In August of 1983, just before my senior year, I had a searing pain in my bladder. I was told I had interstitial cystitis, which is a painful bladder condition. There was very little research on it and there was no cure for the disease. At age twenty-one, I was told, “You will just have to learn to live with it.” Those words still echo through my head because it is probably the worst thing I have ever been told.
About 10% of interstitial cystitis cases are chronic like mine. 20% have more frequent flares and 70% only flare once every month or two. My case resulted in my having to urinate up to 40-50 times per night every night. For eleven years I never slept at night. The frequency of urination was the same in the day. It felt like there were paper cuts lining my bladder wall, and when urine hit the wall, the pain was intense. I cringed if anyone got within three feet of me because my body hurt so much and I feared someone bumping into me.
In 1994, I went public with interstitial cystitis. My peers on tour were incredibly supportive when I finally told them. They said to me, “Why did you not tell us? We would have been there for you.” I kept it a secret because I had my “gameface” on. When you are an athlete you do not want to show anyone if you are in pain or not feeling well. It is amazing and powerful what your mind will do to let you accomplish something.
Elmiron is a drug that in 1995 made me symptom-free. It took five months for it to kick in and repair the bladder wall. I could see that a breakthrough year was coming because for the first time since college, I could once again concentrate and focus on golf. To have fun again so many years later was wonderful.
If I allow myself to forget what I went through then I haven’t learned my lesson, which is to take things one day at a time. The key for me is to keep my priorities in check and to make sure faith is the leading one.
I have learned through my fight with interstitial cystitis that life is truly a blessing. We all have a responsibility to teach others from our own experiences. Most of the toughest battles are the greatest lessons taught. You shouldn’t keep those lessons to yourself!
Bio: For eleven years Terry-Jo endured the agony of interstitial cystitis while playing professional golf. Provided by: www.survivingadversity.com
