Shari's Story

I never thought a small bladder issue could take over my life. At first, it was just a little discomfort, something I shrugged off as stress or too much coffee. But over time, it became more than just a minor annoyance. The constant urgency, the leaks, the need to always plan my day around bathrooms; it started to feel like it controlled me, rather than the other way around.

Simple things, like going to a movie, meeting a friend for coffee, or even taking a short walk, suddenly became stressful. I was constantly thinking about where the nearest bathroom was, how long I could hold it, and what I could do if something went wrong. The exhaustion wasn’t just physical — it was mental and emotional too.

Talking about it was hard at first. I felt embarrassed, even ashamed, like this was something I should be able to handle quietly on my own. But opening up and sharing my story with people who actually understand, has been freeing. It doesn’t solve everything, but it gives me a sense of control again. I’m not just a person with a broken bladder - I’m someone reclaiming my life, one story at a time.