"Hello Everyone, I am back"

Since I last posted I have been hospitalized 3 times.  I am doing better now.  I had a kidney infection the first two times.  The last two times I had severe kidney pain.  The doctors had many tests run and the outcome is "enlarged kidney."  That is all they came up with.  I was in excruciating pain.  I have been put on a low dose of Macrobid (antibiotic) to be taken every other day.  I really hope this helps.  So far so good.  I have learned some things during my doctor visits and hospital stays.  If you need to give a sample of urine and you have a urostomy then the urine needs to come directly from the stoma.  The night drainage bag that is used when you sleep is DISPOSABLE and insurance will pay for you to get 2 per month.  I didn't know that the drainage bag was to be thrown away after 2 weeks.  I don't know if that makes me naive about it but I really didn't know.

Does all of this make me sorry that I had the bladder removal?  NO, not at all.  The IC pain that I endured everyday is gone.  I do still have some phantom pain from time to time and it can be aggravating but that is just part of it.  It does take some time adjusting to the way you now see yourself.  I am talking about physically and mentally.  You have to be strong.  Know that what you did is totally worth it and you still have your life.  You should look at yourself as being blessed.  At least you are not dealing with a life threatening illness.  I know it can be very hard because of the pain of IC.  If you are struggling with IC and you are contemplating having your bladder removed (Radical Cystectomy) then research, research, research.  Get the facts and know that once  you do this there is no going back.  I am very glad that I did a lot of research first and so I knew what I was getting into.  I couldn't be happier with the outcome of my surgery.  I just need my kidney to stop rebelling.  It will just take a little time for my body to realize that my bladder is gone and now there is a new outlet for my urine.  If you have any questions just ask me. I will be glad to answer you.  I deal with depression and that is normal.  When you have been through as much as I have then you have to realize that depression is going to hit you.  I have re-occuring depression.  That just means that my depression comes and goes.  However, I live with a certain level of depression everyday.  It is understandable in my situation.  I am a Christian so I have FAITH.  If you have faith, love and mercy then I believe you have everything you need. God is number one in my life and I am so fortunate to know him.  I encourage you to seek God's help through prayer.  Prayer is what I ask for whenever anyone ask if there is anything they can do for me.  I wouldn't be the person I am today without my faith in the Lord.  If you are not a Christian please realize that I am not trying to be pushy but that I care about what happens to you.

I am so glad that you have read my update and hope that you will keep following my story.  Life is short "LIVE IT".