My hubby

[Babs RN]

Just wanted to let everyone know that my trip to California has been life changing. Lindsey and I have only been here since yesterday but....the change of scenery has done wonders for me mentally...plus I have a few days to hang out with my buddies. I didn't realize how lonely I was in Las Vegas. The doctor told me to go back to work a week from this Tuesday and I probably will go back on Wed of this week. The greatest gift I was given this weekend is that it gave Chris and I time to talk face-to-face about everything including my illness and our individual responses. The awesome news is that things are awesome and that I finally see relationship light at the end of the tunnel and knowing that he now has support for me in the illness makes me feel like a new woman. Thank you God.:thumbsup:


Hugs and :kiss: es,
Barb

[blue]

That is so wonderful! I'm very happy for you!

[Iris]

Way to go, that is great, I am really happy and pleased for you, hugs Iris.:hi: :thumbsup: :flower:

[kelly McC]

Barb,
I am so happy for you:) :grouphug:
Kelly

[Sarojini]

Barb ... you have no idea how happy hearing this makes me... I'd been worried about you, girl :)

Sometimes a change of scene, however small, makes such a huge difference!!!

I'm glad you have had such a great weekend, etc :)

:grouphug:

[ICchell]

:woohoo: Thats awesome.Im glad that you had a good time.Thats great that your husband is understanding ansd supportive!!:thumbsup:
michelle

[Babs RN]

You think me being a nurse I would be able to answer this question for myself---even though we came to an understanding and some mutual support on the whole IC thing--he is still worried about me using narcotics at all. He is deathly afraid I will wind up an addict which I know is not true both from a professional standpoint and an emotional standpoint. I think because of my line of work he thinks I am giving him addiction double talk--any ideas for a lay man's explanantion on IC and pain control? I think I am being way too technical and need an outsiders opinion. Thanks guys, once again you bless me with your words.


Hugs,
Barb

[Sarojini]

I may tend to be way too technical too, being a biologist and all.

However, I guess it is just the fact that I completely REJOICE in the days that I don't take a single pain pill that convinces those around me that it would probably not result in addiction.

The fact is, chronic pain patients are LESS likely to become addicted for that simple reason... we want their pain gone, but we DO NOT want to be high. We simply want to live a normal life. We are not "running" from anything. In fact, it's almost the opposite-- we are running TOWARDS something-- a pain-free life. You know that commercial for that rheumatoid arthritis drug, where the people depicted say things like, "I don't want to write a Pulitzer Prize winning novel -- I just want to teach a first-grader to read..."?? That's the mentality that we have.

But I understand that someone who doesn't have chronic pain isn't going to understand this...

My hubby likens my bladder pain to the migraines HE gets... he knows that it's better to just take the meds rather than suffer, because the sooner you catch it, the fewer pain killers you have to take in the long run --- in fact, he knows sometimes before I do that it is time for a pain pill. I get very angry and tearful sometimes because bladder pain is "visceral" and deep, and this emotional response sometimes happens even before I realize I am in pain, because I do my damndest to ignore when I hurt. When I get that way, rather than holding it against me, he knows what is happening and he brings my meds and holds me... sheesh, this is not addiction on my part, if HE has to tell me it is time for a pill!!!

I guess I am lucky that he has been through a very painful thing (severe migraines)... he understands at least a little how bad it can get...and he knows that HE HIMSELF does not take his migraine meds for the hell of it...

Ugh...this has turned into a rant because I'm feeling tired and crampy... I'm sorry...

Good luck with your hubby, Barb... I'm SOOOOOOO glad things are improving...

:) :)

Jen

[Babs RN]

Jen
Thanks for the quick response---I'm sorry you are crampy and that was no where near a rant. He accuses me(nice accusations)of waiting until I'm about to die before I deal with the pain, which of course violates every pain lecture I give my patients--so he knows there is no abuse, but I think the combination of him being a guy who has been to the doctor 3 times in 11 years in the Army and who gets sleepy on Motrin 800mg he can't relate at all. I also think the stigma of being "broken" doesn't fit into his military model of existence either, which is just who the guy is. On top of that, there is that narcotic and chronic pain stigma too...I'm just glad he is finally willing to listen. Geez, it's so much easier to be the nurse.....not the patient!:D



Barb

[aantol73]

Just enjoy yourself!!!! and it sounds like you are... GOOD FOR YOU!!!!:party:

[aantol73]

Just enjoy yourself!!!! and it sounds like you are... GOOD FOR YOU!!!!:party:

[gypsyjoy]

Barb, I am sooo very glad to hear that there is light at the end of your," relationship tunnel".
Sarojini hit the nail on the head. None of us are looking for the"high" and we are all runnig toward something... a pain free life.
I wish the very best for you and your family and I am really glad you got the chance to see some of your friend.
Were in California ? If you don't mind me asking.
Hugs, JOY

[Dixiefireball]

i'm glad to see things are looking up for you two.:woohoo:

[Babs RN]

Joy,
He is stationed at Fort Irwin near Barstow off the I-15. We both have relatives in Sacramento and Wheatland in Northern California.

Hugs,
Barb;)

[gypsyjoy]

Barb, My Ex- husband and both my sons have lived in barstow at on time or another . And my oldest son lives Henderson. This world is getting really small.
Hope you are enjoying your visit.
:kiss: JOY

[ICNDonna]

We plan to be in the Sacramento area soon to visit with our daughter & son-in-law in Davis. It truly is a small world.

:)
Donna

[Audrey Rose]

:flower:
Barb,
So glad things are looking up!!
Everything is better with a little change of scenery.
AWESOME, Wonderful, Super Duper Fantastic!!!

Hugs,

[SharonA]

Barb...

Your post made me so happy. I am so glad you were able to talk openly with your husband. Husbands are made with the mindset to protect their wives at all cost. I am sure his concerns about the pain meds are pretty typical. I am also sure he will grow to understand your position when he sees that you are not abusing them...:)

[felineperson3]

:thumbsup: Barb,

Glad to hear that you are getting things squared away with your hubby and that he is beginning to get a handle on the situation. This will certainly help with the mental anguish that I'm sure you go through when you're hurting and then knowing that you're not understood and then having to defend yourself taking pain meds would seem to make the pain even more unbearable.
Sounds like the weekend retreat is just what you needed.:)

Hugs & blessings to you--

[tillysav]

Wonderful...Happy News :dance:
Glad things are looking brighter for you.