My bladder lining is gone.
If the doctor knows where it went, he’s not saying.
But he is saying I can’t eat chocolate anymore. Or drink beer. Or wine.
I’m calling that torture. He’s calling it intense dieting techniques.
I could do a whole diatribe on the trying-to-control-mindset through word choice of “intense interrogation dieting technique” vs. “torture” but I’ll spare you that.
What I want to write about is choosing our mindset about things out of our control.
Creating A Mindset
FYI – Losing my bladder lining means an exposed bundle of nerves and interstitial cystitis (IC) with its accompanying Betsy Wetsyish behavior and pain.
This is how I’m dealing or choosing a positive mindset.
My first act was to say fuck you to the doctor’s choice of words that I’m “suffering” from IC. Suffering sounds more like an identity and I’m not IC. I have no desire for long suffering moments with the back of my hand to my forehead. I accept that I “have” IC (and after this post I’m not talking about “having” it much either.
Then I wrote out positive thoughts – affirmations, if you will - about the doctor recommended IC Smart-Diet (no dumb diet for me!):
“I have another opportunity to take care of myself.” Something I’ve not done often enough in the past.
“I’m taking in less empty-calories by not drinking alcohol“, which prompted the following household announcement:
- Attention all pants with a waistband! You will be worn again soon. No more easy life for you of just hanging out with your buddies in the closet.
After that, I wrote these notes to my fav’ outlawed foods.
- Dear cantaloupe, I am going to miss you, but I’ll hear how you’re doing when I sit down at a meal with your honeydew relatives.
- Dear, dear chocolate, oh god, ending the torrid love affair we’ve had for as long as I can remember will take some getting use to. I wish you well and hope you can find another lover that you can bring to the same screaming heights of food orgasm.
- Coffee, my friend. I gave you up years ago when I stopped smoking Marlboro’s because the two of you went so well together. When we met again it was such a happy reunion. <sigh> I’m so sorry we have to break up again. Perhaps with medical advances, a durable bladder lining will be developed and we can reunite to have a go at that one. Thanks for all the good times.
There may be other notes I need to write, time will tell.
Rituals Are Powerful
Remembering the dearly departed. Hope they can read backwards.
Please join me in a toast to your own dearly departed body parts:
a breast,
a prostate gland,
a kidney,
a leg.
They were all great when they were still with us.
Leave your pics and toasts on my FB page over the weekend Or just stop by and say hello.
NOTE: There’s some bug let loose in my blog and call sign up form. Fixing it now. Come back at the end of next week and sign up for the blog and get your free mindset and possibilities call.
I would love to get to know you! Join me on 
Wow you are so right, it is all about the mindset. I would really miss coffee too, and wine (are you crazy I must admit) but I guess the question is: is it worth the pain?
Great post Cherry – it put things in perspective!
Thanks Irene. Appreciate your support, as always. Cherry
OK-and excuse my impropriety, but that is so fucked up. I’m so sorry to hear about your bladder lining and its ungraceful exit.
No chocolate—what? No wine? Good God Almighty. Does this mean forever, or just until said bladder lining repairs itself…?
You’re brave and graceful for posting this Cherry. I’ve never heard of a bladder lining disappearing, but you can rest assured that I’m off to google everything I can to avoid such a fate.
Hang tight. Positive vibes. Not that it’s any consolation, but I’ll swear off chocolate in your bladder’s honor:(.
love that you put a picture up in support of my bladder! I think I should have a fall porch party to toast it too. Of course, there are drugs I could take before such a party that would “allow” me to drink. It’s nuts. Like the diabetic that eats what s/he wants and just pumps more insulin it.
Please keep eating chocolate and just share the experience with me – I can live vicariously thru you. Cherry
This post was one wild ride. Yipper, I’ve learned many new things about one’s innards and how they can react to yummy things we enjoy. Seriously though, whether now or later, everyone will have to deal with the reality that our bodies won’t always perform at their peak. That’s why we need to learn how to adapt to those changes with positive perspectives rather than resistant ones…at least if we want to be content. Thanks for the insight, ~Dawn
Dawn,
I know some of your riding stories, so there’s no doubt you can handle a wild ride.
Thanks for your support, Cherry
Will it come back? I’ve had IC monthly for years. But gone now. Thank goodness. Sometimes I have to remind myself what it was like to have IC. I don’t eat those things any more either. I hope changing your diet works and your body regenerates itself.
Gosh Alison I hope the diet and body regenerations works too. The medical doc said no regeneration possible but I’m keeping the faith on that one.
Glad your IC is gone-zo. Cherry
Hi Cherry – Sorry to hear abt your bladder lining exit! I didnt know we had one and that it could go away! Well, good to have a farewell ritual! As we age and things happen to us, we all need to mourn and let go and carry on!
Good for you for just carrying on! Life goes on (I guess I would miss chocolate & wine..sniff) but there are lots of other things out there…..licorice and vanilla cream pie anyone?
Kathy,
I’m loving your suggestion of licorice and vanilla cream pie. Now that’s the type of creativity I need in my diet. :) Cherry
Cherry,
I too have had a torrid affair with chocolate. What’s become clear to me is that chocolate is a very powerful drug, right up there with caffeine and cocaine. All of us feeling very superior for not being cocaine addicts should consider our chocolate and caffeine addictions. I personally don’t like being an emotional slave to anything, but still have yet to break away. You’ll be an inspiration to us all, Cherry. God love your strength (and humor).
xoxo
Jen,
Glad to hear of others who have a torrid love affair with chocolate.
Thanks for the kind words about being an inspiraton, much appreciated.
I can’t imagine life without a sense of humor. It makes life so much more livable. xxoo back to you my friend. Cherry