Getting to know you - introductions

[vm]

I thought it might be fun if we did intros, just to give a little more information on who we are, our hobbies - stuff besides IC. I think it's good to tell how long we've had it and all that, but also include some other things about ourselves. I'll obviously go first.

I'm Kim. I am 37 years old and have been married to Scott for 14 years this summer. We have two boys - Jacob is 9 and Matthew is 6. They have just taken a break from karate and now baseball season is gearing up. They love video games, Pokemon and just generally being silly.

We have a black lab mix named Pongo who is about 2 and a half. We also have two brother cats who are about 7 months old named Ethan and Tiger.

I work part-time in early intervention as a child development specialist. I have a Bachelor of Social Work degree and get to do a bit of that on the job, but mostly I am "teaching". I work with families who have kids ages birth to 3 years old who have disabilities or are delayed in an area of development or who are at-risk for delays in development. I do home visits and show the families things they can do with their children to help them learn and grow and "catch up". I. LOVE. IT. and hope to do it the rest of my life.

I love photography and take way too many pictures of my kids. I like to scrapbook, read, walk my dog, watch reality TV, play with my kids, garden, going to rock concerts, and lots of other stuff. I am also a recovering alcoholic in AA and got sober in May of 1990.

My IC developed in 2001 a month after my second c-section. I was lucky to find the ICN very quickly and also was diagnosed fairly quickly which I am sure helped my recovery.

Now it's YOUR turn!

[humpieumpumkin]

My name is Erika!

I am 22 years old and I in Kennebunk Port Maine! I love Maine, by the way! I am engaged to a wonderful man. I have a chocolate lab named sadie and 2 cats, Jim and Creepy! I love animals so much. I am an athlete, but for the past week the flare has kept me down. I love to camp, canoe, hike anything outdoor where I can pee as needed. I love to swim and love the beaches here in Maine. I'll admit sometimes I pee in the ocean. WE also have wonderful native blueberries. I really like movies and books too. My Ic started suddenly shortly after an assult. I was 16. Its been 6 years and lots of different treatments. I am very stubborn, and headstrong, but caring and compassionate at the same time. Weird Eh? Well enough about me!

Erika

[leelee88]

OH this is a great idea!!!

Hello, My name is Ronda and I am 37 years old.. I am married to the sweetest man in the world and I have 2 boys 17 and 13 and 2 step kids who are 12 and 11..
I have 3 dogs Harlee, Gabby and Snowball.. They think they are my kids to..lol
I love to ride my motorcycle I have a Honda Shadow 700 and my Jet ski...

I was dg with IC in Nov06 but have known I had something wrong with my bladder for years..
I am so grateful for this site, everyone has helped me in so many ways..I have met some wonderful people here and now have friends I will cherish forever....If you would like to know more about me just click on the links below..

[meme]

Hello! My name is Leah. I'm 27 years old. I have been married to Mike for almost 6yrs (we've been together for 9!). I love anything to do with any kind of furry animal. I have 8 cats and 2 dogs, I've also had a snail and a few hermit crabs. The best people I have in my life are my family. I have 6 nephews and a niece. (my oldest nephew Matthew and I are like brother and sister-it's so great!, and my sister is my best friend) Mike and I are currently working on TTC. We hope to be pregnant by August. We own our own plumbing, heating and AC business (we're my dad's competition!) and it keeps us really busy, not to mention stressful!!!! When we do get away I like to go camping and anything to do with the water. At home I love to curl up on the couch with a huge dessert (or two!) and watch scary movies in the dark! My goal in life is to finally finish one of my novels that I am writing (horror, of course) and have it go on to be a screen play. I also like to scrapebook and decorate, listen to all kinds of music, and I LOVE to shop (when I'm feeling good).
My mantra in life is to always put myself in other people's shoes. Some people take everything so personal, and to the other person they might just be having a bad day (I've learned that a lot with IC!!!!). I'm accepting of all faiths, facts and opinions and always willing to learn. People around me say that I am a "social butterfly" because I don't fit in with any one clic. I like to divide my time and energy getting to know all kinds of people.

[SharonA]

This is a great thread because we are all so much more than IC...

My name is Sharon and I have been married to the most gorgeous man in the known world for 26 years. He is very sweet and kind and I love him with all my heart.

My father was retired Air Force so I grew up in several places...mostly Central California. I have a 37 year old son (no, he is not married...no, not any grandchildren) who usually lives in Texas but his work has sent him to India for the next 2 months.

When I get asked if I work or what I do, I say "as little as possible...I am a kept woman". Hubby and I made a deal when we got married. He makes the money...I spend it. Hence my Signature line...

I love to spend time with Hubby and friends, read, watch movies at home and eat out. Oh, and I must not forget...I LOVE TO SHOP!!!!!!!!!!!

IC symptoms developed out of nowhere one day in August 2001. It is mostly under control due to diet and Elavil. I do have more good days than bad days.

