Hey Hannah! I have been able to continue to work through all this! I have not felt great and had my fair share of embarrassing moments toppled over in pain in a patient's room with the patient, patient's family, nursing staff etc all standing and staring at me! This has all been a very humbling experience and try to take each day, hour, and second as it comes! I have had to divulge more then I wanted to coworkers because of certain things that have happened and they wanted to rush me down to the ER! I can't say it had always been easy, and have a hard time with my energy, but helps keep going and keep my head in a better place! I think part time would be a good commitment and I know Dr. B encourages people to work, if they can. You are not a failure for ending your contract, you are so right, your health is number one! 

Hi Han,
I've managed to work with IC as well. I have quite a stressful job dealing with deadlines etc, and a very long commute, almost 2.5-3 hrs everyday due to traffic. I agree that part time work is the best! It'll give you some balance between working and resting. The first year was difficult because i was doing all the tests and taking time off from work. The second year, i had a lot of flu like die off symptoms, and when i did get sick, it'd take me 10 days to recover at least. Last year i asked my boss for a day off each month, so i can do my acupuncture and rest. That really helped me!!! This year, 2.5 yrs in treatment, i feel no problem physically bladder wise, but again some days i am totally out of it. I work hard, so most bad days are unnoticed. I understand how you feel anxious about committing to work full time. I feel that way about changing jobs right now. I don't have the courage to do so even though a new job may mean less stress and less commute. Good luck with your decision. I think the best way to live our lives is to go for it with a passion, and if it doesn't work out, at least we can say we tried. 

Dear Han,
Twice through my life I've worked through Chemo and radiation.  I have also worked three weeks after having a mastectomy.  I have worked through IC treatment.  Somethimes I think the only thing this says for me is that I'm afraid of sitting still.  As I told my therapist, you can't die while you're running, or can you?  The thing is, we have the right to change our minds, make mistakes, and try whatever it is that we wish to try.  I have spent alot of time just accepting that whatever I choose may or may not be right; to realize that my anxiety is largely based on the fact that I don't like or want to make any of the choices that seem to fall my way.  So, by god, if I have to make a choice, it darn well better be the right one.  Here's the thing - we never really know.  We only have the instant, or the painful hours that we've spent accessing the situation, before we plug our nose, and leap into untried waters. For me, faith is in the belief that whatever I choose, brings me to the place, that for whatever reason, is where I'm supposed to be.

Hi Hannah, 
 
As a former teacher, thought I'd chime in here.  I taught during the first year that I had IC.  In retrospect, I don't know how I did it, and I think it really hindered me making much improvement.  Teaching takes so, so much energy and it is a never-ending job because you are always preparing for the next class, etc. and have to be so aware of everyone in your classes at every moment.  That said, it also GIVES you so much because of the quality of the work, and working with kids has been so meaningful to me, so there is definitely a flip side.  
 
I didn't start to heal until I was able to give my body more rest than teaching allows for.  Even with vacations, you're "on" so much of the time.  If you could teach part-time, I think that would be wise.  I now work at a much more low-key job, and while it is not as exciting and engaging, it is the right fit for now because it is not as rigorous.  
 
I know Katie (Fahlmank) who used to post on here has gone back to teaching after taking 2 years off.  I'm sure if you emailed her for her insights, she'd be happy to give you her thoughts.  Good luck deciding what to do!  
 
Claire

Hey Han!
As you know  I work and go to school but I try to ration it out. 
Right now I work two to  three shifts a week  at my night job as a waitress and take one class, as well as volunteer one day at a crisis center.  This will switch when I am taking more classes in the fall and I will probably work less so I have the same balance. 

Waitressing has helped me out in the fact that I can give up or pick up shifts when I feel like it and have a flexible schedule.  It is hard on the body, true , but mainly it forces me to get up and move around which seems to help me actually running around all night , and it really helps me to stay social. I may not drink in bars but I still work in one and sometimes that is just as fun :)  

Have you thought about substitute teaching???  That may be a great idea for you as you could pick up work when you are feeling up to it and you wouldn't be committed to an everyday schedule. 

I too drove my health into the ground when I was living in San Francisco and working two jobs back to back ,from 10 am to 12 at night to make ends meet and not giving my body a chance to rest.  It certainly rebelled and made things worse.  Of course this is extreme but you must think about healing...you need rest and relaxation as well as social time or time to engage your mind and think about other things as well. 

Some days I don't want to get out of the house but when I get to work I begin to feel better as I get a chance to take my mind off of things for once.  
 
Let us know what you decide hun! 
Much Love
<3