bonny - I think that was a good email to send the agency. They need to fully understand the ramifications of the poster before it is sent out. I think that your POV should be particularly valuable to them and I hope that other survivors also contact them with their impressions.

bonny, it's good that you provided feedback from your perspective. I wouldn't expect that no one at the ad agency was abused as a child, but if someone was, he/she might not have spoken up (for various reasons, like justifiably not wanting to disclose personal information to colleagues, etc.). Your input is very important, IMO.

ION, the ultrasound I had last week (because of the ongoing vague-yet-painful bladder issues) showed nothing out of the ordinary. My OB/GYN thinks it's bladder spasms, and wants me to take AZO for one more week (the orange pee is HILARIOUS), and then if there's no improvement, she can refer me to a urologist.

I'm glad it's not something awful, but I also wish it were something that could be definitively treated. Bah.

I'm starting to wonder if it's an IBS flare. I haven't had issues in years, but things have gotten notably more stressful in the last 4 months (even "good" stressors like planning a dang wedding are still stressors; my body doesn't care what the source of the stress is), so -- maybe that's it. I need to do some research on whether IBS causes bladder issues.

I feel a little dumb that I didn't think of IBS before, but in my defense, like I said above, I haven't had issues with it in YEARS.

Bodies is weird.

Teppy, I'm sorry there haven't been any easy answers for the pain you're experiencing. Just a thought, if it does end up being bladder spasms, many of the drugs that help people control incontinence issues do so by decreasing bladder spasms. So, even though the primary use isn't something that you need help with, it may be worth asking about something along those lines if bladder spasms turn out to be the cause of your pain.

Bonny, I think you wrote a wonderful e-mail, and I'm glad you received such a prompt, kind response. Good for you!

And, because it deserves its own post:

Happy Birthday, Glamcookie!!!

I also ran across a blog post with embedded video about the anti-child abuse ad. (Obviously, may contain triggers -- especially the video, which shows how the ad works.)

I'm glad it's not something awful, but I also wish it were something that could be definitively treated. Bah.

OHmagawd. Bladder spasms are the worst. Because I have such a long history with UTIs, I think I actually create hysterical infections some times. I am _certain_ that it is what I think it is...especially this last time when it the symptoms went on for the entire month after Bartleby died. Test said there were no bugs, but I could feeeel them.

Steph, I wish there was a target to hit for you as well. It's like your good news and bad news really ARE the same thing. How confusing and unsatisfying.

I hope it isn't IBS, or if it is, that a solution is swift.

Comfort ~ma coming your way.

Thanks, everyone for the encouragement about my ad campaign...campaign.

The more I see of it online, the more it feels like a "for your consideration" run at advertising awards. That makes me a leeeetle bit uncomfortable, but eh, people got a right to make a living.

It is a little troubling that the majority of people on my facebook feed who are forwarding it are so left-leaning as to be lying down, and yet, no one has raised any concerns. They are cutting and pasting that same video...which seems to be the _only_ information about it available anywhere.

It's a bit surreal.

The farmer's market in my town opens for the season this afternoon. I think I'm going to go check it out, but I probably won't buy much because we're going to be at Mom's all weekend. It really was a nice one last year, so I'm looking forward to seeing what they have this year.

Our farmer's market opened last weekend with NO fresh produce. I still got some fresh Asiago bread, lemon chive angel hair pasta, and kettle corn (my annual indulgence). Oh, and some local honey.

I'm having a recurrence of the Thrush I got when Emmett was little.

Further research indicates Thrush is just a Candida Yeast infection in my mouth and alimentary canal but it really sucks.

So I've been making myself anti-yeast salads - with Greek yogurt, five cloves of raw garlic finely minced, chopped tomato, cucumbers (no skin), fresh squeezed lemon juice, chopped fresh spinach, green onion, salt and dill.

Apparently the raw garlic and raw onion are natural anti-fungals. It tastes good but I can tell my mouth is a little "hot" with garlic now.

Making myself tea with fresh ginger in it next.

I'm not opposed to non-pharmaceutical treatments (hello, brewing my own kombucha for a year now, like the crazy hippie I am), but thrush/yeastiness *does* really suck, like you said. Can you go to a Minute Clinic (or whatever similar doc-in-a-box is in your neck of the woods) and get a prescription for Diflucan? It is 100% awesome. It's not just for ladyparts yeast infections -- yeast is yeast is yeast, and whatever nice warm body part it decides to take up residence in, it SUCKS.

But also -- plain yogurt is good for thrush.