Where is the Bathroom? There needs to be a Neon Sign or Something

Do you remember being little and going on a field trip and your mothering always telling you to look for all the fire exits? Or what about the first time you were old enough to go to the movies by yourself with your friends? I bet your mother told you to look for the fire exit that time too. You probably always thought your mother was overreacting. But as an IC patient, I have found that I myself have become my own nagging voice. However, I am not in search of a fire exit, I am in search of a bathroom. You know how before the movie credits start a screen will pop up that tells you where all the fire exits are? I kind of wish other public places would have the equivalent for finding bathrooms.

I feel on a mission every time I go to a new restaurant to always know where the bathroom is. As awkward as I may feel going to the bathroom three times during the duration of a meal while my friends only have to go once or less, I feel a little less like an outcast if I can at least know where the bathroom is so I can gracefully slip away instead of running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

What really stinks about being an IC patient is when friends want to do something such as "roam around the city". Sure, it is FUN to walk into random shops and stuff, but one important question remains: where will I be able to find a bathroom? I have found train and bus stations are good for having public restrooms. So many restaurants are so fickle about not letting you use their bathroom if you are not eating there.  I feel like us IC chicks should be allowed to have a magical card where we can bypass the rules.

Another thing that stinks is even if I do have the energy to "go clubbing", which is rare these days, is that I find myself avoiding certain overcrowded places. I can remember being in college and waiting 20 minutes on a hellish line to go to the bathroom. That would never work now. My bladder would explode in the process.  

While on topic, another thing that bothers me about acquaintances or friends of a friend that aren't aware of my condition is the infamous line "didn't you just pee?".  Yes, I realize I just got up to pee 20 minutes ago, but I have to pee again get over it please and eat your crab cakes.

Another habit of mine if I see the night is coming to a close is finding the people I came with and figuring out exactly when we are going to leave, so I can pee right before we go. Most little kids hate when their parents force them to pee before getting in a car, but now as an adult with IC I WANT to pee before getting in the car so I can make a 20 minute drive home without a potty break.

So the bottom line is, our mothers were right. It is important to be aware of your surroundings. You never know when there could be a fire. I bet our mother's expected the entire building to be on fire, not just our bladders, but in the end it's kind of the same. When a building is on fire, it IS a 911 emergency. When our bladders are on fire, it FEELS like a 911 emergency, at least to us if we can't find a bathroom.