[petrie86]

Hi I'm Rachel and I am 20 years old... I will be 21 in July :woohoo: Finally LEGAL!! lol I have an awsome boyfriend who I live with. We plan on getting married in the future but I'm waiting till I'm older and more established in life. (smart eh?)
I work full time at Wachovia Securities for 2 Financial Advisors. I love my job just not the people I work with. I also have my Real Estate License in NY.
I love going to movies... watching my favorite tv shows with my girlfriends. Running and working out. I love beaches and Seaside, NJ!!!
Every Monday night is cooking lessons with my best friend Amanda's mom. (my 2nd mom) I'm learning to cook everything there is to learn. (I stink at cooking) haha
Enough about me NEXT!!!

[GriffsMommy]

I like this thread too.
My name is Christine, I'm 28 and have been married to my wonderful husband Shane for 3 years and been together for 5 years. I live in Lancaster PA but born in raised in Baltimore MD. I moved to PA when I met Shane. We bought our house right before we got married, got married and promptly found out we were pregnant when we came back from our honeymoon.
We have a full house, all three of my step children live with us, Logan is 17, Gage is 15 and Miranda is 12. Griffin is our son that we had together and he is two and a half.
My mother in law also lives with us to help pay the bills and this way my hubby can stay home with Griffin instead of working full time and having all of the money just go to daycare anyway.
I graduated from University of Maryland at College Park with a degree in Early Childhood Education. I taught preschool at the labratory preschool on campus at the college my first year after graduation but then I met Shane and moved to Lancaster. I did a couple of daycare jobs when I first moved here but it was not paying nearly enough and I was like a glorified babysitter.
I got a job doing customer service in a call center about 6 months after I moved and have been doing it ever since. It can be very stressful at times but it makes you feel really good when you can help people with their problems.
I like to spend time with my hubby and kids when I'm not working. I like going to the farmers market with hubby and Griffin on Saturday mornings and like watching movies and reading though I haven't been doing as much lately. Oh and if you couldn't tell by all of my posts, I LOVE to talk and could talk anybody's ear off if given the chance.
My IC was kind of diagnoised by my gyn in Nov 2006 with a PST but I just went to the uro and had a hydro/cysto and bladder biopsy on 4/4/07 and he said my bladder looked normal but I have all of the symptoms so I still think I have it, we'll just have to wait for the biopsy results to come back.
Next

[lauraheather]

My name is Laura. I am 24 years old and engaged to a wonderful man. We are getting married in August. So I am in the midst of wedding planning. I bought my dress and the girls bridesmaid dresses. So those big things are out of the way.

I work as a coding specialist. And I really enjoy my job. It is flexible and allows for doctors visits and as needed time off, which we all can understand and appreciate.

I enjoy reading, shopping, and playing with my kitten, Olivia. She is 9 months old.

[mary124]

My name is Mary and I'm 47, been married to Joe as of Monday (9th) for 24 years. We have 2 grown sons ages 18 & 23. No grand children yet. We also have 2 dogs - 1 is a Alaskan Husky/Rat Terrier (small like a terrier) who is 13 her name is Thumper; the other one is a Jack Russell Terrier her name is Emzy and she is 3.

I was born and raised in California. Moved to Texas when I was 18 lived here ever since. I work full time for the State of Texas have been for 21 years, love my job. Work for WONDERFUL people.

My hobbies are: love to read, (usually see me with a book in my hands, my husband says to me a lot that when he gets into bed at night, that he has to remove my glasses and book as I usually fall asleep with them!); also love my family, close friends that I still have who understands this illness. Working in my yard-- I have almost a acre so have lots to work with. Spend money when I have it. (Working for the State, you usually don't make a lot of money, you work for the clients!) Cook when I have time, mostly on the weekends.

Love the weather here, its mostly warm weather here, except summer, then its really hot, we pretty much don't have winter here ,but when we do, its Very Cold!!

My IC symptoms started in 1988 out of the blue with what we (the doctors and I thought was UTI's --some were but mostly they weren't) mostly frequency, finally dx in 1992- I was 32 years old at the time- the doctor who even thought that I might have IC said I was way too young for this disease. I have good days and bad days.

Thats it, someone take it.....

[ngazerro]

Hi

Hi,

My name is Nina. I am 37 years old. I have three boys 18, 16, 14,(Zachary, Jeremy & Cody) , two dogs, one a mix breed (Stevie) and a bouiver de flanders (Baliey) and one cat (Gracie). I am married to a great man ( whom is trying to get use to the idea of the IC). We have been married for three years but been together seven. My husband has two children from his previous marriage ages 22 & 25. ( Jason & Jami). We live in Taylorsville, Ky. I am from Memphis,TN and my husband is from Blackstone, MA.

I work about thirty hours a week doing the advertising for a Gutter Helmet, a company my father owns. My hobbies are reading, walking ( when I feel good enough to )

I was dx with IC in Jan. 2007. I had my ovaries out in July O6, and then a mass where my ovaries where in Dec 06.

I have only lived in KY for the last couple of years, so I don't have any close friends here. Finding this website has helped me out a-lot.

