Hi all my IC friends and family. Well most everyone already knows this but I am going to a new doctor in B'ham about the next step for my Severe Interstitial Cystitis. I already know what that step is and I am actually ready. I need to have my bladder and urethra removed. If I have the surgery it is called Urinary Diversion Surgery. Here is how it is done; When the bladder is removed a piece of small and large intestine is taken out and made into a pouch. The pouch is connected to the ureters and the ureters are connected to the bladder. There is an opening through the belly button and that is where you release the urine. This pouch is called "Indiana Pouch". It is named for the place the man lived that invented this method. This has been done for years and years now. Everyone I have talked with that has had this surgery said that it was well worth it. There are sometimes complications like infection in the pouch so the doctor puts you on an antibacterial medication but if the infection is a little worse then you have to go to the hospital and be put on an IV with antibiotics. That is the main complication that I have heard about. I actually talked to a lot of people and everyone of them said that if they had it to do again they would. I feel ok about it. For a very long time I said that there was NO WAY I would do that. I have prayed about it and I truly think that this is what God wants me to do. I don't even have one doubt about it. I feel like I am suppose to do this so that I can get back to my busy life. I want to tell all young girls that have this that they can get through it. There is so much more offered today than there was 21 years age when mine started. The reason new medication and therapies don't work for me is because I have had IC for so long and my bladder and urethra are just too damaged now to heal. I know the surgery I want to have is complicated and intense but I am ready. Bring it on. I will get through it and prayerfully will be the me I use to be which is a more active me. It is time for me to go now. I will keep updating you but if and when I have the surgery I will have a website that I will go to and update everything going on there. I will let you know what website it is once my surgery date is set. Bye for now!!!!