What's everyone been up to??

[KarenAnne]

Hi! I haven't been on here in a little while. I'm doing well & enjoying summer so far with just mild-moderate flares here & there. I've been gardening (flowers), reading (currentiscovery of Witches), just saw the movie Super 8 (great). We are going to Cape May the end of the month on vacation. For those of you not familiar, it is a lovely little Victorian town down the shore on the bottom tip of N.J. I'm also picking up extra hours at work-up to 20 hrs. now.

I'm writing this to give the newbies hope that there is a life after being diagnosed with IC. But I am really just feeling nosey & wondering what you are all up to this summer. Hope Donna, Kadi, Bri, Vicki, Jill, Statesboro, & the rest of the gang chime in with your summer news!!!

[VickiB]

Hey Karen, welcome back! That should be very nice at Cape May this time of year. (I'm envious!!!) We went down that way a few years ago while searching for the 'perfect Jersey beach'.

I'm glad to hear you're doing well. The mild flares sound good,..the moderate, -not so much. Now if you can just get rid of those........

I haven't been on the site much lately either. By process of elimination I inherited a job, and I find it's taking up much of my time. Somehow I get sucked into working even on my supposed days off. Ah well. I guess I should be happy that my IC is quiet enough that I can work!

This year hubby's Mom is coming out west so we have no PA trips planned. But maybe on one of my future trips east we can meet in person!

Vicki

[bubbe1]

what's everyone been up to?

Hi Karen,
I don't think you know me as well as you do Vicki, Kadi and some of the other folks, but thought I would chime in anyway.

It's so good to read the "doing well", posts. Sounds like you're out enjoying life,(really envious of your Cape May trip, it's beautiful there)!

As for me, I have good days and not so good days, but really, even the not so good days aren't as bad as they were, thanks to instills and diet, and also, I think, a different mind set. I'm getting out more now, unless I really, really can't, whereas before, I was sort of hiding out from life a bit.

We, DH and I, just returned from Michigan, where we attended our Grand Daughter's Bat Mitzvah. I know a lot of you had to read all my whining and worrying about that trip, so it seems only right to say, IT WAS GREAT! Zoe, (GD), did an excellent job as did her parents, and we got to see many people whom we haven't seen in years and years. I worried and worried about the flights, and how I looked,(some of you may remember the great hair debacle) but in the end, it worked.

The flights were not bad at all. It only takes 1 1/2 hours from DC to Detroit. We were on a little bitty commuter plane, which, to my surprise, turned out to be a good thing, (except for the turbulence). The flight attendants didn't seem to care who got up when,(in both directions), so when I had to go, I just went, no worries and the whole thing felt much more relaxed than on the larger planes.
As for my appearance, I fussed and fretted and in the end, it mattered not a bit . The party after the ceremony was in a big room that was very hot, so I kept peeling layers of my outfit off, until one of my friends said, unless you have something else under that dress, you'll have to stop-it's not that kind of party! I ended up wearing just a silk blouse and skirt, (shawl, stockings, shoes gone), and a black feather boa,(the theme of the party was old Hollywood, hence the Boa).
I danced,(yes danced), until I was ready to drop, with anyone who came by, ate food that I thought would kill me,(still here), and laughed, a lot!

Moral of my very looong story- don't be afraid to try. Just make things as easy as possible,(we stayed at a Residence Inn that had a full kitchen, so I was able to make foods for myself, and have my water, etc. in the frig), and I told people we would periodically disappear and would see them later. Most everyone understood,(and for those who didn't, too bad), and so I was able to rest when needed. DH needed to rest too, so it worked out well.

We are planning another trip up to Michigan in the fall, early fall, before it snows(!), and then maybe we might venture out to Texas to visit our son and his family.

Karen, stay well and have a great time in NJ!

Laurie

[KarenAnne]

Vicki: Wow, that's great that you are able to work. I was hoping you might come out to see your mother in law. How's your painting coming? Anything new? How's your grandbaby feeling? I would love to show you around Philly, you already know that cheesesteaks are IC friendly. haha As far as the flares, if they stay at this level then I'm a lucky girl. Have a great summer!!

[KarenAnne]

Mazel Tov Bubbe! It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I was smiling reading your update the whole time. I feel the same, it is our mind set. But it does take a long time for us to get there. Love that you wore a feather boa! The Bat Mitzvah sounded like such fun. You must have been so proud of your granddaughter. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

[ICNDonna]

It sounds like this is becoming a great summer for everyone. We haven't gone on any trips; I had shoulder surgery in April and just this week am able to lay on my left side. I usually sleep that way so it's a real relief.

We do plan to head for the Oregon coast for a few days fairly soon. Our little bitty motor home allows me to cook our meals plus it has a bathroom!

Husband Terry just finished building me a new spinning wheel --- I've wanted one made from purple heart wood for ages and now I have one! Just finished yesterday and today will be the first time I will try it out. The wood is really purple!


Donna

[kadi]

This summer?

I've been mainly spending time with friends, movies on netflix, "spring" cleaning my apartment, relaxing, exercising, planning a trip to Quebec City for French language study later this year. I went on two retreats at a local retreat center I love, and decorated my balcony with fresh plants and little white Christmas lights.

This weekend I went to a movie/discussion at a social justice film series at my church ("Yesterday" was Friday's movie), went to coffee with friends (I put Pero & sugar into my hot milk), met my aunt for lunch & spent a couple hours at the library talking with the children's librarian about my new elementary school teaching job & picking out fun books to read with my class. Today is a class at church, worship service, and a looooooonnnnng nap, because tomorrow some friends and I will move all my stuff to my new classroom and start preparing it for kids! I'm really happy.

Thank you for asking us to post July 10th, today, is the 8 year anniversary of my IC. I had rapid-onset IC and July 10, 2003 I woke up very sick with IC & life has not been the same since. But, reading my own post today tells me how far I've come and how much better my life is now. As most of you who've heard my story know, my IC is pretty severe, took a long time to get better, and I still have symptoms, but today, I'm living with a good quality of life again.

[KarenAnne]

Donna: I am so sorry about your surgery. I am glad you are recovering. I hope you are back to normal activities soon. Wow, purple wood. I never heard of that. It must be so beautiful. Have a great vacation on the coast!

Kadi: I thought you were teaching elementary school, my mistake. Sounds like you are getting a chance to relax & recharge. A friend of mine has written two lovely children's books, age appropriate for your class. She has self-published & I will pm her website to you.

It makes me smile & feel happy that you all have been enjoying your summer!

[kadi]

Hi KarenAnne,
This spring I returned to elementary school teaching after 8-1/2 years teaching high school! So, no mistake & thank you for the book suggestions

[VickiB]

This spring I returned to elementary school teaching after 8-1/2 years teaching high school!

I didn't know this, Kadi! A change for the better I hope?

It seems to me teaching must surely be one of the most rewarding, yet frustrating, stressful jobs ever invented. I'm pretty sure I Wouldn't last!

Vicki