No More Whining

Rick and I teach a 4th grade Sunday School class with Jeff & Karen Stotts and Jackie Miller.  Jeff is our leader.  I think it is fair to say that I've received more from "teaching" with Jeff than I've given.  Recently in class our lesson was studying the Israelites in the wilderness and how God fed them daily with manna.  The Israelites started complaining about all the food they didn't have to eat.

"If only we had meat to eat!  We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost - also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.  But now we have lost our appetite,we never see anything but this manna!"  Numbers 11:4-6

So Jeff asked the kids what they thought about the Israelites.  They had witnessed so many miracles and yet they still complained.  My daughter, Sarah, is in the class and said, "They are a bunch of whiners!"  But another kid in the class spoke up and said, "No.  They are like us."  He is right. 

This lesson made me think a lot about my own life right now and the things that I complain about the most.  I certainly complain a LOT about the lack of food choices for me with this crazy bladder disease.  I also complain a lot about the pain.  Just like there were consequences for the Israelites complaining there will be consequences for my complaining.  I might not have to eat quail for a WHOLE month like they did but I could miss out on all the lessons that God is trying to teach me during this time in my life.  My kids, family and friends are watching me during all of this.  I don't want to teach my kids to whine every time a trial comes into their life but at the same time I want them to know that this life is packed full of trials especially if you're a Christian.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  James 1:2-4

The Israelites complained to each other but didn't cry out to GOD for help.  They just complained.  I pray a lot about my health but this lesson helped me to see how important it is to call on GOD more.   Not to get so discouraged that I complain to anyone who will listen.  But to call on HIM to help give me strength, courage and to help me be an example for my kids on how to persever through a trial.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."  James 1:12

 

Sharing Each Other's Burdens

Since being diagnosed with a bladder disease I have been introduced to 4 other women that live near me that have this same disease.   We are all at various stages of the disease with different things that help us and some of the same things that help us all.  But the one thing we all have in common is we can't eat everything we want anymore and we are in pain far too many days. 

One of the ladies has had the disease for more than 3 years.  She told me that she spent the first year grieving the loss of the life she used to have and to be prepared for that.  So I've been thinking a lot about the "5 Stages of Grief" and wondering which stage I'm in right now.

1. Denial - I think after almost 7 months I'm past this phase.  I may slip back into this once in a while but only being able to eat 10 different foods keeps the disease very real for me.
2. Anger - This stage comes and goes.  One day I had to run to the bank and this lady in the line next to me was eating the BIGGEST cheeseburger I had ever seen.  I was immediately angry.  Not because she was having her lunch in the bank line but because I would SO love to have a burger and that just isn't an option. 
3. Bargaining With God - I pray a LOT for God to heal me or to help me see a purpose in all of this.  So if that is bargaining with God then I am SO in this stage. 
4. Depression - When you can't eat and do all of the things that you used to be able to then depression is a constant battle.  Talking about what I'm going through helps some days.  Other days there is nothing to do but pray.
5. Acceptance - Definitely not at this stage yet!  I research daily for new studies on the disease.  I read other patient's blogs ...what they've tried ...what worked ...what didn't work.  So I guess acceptance to me would be giving up.  So I'm probably never going to accept this.

 New Things I've Learned 

 

If you are reading my blog and you have interstitial cystitis then maybe a few of the things that I have learned will help you too. 

 

Intestinal Problems - If you get constipated it is going to put pressure on your bladder. Not a fun topic but your intestines and your bladder are in close proximity and if you start having troubles in your intestines you are probably going to feel it in your bladder. So take care of your bowels. Whether it's more fiber, taking Miralax or stool softners or all of the above.
 

Hormones Affect Everything Too - Women's hormones can be great.  They can give you energy.  They are critical for fertility.  They even help control your moods....I'm sure I didn't have to tell anyone this!  But they can be a curse when something goes wrong or when you reach a point in your life where they decide to slow way down.  So if you're having trouble with your bladder then it isn't a bad idea to have your hormone levels checked out too. 

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) - I know that a lot of people who have this bladder disease also have PFD.  I had no idea what it was when I was diagnosed.  So I researched and found that many of my symptoms would be helped by physical therapy.  Not orthopedic physical therapy but a very specific kind of physical therapy that deals only with the pelvic floor.  There are only 4 physical therapists in Arkansas that work with Interstitial Cystitis  (IC) patients and pelvic floor.  I highly recommend them and if you need their names and number please send me a note and I will send you their name and number.  Be warned this therapy is painful in the beginning but can really help with the pain of PFD and consequently some of the IC pain.

Sharing the Grief

I have been blessed to have been introduced to ladies that have this disease too.  They share not only my pain but the daily frustrations of trying to cope with the seemingly never ending cycle of symptoms.   My daily prayer is for healing for us and thanking God that I have these ladies to talk to when I hurt.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."  Galatians 6:2  (NIV)