3 Truths & 1 Lie

Today's challenge is to write 3 things that are true about me, my condition, my Health Activism, or my life... and then 1 lie.

• I've tried over 50 medications to try to control my chronic migraines.
• I've dealt with headaches for much of my life.
• I've returned to my pre-accident weight.
• Headaches and Migraines run in my family.

 ... And the lie is ...

The third one. I'm still down 10-12 pounds from my pre-accident weight. At least I've gained about 6 pounds from my lowest point.

This post was written as part of the National Health Blog Posting Month (NHBPM).

Case of the Mondays

Today's challenge is to write about something that gets you down, burns you out, or makes you sad - purge it in a blog post, turn it around at the end, and tell Tuesday why you're ready for it.

Honestly, Mondays don't really feel like Mondays to me anymore. I used to dread them... the start of a new work-week. I'm not really on a normal week cycle... Jeremy's work-week is Wednesday through Sunday, so that's what mine has become (except I don't "dread" his "Monday"). Mondays are like our Saturday, so it's actually kinda nice.

But, there are definitely some things that make me less-than-excited to get out of bed, including stigma around Migraine. I hate that others often think that Migraines are "all in your head" and/or are just "bad headaches." Over 10% of America's population (approximately 36 million people) have Migraine, and it ranks in the top 20 of the world's most disabling medical illnesses. About 4% of the U.S. population (approximately 14 million people) have Chronic Daily Headache, and about 2% of the population (approximately 7 million people) have Chronic Migraine. And yet...

Migraine is poorly understood and often misdiagnosed / mistreated. Research is poorly funded. Actually, that's an extreme understatement. The National Institute of Health (NIH) only allocates 1/10 of 1% (i.e., 0.01%) of their budget to Migraine and all other headache disorders combined. One-tenth of a percent... that blows my mind! No wonder there are so many people suffering from Migraine. Of all the medications used as Migraine preventive treatments, not a single one was developed primarily for Migraine treatment.

My hope is that by sharing our stories and joining together, that Migraineurs can one day be heard, understood, and treated. We're in desperate need of funding, but we also need to take opportunities that we each encounter to inform others about Migraine. That's one reason I keep this blog. It allows me to share information about Migraine, as well as my experience with Chronic Migraine, with others.

Reference:  Migraine Research Foundation


This post was written as part of the National Health Blog Posting Month (NHBPM).

Keep On Keepin' On

Patients For A Moment (PFAM) is a patient-centered blog carnival to build connections within the community of people who blog about illness, disease, and disability. Aviva, at Sick Momma, is hosting the next edition of the PFAM blog carnival:  "What do you do to get yourself out of the doldrums when you fall into a funk? What (or who) inspires you and gives you hope? Where have you found inspiration when you weren't even looking for it? How do you keep on keeping on when you pain is high and your fatigue is even higher?"

When I find myself in a funk, my first instinct is to push others away and isolate myself (more than I already am). It's definitely NOT the right thing to do, but it's my "first line of defense." Luckily, I don't live alone, and my husband does everything he can to help me gain a better perspective on things.

Although I've done this less than I should have, writing out my thoughts, feelings, fears, and anxieties can be very cathartic (as can writing out my joys and gratitude). There's something about writing things out that helps purge the negativity from within.

I also have a very supportive family and online group that encourage me to always return to my faith. When things get really difficult, it can be easy to fall down, and it's such a blessing to have people surrounding you that will help pick you back up and remind you that you have a God that loves you unconditionally.

Honestly, when my pain is high and my fatigue is even higher, I have a difficult time holding onto hope on my own. I depend on others for prayer and support... much more than I'd like to (I've never been good at needing to depend on others). Thankfully, I have a handful of people in my life that are willing to pray and hold on to hope for me, when I cannot do it myself. I'm forever grateful for these individuals!

By the way, this song is a good reminder, too...

"Keep On Keepin' On" by Jack Ingram

http://youtu.be/8lQhTFMW7lQ

This post was written as part of the National Health Blog Posting Month (NHBPM).

