IC Hope - Awakening Through the Tears Book Review

I finished reading "Awakening Through the Tears" in a couple of sittings. Even though I would consider myself a spiritual person (born and raised LDS and still active) I needed a wake-up call to re-connect everything. And probably most importantly get over the anger of having IC and working through the grieving cycle really. I was in denial for 3 years of even having to deal with the disease and now I can confront it. Cath's poignant words of counsel are truly life altering. I have no other way to put it.

The feelings expressed and her testimony of a loving Heavenly Father who is all knowing of our lives and does answer our prayers hits so close to home. I have been taught this literally my entire life. And I have believed this since I was a child, but something happened when I was married and all the horrible junk I had gone through and I felt abandonded. The part where Cath talks about going through life and then all of the sudden something happens that feels like you are completely shattered into tiny pieces and you can either fight and become stronger and better or let it get you. For years now I have been letting it swallow me up. Don't get me wrong, I still had faith, but it became limited in regards to my having IC and VV. Which goes against reason. Faith is an all or nothing kind of thing, right? Why would I have faith that God cares about everyone, but I'm the exception.

But then of course, I have been hormonally and chemically out of balance since Jr. High. This doesn't help because of the depression I have had since then. (Untreated for 8 of those years). Again, hearing from Cath to not be so hard on myself, feels like I am being given permission to forgive myself. I admitted just Thursday night to my really good friend how much I hated myself. I'm talking I fall asleep at night to thinking about how much I hate myself. No wonder getting better has been so dang slow! Cath's reminder that thought is energy clearly is truth. Actually her book "Awakening Through the Tears" is completely immersed with fundamental truths of physical laws. When I think of life in a bigger scope I can't get over how amazing it is that we are created from matter and that that matter has energy, etc.... I just need to start including myself!

Cath was truly inspired to write this book. I'm so glad she was not afraid to say how she really feels. Really, this book added a whole new dimension to healing. A new level, vital to true healing from the most inside (our spirits) to the outside. So even those that think they are fine spiritually will probably discover that they are not! And those that feel so far removed from spirituality and their Heavenly Father may hopefully be able to renew that special relationship. Cath's writings have totally given EVERYONE an opportunity to examine themselves where ever they may be at spiritually, by helping to renew faith for those of us who have had it, but were starting to doubt, and for those who never have, you planted a seed for them to begin to gain that faith on their own.

Valerie Chambers
elivalchambers@hotmail.com

Cath's newest book is excellent & very helpful!! I finished "Awakening Through the Tears" the other night and was so amazed at how I could relate to so many things (anxiety & panic attacks, IBS caused by dreading certain things, hormonal problems which cause IC & vulvodynia flares). It was so weird to read exactly what I heard come out of my very own mouth...like being pretrified for years if I had to go somewhere that had no bathroom & how to explain the fear of having an IBS attack when you are out with friends/family. They just didn't understand the panic or embarrassment I would feel if I had to RUN to the bathroom. What we think about is so important so I'm so glad Cath included this in her book. I've read Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer and Joyce writes a lot of the things Cath mentions. How it is so very important to speak outloud what you want in your life..... like "I am getting healthier everyday"..."Thank you God for guiding me out of this and helping me grow so much during it.". My relationship with God has become so much closer because of going through 13 years of health issues....not that I wanted all the pain but I have learned so much and I am just so grateful for all the wonderful things that are happening in my life.

Cath talks about how estrogen dominance can cause anxiety and all sorts of other symptoms (like vulvodynia). That was so interesting to me. Occasional vulvodynia flares are one of the remaining symptoms I am left with. I will be keeping closer tabs on when they occur in my cycle. I know I must have some hormonal imbalances still since I breakthrough spot/bleed during the month (even though my periods are so much easier). And it was so helpful to read how the "things" our bodies actually need can cause IC symptoms once we take them (like vitamins & natural progesterone cream). I've tried natural progesterone cream twice in the past and both times it caused my IC symptoms to increase a lot (and cause me to have insomnia). I ordered the saliva test kit to check my hormonal levels to see where I stand - maybe I only need a little tiny bit of progesterone the latter half of my cycle....we'll see... I was so ENCOURAGED to read how Cath never had another vulvodynia flare after she started using the natural progesteron cream.

Anyways, thanks Cath! It was so helpful (I'm already highlighting parts of it, ha ha) and I think it definitely helps provide more clues on why some of us still have a few remaining symptoms.

Sue
Susiefluff@hotmail.com

One of the reasons I've enjoyed "Awakening Through The Tears" so much is because, much like her other two books, you realize that someone else felt the things you have. If anyone remembers when they read her first book and remembers how wonderful it felt to know that you were not alone with the pain you felt and not alone with the frustrations of IC? This book,"Awakening Through The Tears" has the same concept. I could see myself on every single page I've read. I've thought "Oh my God!!!" so many times while reading this book. Cath went so much deeper with this book and she talks so much more about the mental effects of IC. I would just hate for anyone to miss out on the messages that this book has in it. Maybe you can get your local library to contact Cath about ordering her books and then you can go check it out there. If you received any type of help or message from her other books then I'm positive you'll reap rewards from this one.

Jane
Suneebeech007@aol.com

For more reviews of "Awakening Through the Tears" click here:
Awakening Through the Tears: Interstitial Cystitis and the Mind/Body/Spirit Connection