I would like to commend all IC moms!

[Teri]

When I had my children in 1972 and 1973, I knew that I was sick but since dr's couldn't figure out what was wrong with me....I pushed on and did the things that had to be done. My 2 children were 22 months apart, their father worked long hours and I was responsible for everything, including shoveling snow. Tons of laundry because we washed diapers then and I had 2 in diapers (ICK). I would spend hours on the couch, being sick, listening to their father complain because I was 'always' sick and never felt like doing anything.....well, by 1977 I left their father and was still 'always' sick but I knew that I had to be the sole support of these two kids. Thru a couple of years of self-medicating with valium and then a few more years of self-medicating with booze, I did manage to make a living and support my 2 children.

Once the self-medicating stopped, I became very sick again and in 1990 remarried, by then one child was gone and the other getting ready to leave. When my health totally went down in tubes in 1994, I was able to quit work and not have the financial burden on me anymore. THANK GOD because by then, there was no way that I could possible financially support myself, let alone 2 kids. (God does work in our lives each and every day)

My 5 1/2 year old granddaughter and 1 1/2 year old grandson were dropped off at midnight Tues night so that their new brother could be born. I spent 22 hours taking care of them today....only 22 hours. Okay, I'm a lot older now than I was then but by the time that their daddy came to get them, I was pulling my hair out. Pain DOES NOT EQUEL PATIENCE!!!!!!

I have to give each and every one of you mom's a huge pat on the back for what you go thru every day of your lives. You KNOW that your illness in NOT in your head as I was lead to believe. You are seeking treatments, going thru the trial and error AND finding time to bring up your babies and I have got to hand it to ALL of YOU....YOU are truely amazing women and I am sure that you are not told nearly often enough what a wonderful job that you are doing. Keep up the great work gals