position back. In a strange way, I feel blessed with the timing of all of this. After I had my second daughter, Cecilia, in March of 2010, I went on long-term maternity leave from work. I had an IC relapse beginning in fall of 2010 and decided to take the full extent of the maternity leave (two years) while staying home with my little ones and dealing with IC. The leave is up this fall so I either have to return to work or leave the position. It is a somewhat scary decision to make, but ... frankly, I am going a little bonkers inside my mind and would really enjoy the adult interaction and (as Bagpuss said;) normalacy. I know when a flare hits I will wonder what the hell I was thinking, but I just don't think it is healthy for me to stay at home ruminating about my IC future anymore.
I suppose what I am ultimately looking for is someone to say "Yes, you will absolutely be fine by that time... no worries"....lol. I know better, but I still hope. I am conerned about keeping "up the facade" with the students and staff, but I think overall it will be a better environment for me. I love being home with my girls and if I won the lottery I would stay home with them forever, but that is not the case. So... here I go... taking another step into the future with IC... ;)
Denise- I always enjoy reading your posts. You always write with such strength and humor. I am sorry to hear that the mental stresses have a bit of a hold at this moment, but am truly impressed to hear how far you have come. You are an inspiration and very kind-hearted.
I do count myself among the lucky. I have had two straight months without a bladder flare and very livable, almost unnoticable symptoms, but when a flare reared its ugly head this time (even though it was better) I am having a hard time grappling with the ambiguity and vague entity that seems to reach out of nothing and cause pain. It is a blessing, however, to know that my body is capable of existing without a flare for an extended period of time.
We will all get there!
Katie
Darn- I posted a lomger post
Darn- I posted a lomger post and it must have gotten lost when the swerver crashed yesterday. Basically- I think you'll be fine but I know teh trepidation you feel. I htink you should feel pretty confidant that you are going to be experiencing more of the long good stretches. Hope the most recent flare is passed!
Deir- I read your entry
Deir- I read your entry before the server crashed and it brought a smile to my face. It was exactly the response I needed to hear!
Katie