5 Things That Have Changed My Life as a Patient

Today's challenge is to write about 5 things that have changed your life (for the better or worse) as a patient, caregiver, or health activist.

April 6, 2001 - I injured my hip (and my low back the following year) at a high school track meet. My running (cross-country and track) and softball years were never the same.

October 10, 2008 - I was in a car accident that has changed my life. This is what started the chronic migraines that I still struggle with.

October 17, 2009 - I married my best friend. He's helped me through so much with my chronic pain, over the years.

August 2010 - I entered the world of blogging. I started my Chronic Migraine Warrior blog, and I found a network of others that live with chronic illness... somehow it makes things a bit easier to take, knowing that there are other going through many of the same things that I'm going through.

September 2010 - I attended a seminar for Ascendant Neuro, where I learned about a possible treatment option (neurostimulator) for my chronic migraines. I had the stimulator trial in October, and the permanent implant in December.

This post was written as part of the National Health Blog Posting Month (NHBPM).

My Blogging Process

Today's challenge is to do a quick blog meditation on blogging itself: my blog-writing and post-publish process. Do you immediately tweet a link? Email it to everyone? Re-read it for spelling errors?

I don't have one single process for writing for my blog. I begin in one of any number of different ways, including... thinking of an interesting title (though this often changes, once I write the post), coming up with an idea, writing about an image or quote that inspires me, or expanding on something that I've previously written (either on my blog or in my written journal).

There are many times that I come up with an idea, and then the writing part comes so easily... the words just pour out of me. Finding an image that truly adds to the post can sometimes be a little more difficult.

Before I publish something to my blog, I edit and proofread it... multiple times. Typically, I come and go from a post multiple times before it ever gets published to my blog. Especially if it's an emotionally charged post (such as venting), I feel like I need to get it out, separate myself from it for a while, and then come back and see if it's really something that needs to be shared (sometimes just typing it up or writing it out is enough... then delete or throw it away).

Finally, I do a final proofread of the post in its entirety, and preview it (multiple times), before posting it to my blog. I try not to make changes to the post, once I've pressed "publish"... unless I see some really bad typo.

Depending on what the post is about, I sometimes post a link on Facebook (I don't have Twitter). I periodically check the site analytics, and I try to respond to comments that I might receive.


This post was written as part of the National Health Blog Posting Month (NHBPM).

Dear 18-year old Me

Today's challenge is to write a letter to myself when I was 18 years old - what to do more of, what to do less of, and what you have to look forward to in the coming years.

Dear 18-year old Jamie:

Congratulations on doing so well in high school! Honestly, you're already on the right track, in so many ways, so continue dreaming big and striving hard to be the best you can be. I just have a few thoughts I want to share with you, so that you can enjoy the coming years as much as possible.

As you head to college, remember that grades aren't everything. Perfection is an impossible feat, so relax and just do your best... don't be so hard on yourself. Spend more time with friends, and cherish what you learn from one another. Balance your time, and enjoy every moment because it goes quickly. By the way, during your semester in Europe, get plenty of dried strawberries in the Florence, Italy market!

Try not to worry so much, don't take things so personally, and don't keep things bottled up inside. Enjoy each step of life, as it comes. Be more flexible and spontaneous... but learn that it's okay to say, "No."

I know you're in good shape, but life gets busy. Try to get into a routine of working out - maybe try yoga, since you're still struggling with hip and back pain. It's best to try to get into a workout routine now, otherwise you may never do it.

Always do the best you can and stay true to your morals. Remember that God will faithfully provide you with what you need. Try to keep your eyes on the Lord, even when it seems impossible. You have a wonderful and loving family that is there to support and care for you... let them.

Remember... you're smarter, stronger, and more beautiful than you think you are; God is always here for you; and you're loved.

Blessings,
26-year old Jamie

from Heart Prints

This post was written as part of the National Health Blog Posting Month (NHBPM).