Is is a reminder to me that I tend to go out of my way to surround myself with "just like me" big city far left thinking people. Then today thinking of Pat I know we had almost nothing in common. We loved our families, and we loved to dance together, and we loved to talk about every subject without it mattering if we agreed or not. It just breaks my heart that I won't have a drink next to a bonfire or dance with her again. It probably wasn't a week ago that we talked about seeing each other soon. At least I am confident that she lived her last days with all the energy of the previous decades.

She sounds like a wonderful person to know, Laura. As are you. The pair of you together must have been formidable. I'm so sorry you've lost her.

Laura, I'm sorry for this loss. It sure sounds like the world lost a little of its lustre.

Hil, I hope today goes ok.

What a lovely tribute, Laura, I'm sorry for your loss

Laura, I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. She sounds like an amazing person.

So sorry for your loss, Laura.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Laura.

I'm sorry, Laura. Pat sounds like a great person to know.

AAloha! Not in Hawaii, but a friend who's been staying at my house just left for Kauai, so. I dropped in again, and started reading back from my last post, in Feb. I'm only on #23466, but I am simultaneously out of time to read on the board and sitting down to finish my taxes and research TENS units. ::pause:: I just finished and filed my taxes. Yay!

Askye, I always relate to your posts about your IC and UTI issues. I had a horrible IC flare last Tuesday. It felt like I was getting stabbed in the bladder with a hot knife. Ugh. I was lucky someone else canceled so I picked up an appt that day with the physical therapist who's been actually helpful with the IC stuff (two were not, this one is). What works for me is massage essentially across the bikini line, which relaxes tension over/around bladder. Then TENS stim on either side of bladder and on the lower back. The second stim on the inside of each thigh helps too. I'm looking into getting a TENS unit because she says a good but not fancy one can be had for as little as $40-50. (It just occurred to me to ask for a prescription, see if I can get it covered by insurance.)

After digging around in Consumer Reports (nothing in there) and here and there, here's the best article I've found on what to look for and it links to recommendations too. [link] TENS targets nerves, that's what works. The EMS works on muscles, IC flares aren't a muscle thing.

Have sent you an email too, I'll send you some concentrated blueberry juice. It's the closest I've come to a magic bullet and maybe it'll work for you. I get mine at the farmer's market, but try it, if it works for you, maybe some health food store can get it in for you. Knudson makes one. Trader Joe's carries a good one.

Thanks Java I really appreciate it.

I don't remember if I mentioned Uribel in my post it's a prescription instead of AZO and it works. Really well and lasts longer than AZO. It was covered by my insurance but some plans don't.