Let me just start out by saying that I’m 16. I’ve always been the shy, nice kid who got picked on in middle school. Thankfully, my IBS holds off until after school(Usually.) because I have a fear of public bathrooms as well. You can imagine how well that goes over..

But anyways, I believe you opened this to read a story. It all started when I jokingly told one of my female friends that we should hang out. She took it seriously, and she eventually talked me into the courage it took to ask my parents. You see, they’re the over-protective type of parents as in they need to meet the person’s parents before I go to their house, and they need to check out the house. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case with Courtney. My father worked with her father, so that solved that little issue.

I end up having my father drive me over, and I have a very nice time. You see, Courtney isn’t exactly single, it was just a friendly thing that I took as an actual date because I’d never been on one before. Nevertheless, it was loads of fun. Later in they day, she asks if I want to go to Pizza Hur her. Of course, I’d love to! I wasn’t even thinking of IBS at the time.

We talk all the way to Pizza Hut, and when we get there, I remember what Pizza Hut pizza does to me. So instead of my usual medium pizza and wings, I have two slices of pizza and two wings. It wasn’t so bad, they were taking me hone right after. It was a little pressure, but I could hold out until I get home. Or so I thought.

Courtney remembered me saying something about trying the new Blizzard at Dairy Queen; the Triple Chocoholic Blizzard. Reluctantly, I agreed, and we both had a Blizzard. The pressure just kept building up.

It was getting to the agony point, when her father decides to stop at a local car lot and check out a few things. I was clutching my gut in pain, but it was nearly 11, so nobody noticed.

Finally, after a bittersweet “date” I made it home, said my goodbyes, ran to the bathroom, and took the most painful, fiery **** ever for three hours. (Not three hours straight, mind you. Mine switches from dierrehia(sp?) to constipation and vice-versa.)

That day was sadly the happiest day I’ve had in a while, but my story raises this question: how am I going to live with this? How will I get through college, dorm life, any job? How am I ever going to get to go on a date, or take someone out to dinner?

I know you don’t have the answers because you’re in the same situation I’m in, but…thank you for understanding.