[dancemomof2]

My name is Leslie I am 34, I am re-married to a wonder guy Rick for 5 years. We have 3 children Bayleigh 14, Logan 10 and COlten 2 1/2. I have 3 dogs Maggie a Golden Retriever and Roxy and Elsie are BRittany Spaniels. I live to transport kids LOL. My girls are both dancers and between all their dance classes it keeps me busy hence the name Dancemom. I have had IC for years but went undx'd until 2002. I am a stay at home mom now but have worked in the medical profession since 1988 with a pediatrian and an OB/GYN.

I have recently decided that I am a cruise addict LMAO! I collect baskets, candles and golden retriever anything.

[patricia1]

I will join in to

My name is Patricia. I am 35 and live in Catuna, Louisiana. Just South of Shreveport Louisiana. Married to the love of my life Matthew. Been married 6yrs. I have 2 of the MOST wonderful children ever. Taylor is 13 and Cody is 11. I also have a great step-son whom lives with us that will be 13 in June. So you can say ALOT of fighting goes on in the house.

I am now a stay at home mom. I worked for 6 yrs in Payroll, which I loved. I love to scrapbooking (when I have time). Love camping. And like Kim stated Baseball season is starting. So I am at the Baseball park like 3 times a week. My kids are in a private school so I am subing parttime if needed to help with the school bill. I also clean at the school to help out.

I have 6, yes 6 dogs. 4 are Bassett hounds the youngest is 5 months. When Lillie had her puppies she is the only one that did not sell. The other 2 are weenie dogs. Which I have always had growing up.

I just lost the most wonderful, special man in my life (other than my hubby) in January. My dad was 72 and was my rock. His death is the hardest thing I am having to deal with right now.

I live in the country. Which is nice except for the snakes. Which I came across yesterday weeding between my rose bushes. This is the first one I have ever found near my house. It was a baby, but it was a snake UGGGG

Cant think of much more right now

[traceann]

Great idea Kim, this is so fun to read!

My name is Tracey and I am 38 yrs old. I am married to the 99.9% of the time my dream guy, hee hee (he has his moments, lol). We'll be married 2 years as of June 8th this year, and we'll have been together a total of 5 in October. This is my second marriage, and his first but we both agreed on a small civil ceremony performed by the Mayor of our town, If I'd had my way, we would have snuck off to a B&B and had a ceremony with just us two! We were to get married on the shores of Lake Huron, at our friend's mom's house (a big Victorian, we all call "The Big House"), but it stormed so badly, we had to have it at City Hall - and I wouldn't change one minute of it!

I have my mom living with me, she's probably lived with me now for 10 years or so, and I am happy with that because I know she's safe, yes, I am a worry wart! My dad died when I was 19 and was an over-the-road truck driver, so only home on weekends, it was pretty much just mom and me my whole life!

I love my pets, although hate the hearbreak when they pass away. At one point I had a total of 6 and then it seemed I lost one a year for awhile there til I was down to 2, my stepcats from my first marriage. I now am down to my last one of that whole gang. I think it's fish after she goes, can't do that again... too hard!

I like all sorts of hobbies, jack of all trades, master of none as they say! But the ones that have stuck are photography, scrapping (although, that's been sidelined for a bit while I await my own area to have to work on it!) and gardening. Hubby and I spent an obscene amount of money last year in greenhouse trips! We'd take a day and hit all the ones in 2 counties, lmao! I don't even want to think about adding up what we've spent...yikes! But it's a hobby we enjoy together, as he says "it's our thing!" I am starting to like home dec too, my Mom-in-law is fabulous at it, and it's rubbing off on me slowly but surely. I think I could walk into her and dad's home and immediately live. I wouldn't change a darn thing, it's creepy really! LMAO!

I have a handful of friends, albeit far flung around the world, My second grade teacher once told my mom that I was the "coordinator" - I wanted everyone to be friends and all play together, no cliques etc. I guess I am still that way, the more the merrier!!!!!:woohoo:

Hmmmm, guess that about sums it up!

NEXT!

[Babs RN]

Hi, my name is Barb and I am 36 years old. I live in central Florida near Kennedy Space Center. I am a nurse and got my BSN from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. I am currently Director of Nursing for a Home Health Care Agency. The military is in my blood too, my Dad is retired Air Force and I moved 14 times with him and graduated from high school in Mililani, Hawaii. I was an Army Nurse, where I met my husband in 1994(we are separated and in the process of getting a divorce). I lived in Georgia, Tennessee, and California while married to him. I now live in the same town as my parents!!

I have a younger brother who is a Georgia State Trooper and lives outside of Atlanta. We are very close and he is one of my best friends.

I have one child, Lindsey who is a blessing from God. She is autistic which has taught me alot about patience and life. I love her sooo much.

I have been diagnosed with IC for about 4 years now but think I have had it for much longer. I have faced alot of other health challenges, but have not let anything stop me yet. I am thrilled to say I have lost 40 lbs recently and am only 15 pounds away from what I weighed when I got married. YAY!

I love to read, SHOP(or at least look), and swim. Now that I am near the beach, I find great peace there too. Spending time with my daughter is my favorite thing in the entire world and for those who know the story know the hole I have right now.

So that's a little more about me.

[Babs RN]

Oh yeah, and Leslie reminded me that I collect Longaberger baskets. Actually, ask her, I should be a consultant.

Hugs,
Barb