Positive Post: What things are still "you"?

[kadi]

A few years ago, a relative shocked me by telling me that there was "nothing left" of my life or who I used to be. And in my first year of IC, that probably looked true. IC changed my activities, clothing, attitude, diet... And since I was an avid hiker, traveller, foodie, etc. I can see how some people thought that I'd lost everything...

Now that I'm doing better, I've regained some things I thought were "lost" and gained some new facets to my life. I still have IC, am not in complete remission, but I am doing better than before.

I'm probably not the only one with that experience, so I thought I'd post my lists & I'd love to hear your thoughts about your lives with IC...

Things I regained once I got better...
I can't do all these things every day, but can most days...
1. Jeans!
2. Day hikes
3. Church - the drive, sitting & socialization
4. Travel - have been to Houston, Raleigh, Portland, Vancouver BC, San Diego, Spain - since I got IC
5. Movies - can usually make it through a 2 hour movie now:)
6. Exercise

Things I learned since IC...
1. Cooking skills - I didn't really know how to cook before IC, but hey, desperate times call for desperate measures.
2. Seed bead embroidery (I learned this to keep myself sane during the worst of my IC.)
3. The value of health & compassion for others who have difficulties
4. American Sign Language - took 2 semesters, am now studying on my own.
5. Nature Printing-learned it to keep my mind & hands occupied
6. Photography - read books on composition
7. How to advocate for myself with medical personel
8. To balance my schedule - I can't say yes to everything. My body & IC does limit me a bit, so I have to be thoughtful about my commitments of time & energy.
9. To keep a gratitude journal when I'm feeling down, it really helps!

What about you all?

[Briza]

A. I also got better with time and now I can also (sometimes w/ the help of meds, sometimes not:)):

wear jeans, me too!:woohoo:
be intimate (when I am so lucky lol) with very little pain and without a 3-4 week flare
appreciate tv shows w/ commercials w/out b$tching because, yep, I DO need a bathroom break!:)
travel by plane, train, auto, and bus with not too much discomfort, but the tools to deal with it if there is discomfort


B. Things I have learned:

Compassion, compassion, compassion
How to say NO
Some reallly good drs DO understand,even tho it seems most don't
I can still read as many books as I want to, even if it means carrying the book to the toilet w/ me
About pain, real bad pain...goes back to compassion
That I can work through and around pain
When enough is enough
How to pray, for myself and others
Lidocaine is Heaven on Earth


C. Things I have gained:

Many beloved friends, y'all know who you are!
Whiter teeth from no more coffee/red wine
A little bit of weight in the past year (I needed it ;))


D. Things I am still working on:

The ability to forgive myself for certain limitations my conditions have put on me
Not everyone understands, and that it is hardest when the most important people in my life don't understand
What I want out of life has changed


As this is intended to be a positive post, I would say A, B, & C, far outweigh D in the positivity dept:)
Oh, and what is still "really me?" I still love the beach and swimming in the ocean and even moreso now because it's like swimming in one big bathroom:lmao:!

[Want2BPainFree]

What is still me?

Hmmmm.......
I still enjoy Halloween, and do like dressing up in a costume.
I still have my sense of humor on most days.
I still have my love of jewelry, so even if my clothes are more plain than they used to be, I can still accesorize.
I still love amusement parks and rollercoasters, when I'm having a good enough day to ride them.
I can't think of anymore right now.

[ICNDonna]

I think the most important thing I have learned is compassion; I have learned that everyone has some challenges they deal with every day --- and reaching out to them actually makes me feel better.

Donna

[crazy_beautiful]

I think when you end up with a disease no one understands your life is drastically changed for ever. You lose friends because you are no longer fun, but you gain friends here at the ICN that do understand you and how you feel. Family don't understand, b/f's and husbands have the difficult job of understanding your pain.

so what I have learned:
not everyone is a real friend
not everyone understands
not eveyone is interested in learning more

What I accepted
I have IC and some days it controls my life.
I am not who I once was, but a stronger person for what I have.
My life does not revolve around IC, but it often gets in the way.
Sometimes you just have to cry and let it all out.

What I push myself to do
not to take pain meds when I am alone with my kids
Get outside and play with them
take them to the park
try not to show my pain

[VickiB]

Things I regained since I got better

Jeans! –Though I also know when to get them off, or avoid them altogether!
The ability to plan future events with relative confidence my plans will come to pass.
My sense of humor.
My confidence in myself. I now know:
A) I was never crazy (This was never “in my head”)
B) I can make good decisions in dealing with my health issues
C) It’s okay if I can’t be everything for everyone at all times
D) ‘Stuff happens’ and I can roll with it.

Things I’ve learned since I’ve had IC

Life isn’t fair. –This is not necessarily a negative, rather a healthy form of acceptance!
Compassion.
Appreciation for the ‘good days’ I’m lucky enough to have!
“I’m okay/ you’re okay” concept is a bit clearer.
It is in fact good to make lemonade when life gives you lemons.
I can!

IC was a factor in my decision to change from another’s employee to working from home at my own business. Something I always thought I might try, but needed a push. IC gave me a good shove!

[Trishann]

Kadi you always bring out the best of people and make them think. Briza you sure know now to get people laughing, a very good medicine.

Postive note: Life is short so we have to look for the postive things even though some days might not be so good. Being thankful for the days that I can spend time with my family.

[ABliske]

things I regained since the diagnosis and initial phase:

many more foods to enjoy (even an occasional Sprite or Rootbeer, candy, and some fruit!)
intimacy with my husband
long walks
high heels on occasion
less meds
less trips to the Dr.


exciting changes in my life:

my baby boy!
looking for a different job


still me:

I love to read although no time to with the baby.
I love movies.
Learning to sew
scrapbooking (not much time to) but I've still been printing pics

[Charisse]

Wow just wanted to say how inspiring and hopeful this post is. . especially the part about jeans!! I am dying to get in mine again someday and this post gave me hope.