Hi everyone- My mom just gave me this essay from The New Yorker- Aug 26 issue called "What's Wrong With Me" It is written by a woman with autoimmune issues. of course, not all applies to me but I could relate so much about how she talked about being sick. One thing in particular :

"The chronically ill patient has to hold in mind two contradictory modes; insistence on the reality of her disease, and resistance to her own catastrohic fears"

For me- this is a challenge. How much to pay attention to thses symptoms and how much to live mylife- such as it is! it is so tricky.

She aslo talks a lot about the lack of freedom you feel when you have chronic symptoms- you can never forget in a sense that you have a body. I get that! What I  miss most of all is the carefree feeling I had sometitmes. I feel like no matter what I do, IC is not far from my mind and body.

Anyway- i recommend this essay if you can get your hands ona copy. i am actually considering giving it to my siblings and in laws so they can get a better sense of how I feel and what I am going through.

Thank God we have ICAMA. i really feel like we have hope. I am so glad I am not bouncng around from specialist to specialist.

healing to all