This patient just sent this after quite a few years away-very sweet she took a moment to write! 

Hello, 

I wanted to take a minute to say hello to all the patients of Dr. Matia Brizman who 

are currently in the struggles of interstitial cystitis.   Years ago I was in the same 

boat as many of you.   I was experiencing the burning urethra, bladder urgency, and 

vaginal irritation – chronically -  as I’m sure many of you are experiencing.   I tried 

everything that we knew to try medically speaking.  I did diets, instillations, 

medications, and was the verge of an interstim implantation when I was led through 

my faith in God to Dr. Brizman.   This was many years ago and even though I was a 

long long time in treatment with many many tears – I wanted to let you all know 

that I made it – that it is possible to recover and live a normal life again.   

I used to ask Matia where the old patients were and why I couldn’t read about them 

or talk to them and she would tell me they just “went on with their life”.  I said that I 

would never do that – that I would never just go on and not be there to help them 

through.    I was so wrong.    

Once you make it through – you really do just want to LIVE again and that is what I 

did.  I began to live free from thinking about my bladder, free from worrying about 

where a bathroom was or if I’d feel good enough to make a trip somewhere or do 

something special with my kids.   I even got to the point where I didn’t want to think 

about it or talk to any other patients because it had robbed enough of my life and I 

didn’t want to go back there.  

The reason I write this letter is to apologize for that and give you hope that healing 

is possible.   What reminded me of this?   Back in June, I ate a soup at a deli in my 

town.   It was Maryland Crab Soup and it was good!    However, it sent me into an 

awful flare-up that made me think I was back at the beginning.    I wasn’t.     See for 

me, I have found that I am sensitive to certain things.   For instance, I am sensitive to 

preservatives.   This particular soup was laced with FIVE dangerous preservatives 

(things that NO ONE should consume).    I remember Matia telling me once that I 

was LUCKY because my body would tell me what I should and shouldn’t eat whereas 

other people can eat things like that just fine, but later they will come down with 

cancers, etc.   (We all know that what we eat affects us and our government isn’t real 

careful with what they allow into our foods).    I know realize this to be true – I am 

very lucky!   

I want to encourage you all to continue the course ….   For me God worked through 

Matia and my faith to bring wellness to my body and the same can happen to you.  

How am I today?    Good --- I consider myself cured actually.     I eat everything 

except for dairy, egg yolks and PRESERVATIVES   (just sensitivities to me 

personally).  I maintain a fairly low carb and low sugar diet (mostly using fruit sweet 

as a sweetener – which is pineapple/pear juice), and I don’t eat pork (because I 

don’t like it).  I eat all my fruits, all my vegetables, lots of  nuts and other meats.   I 

take herbs  and probiotics as a maintenance while we work on an injury I received 

in a car accident years ago (and that too is getting better – I have found that God 

makes a way).     

Please note:  my sensitivities may not be yours - - maybe you won’t even have any.   

Our bodies have a way of letting us know these things as we heal.  

Stay strong – stick with your diet (whatever phase you are in).   Fight to get well and 

know that it’s a season – not a life time.   

Many blessings to you all! 

Melissa