It is good that you are reaching out to us. We ALL understand. I don't have little ones to care for but elderly parents that I do. It is so extremely difficult to have any kind of normal life while treating this. The thing is you really can't right now. If you had an illness people could see or one people are more familiar with it would be more inderstood that you are fragile right now and need to really take care of yourself. There were several weeks that I literally did not have the energy to get out of bed. I cried often and was so depressed. Add pain to that scenario and yes you tend to get down. I promise you though it will get better. It takes time for Boaz to get you to a place where things seemto level out a little more and for a little longer time span. Do you have friends or family that can pitch in and give you some breaks now and then?  I know its tough to ask and if you are like me you would rather do it yourself especially with your children but the best thing you can do for them right now is get mommy stronger. Please always know this forum is for you. We all hope you will always reach out to us in these times.  Keep us informed. You know I will be praying for you. 

Hi,

Even though you feel like you are back to square one; you are not, you are healing on the inside, even though it doesn't yet feel like that at the moment.

Remember what makes you a good mom; being kind and loving, and you can still do those things while having IC. Sing to your kids, smile at them, read to them...they are the things your kids will remember:-)

I hear ya sister!!!! I know the struggle you are talking about. Little kids need so much so much of the time. It will get better. This too shall pass. It will. I am like a broken record but try to just take One Day At a Time!! it can be so overwhelming when you think, "How can I raise these kids feeling like this?" You don't have to- you just have to get through today and then tomorrow is another day. Keep trying to tweak your routines and responsibilities. In the beginning, I was doing lunch mom duty- now I have realized those things are not in the cards for me right now. THAT'S OK!!!  I have other gifts to offer my kids.

For a while, i had someone clean my house every 2 weeks (If you can afford it) I had to learn to ask for help and to let peole help me. My mom started taking my daughter every Wednesday for a few hours. I also hired a babysitter for a few hours a week. I spent a lot of money in the beginning of IC but I had to! I make sure I go to my Al anon meetings which are my spiritual saving grace and I try to schedule time with people who make me happy and laugh.

You can do this- it is hard and sometiems seems impossible but you can and you are. Tell yourself that every day. You are a role model for those little ones. Perseverance, courage, thinking outside the box, hope, faith and lots of other good things. I still struggle but I am doing ao much better with so many aspects of my life. The grief of accepting this disease is real. Let yourself cry and the tomorrow you keep going!!!

Also- are you by any chance near your period? I realized that my worst grief filled days were (are) almost always a few days before I am due for my period. Realizing that PMS is contributing makes it a little easier for me to cope.