Potty Trouble

We tend to do the majority of our dealings with healthy people. In some cases, we find out that so-and-so is sick or a neighbor is having some health problems. Healthy folk have thought perplexingly, “They don’t look sick.” I have been guilty of saying these types of statements.

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Crohn’s Disease, and other GI (Gastrointestinal) Disorders haunt many people. I have seen many cases of those struggling with undiagnosed pain in this area. Though appearing outwardly healthy, these enduring and brave souls battle significant pain within. Often, these pains go undiagnosed and those inflicted face handling it alone.  

Culture does not help in this case. Typically, discussing your bowel problems is socially unacceptable…and awkward! Let’s face it- who has not on occasion found themselves laughing at commercials, jokes, or stories about others’ intestinal mishaps?  This attitude makes most people at least a little self-conscience about their potty troubles.

Over the past several years, I have seen close loved ones be burdened with GI misfortunes. My heart goes out to those struggling with these issues.

Unforeseen anxieties come to these people. When you go out and interact, do you worry most about whether or not there is a bathroom close by? Do you fret about unknown settings you may find yourself in should your stomach decide it is unhappy with you?  Is there enough going on that people won’t hear your belly roar?

Situations that are particularly hard for people dealing with GI issues: any intimate or quiet setting, deep in nature, movie theaters, classrooms, church, etc. Home is typically where you find the bowel-burdened.

From watching those facing these struggles, I have had lights come on concerning these issues.  

People have inside battles. You do not know what is going on internally for others.  

When you hear of people having struggles in their tummies, recommending diets is unhelpful. GI issues are chronic, which means they have been dealing with it for a long time. I can guarantee they have probably tried the diet you suggested.

There are forces behind why someone might not feel comfortable in particular settings.

All of us like to feel a sense of control. GI problems are basically uncontrollable. Therefore, those with these problems will try and control what they can. This normally means they will be particular about certain situations and settings they agree to.  

To those afflicted with these problems, it is often very embarrassing for them. This is a silent burden. You won’t recall a lot of people sharing these types of trials with you.

Watch your judgments. 

People Grow Up...Sometimes

Definition of a Bully: a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people. 

Observation has led me to think that most adults believe they were bullied during their younger days. Growing-up shines some light on this matter. It also seems to be the solution given to bully situations. "People eventually grow up." Most the time we acknowledge the foolish and awkward minds of adolescents and the immaturity of children. A lot of time we realize how foolish, awkward, and immature we were then too! 

What happens when adults are the bullies? 

In more than one situation, adults have been the culprits of mistreatment to me.  More specifically, it’s been women. Everyone has an instance where a peer has been mean or unkind to them. I am no different. However, I was shocked to experience what it feels like to be "picked-on" by women I was supposed to look up to. 

Several lights came on for me. 

Bullies come in all shapes, sizes, and ages

Friends come in all shapes, sizes, and ages.

Use the actions of others to better yourself, even if those actions are bad. From these people, I learned who I did NOT want to become.

People grow older in years but not necessarily in maturity or kindness.

I grew the deepest gratitude for the caring and kind female leaders I did have in my life.

In my home, I had a magnificent mother and wonderful older sister. Throughout my Church attendance, I found the sweet caring from Sister Walsh, Sister Wright, and Sister Miller. From my friends, I had the amazing Sherri Wright. I now have a remarkable mother-in-law. While serving a mission, I had remarkable mission “moms”. Where would I be without these ladies?! These women are true leaders. 

True leaders love. 

Knees and Feet

Following the path of my sister, I decided to join the tennis team in high school. During this time as a very active tennis player, I started experiencing a strong pain in my knees. This persisted some time until a visit to my doctor. After a diagnosis of “Osgood-Schlatter Disease”, I was sent away with the pain to be reprieved by daily Ibuprofen. He even advised me to quit playing tennis. Well, that wasn’t going to happen! 

In spite of the medication, the pain continued to inflict my knees, even during the off-season. Stairs were particularly painful to climb. Finally, a specialist was sought out and my previous diagnosis was overturned. Soon after, I started Physical Therapy.  

Well, on my first day of P.T., the Physical Therapist told me to do something I thought was a little funny. “Walk down the hallway,” he said. After doing so, he tells me, “The problem is in your feet, not your knees.” Turns out the high arches in my feet were causing my legs to shift, leaving my knee caps slightly off track. Go figure!

Now with inserts in my shoes to support my arch, my knees have significantly improved. I’ll never forget the moment, after years of pain, going up stairs without a cringe.

A light came on for me.

Not only was there a realization of the actual problem behind the pain I was experiencing, but I learned principles from this that can be applied to other aspects of life as well. Be patient. Seek answers. There are unknown connections. Go to the right people. Do what you love! Expect the unexpected.

Our daily journeys involve unforeseen trials. This blog will share the unanticipated lessons and realizations from these unique experiences. 

These unexpected lessons are when the light comes on.