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Having IC is horrible and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. But even out of bad things comes some good. These are things that I've learnt/gained from having it over the last few years.
1. I never take for granted now a day that I am feeling "good". Even if i'm doing something as simple as going for a walk, spending time with my family or being able to watch a movie without having to think of my bladder, I enjoy every minute of it! I'm much more conscious of being alive!
2. I have become much more understanding and empathetic towards other people's ilnesses, and especially to those with chronic ones. I understand what it is to be in pain and be scared and alone.
3. I've become more conscious of what I want out of life and what is important to me. I've also become more aware of the person I want to be.
4. I'm easier on myself. I no longer beat myself up for not being able to acccomplish "everything". I don't feel guilty calling in sick to work when I actually am, and I don't feel bad saying no to friends when I'm not up to going out.
5. I'm more conscious of what I put into my body and on it.
6. I've learnt what's important to worry about and fuss over in life and what's not. I work in a job with children and I constantly hear parents nag their childen about little things and fuss over them. I know that when I have a child I'll just be happy if I'm feeling well and healthy and my child is heathy. I won't care whether they get good grades in school, have the latest shoes or whether they always wear their jacket outside.
7. I've realized money and material items mean nothing if you don't have your health.
8. I've become much more spiritual. I don't really like that word because it's very vague, but I've become more aware of my place in the universe and in-tune with nature. I don't beleive in God in a conventional sense, but I feel the presence of something bigger guiding me and giving me strength. I didn't feel that before IC.
9. I've learnt to let go of control (or I've had to!). I was always a controlling person, wanting to control everything that happened to me. I've had to learn that I can't plan for everything and I can't control everything in my future.
10. I appreciate my family and friends more! I've also learnt who my real friends are (the ones that have stuck by me). I am more understanding and loving towards my partner, who has juvenile diabetes amongst other issues, than I think I ever would have been without having IC. I love him for who he is, sickness and all.
These are my positives! Please share yours if you have them!
One more I just remembered
One more I just remembered for anyone that cared to read all that! :P
11. I've learnt not to compare my journey in life to anyone else's. We are all at different places in our lives, all dealing with different things, and it's useless to compare.
That was great, thanks for
That was great, thanks for posting :)
I really enjoyed reading it and I feel the same, although it's no fun having this illness and there are some really bad days, overall I'm thankful for the chanegs it's made in my life as they have all been positive in the long run.
Love your post and relate to
Love your post and relate to it all. Especially the control. My mom did not make me feel safe when I was a little girl, so I learned that I would feel more "safe" if I had the illusion that I could control everything in my life. Turns out there is no way to do that and it has not served my health. I am trying to do much less of it now! Hard to do when you have this scary imbalance. Thanks for your thoughts
If we don't excel at health, the only other option is disease.
Love this and can completely
Love this and can completely relate with all of those points!
Thanks for posting :)