News & Blog

Voices of Hope Blog

To All Who Need to Apply for Disability

I’m writing on behalf of all the women and men battling interstitial cystitis (IC) every single day of our lives. Let me take you through our (my) world.  Let me…

Living a Normal Life for the First Time

I was diagnosed with IC in my 40’s, after being treated for years for painful UTI’s that evolved to include nausea, headaches, and diarrhea. I reached my lowest point after…

Martone-Kathy

Naturopath Saved My Life

My name is Kathy Martone and I have suffered with IC (I am a patient) for almost a year. For me IC was horribly painful with intense burning and stabbing-like…

billy-schoch

A Husband’s Perspective

This goes out to everyone who thinks they can’t take it anymore, living with someone who is living with IC. I’ve heard of spouses leaving because they couldn’t take it…

Randie-Noell

Know There May Be Roadblocks

I get up every morning and face the day not knowing whether I’ll be having a good or difficult “IC bladder day.” Having had IC for over 23 years, I’ve…

Taos-Ski-Valley

Voices of Hope – Life Is Still Good

Unfortunately, my IC journey is very similar to many other IC patients. I was diagnosed three years ago with IC. The doctor showed me the scope of my bladder and…

Never Let Go of Your Dreams!

Twenty-six years ago, I baffled the minds of the doctors in a small, northwestern Pennsylvania town. They weren’t expecting to deliver a baby with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). Born with…

Media Can be a Pain Patient’s Friend

I have had IC for 45 years and do what I can to further our cause. In 2014, I was losing my family doctor and also the doctor who prescribed…

What I Have Learned…

When I was first diagnosed with IC after more than 18 months looking for answers, I remember looking at photos of my ulcerated bladder and thinking, “I do not want…

Listening to my “Gut”

I want to give others hope because I know how important it is to convey positivity when dealing with a chronic condition. My struggle with IC started 5 years ago…