A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from an IC patient who was in tears. She'd gone to see Titanic, had loved the movie and had sat through two hours and forty five minutes of the film without going the bathroom until finally, she faced the ultimate challenge of IC. Her bladder urgency had become so strong that she had to run to restroom and, unfortunately, didn't make it in time. She cleaned herself up, wrapped her jacket around her waist and drove home.

She felt devastated, humiliated and frustrated. She was so mad at herself because she "knew" that she needed to use the restroom and she didn't go. She just held it.. and held it.. and held it.. And, yes, she shed an afternoon of tears afterwards.

But, as I talked with her, we found the silver lining! First, it turns out that her bladder was in much better shape than it had been just months earlier, when she could only hold it 30 minutes at the most. That was the great news for the day! Secondly, she felt that it was a wonderful movie in her opinion and worth every moment. Lastly, she learned that to enjoy a movie more fully yet without the risk, she'll need to use the restroom more probably once an hour.

Can IC patients go the movies?? I did last weekend. I grabbed an aisle seat, brought my water, wore comfortable clothes and wasn't at all embarrassed to get up twice during a two hour movie! I don't recommend the movie, Mercury Rising, but it sure was good to get out of the house! - Jill O, ICN Mgr