Choice

During my recent visit to my parents’ home for Christmas, my mother and I discussed my interstitial cystitis and the associated food restrictions. She spoke about her concern about eating certain things in front of me – about how it might make me feel bad because I can’t eat those things.

I immediately responded that it was no different than my past life as a vegetarian, and that she should go ahead and eat those things anyway. She said that it is different; being a vegetarian was my choice.

Well, getting interstitial cystitis was not my choice – but I choose whether or not to eat things that may irritate my bladder. I frequently, consciously choose to eat things that irritate my bladder. No one forces me to do this; no one forces me to follow dietary restrictions. Why is it that when I allow myself to eat badly, it’s a choice – but when I don’t, I’m being oppressed?

I think it’s time to put on my big girl panties and accept that my care is always my choice.

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