TO: ANOTHER UC WIFE

Hey Becky -- thank you.  I got a call today on our answerer from the Mayo Clinic and need to call them tomorrow which is probably going to be for setting up the consultation with their gastro dept.

Did you only have the one appt?  Will there be follow up appts/tests etc?

Thanks Becky - will send you a note. I appreciate the offer of advice and help.

Thanks Stacey -- he was doing fairly well with more functional days than not. He had to see the urologist for a yearly prostate exam and wham the rectal exam that day and for a few subsequent days really looked like it was setting him back. Needed bed rest, some additional pain meds and would not take the colocourt for 3 nights.

Last Sunday the day of our pool party for our anniversary did go well - aside from his fatigue which he has every day - he had a good day and we had a great time with so many friends. Our friends have been so understanding and supportive that it has helped to keep this situation from being embarrassing.

They know and understand if we have to bow out of things last minute, he doesn't feel like talking on the phone etc. At first we were not so open about it - but it got easier to just let people know what was going on.

He was wiped out the next day and basically rested which was fine. This past week we have been able to get out and do a few things - rested all day today - hopefully tomorrow we can see a movie with some friends we tentatively made plans for.

So we take it day by day....the day I posted I think was one of my meltdown days. I try to grin and bear it and be upbeat for him but maybe its a hormonal thing sometime getting in the way of my optimism. lol

Hugs back at ya..............I can only imagine what you went through for those 4 years and trying to be strong and brave for him. So happy to hear he is doing fine now.

Oh I do take time for me. We live in a very active over 55 community. There are alot of activities during the day time I can run out to for a few hours here and there. I'm a bigtime linedancer and do that 4-5 times a week, go to Curves and of course I do most of the shopping so I am in and out alot during the day. I am in most nights unless we are able to go out together to do something.

My best friend of 41 years & her husband just moved here a few weeks ago which has been a tremendous lift for my husband as we are super close with them. Their daughter (my Godchild) and family also lives about 40 minutes away so that makes it even better. My sister lives here and about 4 couples from back North plus a ton of new found friends....we have been here 5 years now and settled in really well.

It's a good thing we don't have the big house, large lot of land and winter and snow to deal with as it would be too difficult for him. Everything is at our fingertips here and not far insofar as all our medical care (except the Mayo Clinic) and tons of social amenities so we are in a good place having this to deal with. That in of itself helps to keep him grounded and counts his blessings daily.

I try to keep it balanced so I am home when he needs me to be for lunch, etc. But he is always saying to go out and do things too which is great. I make sure I keep all the appts straight, medical stuff up to date and take him to all the different appts.

One day he was kind of down recently with the discomfort and put on My Cousin Vinnie that he has seen a ton of times..............just what he needed to get out of the funk. I came home and he was in such a good mood.................as I've said you need the humor and laughter. Get it any way you can!!!

Thanks again Stacey for your concern.....