New starts IC will not rule my life.

Starting new is not easy. God gives us the tools to renew ourselves, but we have to take the time to do it. Some things are definitely not easy, but they become necessary with each passing day.

I have interstitial cystitis. For those of you reading who are not familiar it is like a bladder infection that will not go away. The major difference is that the lining of the bladder is deteriorating causing pain and infection like symptoms. Some people may remain symptom free for long periods of time then experience a flair. Lifestyle contributes to the flair such as food, drink and smoking. I am in the midst of an awful flair. I think it was triggered by eating some of the most wonderful juicy oranges I have ever had. How can something so good for you cause so much pain? Chocolate can also be a trigger food, as well as soda (especially diet).

So what do I do now? I have to go on a diet. Not a complete lifestyle change as is necessary to lose weight, rather an actual diet. The idea is to eliminate all known trigger foods, all possible trigger foods, and eat ONLY foods that are known to be bladder friendly. This should be easy as there are a great deal of food on the okay list. The issue I am having with this is the flavoring. I love herbs and spices, fruit and sweets. Most of these items are on the CAUTION (or eat at your own risk) category. CRAP. I am dealing with how to eat these new bladder friendly foods while giving up all the things I like. I don't have to give them up permanently, just until the flair is over.

I will then be able to start adding foods back one at the time starting with the sometimes okay category and then eventually the CAUTION list. I don't want to start on the first day of the new year, because resolutions do not work. I don't wanna start on the second, because Monday's suck. So I am either going to start Tuesday or Wednesday. I have already begun somewhat cutting most all of the diet soda out of my diet. I occasionally have diet soda, but I have gone several days with none and only 2 glasses today.

I know no one will likely read this, and if you do feel free to comment. I just need to get this off my chest so that I can clear my head and start my new diet.